Innovative energy infrastructure projects can now apply for a share of up to £15 million of funding.

The new round of investment from Innovate UK aims to support businesses and researchers develop new, improved ways of providing critical services for the economy, environment and society.

There is up to £5 million available for projects lasting between three months and a year, with another £10 million on offer for projects stretching up to three years.

Innovate UK will cover up to 70% of project costs, depending on their size and type – the group is particularly interested in smart infrastructure to improve long-term performance, cut expenditure and improve the resilience of energy systems.

Within this, focus areas include the development of energy systems that flexibly match changing energy supply and demand profiles at a local, regional or national scale.

Innovate UK also hope to finance innovations to slash the cost of both nuclear fission and wind energy, as well as improve supply chains in the former field.

As urban areas become increasingly populated, the group says connected transport networks will only become more important –  as a result it also aims to fund projects enabling more efficient transportation of goods and people.

The deadline for applications is the 13th of September 2017.