Energy & Environment
We help our customers maximise their energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of their business. We can advise on the most appropriate, most affordable, most reliable energy sources for your business.
Assessing the impact of wind farms on radar
QinetiQ played a vital role in the outcome of proposals for a wind farm near Aberdeen in Scotland. As a result of QinetiQ’s impact assessment, the objection to the development was withdrawn and the wind farm was allowed to go ahead. Read More
QinetiQ used its advanced modelling tools to carry out an impartial assessment of the effects that the proposed wind farm would have on the radar. The study showed that, despite the turbines being predominantly out of radar line of sight, they were still likely to be detected by the radar and therefore would be visible on the radar display.
An aviation assessment of the operational significance of the modelling results concluded that the overall effect was likely to be minimal to Aberdeen Airport air traffic control and the objection was withdrawn.
Assessments from concept design to financial modelling
We provide independent assessments of marine technologies from start to finish, investigating the technical and commercial aspects. We have developed propulsion systems both for the Royal Navy and for the commercial market. Read More
For new tidal turbine schemes, we provide:
- Financial feasibility studies
- Cost estimates for infrastructure
- Design optimisation
- Identification of major equipment items and suppliers
- Identification of suitable locations for deployment
Real-time traffic management
We are developing software systems that can give drivers a choice of routes when travelling to a city centre and redirect them in real time when changes occur. We can pinpoint the location of vehicles with a high degree of accuracy, even in areas where signals are weak. Read More
Liquid fuel cells
Our new low-power tubular liquid fuel cells avoid the problems of flammability and operating temperature of methanol cells. Our liquid fuel is also more active than methanol, offering superior power densities.
These developments in power and lifetime will be invaluable in the portable electronics market, and in military applications such as covert surveillance and sensor technology.
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- Our rechargeable lithium cells charge and discharge at ten times the rate of standard lithium ion cells.
- New high-capacity carbon-based supercapacitors offer a low-cost alternative to batteries for automotive applications.
- Our flexible batteries give comparable performance to commercial cells.
- We have developed a modular proton exchange membrane fuel cell for the Morgan LifeCar.
In-engine testing: a world first from QinetiQ
Graham Upton, Chief Design Engineer and Assistant Chief Engineer Trent 900, Rolls-Royce
QinetiQ's sophisticated system has changed the way we test Rolls-Royce engines and is bound to lead to more economical and greener engines in the future.
Rolls-Royce now has the competitive edge in developing more efficient, greener engines, thanks to QinetiQ’s test system, which can gather data from deep inside a working gas turbine aero-engine. Read More
QinetiQ has developed a system that can collect data from deep inside a working gas turbine, which involves four platinum-tipped probes, 50 data points, air and water cooling, and control via a fibre optic link.
Rolls-Royce says that the new system will definitely change the way it tests its engines, and will make it more competitive.
Data from the initial test on a Trent 900 engine will be used in future engines.
Perforating technology improves hydrocarbon recovery
QinetiQ, Shell International E&P and GEODynamics have developed a perforating technology that could substantially improve hydrocarbon recovery by producing clean perforating tunnels, free of debris. This technology, called ReActive™ Perforating, uses a revolutionary concept created and patented by QinetiQ. Read More
This novel solution started as a Shell GameChanger project and is now marketed by GEODynamics as CONNEX™ Perforating.
ReActive™ and CONNEX™ are trademarks of GEODynamics, Inc.
Independent assessment of tidal and wave energy equipment
QinetiQ has developed numerous ship propeller and propulsion systems for the Royal Navy and the commercial market. We have also assessed tidal turbine designs and wave devices. Read More
Civilian flight tests based on military experience
Our long experience in designing and undertaking flight test programmes for military customers offers significant benefits to our customers in civil aerospace.
We undertake a range of flight tests and are used to meeting challenging requirements. We also design and carry out aircraft modifications.
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Vertical radar speeds up planning applications
Current figures suggest that 60% of wind farm applications are locked in the UK planning system, amounting to hundreds of megawatts of power. VERIFEYE™ provides the data for the area above proposed wind farms, thus speeding up the process of considering planning applications. Read More
Extending the life of wind turbines
We can provide monitoring and advice that will extend the life of your wind turbines.
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Our engineers conduct regular sampling and analysis of the lubricants and hydraulic fluids of wind turbines. This enables them to discover any deterioration or contamination and to take corrective action before costly failures occur.
QinetiQ reduces waste from Royal Navy ships
QinetiQ has developed an Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS) that enables ships to operate for up to six weeks without having to discharge waste materials. This dramatically reduces offload costs at ports and harbours.
IWMS also reduces the manual intervention needed in waste handling, which significantly improves health and safety standards.It is already being used in Royal Navy ships. Read More
State-of-the art incinerator technology ensures that waste emissions are less toxic than those from other waste management systems.
Modernisation at Warren Street Station
QinetiQ has won a multi-million pound contract to refurbish a London Underground station.
The project involves re-cladding the walls and ceilings at Warren Street tube station with panels made from a fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite. No other composite panels meet London Underground's stringent requirements for fire safety.
Read More
Lighting systems, water management and panel-based speakers are also being incorporated into the station cladding system.
Military specification batteries and cells
QinetiQ manages the supply of batteries to the Ministry of Defence. Our service ensures value, compliance to specifications and continuity of supply. Read More
We have developed a non-rechargeable battery based on a carbon monofluoride cathode. It has more than twice the energy density of existing lithium sulphur chemistries, and is more than 25% lighter.
Lithium ion batteries for hybrid vehicles
Our new lithium ion battery system is cheaper and provides much greater stored energy density than typical lithium cobalt-based battery packs. It is greener than some lithium ion systems, and safer if overcharged.
High sulphur fuel reformation
We have developed a prototype fuel reformer, which generates hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuel for use with fuel cells. The system is compact, efficient, quiet and fuel-tolerant.
Solid-state hydrogen generator for portable power
A solid-state primary hydrogen generator system is being developed to supply high-purity hydrogen gas to small proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The system offers energy densities far better than liquid, gas and metal hydride hydrogen storage systems.
Mechanical testing for aerospace
QinetiQ offers a range of test and evaluation services in the aerospace domain. Mechanical testing is one of our key strengths.
We have long experience in the evaluation and testing of materials, from specimens to structures, and a wide range of testing facilities. Our engineers can also act as troubleshooters for clients where required.
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Testing includes tension and compression testing, multi-axial test facilities, combined torsion/tension, fracture toughness, fatigue, high strain rate, environmental conditioning and instrumented impact.
Cloaking wind turbines from radar
QinetiQ has designed, built and demonstrated the world’s first ‘stealthy’ turbine.
The Department of Trade and Industry awarded QinetiQ the contract to minimise the interference that wind turbines cause to air traffic control and air defence radars. This should enable planning applications for new wind farms to be approved more easily. Read More
One of the composite's glass cloth layers is replaced with a specially modified alternative. The result is a thin composite that can absorb more than 99% of incidental radar.
The project was carried out in partnership with Vestas, the market-leading wind turbine manufacturer.
Physical and computational modelling
Customers in the emerging tidal energy market are being helped to visualise complex hydrodynamics, and to validate computer design performance measurements, at our physical modelling facility. Read More
Innovations in aircraft design
We are using Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation (MDO) methods in our work with major aerospace leaders on aircraft design. MDO enables designs to be assessed rapidly, leading to quicker, more cost-effective results. Read More
Besides enabling design concepts to be assessed much more rapidly, MDO helps the aircraft design to be optimised within the given constraints.
MDO methods can be used as part of a stand-alone software modelling suite directly for customers, or can be integrated with in-house design tools.
Inspecting composite structures
We have more than 40 years’ experience in non destructive testing and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of the composite structures used in aircraft.
We are involved in collaborative programmes with academic research institutions and industry.
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Our PinPoint™ system is an automated analysis technique that passes over the good parts, allowing users to focus on the areas that need intervention. We’re developing a 3-D system to provide enhanced information on materials and help predict the outcome for defects.
Visualising the environment
Our ANDSCAN® products provides a visualisation environment to analyse data, which can be used with a range of NDE acquisition products and positioning systems.
In-service inspection
We provide support for in-service NDE of both metallic and composite aircraft. We have experience in crack and corrosion detection and impact damage in composites. Our fuels and lubricants experts offer a condition monitoring service to extend the life of your equipment.
Self-sustaining waste disposal for the US Army
Lt Col Daryl “Rick” Harger, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems, part of Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS)
QinetiQ is developing a Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System for the US Army that can process up to 100 kg of waste an hour and reclaims some of the thermal energy generated. Read More
QinetiQ’s PyTEC™ system can process up to 100 kg of MSW per hour and operates continuously. It reclaims up to 500 kW per hour of the thermal energy from the waste, some of which will be used in electricity generation. Operating costs are therefore significantly lower than those for incineration or other methods of waste disposal.
Testing and evaluation trials will continue until early 2012. The programme is jointly funded by US Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) through the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Programme and more than ten systems are expected to be acquired.
Click here to read the Press Release
Lower pollution, higher performance
We are developing and testing hybrid-electric drive systems for vehicles. We specialise in high-performance, lightweight and efficient solutions that improve vehicle performance, improve reliability, reduce emissions, reduce weight, improve fuel consumption and reduce the cost of ownership. Read More
Developments
- Energy storage systems for vehicles using lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors
- Aerodynamic optimisation for tractors and trailers
- Battery technologies of all sizes, from man-portable systems to integrated platforms in marine, aviation and land-based equipment
- Lightweight, environmentally-robust, sustainable hemp-based composites
- Hydrogen fuel cells that avoid the flammability and operating temperature problems of methanol cells
Offering support from planning to operation
We offer wind farm developers support and advice at every stage of the process. We can assist in site selection, development, construction and operation, onshore and offshore. Read More
Our site assessment tool SureSite™ can speed up decision-making by analysing all the critical elements influencing site choice. It also provides an auditable trail of decisions.
Development
We can provide advice from radar and aviation experts. We offer consultancy advice for the Environmental Statement, and provide solutions to any problems encountered.
Construction
We can help implement integrated logistics support, programme assurance and risk management.
Operations
Our condition monitoring experts can increase the lifetime and efficiency of turbines.
Capabilities
Products
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