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Case Study

Low Carbon Transport Centre – Scoping Study

A scoping study assessing the demand, focus, and delivery model for a Low Carbon Transport Application Centre in Scotland to accelerate innovation and collaboration in sustainable mobility.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Optimat was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise to assess the demand for a Low Carbon Transport Application Centre in Scotland. The logic for the proposed Centre is that it would help Scottish original equipment manufacturers and supply chain companies to obtain better access to the technical support and facilities that they need to respond to this local and global opportunity. It should also increase the level of inter-company collaboration and with those technical centres that can help innovative companies.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Define the potential focus of the proposed Centre and the services that could be offered
Survey potential private/public sector users of the Centre to gauge demand and receive feedback to inform services offered
Benchmarking review to identify relevant services that are already available in this field across Scotland, the rest of the UK and overseas
Undertake a gap analysis to determine where deficiencies exist and where value could be gained in Scotland

Define the potential focus of the proposed Centre and the services that could be offered
Survey potential private/public sector users of the Centre to gauge demand and receive feedback to inform services offered
Benchmarking review to identify relevant services that are already available in this field across Scotland, the rest of the UK and overseas
Undertake a gap analysis to determine where deficiencies exist and where value could be gained in Scotland




OUR APPROACH

Using desk research to provide initial reviews of policy, technology state-of-the-art, and Scottish capabilities, we were able to highlight companies in Scotland that were identified as being part of the transport equipment supply chain.

The desk research informed the development of a consultation document and identified targets for the primary consultations. The consultations included a wide range of stakeholders and potential users.

Additional insights were gained from more ad hoc engagement with stakeholders at timely events such as GreenFleet, All-Energy and the Scottish Transport Summit.

Findings were analysed and synthesised into a final report with a series of conclusions and recommendations.

DELIVERY TEAM

Deborah Creamer
Managing Director & Senior Consultant
About>

OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

The main conclusion from the study was that there was a case for a technical ‘interface’ in Scotland that is sufficiently independent to play the role of technical facilitator between potential buyers and suppliers of low carbon solutions. Such a ‘hub’ could also play a catalytic role in the development of the market and supply chain in Scotland, including the evidence for additional policy interventions.

Eight key issues that the proposed centre could address, and the type of services that it might deliver, were highlighted. We concluded that a ‘hub & spoke’ model linking into existing technical centres would be most logical and recommended that the proposed centre should be implemented through partnership with one of a number of potential delivery partners.  The results and conclusions were presented to a multi-agency forum of stakeholders that were committed to a broad range of actions to address the low carbon transport challenge in Scotland.

“The Optimat study has enabled Scottish Enterprise to focus the remit of the proposed transport application centre and we are now engaged with a number of stakeholders across the public and private sectors regarding implementation of a preferred delivery model.”

Douglas Hyslop
Scottish Enterprise

Deborah Creamer

Managing Director

I’m Deborah Creamer, the Managing Director of Optimat. I’m passionate about helping organisations and businesses make smarter, evidence-based decisions, especially when it comes to innovation, technology, and long-term growth.

I’ve been part of the Optimat team since 1998, specialising in strategic industrial analysis for high-tech sectors. Over the years, I’ve built up a deep understanding of what drives success in innovation and economic development, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.

I specialise in advanced materials and manufacturing and the industries in which they play a key role – ranging from aerospace to medical devices. My particular area of expertise is in funding for innovation, spanning a broad spectrum from evaluating R&D and innovation funding application to developing business cases for significant innovation assets in Scotland and the UK. I’ve supported many organisations to craft successful funding applications whether that is for a small R&D project or a state-of-the-art innovation centre and it’s incredibly rewarding to help secure the backing that great ideas need to become reality. Ibelieve in the power of innovation, collaboration, and practical thinking to create lasting impact, for businesses, industries, and communities.

Before joining Optimat, my career started in materials R&D and new product development, working with BP International and Bourns Electronics Inc. That hands on industry experience gave me a solid foundation in how technologies evolve and get to market.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, an MBA, and I’m a Chartered Engineer.