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Is the time right for an Ox-Cam Arc initiative?

24 May 2021

Emma Southwell Sander, EnergyTec Cluster, Harwell Emma Southwell Sander

Is the time right for an Oxford Cambridge Arc initiative?
By Emma Southwell-Sander, Harwell EnergyTec Cluster at STFC-UKRI

We are undoubtedly living in turbulent times in regard to climate change, and the energy sector is at the core of this. With energy discourse dominated by topics such as carbon emissions and the net zero agenda, it is important that independent bodies such as the Science Technology Facilities Council at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus reflects on the role it plays, both within the UK and at an international level and the relationship they have it has with the surrounding regions including the Oxford Cambridge Arc.
Having visited several of our fantastic partner campuses across the region, as well as seeing net zero partnerships flourish, I am convinced that, while the Science Technology Facilities Council has much to offer, we also have much to learn. Which is why, for several years now The Harwell EnergyTec Cluster has placed ‘Partnerships and Collaboration’ at the very heart of its foundation.
The Harwell EnergyTec Cluster, has developed a strategic vision based on three key elements allowing us to focus effort and attention on developing meaningful and collaborative relationships across the net zero agenda.

The three elements are:

  1. Community – building on the positive role the Harwell EnergyTec Cluster plays within the local community including Living Oxford.
  2. Collaboration – To collaborate effectively and positively with members of the net zero community including the 57 organisations that work in the energy sector at Harwell, the 100 organisations in the wider network and collaboration across the OxCam Arc region.
  3. Challenge – To stretch and challenge ourselves via collaboration.


It is clear there is an appetite to collaborate with organisations across academia, government and industry in areas such as net zero energy storage, battery research, renewables, digital transformation, transportation, environment and sustainability programmes across campuses. The benefits of such partnerships can be broad and meaningful; from leadership opportunities and learning from others, to attracting investment and promoting UK economic growth.

  • The Harwell Net Zero Living Laboratory is a strategy designed to test, validate and expedite net zero technologies at Harwell Campus from incubation to commercialisation. The current three main areas of focus include zero carbon fuels, zero carbon energy storage and battery research in partnership with key stakeholders including the Faraday Institution

A driving force behind our flourishing partnership program has been the external regional relationships and we think that the OxCam Arc initiative is key to this. To get a sense of the scale of partnerships here are a few statistics to reflect on:

  • For over three years, the cluster proof of concept fund has been blazing a trail in terms of delivering net zero innovation. Funding over 44 projects and over 70 organisations across the three clusters at Harwell: Energy, Space and Health, cross sector collaboration has been the key to success.
  • Hosted the Harwell net zero energy conference “How to Expedite Net Zero Technology in the UK” with over 400 registered attendees,
  • Partnered with over 150 organisations across academia, industry, government and finance. The EnergyTec Cluster has been expanding at pace and exploring new areas with cutting edge net zero technologies

I feel both excited and privileged to work in a department where the net zero landscape is so rich and varied; full of passionate professionals and talented individuals. Having seen what can be both achieved and learnt over the last few years now is the time to knock down the metaphorical walls and build meaningful, sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships through the OxCam Arc initiative for the benefit of all in the climate change agenda.

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