The judges rigorously assessed each application against a range of strict criteria including genuine innovation, carbon saving potential, novel application and commercial potential. Artemis Intelligent Power has developed ground breaking technology with multiple applications, and has made good progress in turning a vision into a commercial reality.

The valves provide flow on demand and respond almost instantly to load inputs. Digital Displacement Pumps (DDP) and Pump/Motors (DDPM) have one or more cylinders dedicated to each service.

The microprocessor controls each cylinder completely independently so that, in most instances, flow regulating valves are not required and the pump/motor can be connected directly to the actuators. Discarding the external valves reduces overall complexity and hence system cost.

DD machines lose so little energy efficiency at partial flow rates that they are close to uniformly efficient over the whole displacement range. This energy efficiency is largely because, while not active, Digital Displacement cylinders are completely isolated from the high pressure supply. There are no high pressure sliding interfaces to sap energy as there are in conventional hydraulic pumps.



The company has developed the world's most efficient and controllable hydraulic machines, that can be integrated into many structures ranging from wind turbines through to cars, leading to substantial cuts in carbon emissions and helping to tackle climate change. 



Left: The Artemites 2008.



Spun out of the University of Edinburgh in 1994 the company has grown steadily through its long term development projects with market-leading industrial partners.

As well as being named overall 'Innovator of the Year' Artemis Intelligent Power, won the 'Power' award category in recognition of its technology's potential to produce lightweight, robust power transfer systems which make wind turbines cheaper to build and maintain. 

Artemis' technology allows reduction in weight and simplification of power electronics, resulting in lower costs than the current technology.

Infra-Red gas laser monitoring
Stirling based Cascade Technologies located in Castle Business Park, also made the news with its laser-based technology that enables fast and accurate measurement of gas compositions. In March this year it was awarded the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Standard in its 5th year, after initiating the complex process of ISO certification as a key business goal.

The technology started in 1999 when an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant was awarded to University of Strathclyde Physics and Applied Physics to carry out research into the use of Quantum Cascade Lasers for gas sensing applications. During the research, Erwan Normand identified that a commercial opportunity existed, which led to the identification of the IP. The patent was applied for in April 2002 in the UK  was extended in April 2003 to gain worldwide coverage.

There are numerous potential carbon saving applications of the technology: one of the most exciting will be to monitor the performance of power stations fitted with carbon capture technology. It can do this by providing real-time measurements of the composition of emissions, before and after they have been 'cleaned' using carbon capture technology.

Cascade's technology can also be deployed in the maritime sector where, for the first time, it will possible to analyse the ship's exhaust and use feedback from this to optimise the fuel/air mix and hence ensure that a ship's engine is combusting fuel as efficiently as possible.



Commenting on the  Awards, Tom Delay, (right) Chief Executive,the Carbon Trust said: "As the UK looks to develop new low carbon solutions to tackle climate change, the breadth and depth of innovation here is deeply encouraging. 

Whilst many of the technologies that we looked at are still in their infancy, others already demonstrate strong commercial potential.

“This clearly shows not only the UK's capacity for scientific discovery and bright ideas, but also the fantastic opportunity that we have to make the clean tech sector a thriving part of the British economy."



Dick Strawbridge, 'eco king' (left) of carbon capture report fame commented: "Engineering and innovation are passions of mine, but reading through the submissions was a humbling experience. 

One of the special things about these awards is that you get to see how British companies, institutions and individuals are pushing technology to its limits to try and reduce our impact on the planet whilst allowing us to maintain our privileged lifestyle.

“The entries were extremely high quality, and inspiring, so it would be great to see them all succeeding in the global market place."



This year's nationwide hunt attracted submissions from nearly 250 of the UK's most inspiring innovators in the development, deployment and use of low carbon technology solutions, across a range of areas from power generation to buildings to transport. Winners include: TMO Renewables for the Transport award, CamSemi for the Buildings award and Oxsensis for the Industry award.

For the innovative deployment of low carbon technologies, The Commercial Group was named private sector winner and Oxford City Council the public sector winner.

Full details.