Organisations from across the hydrogen sector came together at the Hyppo Hydrogen Expo in July to showcase the technologies, partnerships and projects shaping the future of hydrogen. The event highlighted the growing level of activity taking place across the industry, with businesses developing new technologies, forming partnerships and delivering projects that are helping to build the foundations of a hydrogen economy.
Representing UK-HyRES at the Expo, Professor Chris Brace, Director and Principal Investigator, UK-HyRES & University of Bath, came away with a strong sense of optimism about the sector’s direction.
“At a time when much of the conversation around hydrogen focuses on strategy, policy and market challenges, what stood out at the Hyppo Hydrogen Expo was the sheer level of activity taking place,” he said. “Beyond the headlines, organisations are investing, collaborating and delivering real projects that are helping to build the UK’s hydrogen economy.”
One of the clearest indicators of this momentum was the breadth of organisations represented at the event. Established companies such as Wales & West Utilities, ITM Power, Fuel Cell Systems and Toyota exhibited alongside innovative businesses including Metier Power and Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions, reflecting the growing diversity of the hydrogen ecosystem.
“What was particularly encouraging was seeing organisations from across the entire value chain in one place,” Chris added. “Hydrogen is no longer simply a future ambition. It is an active and growing industry, with businesses developing technologies, creating commercial opportunities and working together to deliver practical solutions.”
Across the exhibition, discussions centred on collaboration, project delivery, innovation and investment. Rather than focusing solely on future ambitions, conversations reflected a sector increasingly focused on deployment and building the infrastructure, technologies and supply chains needed to support long-term growth.
“The atmosphere throughout the event was incredibly positive,” Chris reflected. “There was a genuine sense that, while challenges remain, the sector is moving in the right direction. The level of engagement and the number of organisations actively doing business reinforced the confidence many of us have in hydrogen’s role within the UK’s energy transition.”
For UK-HyRES, events like the Hyppo Hydrogen Expo are vital for engaging with industry, strengthening partnerships, and understanding the priorities shaping hydrogen research and deployment. The event demonstrated not only the importance of continued collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers, but also highlighted a sector in motion, actively building the technologies, partnerships, and commercial foundations essential for the UK’s energy transition.
