Researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and innovators gathered at the Futures Innovation Hub in July for the Hydrogen Industry Forum, bringing together expertise from across the hydrogen ecosystem to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector.
Hosted by GW-SHIFT and UK-HyRES, the event focused on a common ambition – ensuring hydrogen technologies move beyond successful research projects and into real-world deployment.
The Hydrogen Industry Forum marked the launch of Bath University’s first Futures Innovation Hub at Bristol & Bath Science Park. Designed as a collaborative space for businesses, researchers and innovators working across energy systems, hydrogen, clean propulsion and low-carbon technologies, the Hub aims to strengthen connections between research and industry and accelerate the journey from innovation to deployment.
Opening the forum, Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, underlined the importance of bringing together the people, ideas and expertise needed to accelerate progress.
“Events like the Hydrogen Industry Forum are incredibly important because they bring together the people, ideas and expertise needed to accelerate progress. The transition to a low-carbon future will require sustained effort across technological, social, commercial and economic challenges, and collaboration across sectors will be central to making hydrogen a reality.”
That commitment to collaboration was reflected not only in the conversations throughout the day, but in the venue itself. The Futures Innovation Hub is creating a bridge between research and industrial application, making it a fitting setting for conversations centered on innovation and deployment. Chris Brace, Professor of Automotive Propulsion and Executive Director of IAAPS, believes that creating these opportunities for collaboration is essential.
“The strength of places like Futures Innovation Hub is that they bring industry and academia into the same space. When researchers, engineers and businesses share ideas and understand each other’s challenges, you get real cross‑pollination and the chance to turn cutting‑edge hydrogen research into solutions that industry can actually use.”
Those connections were evident throughout the event. Across transport, industry and energy, contributors demonstrated how hydrogen technologies are progressing towards commercial application, from maritime vessels and hydrogen-powered aircraft to regional production facilities, electrolyser technologies and future distribution networks. While each sector faces different technical challenges, the discussions consistently returned to the importance of developing the wider ecosystem needed to support deployment.
Alongside advances in technology, speakers also explored the conditions needed to unlock long-term growth. Investment certainty, policy clarity and supporting infrastructure emerged as recurring themes, alongside the need to strengthen regional clusters and create joined-up supply chains capable of connecting hydrogen production with end users. Discussions also highlighted the importance of public engagement and ensuring hydrogen projects are developed as part of wider energy systems rather than in isolation.
Professor Xiaohong Li, Co-Director of GW-SHIFT, highlighted the role that collaborative research plays in achieving this, explaining: “Working closely with industry is essential to understanding the challenges facing the hydrogen sector, both in terms of deployment and policy. Initiatives like GW-SHIFT and UK-HyRES create the connections needed to align research with real-world needs and accelerate the development of hydrogen solutions.”
This reinforced that collaboration remains one of the sector’s greatest strengths. Researchers gained a clearer understanding of industry priorities, businesses shared practical experience from deployment projects, and policymakers heard directly about the barriers still facing the sector.
Enthusiasm for hydrogen’s potential was clear, but the discussions also reflected a pragmatic understanding of its role. Across conversations with industry leaders, researchers and early career researchers, there was agreement that hydrogen is one piece of a much larger transition. This was echoed by Dr Laura Finney, Associate at Arup, chair of the Hydrogen Energy Session, “We’ve never powered the UK with just one fuel, and our net-zero future should be the same. A smart mix of electrification and hydrogen, working together, will give us a cleaner, more resilient energy system.”
Samir Soares, R&D Engineer at PNDC and Research Assistant at the University of Nottingham, works at this very intersection, “Hydrogen isn’t a silver bullet for every decarbonisation challenge, but it’s vital wherever electrification or synthetic fuels aren’t the best option – especially in heavy industry and transport – as part of a balanced future energy system.”
As the discussions progressed, attention turned from today’s challenges to tomorrow’s opportunities. Creating a thriving hydrogen economy will require the sector to speak with a more unified voice while continuing to strengthen collaboration across the supply chain.
Bob Sorrell, CEO of the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator, believes forums like this have an important role to play, “The big opportunity for hydrogen is to agree a coherent set of messages about how we scale production, bring costs down, and make fair, whole‑life cost comparisons with other options.”
As hydrogen’s role in UK’s clean energy system is begins to take shape, the role early career researchers are set to play also cannot be understated either. Bob added, “Early career researchers have a huge role to play if they talk to potential customers early, understand what really needs to be tested, and shape their work so it’s ready to move up the queue to proof of concept and prototype development. Programmes like the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator, GW-SHIFT, and UK-HyRES are giving them structured routes into real‑world industrial deployment.”
The Hydrogen Industry Forum demonstrated the momentum building across the UK hydrogen community and the value of creating opportunities for knowledge exchange. By bringing together expertise from across the ecosystem, GW-SHIFT and UK-HyRES continue to strengthen the partnerships that will help translate research into deployment and support the development of a resilient, collaborative hydrogen ecosystem.
Dr Sibimol Luke, UCL and UK-HyRES ECR chair, recently participated in the inaugural meeting of the UK India Low Carbon Technology Group, convened by the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) in London.
The new industry forum aims to accelerate collaboration between UK and Indian organisations in areas including green hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and other low-carbon technologies.
The meeting brought together leaders from industry, government, trade organisations, and academia to explore opportunities for strengthening the UK–India partnership in the transition to net zero. Discussions highlighted the growing momentum behind hydrogen and low-carbon technology development in both countries.
The timing of the forum is particularly significant. India continues to advance its National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets annual green hydrogen production of 5 million tonnes by 2030, while also committing substantial investment towards CCUS deployment. At the same time, the UK is strengthening its hydrogen ambitions through its expertise in electrolyser technologies, offshore energy systems, industrial decarbonisation, and clean energy innovation.
UK-HyRES was represented alongside colleagues from The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources (BSEER) at UCL, contributing academic perspectives to discussions on future collaboration. Conversations emphasised the complementary strengths of the UK and India in driving the low-carbon transition. The UK offers internationally recognised capabilities in research, innovation, systems integration, and policy development, while India brings strengths in renewable energy deployment, engineering expertise, manufacturing capacity, and the scale required to accelerate commercialisation and demonstration of clean technologies.
A key theme emerging from the meeting was the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers to address the challenges associated with scaling hydrogen and other low-carbon technologies. Participants explored how the new UK India Low Carbon Technology Group could support knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, business partnerships, and joint innovation activities that align with the net-zero ambitions of both countries.
The meeting featured contributions from several prominent speakers, including Dr Kishore Jayaraman OBE, Group CEO of UKIBC; Dr R.K. Malhotra, President of the Hydrogen Association of India; Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the UK Hydrogen Energy Association; and Simon Payne, Head of International Bilateral & Capability at the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The establishment of the UK India Low Carbon Technology Group represents an important step towards building stronger international partnerships in hydrogen and clean energy. UK-HyRES welcomes opportunities to engage with such initiatives and looks forward to supporting future collaborations that advance innovation, industrial decarbonisation, and the development of sustainable energy systems in both countries.
The opportunity to take on the role of ECR Chair of the UK-HyRES ECR Network came quite unexpectedly.
When Prof. Tim Mays first offered me the position, my immediate instinct was to decline. It had been just over a year since I moved to the UK, and although I felt confident given my past leadership experiences, I was also very aware that my professional network here was still limited.
However, I soon realised what a privilege it was to lead the ECR network of a national research hub, and what an incredible opportunity it offered to build upon the strong foundation laid by the previous Chair, Dr Rajan Jagpal. The unwavering support of my PI, Prof. Paul Dodds, ultimately gave me the confidence to step into the role.
My vision for the ECR network was deeply personal. My PhD journey in hydrogen research had been quite isolating. I was the only researcher in my groups working in this area, and I never had the opportunity to be part of a broader community where I could learn, share ideas, collaborate, and grow alongside peers facing similar challenges. During that time, my lab colleagues and Christian campus groups became my main source of emotional and mental support, alongside my family. I can genuinely say that my faith in God carried me through some of the most difficult phases of my life.
Because of this, I wanted the ECR network to become something I wished I had – a supportive and connected research community. My aim was to ensure that no early-career researcher feels alone in their journey. I wanted to create a space where ECRs could access opportunities, find guidance, build collaborations, and feel a genuine sense of belonging, especially during challenging times.
This vision shaped the initiatives we introduced, including a mentorship scheme, research presentations, webinars, training sessions, industry engagement, interactions with senior academics, and sharing opportunities. More importantly, the network became a platform to help researchers step beyond their niche areas, see how their work fits into the bigger picture, and collaborate towards a shared goal. In that sense, the UK-HyRES ECR network is not just a community; it is a bridge that connects ideas, people, and purpose.
Looking back over the past year, serving as ECR Chair has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It strengthened my leadership and organisational skills in ways I did not anticipate. I gained experience in setting agendas, facilitating discussions across diverse groups, and ensuring that ECR voices were heard and represented. It also gave me valuable insight into how strategic decisions are made in collaborative research environments and how to balance competing priorities while keeping people engaged and aligned.
One of the most valuable lessons was learning to work with a diverse team, often with different and sometimes conflicting perspectives, and to find ways to bring everyone together constructively. That experience alone has significantly shaped my approach to leadership.
The role also pushed me beyond my comfort zone. It strengthened my confidence in taking initiative, launching new ideas, and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders from senior academics to external partners and peers. It also provided me with valuable opportunities to represent and speak on behalf of the UK-HyRES hub at various forums and conferences. I developed strong skills in event planning, communication, and managing group dynamics. Perhaps most importantly, I built a broader professional network and helped foster a supportive ECR community that continues to grow beyond the role’s formal structure.
This experience has equipped me with highly transferable skills that will support my future career, whether in academia or beyond, including programme development, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the management of complex initiatives. More than that, it has reshaped how I see myself. It has brought out the leader in me and given me the confidence to take on new challenges I might once have hesitated to pursue.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people around me—my PI, the ECR committee, the administrative team, the directors, the management board, and all the ECRs who generously supported this journey. This was never an individual effort; it was a collective one. I am confident that the future chairs and teams will continue to build on this and take the network to even greater heights. As UK-HyRES continues to grow into an international community, I truly hope it will continue to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders in research and beyond.
If there is one thing I would like to leave behind, it is this: opportunities do not always come twice. When they come, they may not feel convenient, and you may not feel ready, but don’t let that stop you. Step forward anyway.
Because the truth is, you are far more capable than you think. With the right people around you, you will not only achieve what you set out to do, but you will also surpass it. And somewhere along that journey, you will discover strengths you never knew you had and grow into a version of yourself you never imagined possible.
In recognition of Sibimol’s contribution to the ECR Network, Professor Chris Brace, Director and Principal Investigator of UK-HyRES, shared:
“As Sibimol steps down from her role as Chair of the UK-HyRES Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network, I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank her for the outstanding contribution she has made to our community.
“Sibimol has been instrumental in shaping the ECR Network into the vibrant, supportive and highly engaged community it is today. Through her leadership, energy and commitment, she has introduced a wide range of activities and initiatives that have created real value for our early career researchers. From establishing a mentorship programme and regular research presentation opportunities, to organising monthly webinars, training sessions, industry engagement events and networking meetings, she has worked tirelessly to ensure ECRs have access to the support, knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive.
“What has been particularly impressive is the way Sibimol has grown the network beyond UK-HyRES itself. Under her leadership, the ECR Network has expanded to more than 100 members, attracting participation from researchers across the UK and internationally. This has strengthened collaborations, broadened perspectives and created an inclusive environment where early career researchers can learn from, and support, one another.
“The success of the network is reflected in the feedback we regularly receive from ECRs, who consistently highlight how valuable they find the activities, connections and opportunities that the network provides. The sense of community and belonging that has developed is a direct result of Sibimol’s dedication and vision.
“On behalf of UK-HyRES, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Sibimol for her leadership and service. She leaves behind a thriving network and a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit our ECR community for years to come.”
The UK-HyRES Early Career Research Forum (ECR) took place on the 2nd July 2026 following the Hydrogen Industry Forum at Futures Innovation Hub in Bristol. Channelling the momentum created the day before, Early-Career Researchers (ECR) from multiple disciplines gathered to discuss their collective vision for the hydrogen and alternative liquid fuel (HALF) space and learn from senior academics about how to navigate career growth within a changing academic and industrial landscape.
Introduction and Icebreaker
The day was formally opened by Dr Sibimol Luke, University College London and UK-HyRES ECR Chair. Dr Luke’s presentation welcomed all the ECRs to the Futures Innovation Hub, outlining the Hub’s current structure, the activities it offers, and how to become part of the network. Dr Luke particularly emphasised that the space being created is to foster strong working relationships among all ECRs working in HALF research and to discuss not only successes but also challenges we can work on as a community.
Following this, Dr Shiqi Huang, Lecturer, University of Bath, led an excellent icebreaker session, encouraging collaboration and innovation to kick-start the day. This was a fun and interactive way to break down those initial barriers between the ECRs and stimulate interaction between groups.
Career Progress Development Talk
Dr James Courtney, Lecturer at Swansea University, delivered the first career development talk of the day, sharing an honest reflection on his journey across academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.
Beginning with an overview of his research into critical materials and their role across the hydrogen value chain, Dr Courtney explored how his career has developed through a combination of research, industry experience, and innovation.
After completing his first postdoctoral role, Dr Courtney took an entrepreneurial route by attempting to establish a manufacturing business, turning marine plastic waste into 3D-printed surfboards. Ultimately, due to costs and environmental benefits, he decided to step away from this venture, but highlighted how the experience provided valuable lessons that shaped his future career. He later moved into an industrial research role, working on a wide range of projects before returning to academia, where he found renewed motivation through teaching and supporting students.
Drawing on experiences including hydrogen research, policy engagement, and industry collaboration, Dr Courtney emphasised that career paths rarely follow a straight line. He encouraged ECRs to embrace opportunities, learn from setbacks, and build a career that aligns personal interests with professional goals. He also highlighted the importance of understanding funding landscapes, noting that grants and investment secured can provide a useful measure of progression across both academic and industrial careers.
Career Journey Sharing
Later, Dr Stefania Esposito, Lecturer at the University of Bath, shared her international journey into academia, reflecting on the experiences that shaped her career across Italy, Germany, and the UK.
Her journey started in Mechanical Engineering in Italy. Dr Esposito described how taking opportunities outside her comfort zone – including moving to Germany for her master’s thesis, consultancy work, and later her PhD at RWTH Aachen – helped her develop both technical expertise and personal resilience.
Alongside her research achievements, Dr Esposito reflected on the challenges of working in a male-dominated field, the importance of finding supportive mentors, and the value of building strong collaborations across cultures and disciplines.
She encouraged ECRs to consider whether opportunities align with their long-term goals, values, and personal circumstances, while recognising that confidence, resilience, and self-promotion are essential parts of building an academic career.
Research Brainstorming workshop
The afternoon began with a research brainstorming workshop in which ECRs teamed up to create a short research proposal, honing each team member’s research skills and specialities.
As individual skill sets began to gel, brainstorming turned to idea generation and final research proposals, varying from self-sustaining farms to hydrogen production on the moon. It was evident that themes from the previous day influenced the proposals across the room, incorporating elements of commercialisation to add value into the HALF chain. The workshop successfully demonstrated how diverse technical skill sets can be integrated into cohesive, innovative research initiatives.
Discussion: ECR Challenges and Solutions
After a networking lunch, the final part of the day was devoted to the challenges currently faced by ECRs. Collaboration was in full effect once again as groups discussed the issues faced from PhD to postdoctoral level and beyond. The challenges span day-to-day issues, such as equipment and chemical orders, to widespread issues that affect entire research communities, such as the contract length of post-doctorates, how childcare and maternity leave influence female researchers, and the allocation of funds for researchers.
The Early Career Researcher Day was a testament to the power of collaboration in tackling the challenges and maximising the opportunities across the HALF space. The day fostered a strong sense of community among attendees and effectively equipped them for their future professional endeavours.
Spaces where ECRs can share their concerns are pivotal for growth, and we hope to have more opportunities to collaborate, tackle challenges, and progress innovation across the HALF space.
Share your experiences, challenges, and priorities within the UK research landscape in our ECR Survey. Click the button below to have your say.
Dr Sibimol Luke, Chair of the UK-HyRES Early Career Researcher Committee and Research Fellow at University College London, has received the Bartlett Early Career Researchers (ECR) Award 2026 in the Community category, recognising her contributions to the UK-HyRES Early Career Researcher Network.
The Bartlett ECR Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of early-career researchers across research, teaching, equality, diversity and inclusion, outreach, communication, and community. The Community Award recognises exceptional contributions to communities inside or outside UCL, including volunteering, championing good practice, and supporting networks and communities of practice.
Sibimol’s award highlights the value of the UK-HyRES ECR Network in supporting collaboration, skills development, and career development among early-career researchers working across hydrogen, alternative liquid fuels, and related low-carbon energy research.
This award also reflects the strength of the UK-HyRES ECR community and the opportunities for more early-career researchers to help shape its future. UK-HyRES welcomes expressions of interest from ECRs who would like to get involved, contribute ideas, and support the next phase of network activity.
A highly competitive first round of the UK-HyRES and Henry Royce Institute SPRINT funding programme will award up to £50,000 per project to early-career researchers across the UK, with the Henry Royce Institute (Royce) and UK Hydrogen Research and Innovation Network (UK-HyRES) jointly backing 15 projects from a field of 86 applications.
The Henry Royce Institute, the UK’s national institute for advanced materials research and innovation, will fund nine of the successful projects through its Royce Hydrogen Accelerator (RHA), while UK-HyRES will back a further eight. Each award provides up to £50,000 (at 80% FEC) to advance cutting-edge research spanning hydrogen production, storage, distribution and use, as well as ammonia and alternative liquid fuels.
Proposals were evaluated on research quality and impact, the strength of partnerships, and clear plans for mentoring, delivery, and future development into larger-scale initiatives.
A powerful partnership across research networks
Professor Rachael Rothman, Co-Director and Environmental Theme Lead at UK-HyRES, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing both hydrogen innovation and the next generation of research talent.
“The Henry Royce Institute and UK-HyRES share common goals in advancing the materials necessary for widespread adoption of hydrogen, as well as supporting the research leaders of the future to develop their careers.
“It was fantastic to see the quality of applications to our joint early-career researcher SPRINT call, and I am very excited to see how the projects and researchers themselves develop over the coming months.
“This kind of joint initiative, where successful projects can draw on the networks and expertise of both organisations, is really important to help find clean energy solutions, and I’m looking forward to further collaboration with the Royce Hydrogen Initiative going forward.”
Bob Sorrell, CEO of the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator, further emphasised the importance of cross-network collaboration in accelerating hydrogen materials research and supporting emerging research talent.
“This first SPRINT funding competition has shown the value of bringing our national hydrogen networks together around a shared challenge. By working in partnership with UK-HyRES, the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator has helped support a genuinely exciting portfolio of projects that reflect both the strength of the UK’s emerging hydrogen research talent and the scale of opportunity in this field.
“The quality of responses to the call reflects not only the calibre of the ideas coming forward, but also the importance of creating collaborative routes for early-stage research to develop into larger-scale opportunities. Through the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator, we are helping to ensure that the UK has a pipeline of compelling, de-risked hydrogen materials opportunities that are ready to scale with the right investment, moving promising research closer to real-world application and strengthening the technologies and partnerships needed to deliver a clean energy future.”
Strong responses from the research community
The inaugural SPRINT call attracted significant interest, with a total of 86 applications submitted from across the UK, underscoring both the depth of emerging talent in the hydrogen sector and the significance of the funding opportunity on offer. The awards span a wide range of disciplines, including materials science, electrochemistry, bioengineering, combustion, and systems design, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of hydrogen research.
Expanding the reach of the network, the programme brought new institutional involvement, including the University of Nottingham and Queen Mary University of London, bringing the total number of participating universities from 17 to 19.
Supporting transformative research careers
A defining feature of the SPRINT programme is its focus on researcher development alongside scientific innovation.
Each project includes clear plans for mentoring, skills development, and career progression, ensuring that awardees gain not only funding but also the support needed to establish independence and build long-term research trajectories.
Sibimol Luke, Chair of the ECR Network at UK-HyRES, reflected on the importance of this support:
“As an early-career researcher myself, I know how transformative this kind of support can be. Funding like this is often a real turning point for an ECR, building momentum at a critical career stage and enabling researchers to grow in confidence and independence.
“I’m really pleased to see UK-HyRES continuing to provide dedicated funding for ECRs and supporting them to establish their own place within academic research.”
One of the funded researchers, Luke Woodliffe, added, “I’m very grateful to UK-HyRES for the SPRINT award. It’s a wonderful opportunity for early-career researchers such as myself to gain experience in managing our own research project, and to experiment with some exciting novel science!”
Linlin Yang, Research Assistant at the University of Oxford and another of the successful SPRINT awardees, also commented, “I am very pleased to receive SPRINT funding to support my research on ammonia combustion and its contribution to the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. It is a privilege to contribute at a time when practical low-carbon solutions are urgently needed.
“This award is particularly meaningful for early-career researchers, as it enables independent research, strengthens expertise in zero-carbon technologies, and supports long-term career development.”
Next steps for the SPRINT programme
Funded projects are scheduled to begin between April and June 2026, with all research to be completed by 31 December 2026.
As these projects get underway, they will contribute not only to advancing hydrogen technologies but also to shaping the next generation of research leaders in the UK.
With strong demand, a high calibre of applications, and a growing network of collaborators, the SPRINT initiative represents an important step in strengthening the UK’s hydrogen innovation ecosystem, supporting both scientific excellence and the people driving it forward.
Developing expertise across the hydrogen value chain
UK-HyRES-funded projects include:
- Defect-Tuned Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) in Hydrogen Charged Environment, Open New Path for Hydrogen Valves – Sepideh Aliasghari, University of Manchester
- Living Semiconductors for Green Hydrogen: Biosynthesis and Self-Regeneration of Nanoparticles at Engineered Bio-Abiotic Interfaces – Lin Su, Queen Mary University London
- Tracking Electrochemical Degradation in PEM Water Electrolysers – Connor Sherwin, University of Oxford
- Next-Generation Green Methanol: Enhancing Biogas Conversion through Solid Oxide Cells – Shu Wang, University of St Andrews
- Nanoconfined Reactive Hydrides for Advanced Solid-State Hydrogen Storage – Luke Woodliffe, University of Nottingham
- Energy-Efficient Hydrogen Purification: Engineering Nanopores in Atomically Thin Membrane – Shiqi Huang, University of Bath
- Enabling Zero-Carbon Ammonia Engines through Multiple Spark Ignition – Linlin Yang, University of Oxford
- HySPIN: Spin-Isomer and Adsorption Interactions in Hydrogen Systems – Rajan Jagpal, University of Bath
Royce-funded projects include:
- Hydro-Oxy: Delivering Technical-Grade Catalyst Bodies for Sustainable Chemical Synthesis – Richard Lewis, Cardiff University
- Hydrogen-Compatible In-operando Fibre-Optic Temperature Monitoring MgH₂ Solid-State Hydrogen Storage – Hongnan Zhang, University of Bristol
- From Natural Gas to Ammonia: Enabling High Ammonia Combustion in a Radiant Wall Burner – Jordan Davies, Cardiff University
- Novel Poly(ionic Liquid) Anion Exchange Membranes for Green Hydrogen Production – Josh J. Bailey, Queen’s University Belfast
- Engineered Membrane with Microfluidic Structures to Manage Electrolyte Transport in Zero-Gap Water Electrolyser – Vinothkannan Mohanraj, Coventry University
- AQUASTOR-Aqua-Ammonia Storage Tank for On-Demand Ammonia and Hydrogen Release – Ramin Mehdipour, University of Nottingham
- Developing Sustainable Anode Materials for PEM Water Electrolysis – Yang Li, University of Oxford
Delivering a hydrogen-powered energy transition isn’t just about breakthrough technologies or about system-level planning in isolation. It’s about how the two evolve together.
UK-HyRES and HI-ACT are both EPSRC-funded hydrogen research hubs. At first glance, they may seem similar, but their roles are deliberately distinct. UK-HyRES focuses on low technology readiness level, fundamental research, while HI-ACT undertakes research which can accelerate progress in hydrogen systems integration.
Positioned at opposite ends of the hydrogen spectrum, the two hubs are nonetheless strategically aligned. They work in close partnership to ensure that hydrogen innovation doesn’t just advance but works in the real world.
Here, the head of each hub, Professor Chris Brace, Director and Principal Investigator of UK-HyRES and Professor Sara Walker, Director and Principal Investigator of HI-ACT, share their visions for the alignment of the two hubs and
Sara began the conversation to clarify where both hubs sit in the hydrogen value chain: “HI-ACT looks at the overall energy system, often from a national or international, top-down perspective. UK-HyRES, by contrast, works at the device level, more bottom-up. But we meet at the interface: what functionality devices offer to the system, and what the system needs from those devices.”
A two-way feedback loop
At the heart of the collaboration is a simple but powerful idea: hydrogen innovation must be bidirectional. Advances in technology shape what’s possible at system level. At the same time, system-level challenges define what technologies are actually needed.
Chris expands on this, highlighting both the opportunity, and the complexity, of working across scales: “The term ‘system’ is often used in different ways, which can lead to confusion. At one level, it refers to specific engineering elements, like a manufacturing plant, an electrolyser, or a vehicle. At another, it describes the larger networks these elements form, such as a national energy system or transport network. Being clear about these definitions is important, especially when working across disciplines”.
He continues by drawing the connection between these layers: “What becomes clear is that these layers are closely interconnected. Improvements at the device or engineering level, like increasing the efficiency of electrolysers, can have significant impacts on the performance of the wider energy system. At the same time, challenges identified at the national or network level can highlight where breakthroughs are needed in materials, components, or technologies”.
This interplay is where progress happens: “Progress depends on strengthening this two-way relationship. Advances at the small scale can unlock system-wide benefits, while large-scale challenges can guide and motivate fundamental research. This kind of bidirectional thinking is essential for driving innovation in complex energy systems.”
Why collaboration is essential
The energy transition is only as strong as its weakest link. From materials and devices, through infrastructure and systems, to policy, safety, and public acceptance, each layer must work together.
This is why UK-HyRES also focuses on four cross-cutting themes, economics, environment, society, and safety. These areas move beyond device-level research to explore the conditions needed for hydrogen technologies to be adopted at scale, from cost and infrastructure to environmental impact, public trust, and risk. This work provides a natural bridge to HI-ACT’s system-level perspective, where these factors are considered within the context of a fully integrated energy system.
Chris is clear about what’s at stake: “Unless you’re pushing across the full picture, you’re not going to achieve the energy transition we’d like to see. Any weak point in that chain will get in the way of adoption.”
This is why UK-HyRES and HI-ACT are deliberately aligned, not just in ambition, but in structure. The two hubs share a Strategic Advisory Board, bringing together expertise from industry, regulation, and energy systems. This group doesn’t just review progress; it helps shape what comes next.
Sara explains how this strengthens their impact: “We’re collectively thinking about the next steps, not just in research, but in policy and deployment, because hydrogen isn’t a one-off transition. It requires a coordinated national approach. The joint advisory board also act as ambassadors for both hubs, amplifying news and initiatives through their own channels.”
Turning insight into opportunity
While still early in their programmes, the hubs are already building the foundations for joint impact.
One emerging area is nuclear-enabled hydrogen production, exploring how nuclear energy can support more efficient hydrogen generation.
Sara highlights the current gap: “While there are already system-level assessments of using nuclear power for hydrogen production, they often don’t fully reflect future technology breakthroughs. At the same time, those breakthroughs need clear direction, driven by national priorities and opportunities.”
Bridging that gap requires closer integration. Chris builds on this: “Without this integration, solutions remain simplistic, such as using nuclear electricity solely for electrolysis. A more joined-up approach, like combining electricity with waste heat from nuclear plants, could significantly improve efficiency. Realising this potential depends on close collaboration between nuclear and hydrogen experts to design more effective, interconnected systems.”
Defining success
For both hubs, success goes beyond academic outputs.
Sara outlines what she would like to see come out of an effective collaboration between the two hubs: “Success would mean a policy, regulatory, and industrial landscape that fully recognises hydrogen’s role in the energy transition, supported by high-quality research that provides a strong evidence base for decision-making.”
Chris adds a complimentary perspective: “Just as importantly, I would like to see clear alignment between national priorities and technological innovation: tangible examples where system-level needs and emerging technologies actively reinforce one another, turning opportunity into real-world progress”.
Navigating the unknowns
Hydrogen’s potential is clear, but significant uncertainties remain.
Sara points to the global context: “Regardless of geopolitics, energy security and resilience of energy systems is going to continue to be high on the agenda. We need to ensure we’re not replacing one supply chain weakness with another, and that we’re thinking about hydrogen supply chains just as carefully as we do for oil and gas today.”
At the same time, technological and system challenges must be addressed in parallel. Chris explains: “Can solutions meet the required performance, cost, and timescales? Can infrastructure roll out quickly enough to support adoption? There’s uncertainty on both sides, technological readiness and system readiness, and both have to progress together.”
He illustrates this with a practical example:
“Take hydrogen flight. There’s an enormous amount of work to be done before we see passenger aircraft powered by hydrogen. We’re looking at a 10-year horizon, and even then, questions remain around affordability and infrastructure. The challenges are evenly split between technology and system readiness.”
Investing in the next generation
Beyond research and systems, both hubs share another priority: people.
From early career researchers to established leaders, building a connected, collaborative community is essential for long-term impact.
Sara emphasises the importance of this investment: “We’re supporting the people who will deliver this transition over the next 30–40 years. It’s about helping them understand not just what they’re researching, but why it matters in the bigger picture.”
A model for the future
UK-HyRES and HI-ACT are not just working alongside each other, they are testing a new way of doing research.
One where:
- Discovery and deployment are co-designed
- Technology and systems evolve together
- And collaboration spans the full hydrogen value chain
Each hub has a distinct role. But their real strength lies in the connection between them, because that interface is where meaningful progress happens.
Because in the end, the energy transition won’t be delivered by breakthroughs alone. It will be delivered by how well those breakthroughs fit into the systems that power our world.
That’s the shared space where UK-HyRES and HI-ACT operate.
Chaewon Kim, a PhD student at University of Portsmouth under the supervision of Professor Chris Jones, has announced that her research, titled “Emerging Hydrogen Spot Indices: Price Taker or Maker?”, has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Environmental Management.
Chaewon expressed deep gratitude for the guidance and support of her three supervisors, whose interdisciplinary expertise in accounting, finance, economics, psychology, and engineering, combined with strong methodological rigour, contributed significantly to the success of the publication.
Following this achievement, Chaewon is now preparing to advance her second research topic, with the initial draft scheduled for submission in 2026.
The IMechE Engineering a Hydrogen Economy 2026 conference was held in Birmingham on 29-30 April.
Paul Dodds (University College London), the Economics theme lead in UK-HyRES, gave an invited plenary presentation on “The economics of hydrogen production”. UCL have been examining whether hydrogen production could be designed to support a UK renewable electricity system and reduce energy bills.
Paul presented technoeconomic assessments of a range of hydrogen technologies. He explained the challenge of coping with the many cost uncertainties. He showed that electricity arbitrage appears to reduce the cost of producing hydrogen, but not by much. On the other hand, given the increase in gas prices in recent years, it now appears that green hydrogen will become competitive with production from natural gas in the future.
On Wednesday 6th May, the 13th Annual Engineering PhD Symposium took place at the University of Warwick.
The symposium highlights the wide range of innovative research being carried out across the School of Engineering, while fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration between disciplines.
This year, UK-HyRES PhD student Melisha presented her ongoing research, “The Development of Electrocatalyst Materials for Green Ammonia Synthesis”, and was awarded the People’s Choice Poster Prize.