Innovate UK has funded the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA), a multimillion pound research hub building on the expertise of six leading Midlands universities, the British Geological Survey and the surrounding industrial base, and supported by £60m of government funding for energy research. Part of the Thermal Energy Research Accelerator (T-ERA) research theme, the Sustainable Thermal Energy Technologies Laboratory has recently received funding of £1.95m through InnovateUK to develop the facilities available within its labs. The funding will be used to enhance and extend the range of equipment and laboratory space that is already in place, thanks to recent funding of £310k from EPSRC and around £2m from ERDF/AWM.