High-tech firms will save Sheffield’s economy, says Nick Clegg
Good point: Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is shown around ITM Power by CEO Graham Cooley.
NICK Clegg has given his backing to Sheffield’s high-tech industry to spearhead the city’s recovery from economic recession.
The Deputy Prime Minister made the pledge as he visited ITM Power, based at Atlas, in the Lower Don Valley, which is developing a hydrogen fuel system for motor vehicles.
The company has 21 companies interested in its invention, which involves using creating hydrogen from water. The hydrogen is then used to power cars, lorries and vans, resulting in exhaust emissions which are just steam and do not harm the environment.
Firms interested in ITM’s system include parcels companies UPS and DHL, and construction firms Carillion and Tarmac.
Mr Clegg, who took a tour of the company’s headquarters, said: “Far from being part of the past, manufacturing in cities like Sheffield is going to be part of the rebirth, with particular emphasis on high-tech companies like ITM Power.
“At a time when there is a lot of gloomy news around, we shouldn’t lose sight of important advances happening here in Sheffield in terms of world-beating research and design.”
Mr Clegg, who has previously visited ITM while the company was still developing its product, promised to make energy secretary Chris Huhne aware of the innovation as an alternative to battery-powered cars for the future.
He said ITM, which employs around 60 people, was one of a number of high-tech enterprises which he believes will help the city region’s economic recovery - alongside firms based at sites such as the Advanced Manufacturing Park between Sheffield and Rotherham.
“I want to create a carbon-free economy by the middle of the next century and there are massive amounts of money and jobs in the kind of work that goes on at companies like ITM,” he added.
Graham Cooley, managing director of ITM Power, who showed Mr Clegg a presentation of the company’s work, said: The advantage of our technology over electric vehicles is that you can drive 400 miles before refuelling, whereas an electric car can only go 80 to 100 miles. They are also a drain on the national grid because of people having to plug them in to charge.
“We have moved from purely research and development to production and already have some sales of our product, plus 21 commercial partners interested.”
Mr Cooley told Mr Clegg he thought the Government had ‘too much’ emphasis on electric cars as the future when other alternatives are available and welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister’s pledge to forward details of ITM’s design to Mr Huhne.
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There are 5 comments to this article
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seenitall
Monday, August 29, 2011 at 12:17 PMTeaching is an "incestuous "profession...All too often teachers have never really left school...and then teachers go on to train other teachers...so is there any wonder our system lets down so many?I went to a Grammar School...post War and almost all of our, all male staff, had tales to tell of their years in the forces...real life experience. Sadly, all too few modern teachers have experienced much more than staff room politics! The only way forward for our economy is high -technology which requires well educated, well trained people with fertile minds!
sheffield f.c. world club champions
Monday, August 29, 2011 at 12:03 PMSir taxedalot. Being an ex Tory, Conservative doesn't work any more. Vote UKIP. From my own experiences leaving school, doing an apprenticeship and gaining a HNC was far more beneficial than being at school and that was 30 years ago. School teachers generally speaking have only worked in the school system and are missing too many life skills. They are turning out pc and h&s junkies, certificates no longer seem to have any value.
Sir Taxedalot
Monday, August 29, 2011 at 10:42 AMI doubt this company has invented a product using low paid immigrants. World beating research and design takes skill and dedication. These sort of jobs will be the future of the city. Sheffield's education system still churns out factory fodder for industries we don't have any more. When will Labour supporters wake up and realise Labour does not want people to work and have a future, they only want generation after generation of benefits dependants because they are the people most likely to keep voting Labour.
Charlie Farleigh
Monday, August 29, 2011 at 10:12 AMAs would rebuilding the city centre, lower bus fares, allowing access on the roads and a sensible council. We can all dream!!
sheffield f.c. world club champions
Monday, August 29, 2011 at 09:50 AMAs long as it is local people they employ, not more immigrants.
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