From Theory to Practice

Leading the UK’s testbed for innovation, research and policy

TEP Birmingham (formerly Tyseley Energy Park) is a nationally recognised hub anchoring the West Midlands Smart Energy Systems Cluster. As part of the UK’s Clean Energy Superpower mission, we connect infrastructure, insight and partnerships to turn research into impact and policy into delivery. Bringing together academia, industry and government in a shared space, we encourage collaboration, knowledge exchange and applied research.

We make it easier for universities to connect research to policy, innovation to commercialisation, and students to employers. Whether through demonstrator projects, co-funded pilots or collaboration with tenants, our site supports researchers in achieving greater visibility, funding success and societal impact.

Research Partners

As the location of the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre and the upcoming National Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat, and a key delivery partner in the West Midlands Growth Strategy, we collaborate with leading universities to play a central role in shaping the region’s green economy and supporting the UK’s long-term competitiveness in clean energy innovation.

Published Research & Policy Work

Net-zero: The Road to Low-Carbon Heat

Decarbonising the UK’s heating system is the greatest challenge the UK faces in meeting its net-zero 2050 target. This report outlines the sheer scale of this task, what the challenge means for consumers and communities and, importantly, the possible opportunities that could arise from successfully transitioning to low-carbon heat.

Heading: Pathways for Local Heat Delivery

To reach net zero and reduce its dependency on natural gas, the UK has to stop using gas as its source of domestic heat. This study, led by Birmingham University, examines how urban areas like East Birmingham can address that challenge.

Powering West Midlands Growth: A regional approach to clean energy innovation

Chaired by Sir David King, this policy commission report advocates for Energy Innovation Zones across the West Midlands to integrate low-carbon technologies, develop clean energy business models and infrastructure, and overcome regulatory barriers for innovation.

Energy From Waste and The Circular Economy

Birmingham Energy Institute’s policy commission examines integrating energy from waste into circular economy strategies and identifies Midlands-based opportunities. The report challenges EfW’s carbon-neutral claims, recommending waste heat exploitation, second-generation technologies, and carbon capture to reduce emissions intensity.

Policy Alignment

We’re a real-world model for how local industrial strategy, clean energy policy, and net zero ambitions can be delivered in one place with clear outcomes for jobs, skills, and growth.

At TEP Birmingham, we bring together local government, national policymakers, and industry leaders to turn climate and industrial strategy into collaborative delivery with measurable results.

West Midlands Growth Plan

We support this bold vision to transform the region’s economy over the next decade, with real action starting now and big outcomes by 2035.

West Midlands Regional Energy Strategy

We partner with the WMCA to help position the West Midlands as the national trailblazer for smart energy systems.

Clean Flexibility Roadmap

We support this roadmap for a cleaner, more flexible electricity system, which maximises the use of energy infrastructure to minimise energy bills.

Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan

We benefit from the UK’s plan to create investment, growth, and good jobs in clean energy industries, as part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

“Tyseley Energy Park is at the cutting edge of my plan for the West Midlands to lead a clean energy revolution. This technology will benefit the region and others across the UK. It’s the kind of innovation we’re driving to develop solutions to the energy problems we face now and to find ways to generate greener, more reliable, and sustainable energy for our future generations. By investing in clean and green energy, we can create jobs, help businesses to reduce emissions and cut costs – leading to wellbeing, prosperity and growth.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands

Emily Prestwood from Birmingham Energy Institute said: “Tyseley Energy Park will play a significant role in Birmingham’s transition to net-zero. To make sure it’s a fair transition for the residents and communities in Tyseley and Hay Mills and that we’re acting for the common good, talking with people and sharing ideas and thoughts on climate change, is vitally important. We hope to continue to have these conversations over the next months and years”.

Emily Prestwood Birmingham Energy Institute

David Horsfall, Director of Property and Sustainability at Tyseley Energy Park, added: “We’re proud to provide a home for this transformative technology and to contribute to a future where strategic materials are recovered, reused and re‑manufactured right here in the West Midlands, strengthening the UK’s green industrial strategy for decades to come.”

David Horsfall, Director of Property and Sustainability

With our 300-year industrial heritage providing the foundation for innovation, we offer policymakers and investors the opportunity to witness how breakthrough technologies scale from laboratory research to operational deployment.

David Horsfall, Director of Property & Sustainability, TEP Birmingham

To build on our proud industrial heritage to drive scalable, best-in-class energy systems and clean technology innovations that are founded on collaborative endeavour between industry, academia and government and which help unlock growth in the green economy and prosperity in the region and beyond.

David Horsfall, Director of Property & Sustainability, TEP Birmingham

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to drive forward technological advancements in the energy sector. Their innovative approach focuses on automating inspection and maintenance tasks to keep people safe from dangerous conditions, and their commitment to making unsafe tasks safer aligns perfectly with TEP’s goals. We are thrilled to have Innvotek on-site, enhancing our community with their expertise and innovative solutions.

David Horsfall, Director of Property & Sustainability

Ready to Work Together?

Join us in connecting research and policy with real-world infrastructure and national leadership.