The FLEXIS (Flexible Integrated Energy Systems) project is a major multi-million pound research initiative based in Wales, led by Cardiff University alongside Swansea University, the University of South Wales and other partners, including Aberystwyth and Bangor universities and industry collaborators.
It aims to build a world-class energy systems research capability in Wales that addresses the energy “trilemma” of sustainability, security and affordability by advancing technologies such as energy storage, smart grids, hydrogen production and carbon capture, while integrating social science research to ensure innovations are acceptable and beneficial to communities.
The project has developed demonstrator sites and works with local industry and councils to test and showcase new low-carbon energy solutions, with the broader goal of supporting Wales’s transition to a resilient, low-carbon energy future.
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FLEXIS
Over the last five years, FLEXIS’ consortium of strategic partners – Cardiff University, Swansea University, The University of South Wales, Neath Port Talbot Borough Council and Tata Steel UK, has worked together to successfully develop and create an energy systems research capability in Wales.
Our aim was to create a culture of research and innovation across Wales so that we are known across the world as a leader in energy systems technology. Part of our activity included driving innovation to create jobs and produce real economic impact. One of our key FLEXIS objectives was to create significant critical mass and attract new researchers to Wales. This we have achieved.
Part funded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), the ambitious 5 year, £24M project now approaches its final stages.
Our Impact
Since the project began, FLEXIS have generated over £25M in research income, recruited 95 new researchers into Welsh universities and invested over £2.4M into research equipment and technology to aid current and future research.
As a project, we have supported cluster development through collaboration with private and public sector research organisations and industry in Wales, throughout Europe, and worldwide. Our aim is to promote the products of Welsh research, produce the graduate research engineers that are needed to make Wales one of the global leaders in energy research and of course drive forward net zero solutions to help achieve 2030, 2040 and 2050 targets.
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