CSA Catapult and Siemens establish power partnership
Collaboration aims to accelerate power electronics, machines and drives technology, capability and skills in UK
Siemens plc has entered a strategic innovation partnership with the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult in Newport to accelerate the development of leading-edge power electronics capability. This partnership model, a first for both companies in the UK, will focus on the development of disruptive power electronics and building advanced skills in the UK.
The partnership between Siemens and CSA Catapult will deliver a series of joint projects and potential future collaborative supply chain programmes with other UK companies. CSA Catapult has a significant track record in bringing together end to end UK supply chains in power electronics.
There will be a dedicated Siemens power electronics innovation hub at CSA Catapult in Newport, Wales, to facilitate engagement with the UK power electronics ecosystem such as universities, Catapults, RTOs, industrial partners, start-ups, and grant funding organisations.
Siemens employees will be based on site at the Catapult, they will host Siemens colleagues from new recruits to sponsored students and PHDs. Siemens and CSA Catapult will jointly work on initiatives with other UK partners to address the skills gaps in power electronics.
Power Electronics is one of eleven Company Core Technologies for Siemens, innovation areas which are most critical for the long-term success of the company and its customers. Led by Digital Industries Motion Control (DI MC) this hub is a joint initiative between Technology Power Electronics (T PEL) and the Research and Innovation Ecosystem (T RIE) delivering disruptive technological solutions for our customers for a more sustainable world.
CSA Catapult delivers long-term benefit to the UK economy and accelerates UK economic growth in industries where applying compound semiconductors creates a competitive advantage and enables new products or end markets.
CSA Catapult is delivering three projects: ESCAPE, @FutureBEV and Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centres, to create new UK supply chains and accelerate electrification and Net Zero. CSA Catapult is one of the four regional centres for Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centres (DER-IC) a UK wide investment programme. It develops supply chain capability and competence for the underpinning of power electronics components and materials, towards UK net zero goals.
Rolf Hellinger, VP of Power Electronics at Siemens AG said: “Power Electronics is one of the Company Core Technologies for Siemens. Therefore, we are looking forward to expanding our Research and Innovation Ecosystem of world-leading universities and research institutes working with CSA Catapult. This collaboration will bring radical and disruptive technologies to market – fast, risk mitigated and economical.”
Imran Agha, innovation manager, Innovation Centre for Power Electronics at Siemens plc said: “Siemens being an innovation leader in Power Electronics is creating a high value UK collaboration ecosystem with CSA Catapult, enabling us to accelerate commercialisation of next generation disruptive technologies underpinned by advanced PEMD skills. This will help with building more sustainable, cleaner supply chains, and create more jobs for the future.”
Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “Today’s news is a further boost to Wales’ growing reputation as a leader in the development of cutting-edge technology. We are a global leader in compound semiconductor technology, with made in Wales products powering devices in every corner of the world. So I am delighted to welcome Siemens to Wales.
“It’s great to see such a major company choosing to co-locate their first UK Innovation Hub alongside the Catapult in Newport. This will help with developing the skills of our existing and future workforce, and foster the ongoing development of the compound semiconductor cluster.”
Simon Edmonds, chief business officer at Innovate UK said: “Catapults are supported by Innovate UK to drive innovation through a unique combination of facilities and expertise, and have a great track record of attracting inward investment and accelerating clusters. The Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult is continuing this through the valuable partnership with Siemens, which will make a significant contribution to the CS cluster in South Wales, to the UK economy, and to the UK’s capability in compound semiconductors.”
Martin McHugh, CEO at CSA Catapult said, “We are very pleased to enter a strategic innovation partnership with Siemens Plc, a very important player in this market. This is a significant milestone for CSA Catapult, it will help us accelerate power electronics projects across UK industry, to solve complex innovation problems. We are hoping this is the first partnership of many and we are keen to discuss more. Working with Siemens, we will accelerate our internal research programme and demonstrators and provide opportunities for our people.
Developing power electronics skills across the UK is a priority and working alongside Siemens will provide opportunities to attract more talent and skills to the region. Working across our industry, we will continue to build on our track record in bringing power electronic supply chains together, to support UK growth.”
