Carnot driving innovative transport decarbonisation with Innovate UK Business Growth support
London-based Carnot’s pioneering technology is designed to tackle the monumental task of decarbonising industry, transport, and power. Innovate UK funding has played a pivotal role in helping Carnot develop its innovative clean energy technologies and through Innovate UK Business Growth, propel itself onto the international stage.
Founded on the ambition to transform sectors where net-zero transitions are notoriously difficult—such as off-grid power, maritime and heavy-duty vehicles — Carnot has developed next-generation engine technology.
This innovation is central to the UK’s broader goals of achieving carbon neutrality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, significantly contributing to the UK’s commitment to becoming a leader in clean energy solutions.
Carnot’s technology more than doubles the efficiency of conventional engines, achieving over 70% brake thermal efficiency. By doubling efficiency, it halves fuel consumption. Not only does it significantly reduce carbon emissions, but it also demonstrates versatility by efficiently utilising various decarbonised fuels, including hydrogen, biofuels, and potentially others, without the need for major modifications or adaptations for each fuel type.
This flexibility plays a crucial role in accelerating the transition to low-carbon technologies across multiple industries, supporting the UK’s net-zero commitments.
Strategic support and scaled impact
Since July 2022, Innovate UK Business Growth has collaborated closely with Carnot, enhancing its ability to secure pivotal funding and forge international partnerships.
“Innovate UK Business Growth’s support enabled us to target several high-impact grants, including the Energy Catalyst Round 9 and the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 2,” says Archie Watts-Farmer, co-founder and CEO of Carnot.
These funding initiatives have not only bolstered Carnot’s technological advancements but also enabled the business to expand its operational footprint globally.
“Collaborating with Innovate UK Business Growth has been transformative for Carnot. The expertise of our innovation and growth specialist in identifying and preparing for specific funding opportunities has accelerated our development and market penetration efforts significantly,” notes Watts-Farmer.
Expanding horizons through global collaboration
With the strategic guidance of Arezoo Hasibi, Senior Innovation and Growth Specialist at Innovate UK Business Growth, Carnot has embarked on exploring international partnerships. This has included identifying partners for decarbonising and maritime in Singapore and Norway plus understanding the investment landscape in North America during the Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) in Denver, Colorado, focused on clean growth.
“The support from Innovate UK Business Growth has been instrumental in helping us scale our impact across borders. Through its bespoke service, we have been able to engage with global partners, driving forward our ambitions to lead in clean technology,” explains Watts-Farmer.
Looking to the future
As Carnot continues to navigate the complexities of the renewable energy sector, the ongoing support from Innovate UK Business Growth remains crucial. The ability to adapt and respond to the unique needs of high-growth, innovation-led companies, like Carnot, exemplifies the bespoke nature of the service.
With Innovate UK’s support, Carnot is soon to deliver sea trials for the first hydrogen APU demonstrator onboard a UK-flagged vessel. This deployment marks a crucial step in proving the viability of hydrogen as a sustainable maritime fuel and directly contributes to the UK’s strategic objectives of reducing carbon emissions from shipping and accelerating innovation in clean energy technologies.
Projects like this have been instrumental in securing international partnerships, including one with Japanese ship owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), the sixth-largest shipping company in the world, which has recently become a Carnot shareholder and partner.
“Thanks to the continuous and adaptive support from Innovate UK Business Growth, Carnot is set to transform the renewable energy sector, making a significant impact on global decarbonisation efforts,” concludes Watts-Farmer.
The support from Innovate UK Business Growth has been instrumental in helping us scale our impact across borders. Through its bespoke service, we have been able to engage with global partners and investors, driving forward our ambitions to lead in clean technology.
– Archie Watts-Farmer, co-founder and CEO of Carnot