Written by Melisha Barboza
The UK-HyRES Stakeholders event was held on the 12th–13th of March 2025 in the historic city of Bath. The event aimed to bring together ideas and foster discussions around challenges within current hydrogen and liquid alternative fuel (LAF) technologies, addressing academic, industrial, and socio-economic perspectives.
The event was opened by Professor Rachel Rothman from the University of Sheffield and Co-Director of the Hub. Professor Rothman began by explaining the hub’s founding and structure. The UK-HyRES hub not only strives for innovative technical research in hydrogen and LAF technologies but also emphasizes the importance of developing holistic solutions. She introduced the technical and cross-cutting research themes, as well as the new projects undertaken this year.
Following the introduction, the hub’s technical and cross-cutting PDRAs presented the foundational concepts of their research themes and shared updates on their progress. These presentations were crucial for understanding the current state of academic research and the developments expected from the hub in the coming years.
A key highlight of the first day was the talk by Dr. Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA). Her presentation provided an overview of the HEA’s national goals and how it aims to support both large- and small-scale hydrogen-based industrial projects and companies in leading innovation, particularly in sectors such as transport, aviation, and energy. Dr. Guthrie’s passion for clean energy and innovation was evident, sparking insightful discussions on how to practically bring green hydrogen to the marketplace.
Dr. Chris Jones from the University of Portsmouth discussed the importance of social acceptance and public engagement in developing new technologies. His session included a presentation followed by a collaborative interactive activity. Attendees were divided into groups; each assigned a scenario involving hydrogen or LAF technologies. The groups identified social, economic, environmental, and safety-related challenges and advantages of the proposed technologies. Initially, the discussions were slow, as both industry and academic participants were unfamiliar with integrating these concepts. However, by the end of the session, it was clear that attendees had gained a more holistic understanding of the stakeholders involved in developing new technologies, particularly when implementing large-scale national changes. The session also provided an opportunity for attendees to learn from each other by sharing their expertise.
The first day concluded with presentations on new projects funded through the hub’s flexi-fund, highlighting their objectives and expected outcomes. These projects spanned multiple universities and overlapped across research themes. The day ended with a reception and dinner at the beautiful Roman Baths, offering attendees the chance to network and appreciate the city’s rich history.
The second day focused more heavily on industrial innovation and the efforts being made to bring hydrogen and LAF technologies to market. Dr. Dan Graham from GKN Aerospace opened the day with a talk on the future of hydrogen in aviation. A key point of his presentation was the unique challenges aviation faces compared to other industries, where hydrogen technology is more adaptable. Dr. Shubi Mukherjee from Ceres Power then demonstrated how academic research can transition into industrial applications. His talk highlighted the development of solid oxide fuel cell technology at Imperial College, which is now being manufactured in parts of East and South Asia for potential commercial use in areas such as green steel production and data centres.
The discussions from the previous day influenced many of the questions raised during these talks, particularly around the sensitivity and performance of hydrogen and LAF technologies, especially when competing with existing practices. Questions also focused on how these companies plan to address social acceptance, which concluded the morning session.
The afternoon began with brief presentations from industry representatives, each providing an overview of their company’s expertise and current projects. Representatives also outlined specific challenges they are facing, ranging from technical issues in manufacturing and product development to policy-related hurdles surrounding hydrogen and LAFs. Two breakout sessions followed, where attendees were encouraged to engage with the representatives whose challenges aligned with their expertise. These sessions fostered collaborative problem-solving, effectively bridging the gap between industry and academia.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Professor Rothman, who encouraged participants to continue such discussions to advance toward a sustainable hydrogen and LAF future.
From the perspective of an early-career researcher, this event provided valuable insights into the diverse industries where hydrogen and LAF technologies are being applied. It also highlighted the importance of considering not only the technical aspects of research but also its broader implications, from production to end-use and its impact on stakeholders. This encouraged myself and many others to reflect on our own research, ensuring it not only excels in its specialization but also has practical applications as a market-ready product. Finally, the event served as an excellent example of how to effectively connect academia and industry. It underscored that achieving a sustainable future in hydrogen and LAF technologies requires a collective effort, driven by collaboration and a shared vision.
