Pioneering switch could yield hundreds of jobs

Oct 1 2009 By Iain Laing, The Journal

The North East is a UK leader in developing renewable energy generating technology through wind and wave power as well as pioneering work on electric powered vehicles.

Evince chief executive Dr Gareth Taylor said: "Evince’s diamond electronic switches are likely to be the first devices worldwide capable of switching at utility distribution voltages and will have a dramatic impact on energy generation costs.

This, in turn, will make renewable energy a much more affordable alternative.

"The diodes we are developing also represent an enabling technology for smart grids, renewable power and rail and marine traction drive systems.

"The ability to switch greater than 15,000V in a single Evince device is expected to halve the cost of power control systems."

The company quickly won start-up and development funding after its launch from the Government through One North East and the Low Carbon Trust and through venture capitalists including Newcastle-based NorthStar.

And now Dr Loxley said he is confident it will next month get the go-ahead for another £2m from the same sources and another private investor which will perfect the commercial product.

Ian Williams, director of business and industry at One North East, said: "This is an exciting product that is both novel and highly innovative, and has very promising exploitation prospects.

"This announcement is another boost not only for the region’s growing reputation in the new and renewable energy sector, but also for North East England’s wider low-carbon economy which has seen more than £1bn of planned investments announced this summer."

Dr Loxley was head of Durham University spin-out firm Bede for 18 years before he left the company in 2007.