Mitsubishi Electric is to expand its European Research and Development (R&D) centre to strengthen the company’s innovations in technologies related to energy and the environment.
In addition, the centre will change its name to Mitsubishi Electric R&D Centre Europe B.V. The new division within the centre will be called Energy and Environment (E&E).

The R&D centre - which is split between two laboratories in Guildford, Surrey and Rennes in France - has been pivotal in researching cutting-edge technologies in communications and visual information since its establishment in 1995. The expansion will add a third research area to the centre's remit, aimed at increasing Mitsubishi Electric's competitiveness in its air-conditioning, photo-voltaic and other energy and environment-related businesses.

The new E&E division will be jointly based in the UK and France, with each laboratory specialising in a different area of research. The division will be led by Dr Masato Koyama, who moves from his previous role as manager, Power Electronics System Development Center, Advanced Technology R&D Center, Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

The move will allow Mitsubishi Electric's European customers faster access to its technologies in the fields of energy and environment, which were previously researched only in Japan.

Shigenori Kino, president of Mitsubishi Electric R&D Centre Europe, said: 'As the European branch of Mitsubishi Electric's Corporate R&D function we are very excited about the expansion of our R&D fields into Energy and Environment. As the issues of sustainability and energy-saving continue to take increased prominence across Europe, we look forward to collaborating with European universities and research organizations in order to advance our research and technical developments.

'We believe Mitsubishi Electric's photo-voltaic, air conditioning & heat-pump technologies have an important role to play in helping people across Europe combine a quality living environment with an energy conscious lifestyle.'

The E&E division in the UK will concentrate its research on heating and air conditioning systems by growing its existing team. The move demonstrates Mitsubishi Electric's continued commitment to innovation in the UK where its facility in Surrey has been central to the development of leading technologies in the field of visual & sensing technology.

Dr Miroslaw Bober, general manager of the UK branch and head of Visual and Sensing Technology Division, comments: 'The addition of the new R&D direction - Energy and Environment - brings new and exciting opportunities to combat climate change and promote energy efficiency.

'Mitsubishi Electric is already playing an aggressive role in tackling environmental concerns in Europe by supplying the market with efficient energy saving air conditioners and air-to-water systems. The expansion of the UK R&D centre will strengthen our contribution to reducing CO2 emissions, by developing novel technologies to further improve the performance of air-conditioners and Air-to-Water systems.'

Other areas of research conducted by the new E&E division will include photo-voltaic systems, power electronics related technology, and international standardisation of technologies in the environment and energy fields. Further projects will be added in due course.