The strategic relationship will link ENGIE’s  ‘Cities of Tomorrow’ initiative with the University’s Newcastle City Futures, and will span each of the three national research centres recently announced for Science Central. The partnership will primarily concentrate on the analysis of urban data, digital services for ageing populations, intelligent networks and battery storage.

The MOU was signed by the Vice-Chancellor and Isabelle Kocher, CEO, ENGIE, at a special event at The Core, on the Science Central site.

Professor Chris Brink said: “This new partnership is testament to the potential of Science Central as a global centre for urban innovation. Building on the announcement of three national research centres, working with ENGIE will take us a step closer to realising our vision for Science Central as an exemplar of sustainable urban development.” 

Isabelle Kocher stressed the importance of the work being undertaken by Newcastle University in the fields of sustainable energy and urban development, as well as the relationships the company has already established with Newcastle and North Tyneside Councils. She said:  “The energy revolution starts in cities. The fact that ENGIE’s Urban Strategy Council is holding its 8th meeting in Newcastle is symbolic of ENGIE’s strategy of integrating itself into public-private partnerships to jointly build the city of tomorrow.  

“This MOU is the foundation stone for future cooperation between ENGIE and Newcastle University and furthers ENGIE’s ambitions to become a leader in Digital Services for cities, and be able to provide integrated local services.”

Professor Mark Tewdwr-Jones, Director, Newcastle City Futures, added: “This partnership will provide us with a unique opportunity to not only generate further globally significant research but create new opportunities for businesses and citizens to make Newcastle a test bed city for innovation. Our relationship with ENGIE enables us to develop collaborative ideas that make a real difference to how we shape our future.”