Doble to fund £1.2m innovation centre

By PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 13/12/2012 00:00

AMERICAN engineering firm Doble will today unveil a £1.2 million “centre for innovation” at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to assess the condition of high-voltage power lines and develop ways to improve the reliability of power stations.

The university said the three-year deal will “increase the potential for investment in Scotland’s engineering sector through the development of Doble’s presence in the country for the first time”.

Students will have the opportunity to undertake placements with the company, while researchers could receive funding.

GCU principal Pamela Gillies said: “Doble is a leader in its field and I am very pleased that I was able to sign a partnership agreement with this outstanding company. It is also very positive that this new phase in our relationship will not just mean new research activities, but will also provide our students with valuable placement opportunities.”

A report published last month by the London School of Economics showed £330 billion needs to be spent upgrading the UK’s energy infrastructure before 2030 to avoid blackouts.