Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • AGS joins Scottish consortium to unlock low-level wind power

Aerospace

AGS joins Scottish consortium to unlock low-level wind power

A new Scottish wind energy consortium between Katrick Technologies, AGS Airports Limited (AGS) and the University of Strathclyde has been formed to support the deployment of renewable technology that can produce carbon-neutral energy from previously unharnessed power.

Image courtesy Glasgow Airport / AGS

The newly-formed wind energy consortium will see the development and deployment of a new type of wind technology, created by Katrick Technologies and supported by AGS and the University of Strathclyde. This will involve the installation of Katrick Technologies’ dual-purpose wind panel and sound barrier, which can produce carbon-neutral energy from ground and low-level wind.

Advertisement
ODU RT

AGS - encompassing Glasgow, Aberdeen International and Southampton airports - has long been committed to carbon reduction. In 2020, the group achieved carbon neutrality status and earlier this year it launched its Sustainability Strategy which set out its commitment to achieving net zero by the mid-2030s.

The University of Strathclyde boasts its own impressive green credentials. The University’s Sustainability team has developed a bold climate-neutral districts vision, which will see renewable technologies used across its central Scotland facilities. The team is already helping to deliver the University’s first carbon-neutral building.

Among the University of Strathclyde’s alumni is Katrick Technologies founder and Co-CEO, Karthik Velayutham. Velayutham is an accomplished renewable engineer who holds four patents for renewable technologies. He launched Katrick Technologies as a green energy start-up in 2016 and is supported by Co-CEO, Vijay Madlani, to bring these technologies to the market.

One of these technologies, which is core to the consortium, is Katrick Technologies’ dual-purpose wind panel and sound barrier, which can produce carbon-neutral energy from ground and low-level wind. These energy-harvesting wind panels have been designed to tackle the decarbonisation challenges common to both airports and highways — unlike traditional wind turbines they can capture wind power, without needing significant height or scale.

As part of the consortium, Katrick Technologies’ wind acquisition systems will be installed on the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Airport estates. Initial wind-mapping on these sites will kick-off a phased approach for development of the wind panels. The ultimate goal is roll-out of this technology to support both estate’s net-zero goals and launch it to the wider market.

“Katrick Technologies and the University of Strathclyde have just been awarded Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) funding for a collaborative R&D project for the wind panel and noise barrier technology,” explained Vijay Madlani, Co-CEO of Katrick Technologies. “This is an initial step that will provide a catalyst for development by attracting large funding and investment opportunities. Not only will this support the development of our own technologies, but can help the group realise its shared vision by unlocking unharnessed wind power.”

“Partnering with technology experts and embracing innovation is essential for AGS to meet its decarbonisation goals,” explained Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports. “Renewable technologies have the potential to power vast amounts of on-site equipment, offset energy costs and reduce the requirement for carbon-based energy supply. In addition to supporting our transition to net zero, these wind panels also have the potential to help us manage the impact of airport-related noise which we know is an important issue for the communities we serve. Managing this is an integral part of how we grow our airports responsibly and these panels could also act as noise barriers on our airfields.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Roddy Yarr, Executive Lead for Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde, said: “As a socially progressive university with ambitious targets towards net zero, we are pleased to support this project.

“Katrick’s clean technology is a great example of an innovation that can help us to create a series of ‘living labs’ to demonstrate and enable the transition to scalar greenhouse gas emissions reduction.”

 

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

Aerospace

Lars Wagner to become CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft

10 July 2025

Lars Wagner, currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTU Aero Engines AG, based in Munich, will join the Airbus Executive Committee and succeed Christian Scherer as CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business, effective 1st January 2026.

Avelia to transform into multiple SAF supplier solution

Aerospace

Avelia to transform into multiple SAF supplier solution

10 July 2025

One of the largest suppliers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Shell Aviation, along with Accenture and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), has announced today that Avelia is in the process of evolving into an industry solution with independent data hosting and a multisupplier model helping users access the greenhouse gas (GHG) ...

AI firms collaborate with Heathrow to enhance operations

Aerospace

AI firms collaborate with Heathrow to enhance operations

9 July 2025

Heathrow is harnessing advanced technology to make aircraft ground operations faster, smarter and more seamless across 116 gates at Terminals Two, Three and Five, as part of a strategic collaboration with IAG and Assaia.

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

Aerospace

Viasat test boosts business jet in-flight connectivity

8 July 2025

Viasat today announced a milestone for its JetXP business aviation in-flight broadband service, following recent test flights that successfully connected the Global Aero Terminal (GAT) 5510 to a ViaSat-3 satellite for the first time.

Advertisement
Teledyne
ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

Aerospace

ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 advances student innovation

8 July 2025

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced major student and faculty achievements resulting from the use of ST Engineering Antycip’s Merlin MP521 Flight Simulator, which provides hands-on experience in aircraft design and performance evaluation, directly contributing to a growing body of student-led research and academic ...

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

8 July 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has had its busiest June ever, with a record 1,360,957 passengers travelling through the airport last month.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025