Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2016-09-20
Buyer: The University of Birmingham
Country: UK
Region: Birmingham
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Contract award without prior publication
CPV classification: 33000000 | 38000000
Estimated value: 550000 GBP
Award criteria: Compliance with the specification

Technical requirements: Compliance with the specification
This is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice of the University of Birmingham's intention to award a contract. The equipment in question is intended for purchase is known as a Thermo-Catalytic Reforming (TCR) reactor. This is requested as part of the T-ERA programme for the demonstration of the conversion of residual waste biomass into biofuels namely synthesis gas, bio-oil and biochar.
T-ERA is a government backed programme which has confirmed a £60m GBP capital investment in the Energy Research Accelerator. Together with the private sector and university support the investment will unlock a total of 180 000 000 GBP total investment in the Midlands over the next 5 years. The project is awarded in conjunction with partners including 6 of the leading UK universities from the Midlands Innovation group — Aston University, The University of Birmingham, The University of Leicester, Loughborough University, The University of Nottingham, The University of Warwick, the British Geological Survey together with catapult centres such as the Manufacturing Catapult and private investor companies such as; Dearman, Cofely and Jaguar Land Rover.
The Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) will tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the global economy by transforming research and development in three critical areas of energy: Thermal, Integrated Systems and Geo-Energy.
The core objectives of ERA are to make better use of primary resources, bring about smarter energy systems, reduce our dependence on importing energy, enhance energy security and resilience, and help achieve the UK's carbon reduction targets. To do this it will build a world-leading centre of energy talent, technology research, development and deployment based on the academic expertise and industrial heritage of the Midlands. It will drive the impact of energy research in the UK through its partner's expertise, facilities, academic credibility and heritage in the region's economy. In addition to £60m Government funding, ERA is supported by 120 000 000 GBP private sector and university investment.
One important element of the T-ERA project is the Birmingham Thermal Belt where it has been proposed to scale up the TCR technology deploy at least 20 TCR decentralised commercial plants around the city of Birmingham, processing all of the cities wastes into liquid fuels for transport, CHP, biochar and green H2 for Britain's future rail and transport network (including HS2 fast rail from Birmingham to London and National Express coaches). Talks have commenced with Birmingham City Council who have welcomed the proposals. The Thermal Belt will require a total Capital investment of 200 000 000 GBP and talks with a Bavarian Lender bank are in progress to secure the initial financing round, however this is only possible with the first successful demonstration of the first unit to be purchased by T-ERA funding, presented by this application.
In addition to the thermal belt untapped biomass markets around the world could also be used to exploit the technology, especially in rural areas or the developing world where electricity, heat and cold energy is scares but biomass resources are abundant.
Should the funding body withdraw their support from the Project the University of Birmingham reserves the right to withdraw its requirement off the market.