The UK-HyRES team is delighted to confirm that our proposal to the EPSRC for a national Hub for Research Challenges in Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels was submitted yesterday. There will now be a validation and review process managed by the EPSRC. We hope that will lead to a positive outcome. In the meantime, our work on the UK-HyRES Co-ordinator project will continue until the end of next April. Please keep an eye out on this website for further UK-HyRES news, including about events that we will be holding over the next six months. Thank you.
Prof Tim Mays, UK-HyRES Principal Investigator, University of Bath
Appointment of Dr Marcus Newborough, CEng FEI, FREng as a Visiting Professor
10th October 2022
The University of Bath’s Department of Chemical Engineering is delighted to announce that Marcus Newborough, Development Director, ITM Power PLC (https://itm-power.com) will be appointed as a Visiting Professor from 1 November 2022. He will continue to work closely with Professor Tim Mays in the Department, and other colleagues on campus, with a focus on sustainable hydrogen engineering. This will include supporting Tim in building a national EPSRC Hub for Research in Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels (UK-HyRES, https://ukhyres.co.uk) to be based at the University.
Notes
- Following his PhD at Cranfield Institute of Technology in 1987 Marcus Newborough has had a successful career in sustainable engineering in industry and as an academic. He joined ITM in 2006 and was appointed to his current senior role at the company in 2009. Marcus is a Chartered Engineer (CEng, 1991), Fellow of the Energy Institute (FEI, 2010) and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng, 2013).
- ITM is a world-leading company in the manufacture of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) units to produce green hydrogen via water electrolysis for low carbon electricity, heat and mobility and for industrial decarbonisation. The company floated on the Alternative Investment Market in 2004 becoming the first hydrogen company to be publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The LSE has also granted the company a Green Economy Mark. In August 2021 the Business Secretary opened ITM’s “Giga Factory” in Sheffield (the world’s largest PEM electrolyser plant) and at the same event launched the UK’s Hydrogen Strategy (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-hydrogen-strategy).
Prof Tim Mays (UK-HyRES PI) was due to give an invited, keynote presentation Connecting basic hydrogen research with industry and policy at the Scotland Policy Conference Developing the hydrogen economy in Scotland on 15/9/22. However, the event was cancelled after the Queen’s passing. The organisers hope to re-schedule. Read more about the Scotland policy conference.
In light of the Queen’s recent passing, UKRI has advised that we should cancel the UK-HyRES Showcase at the University of Warwick planned for Thursday 15 September 2022. The inconvenience that this may cause is regrettable. We hope to be able to reschedule the Showcase for later in the year. We will continue to keep the UK’s Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels research community informed of developments, mainly via the project’s website: https://ukhyres.co.uk
Thank you, Prof Tim Mays, UK-HyRES PI, University of Bath
THE ROLE OF HYDROGEN IN A NET ZERO ENERGY SYSTEM | NEPC – RAENG
2nd September 2022
The National Engineering Policy Centre and Royal Academy of Engineering has published an excellent report on “The role of hydrogen in a net zero energy system”. This is vital reading for all members of the hydrogen and alternative liquid fuels community as we move closer to the net zero transition.
Hydrogen can carry energy to many hard-to-decarbonise sectors with no greenhouse gas emissions at the point of use, giving hydrogen a valuable role in a net zero energy system.
However, as the successful scale up of low-carbon hydrogen production and end-uses poses many challenges and is dependent on decisions made in other parts of the energy system, a pragmatic and carefully managed delivery is vital to achieve emission reductions and reap the benefits that hydrogen can provide.
This report from the National Engineering Policy Centre explores:
- Hydrogen’s value as an energy vector
- Potential roles of hydrogen in a net zero energy system
- Low-carbon hydrogen production methods
- Policy recommendations for government to ensure the benefits of hydrogen for a net zero energy system are realised.
UKRI EPSRC HYDROGEN CALL LAUNCHED TO ESTABLISH HYDROGEN & ALF RESEARCH HUB
2nd September 2022
On the 01/09/22 UKRI and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council opened the second stage call of a two-step process for The Coordinator for Research Challenges in Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels.
The UK-HyRES project was initially funded by UKRI for six months from 1 April 2022. UK-HyRES engaged nationally with academic, industrial and policy stakeholders to discuss and identify research challenges the solutions to which will accelerate the deployment of sustainable H&ALF technologies to help the country achieve its legally binding net zero carbon emissions target by 2050 and hence contribute to mitigating disastrous global heating.
One of the main engagement routes was via facilitated workshops which were promoted widely in H&ALF and associated communities in the UK. The outcomes from these workshops will inform and shape the development of a UKRI Hub for research challenges in H&ALFs to start in spring 2023.
This call represents the second stage of the invite only application process, with the call document now open, we urge interested community members to give it a read.
VIEW & DOWNLOAD THE CALL DOCUMENT HERE >
Quoting some of the key criteria in the call:
Hub for research challenges in hydrogen and alternative liquid fuels
This hub will provide a focus for the UK research community, working in close partnership with businesses, governments, and administrations throughout the UK to tackle research challenges that underpin the hydrogen production, storage and distribution parts of the hydrogen value chain.
This hub will discover and develop cross-cutting solutions to the cross-sector challenges relating to hydrogen and hydrogen-based low carbon liquid fuels. Examples include, but are not limited to, research challenges such as:
- green hydrogen production
- production of low carbon liquid forms of hydrogen
- hydrogen storage
- materials
- utilisation
- cost
- safety
- environmental impact
- public perception and engagement.
They may also seek to address issues that will impact upon the hydrogen end-use sectors. These may include, but are not limited to, challenges associated with:
- lowering costs of hydrogen technologies
- increasing efficiencies of technological systems
- materials science and engineering
- hydrogen safety.
Titled “H2 BEYOND THE HYPE” the July issue discusses the project motivation and vision. Featuring a great interview with Principal Investigator Professor Tim Mays, the article sets out the strategic context of Hydrogen, the key engineering challenges and why UK-HyRES can help in accomplishing our Net Zero ambitions. Not least through interdisciplinary, cross-cutting engagement. Read the full article online or download it here.
HYDROGEN CHAMPION APPOINTED AS GOVERNMENT ACCELERATES UK HYDROGEN INVESTMENT
20th July 2022
The Business and Energy Secretary has today (20 July 2022) met with industry to accelerate private investment in hydrogen as a clean energy source and a super-fuel of the future.
At the Hydrogen Investment Summit a new round of funding was announced to give investors the confidence they need, reaffirming the government’s vision for the UK to be a hydrogen-based economy – as set out in the Hydrogen Strategy published in August 2021. This is a major next step in delivering the government’s ambition to have 1 GW of electrolytic hydrogen in operation or construction by the end of 2025 – which could produce enough hydrogen to fuel up to 45,000 buses per year.
Kwasi Kwarteng demonstrated how the government is making good progress on unlocking the £9 billion investment needed to make hydrogen a cornerstone of the UK’s greener future, while supporting a move away from costly fossil fuels. In recent months, the government has opened applications for the £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund, published the Hydrogen Investor Roadmap, and set out details for the Hydrogen Business Model and Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.
Energy Minister Greg Hands announced the opening of the joint allocation round for electrolytic (‘green’) hydrogen projects, a method which uses an electrical current to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water. Under this joint round, funding is available from both the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF), and the Hydrogen Business Model (HBM).
Kwasi Kwarteng also announced the appointment of Jane Toogood as the UK’s first Hydrogen Champion, which will see her play a vital role in bringing industry and government together to realise the government’s hydrogen ambitions – including supporting up to 10 GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030, aiming to run annual allocation rounds for electrolytic hydrogen, and designing, by 2025, new business models for hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure. These targets will put us on track to make the UK a world-leading hydrogen economy, attracting billions of pounds in inward investment and supporting 12,000 jobs across the country.
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:
“The UK’s hydrogen sector is open for business. With the right investment, we can unlock the enormous potential of hydrogen by reindustrialising our economy and ending our dependency on expensive fossil fuels.
The new funding represents an important step forward in realising this potential, and I look forward to working with Jane Toogood as our new Hydrogen Champion, ensuring industry and government are aligned to accelerate hydrogen production as a clean, home grown energy source – boosting our energy security and creating jobs.”
Business and Energy Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng
New Hydrogen Champion Jane Toogood will help drive industry investment and deployment at this critical stage in the early development of the UK hydrogen economy. She will identify current barriers to building a strong UK hydrogen economy and develop creative solutions for how these can be addressed to accelerate the project pipeline and deliver on the UK government commitments.
Hydrogen Champion Jane Toogood said:
“The government has ambitious plans for the UK to ramp up hydrogen technology. Hydrogen deployment as a clean energy source is one of the key solutions to help the UK reach its net zero targets and I strongly believe there is an opportunity to accelerate this, working collaboratively across industry and government to land projects and infrastructure on a timeline that serves stakeholder and customers’ needs.
At Johnson Matthey, we see that demand for hydrogen ecosystems globally is being taken up across industry, transportation and the power sector at a rapid pace, especially with the increased focus on energy security. As the UK’s Hydrogen Champion, working with industry and government, I hope to ensure we make progress in building a thriving hydrogen economy ensuring private sector investment and policy decisions are aligned to support timely decisions and outcomes.”
Hydrogen Champion, Jane Toogood
Clare Jackson, Chief Executive of Hydrogen UK said:
“Jane Toogood’s appointment as the UK’s first Hydrogen Champion – and opening of the joint allocation round for green hydrogen projects – is a welcome statement of intent from the government. Hydrogen UK looks forward to working closely with policy officials to review progress against the landmark Hydrogen Strategy of 2021, and to setting ambitious goals for the future as we work together to build a British hydrogen economy, which is crucial if we are to reach our much-needed net zero goals.”
Chief Executive of Hydrogen UK, Clare Jackson
The announcements are also supported by the publication of several documents that deliver on commitments set out in the UK Hydrogen Strategy and the British Energy Security Strategy. These include:
- a Sector Development Action Plan which sets out actions government and industry can take to seize the opportunities presented by the low carbon hydrogen economy, in areas like investment, supply chains, skills and exports
- an update to the market on progress on delivering on the Hydrogen Strategy
- a Research and Innovation (R&I) brochure giving industry guidance how support and funding for hydrogen R&I projects can be accessed from major public sector organisations
- the application form and guidance for the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) and Hydrogen Business Model (HBM) joint allocation round, which builds on feedback from a recent market engagement exercise to set out the key criteria for the round
Together, these documents further strengthen the policy and regulatory landscape for the UK’s hydrogen sector and help keep up the momentum that has characterised the last 12 months for the hydrogen economy, providing further certainty for investors and industry alike.
About Jane Toogood
Jane is Chief Executive of Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey, a FTSE 250 company which is a major player in the research and development of technologies to accelerate the transition towards net zero.
Jane is co-Chair (with the BEIS Secretary of State) of the Hydrogen Advisory Council, created for government and industry to work together to identify and promote the actions required to enable the supply of low carbon hydrogen at scale for use across the UK’s energy system.
She has a wealth of experience in business transformation and growth, built over many years across global companies, covering multiple industry sectors from automotive, to healthcare, to petrochemicals.
Prof. Tim Mays delivered a UK-HyRES presentation at the University of Bath’s summer showcase for the Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies (CSCT), which he also co-directs.
Titled “Molecules to Materials for a Sustainable Future”, the CSCT’s annual summer showcase was held on the 27th-28th June 2022.
The event, a multi-disciplinary conference, featured a wide range of research topics and excellent presentations and talks. Alongside the CSCT’s CDT student presentations, ignite talks and posters, a wide range of industrial and academic presentations from leading figures were heard. These included a presentation from Prof. Tim Mays about the UK-HyRES project ambitions. Alongside Prof. Mays, speakers at the event included:
Prof Igor Polikarpov, Coordinator of the Center for Renewable Energy and Molecular Biotechnology (University of Sao Paulo)
Prof Stephen Eichhorn, Professor of Materials Science & Engineering (University of Bristol)
Prof Phil Andrews, Head of School of Chemistry (Monash University)
Prof Toby Jenkins, Professor of Biophysical Chemistry (University of Bath)
Dr Camilla Alexander-White, Chemicals Safety Assessor & Independent Scientific Advisor on Chemicals Policy (Royal Society of Chemistry)
Dr Marcus Johns, Postdoctoral Researcher (University of British Columbia)
Dr Davide Califano, Protein Chemist (Naturbeads)
Dr Paul Murray, Director (Paul Murray Catalysis Consulting) & Chief Technical Officer (PhosphonicS)
Prof Susan Bourne, Professor of Physical Chemistry (University of Cape Town)
Juliet Davenport OBE, Founder (Good Energy)
Dr Gerrit Gobius du Sart, Corporate Scientist (TotalEnergies Corbion)
Sarah Davidson, Group Sustainability Coordinator for Global R&T (CRODA)
Prof Peter Dowding, Chief Research Scientist (Infineum)
Prof. Rachael Rothman discusses the UK-HyRES project goals as part of the EPSRC Engineering Net Zero week
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) conducted a flagship Engineering Net Zero week of events. Partly online, with a series of webinars, and also in-person in the Advanced Research Centre at the University of Glasgow. The event showcased the breadth of engineering and physical sciences research across the EPSRC portfolio that are driving impact towards the UK’s net zero goals.
Prof. Rachael Rothman delivered an engaging presentation on the UK-HyRES project, including our aims, objective and vision. Discussion of hydrogen and how it can play a part in the net zero transition also featured, with Prof. Rothman continuing the conversation on the panel. There was lots of great discussions about systems level thinking, delivery and the need for life cycle assessment.