SIRAC addresses a key strategy for UK PLC; technical innovation for long term profitability and a clean environment.
The challenge is to increase innovation funding to the same level as in Japan and Germany, to enable us to compete globally in the 21st century.
For the UK RAC industry the key challenge and opportunity is to provide low carbon efficient cooling with increasing temperatures. Currently, RAC systems contribute about 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and about 16% of all electricity used in the UK. To achieve large scale carbon reductions the industry must innovate.
Traditionally, innovation has been by select companies, research organisations and universities. However, with new Government funding, there is now a great opportunity for all to benefit. But How?
SIRAC was established by the RAC industry in 2008 with the support of EPSCR funding to address these issues through a self sustaining network. Now part of the Institute of Refrigeration it offers opportunities for industry and academic researchers to promote new carbon-saving technology in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps. It brings together the combined might of RAC research workers with industry innovators. Working together as a network has increases the flow of information between those with problems to solve and those with the ideas to solve them.
Meetings are innovative, informative and highly interactive. They are open to all and participants make valuable contacts and extend their knowledge of how to address issues of sustainability in our sector. Members pool their ideas to increase the speed with which industry’s issues can be addressed, formulate collaborative bids for research funding and share success.