Sunamp, the East Lothian-based thermal storage specialist, is one of 148 organisations across the UK to be recognised with the inaugural King’s Awards for Enterprise.
The pioneer of innovative thermal storage solutions has a longstanding partnership between Sunamp and the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry and Edinburgh Innovations.
Sunamp designs and manufactures space-saving thermal storage that makes UK homes, buildings and vehicles more energy efficient and sustainable, while reducing carbon emissions and optimising renewables.
Employing 80 people, the business was set up in 2005 to design and manufacture compact heat batteries based on its patented Plentigrade thermal storage technology platform. Storing energy from renewable sources to deliver hot water, Sunamp’s thermal batteries are up to four times smaller than equivalent hot water cylinders.
Sunamp has been recognised for its excellence in innovation.
The Royal seal of approval
The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The new name reflects The King’s desire to continue the legacy of his mother Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
The annual programme, now in it’s 57th year, has awarded more than 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965 and is regarded as the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards emblem for five years after being awarded.
Sunamp’s heat batteries can be charged with energy from almost any source, provide high-efficiency storage and release heat on demand. They have saved homeowners money and reduced carbon emissions by minimising heat loss from storage and increasing use of locally generated renewable energy and cheap off-peak electricity.
Support at every stage
The partnership of 12+ years between Sunamp Ltd and the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry began when Edinburgh Innovations facilitated a short collaborative project initiated and supported by Interface to develop phase-change materials (PCMs) for Sunamp’s heat batteries. Andrew Bissell, founder and CEO of Sunamp, and Professor Colin Pulham, Head of School, met as the project drew to a close and realised that they shared a goal for their technology: to address fuel poverty and to have a direct impact on tackling climate change.
Throughout its journey, Edinburgh Innovations have supported Sunamp with investment from Old College Capital; the in-house venture fund of the University of Edinburgh.
This award marks a milestone in Sunamp's journey so far, from developing our game-changing phase change materials, to becoming world leaders in thermal storage technologies. The world struggled from 1947 to realise the heat battery vision of space-saving, easy to install and use, energy efficient storage for thermal energy. I am proud of everything we have achieved, and receiving a King's Award recognises everyone involved."
Andrew Bissell – CEO of Sunamp
Congratulations to Sunamp for receiving the prestigious Kings award for Enterprise. This is a great achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Sunamp team.”
Andrea Young - Head of Investment at Old College Capital
