Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy

What Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy does

The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) is a Northern Ireland-based, industry-led sustainable energy research centre founded in 2013 and operating as a formal partnership between Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). The organisation coordinates research across three strategic themes — Bio-Energy (solid biomass, anaerobic digestion, biogas upgrading), Energy Systems (smart grid, storage, demand-side management), and Marine Renewable Energy (wind, wave, tidal turbine development) — and positions itself as Northern Ireland's central coordinator for the transition to a zero-carbon economy. It serves government departments, industry players across the green economy, and academic researchers, linking them through collaborative projects, commissioned policy reports, and flagship convening events such as the annual Northern Ireland Energy Summit, which attracted 400+ delegates in both 2023 and 2025.

Its technology portfolio includes several distinctive innovations: a tandem tidal turbine testing methodology deployed in Strangford Lough, a porous liquid biogas upgrading technology achieving 98% CO2 capture versus the 80% industry standard, an electrochemical hydrogen compression (ESC-H2) system, iron-based redox flow batteries positioned at half the cost of vanadium alternatives, a patented self-venting hydrogen storage tank, and a solar envelope architecture (CE-SEA) delivering up to 60% energy use reduction in buildings. Two patents have been granted, and an extensive partner network spans Shell, Kingspan, Wrightbus, NIE Networks, SONI, Gas Networks Ireland, B9 Energy, Encirc, and many SMEs across bioenergy, marine, and circular economy projects. CASE's Academic Director serves as ministerial advisor to the Department for the Economy for energy and decarbonisation.

CASE's revenue model is non-commercial: it operates on managed-services-style arrangements funded through government grants, research council awards, and commissioned policy reports, with a confirmed ~$4.7M funding round from Invest Northern Ireland in January 2020. The organisation publishes no pricing, sells no commercial products, and discloses no revenue or ARR figures. Customers in the conventional sense do not exist; rather, CASE's stakeholders are the NI Department for the Economy and other government agencies that commission policy work, industry partners that co-invest in research projects, and the three university partners that supply academic capacity.

Name

Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy

Legal name

Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy

Website

https://case-research.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) is a Northern Ireland industry-led sustainable energy research centre coordinating Bio-Energy, Energy Systems, and Marine Renewable Energy research across Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, and AFBI, serving government, industry, and academia through collaborative projects and commissioned policy reports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Research Grants: CASE operates as an industry-led sustainable energy research centre funded through government structures. Their academic director serves as ministerial advisor to Department for the Economy, and they produce commissioned reports for government agencies including Department for the Economy Northern Ireland.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) is an industry-led sustainable energy research centre that coordinates applied research across Bio-Energy, Energy Systems, and Marine Renewable Energy. It acts as a single point of contact linking government, industry, and academia, delivering collaborative research projects, commissioned policy reports on decarbonisation, and events such as the Northern Ireland Energy Summit. CASE does not sell products commercially; it provides research services and policy advisory work.

Product overview

The Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) is an industry-led sustainable energy research centre operating as a coordination and research services organization rather than a product company. It brings together researchers from Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University, and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute to work on shared projects across three strategic research themes: Bio-Energy (including solid biomass, anaerobic digestion, and biogas upgrading), Energy Systems (including smart-grid, storage, and demand-side management), and Marine Renewable Energy (including wind, wave, and tidal turbine development). CASE delivers research reports, policy recommendations, and coordinates collaborative projects between academia and industry partners. The organization hosts events including the Northern Ireland Energy Summit and produces commissioned reports on topics such as hydrogen, carbon capture, and renewable energy transition pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sustainable Energy Research Coordination Services Coordinated applied research across three strategic themes — Bio-Energy, Energy Systems, and Marine Renewable Energy — connecting industry, academia, and government partners and delivering collaborative R&D projects, prototype development, and international collaboration for Northern Ireland's transition to a low-carbon energy system.
• Commissioned Policy Reports and Advisory Services Commissioned in-depth policy reports and formal/informal advice on energy and circular economy topics for government departments — including hydrogen costs, biochar CO2 removal, CO2 capture, waste utilisation, EVs, and synthetic fuels — delivered through CASE's ministerial advisory role to the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

58 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• CapitaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Strategic partner for Northern Ireland Energy Summit 2025, supporting the major annual energy conference bringing together leaders from across energy, infrastructure, business and policy.
• NIE NetworksflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Strategic partner for Northern Ireland Energy Summit 2025 and major industry partner for energy systems research including DINOSAURS demand management project.
• NI Gas Network OperatorsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Strategic partner for Northern Ireland Energy Summit 2025, supporting hydrogen blending and gas network decarbonisation research.
• SONIflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025System Operator for Northern Ireland and strategic partner for Energy Summit 2025, focused on energy system transformation and renewable integration.
• Transmission InvestmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Strategic partner for Northern Ireland Energy Summit 2025, supporting energy infrastructure investment discussions.
• A&L GoodbodycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Corporate law firm partnered with CASE for Northern Ireland Energy Summit 2023, providing event leadership and legal expertise for energy sector discussions.
• Queen's University BelfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore research partner institution. Professor David Rooney serves as CASE Academic Director and is Dean of Internationalisation at Queen's. Multiple research projects led by QUB academics.
• University of UlstercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore research partner institution. Houses Centre for Sustainable Technologies and multiple CASE researchers including Professor Neil Hewitt.
• Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore research partner institution. AFBI researchers lead projects including BRILL on biomass production and SUBB on biomass fuel opportunities.
• EnergiacoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for Renewable Methanol from Biogas project, contributing to research on producing methanol from waste gases using CO2 from biogas and hydrogen from wind energy.
• Agri ADcoreTechnology or IntegrationRecurring industry partner across multiple projects including Waste Heat Recovery, Dual Fuel, Biogas to Biorefinery, and Renewable Methanol projects. Key player in anaerobic digestion sector.
• B9 EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationActive partner across numerous CASE projects including Floating Solar, DREAM energy storage, Heat Mapping, Coleraine Microgrid, and Decarbonising Heat. Northern Ireland's largest independent wind plant operator.
• GES GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for AESIR, DREAM, VATTS tidal energy, and other projects. Provides power and energy tech solutions, with GES Group CEO David Moore on CASE Board.
• KingspancoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for Advancing Hydrogen Storage Technology project, contributing expertise in advanced manufacturing and materials.
• CCP GransdencoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for hydrogen storage tank development and breakthrough safety technology for hydrogen vessels. Contributed to prototype development and manufacturing.
• ARR Applied Renewables ResearchcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner across multiple tidal energy projects including TTT series, X-Flow, and DUO-DS wave-powered desalination, providing research and development expertise.
• McLaughlin & HarveycoreTechnology or IntegrationConstruction partner for marine renewable projects including TTT tidal turbines and Tension Piles for Marine Renewables, providing installation and marine engineering expertise.
• ORE CatapultcoreTechnology or IntegrationOffshore Renewable Energy Catapult partnership providing access to world-class testing facilities and commercial support for marine energy development.
• Solar Marine Energy Ltd.coreTechnology or IntegrationLead industry partner for Floating Solar project, developing and testing floating solar platforms for installation on lakes, reservoirs, and coastal areas.
• Senergy InnovationscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for CE-SEA and SENERGY Demonstrator projects developing polymer nanocomposite solar thermal collectors. CEO Christine Boyle MBE on CASE Board.
• EncirccoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for LimeLight project and Biogas to Biorefinery project, contributing to circular economy and biochar applications in glass industry.
• Colloide Engineering SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner across multiple projects including LimeLight, DUO-DS, and FISH-WEC, contributing engineering solutions for renewable energy systems.
• Mannok CementcoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for Circular Concrete project, exploring biochar from digestate as partial cement replacement in concrete products.
• BreedoncoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for Circular Concrete project contributing to low-carbon building materials research.
• Irish CementcoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for Circular Concrete project working on biochar applications in cement industry.
• United RenewablescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Circular Concrete and LimeLight projects, contributing to sustainable energy and biochar research.
• Porous Liquid TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Bio-PLs project, Queen's University Belfast spin-out that developed the porous liquid technology for biogas upgrading.
• OleoncoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for Fatty Acids Catalysis project, contributing expertise in converting waste oils to biofuels and chemicals.
• MOF TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Fatty Acids Catalysis project, contributing metal-organic framework technology for catalyst development.
• PureGen MarinecoreTechnology or IntegrationLead partner for DUO-DS and FISH-WEC projects developing wave-powered desalination systems for aquaculture and remote communities.
• Urban BiomasscoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for SUBB project exploring alternative biomass boiler fuels from forestry by-products and agricultural waste.
• CEMCORcoreTechnology or IntegrationKey industry partner for UNZIP project exploring biomethane production and biorefinery development at Mid Ulster manufacturers site.
• TobermorecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for UNZIP project trialling biomethane-powered forklifts and exploring decarbonisation of cement/concrete with biochar.
• Dale FarmcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for UNZIP project contributing to agricultural biomethane and circular bioeconomy development.
• Renewables UnitedcoreTechnology or IntegrationRecurring partner across Bio-PLs, Circular Concrete, and LimeLight projects contributing to renewable energy and biochar research.
• Gas Networks IrelandcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Hydrogen Blending project exploring safe introduction of green hydrogen into Northern Ireland's gas network.
• Mutual EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Hydrogen Blending project contributing to gas network safety and operations expertise.
• Phoenix EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Hydrogen Blending and E-methane projects contributing to gas network decarbonisation research.
• Artemis TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Breakthrough Safety Technology for Hydrogen Vessels project, focusing on safer hydrogen storage for marine use.
• Energia GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for hydrogen vessel safety project contributing to green energy and hydrogen expertise.
• Renewables United LtdcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for E-methane project contributing to biological methanation research combining hydrogen and CO2 to produce renewable gas.
• US National Renewable Energy LaboratorycoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational research partner for E-methane project providing specialist technical input on renewable energy systems.
• Glen DimplexcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for DINOSAURS project developing smart technology to manage home heating flexibly, supporting grid efficiency.
• Energy Trading IrelandcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for DINOSAURS and Coleraine Microgrid projects contributing to energy trading and grid services expertise.
• WrightbuscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Heat Mapping project exploring combined heat and power plant energy sharing with local businesses through district energy network.
• Kinecx EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Planning for Greener Bus Fleet and E-methane projects contributing to hydrogen and energy planning expertise.
• United RenewablescoreTechnology or IntegrationRecurring partner for LimeLight project and Circular Concrete project, contributing to biochar and sustainable energy research.
• ORPC IrelandcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for X-Flow tidal energy project testing Transverse Axis Crossflow Turbine technology.
• Shell Global SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for X-Flow project contributing to tidal energy research and development.
• Renewables UnitedcoreTechnology or IntegrationRecurring partner across multiple bioenergy and circular economy projects including E-methane and Biogas to Biorefinery.
• ThermtechcoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry partner for Waste Heat Recovery project contributing to heat recovery system design and validation.
• NI WatercoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Waste Heat Recovery and Dual Fuel projects contributing to infrastructure and operations expertise.
• TG HaulagecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Dual Fuel project conducting real-world vehicle trials converting diesel trucks to operate on CNG/biomethane.
• EncirccoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for LimeLight project exploring waste lime from glass industry for ammonia recovery and biochar production.
• Kilmoyle EnergycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for BioGas to Biorefinery project exploring advanced biogas utilisation pathways.
• GkineticcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for VATTS project providing vertical axis tidal turbine technology for Strangford Lough testing.
• B9 Organic Energy InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for READ project contributing to digestate pelletisation and waste-to-energy solutions.
• EnerChem SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for Decarbonising Heat project contributing to agricultural resource mapping and renewable gas production expertise.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bryden Centre: Renewable energy research and doctoral training centre co-hosted by QUB and other NI universities; CASE's Head of Operations is also Operations Director for Bryden Centre, indicating shared infrastructure and clear thematic overlap in NI renewables R&D.
• UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC): National UK energy research consortium spanning multiple universities, providing policy evidence and coordinating interdisciplinary energy research — directly analogous to CASE's tri-institution model and policy-report role.
• Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC): UK-wide industry-led decarbonisation research hub coordinating academic, government, and industrial partners. Highly comparable to CASE as a UK/EU regional industry-led research centre coordinating decarbonisation R&D.
• CENTEC (Centre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering) — IST Lisbon: Portuguese university-affiliated research centre focused on marine renewable energy including wave and tidal devices. Direct thematic overlap with CASE's marine renewable energy theme.
• Net Zero Technology Centre: Industry-led technology centre established to accelerate the energy transition; operates as a coordination and applied research hub for industry, academia, and government, mirroring CASE's convening model.

Broad incumbents

• Energy Systems Catapult: UK Catapult focused on whole-systems energy innovation, accelerating decarbonisation through collaboration across industry, academia, and government — overlapping with CASE's smart-grid, storage, and demand-side research themes.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): US DOE national laboratory covering bioenergy, hydrogen, marine renewables, and energy systems; CASE has an active partnership with NREL on the E-methane project, providing direct comparability in technology coverage and research scope.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy (IEG): Germany's Fraunhofer applied-research network includes energy-focused institutes spanning bioenergy, grid, and storage R&D with industry-funded projects. Comparable as a large-scale applied-research model with industry partnerships.
• Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult): UK Catapult centre for offshore renewables providing testing, demonstration, and commercialisation support. CASE is already a partner of ORE Catapult on marine renewables projects, and overlaps in marine energy testing, TRL advancement, and industry facilitation.

Regional players

• SINTEF Energy Research: Norway-based applied research institute conducting energy R&D across renewables, storage, hydrogen, and bioenergy. Highly comparable in scientific scope and industry-government coordination, though operating from Norway rather than NI.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CASEResearch19
• Facebookfacebook.com/CASENI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-advanced-sustainable-energy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy