Cash boost for hi-tech centre.

A MIDDLESBROUGH-BASED technology centre has won pounds 1.67m to strengthen the area's expertise in manufacturing for renewable energy industries.

TWI's Renewable Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre's (REMTEC) focus is on using innovative materials and joining technologies for the production of new products and processes. It is hoped the cash boost from Europe and One North East will help plug the region into regional, national and even international supply chains for low carbon energy production.

Advanced R&D and testing facilities include specialist techniques such as a reduced pressure electron beam welding, which can halve production costs and increase production speeds by up to ten-fold The newly extended work of the centre will also concentrate on identifying areas of opportunity including advanced fabrication of wind towers and foundations, composite fabrication for large wind turbine blades, combustion component coatings for biomass and dual-fired plants, solar energy systems, and anti-fouling coating development.

SMEs are expected to contribute around pounds 300,000 to its work.

"We have a waiting list of SMEs looking for TWI technology transfer assistance," said Terry O'Neill, associate director at TWI.

"We will give regional businesses access to TWI's world class and leading edge fabrication technologies to enable them to adopt new design and manufacturing methods for the low carbon energy sector, particularly in areas such as off-shore wind power."