Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab – our projects

The Impact Lab provided a wide range of valuable support for businesses in Devon

Each company we worked with received a bespoke package to suit their needs. Services were free of charge, although grants required a match funding contribution from the business.

The heart of what the Impact Lab offers is resource for collaborative projects to help businesses solve a key technical challenge in the development of a new product, service or process.

To deliver a project, we also call on the support of a wide range of academic specialists from within any of the seven Impact Lab partners. These academics can provide specific skills and subject-matter expertise where needed.

Select the sections below to find out more about our team and the projects they support in each of our specialist areas.

Project update: The UK’s first sea-going electric ferry has set sail for the first time in Plymouth Sound.

We are pleased to share that after several months of collaboration and development the e-Voyager is now in the water and undergoing rigorous trials before carrying its first paying passengers in April 2021.

The Impact Lab have been working with Plymouth Boat Trips and local partners Voyager Marine, Teignbridge Propellers, EV Parts and the University of Exeter, to design and develop the e-Voyager using technology and innovative approaches that reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport.

As part of the ground-breaking project, Impact Lab has provided a range of support, including support with the application for grant funds, specialist technical support and research expertise around the electric propulsion and battery systems, and the installation of sensors to record data about air, water and noise pollution from the vessel.

As the trials progress the Impact Lab will be creating a data visualisation piece that can be shared with the project’s stakeholders and partners to demonstrate the environmental benefits for Plymouth Sound.

Supporting the UK’s goal of zero emission shipping

The University firmly believes that the work conducted on e-Voyager will pave the way for larger scale innovation towards meeting the Government’s target of a 50% reduction in emissions from the maritime sector by 2050.

Dr Richard Pemberton, Lecturer in Mechanical and Marine Engineering Design at the University of Plymouth.

Supporting businesses to turn challenges into opportunities

The Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab provided a wide range of valuable support for businesses in Devon. Each company received a bespoke package to suit their needs. The services were free of charge, although grants required a match funding contribution from the business.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

The University of Plymouth is proud to be supported by the European Regional Development Fund. As one stream of funding under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme 2014–2020, the ERDF focuses on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The main priorities involve contributions to research and innovation, supporting and promoting small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and the creation of a low carbon economy.