Hydro Nation Energy Innovation Programme (HNEIP)

The Hydro Nation Energy Innovation Programme offers Scottish companies access to resources including project funding to work with Scottish universities on innovation projects to develop technologies that reduce carbon emissions in the water supply industry.

We welcome applications from Scottish companies of any size, or non-Scottish companies who have or want to establish a base in Scotland.

The project must fulfil the following requirements:

• The project idea must represent an advance in technological innovation that decreases carbon emissions in the water supply industry.
• The project idea must relate to a product and/or process that can be successfully commercialised.
• The project requires research & innovation (R&I) that is delivered in collaboration with an academic partner from a Scottish university.

We are looking for innovation in areas that address the reduction of carbon emissions in the water supply and treatment sector, such as:

• Contaminated water and wastewater treatment (including filtration, UV treatment etc.)
• Energy generation using water (including anaerobic digestion, energy scavenging, water source heat pumps, run-of-river, and hydro-electric).
• Resource management, reuse and recycling (including sludges).
• Distribution (including water pipelines, trains, tanks and plumbing).
• Mechanical equipment for industrial processing (including pumps, valves, filters, energy efficient equipment etc.)
• Water efficiency products and processes
• Smart management of water, sensors, instrumentation, data analytics and related services
• Pipe, drain and sewer cleaning

Businesses must contribute a minimum of 30% of the total project costs. This can be an “in-kind” or cash contribution.

Funding up to £10,000 is available to support collaborative R&I projects with a Scottish university. Funding is awarded to proposals that clearly outline an innovative technical solution that can be successfully commercialised and helps to reduce emissions in the water supply industry.

Yes, we are able to offer a range of support services to businesses. This includes signposting to alternative funding sources, introductions and connections to business partners, support with writing grant applications, and general guidance.