Dearman, the clean cold technology company, has fought off competition from across the country to be nominated for a prestigious national innovation award, which will see the company heading to Parliament later this month.
Dearman is one of just five companies nominated in the ‘Innovation Leading to Investment’ category in Innovate UK’s Small Business innovation awards. They also have a chance of winning the best of the best ‘Inspirational innovation’ award.
The awards aim to recognise examples of innovation excellence among projects funded by Innovate UK. The ceremony will recognise projects and companies that demonstrate the impact of innovation on business growth and driving the economy, which can inspire others.
Dearman technology has been developed to harness liquid nitrogen and deliver clean cold and power. At the heart of the company’s technology portfolio is the revolutionary zero-emission Dearman Engine, which is powered by the expansion of liquid nitrogen rather than polluting petrol or diesel.
Dearman focusses upon cold and power because, although not widely recognised, global demand for cooling has a significant impact upon pollution and energy demand. Cooling currently generates approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than aviation and shipping combined, and international demand is projected to boom.
The Dearman engine can be used in a range of applications to address demand for cold and power across transport, logistics and the built environment, where it provides an efficient, cost effective and high performance alternative to fossil fuels. The most advanced application of the technology is a zero emission transport refrigeration system, which has been developed in partnership with Hubbard Products and Air Products, and is currently undergoing trials with Sainsbury’s.
Future applications which are also in development through a combination of private investment, Government and partner funding, include a back up power generator, an auxiliary power unit for trucks and buses and a ‘waste heat’ hybrid drive system to reduce the fuel consumption of internal combustion engines in HGVs.
Dearman has developed its technology with significant support from Innovate UK. The company also recently announced that a Dearman led consortium has been awarded a substantial amount of grant funding (£6M) from the Advanced Propulsion Centre, which will help take Dearman technology into production and onto the road.
Toby Peters, Founder and Chief Executive of Dearman said: “Innovation has the potential to have an enormously positive impact on the environment but also the economy. Innovate UK has played a crucial role in both advancing and promoting British technologies, including the Dearman Engine, which can help to change the world. We are looking forward to the awards ceremony in Parliament, to demonstrate the potential of our technology and pit ourselves against other game changers from across the UK. We wish all the finalists the best of luck.”
Innovate UK Chief Executive Ruth McKernan said: “Our small business awards showcase the stories behind some of the excellent new innovations that Innovate UK helps to get closer to market every year. They also help Parliamentarians see how vital business-led innovation is to growing the economy and any industrial strategy. I want to congratulate Dearman on being shortlisted and I’m looking forward to meeting them in Parliament and hopefully sending them back with an award.”
The awards will be presented by Universities and Science minister Jo Johnson MP, and Chief Executive of Innovate UK, Dr Ruth McKernan on 25 October in the House of Commons.
Since 2007 Innovate UK has invested around £1.8 billion in innovation, which has been more than matched by the private sector – returning up to £13.1 billion to the economy. Innovate UK has supported innovation in 7,600 organisations, creating around 55,000 new jobs – more than 7 for each company we have worked with.
