Cirrus Logic puts Edinburgh operation at heart of smart energy innovation

The US giant, which acquired Edinburgh audio chip pioneer Wolfson Microelectronics in 2014, is to give its Scottish operations an increasingly strategic role within the business as it expands beyond its traditional consumer electronics focus.

The move comes as the semiconductor specialist secures an R&D grant from Scottish Enterprise to support the development of “next-generation” smart energy technology and expand its advanced engineering activities in the capital, where it is based at Quartermile.

The funding supports the rollout of a new platform that will deliver high-accuracy energy measurement and metrology calculations for smart power metering applications. Designed for use in residential, commercial and industrial energy metering, the tech can support applications such as electric vehicle (EV) charging, energy storage and grid monitoring.

Cirrus Logic said the funding and its broader investment reinforced its long-standing commitment to Scotland, where the company has built its largest engineering operations outside of the US.

Neil Rankin, vice president, engineering, said: “Our Scottish engineering talent and operations have been an integral part of Cirrus Logic’s success for many years. The project supports continued investment in engineering talent, research capabilities and infrastructure in Edinburgh while strengthening Scotland’s position as a centre for semiconductor innovation.”

Eddie Sinnott, vice president of the industrial and automotive business units at Cirrus Logic, added: “This investment will help Cirrus Logic expand collaboration between industry, academia, and the public sector to advance engineering work. It also helps us build expertise in the globally critical areas of electrification and energy management and create opportunities for the next generation of engineers and innovators.”

As part of the project, the firm has also expanded its collaboration with the University of Strathclyde’s Institute for Energy and Environment on research contributing to the optimal management of energy by utility and infrastructure providers.

Institute director Graeme Burt said: “The transition to smarter, more flexible energy systems depends on advances in the technologies that measure, manage, and optimise electricity use.

“Collaborations like this bring together academic insight and industrial expertise in a way that can accelerate innovation and support the development of practical solutions fit for the evolving needs of modern energy systems.”

Reuben Aitken, managing director, energy transition and international, Scottish Enterprise, added: “Cirrus Logic has been an important part of Scotland’s technology landscape for many years, and this latest investment shows how Scottish R&D can help deliver the smart energy systems needed for a net zero future.”

Cirrus Logic has grown its Edinburgh operation into a key engineering hub where teams contribute across the full product development lifecycle, from architecture and design through testing and product delivery.

As part of the initiative, responsibility for elements of intellectual property (IP) development and advanced feature design will continue to expand within the Scottish team, supported by investments in engineering infrastructure and personnel.

In 2016, the group agreed a deal for office space at Quartermile 4, relocating from premises in the city’s Murrayfield area.