Professor Rachael Rothman, Co-Director at UK-HyRES, together with Dr Alex Newman and Dr Josh Kassongo, represented both the UK-HyRES cross-cutting Environmental theme (CT2) and the South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre (SYSC) at the Hydrogen Innovation Showcase held on the 2nd and 3rd July 2024 in the city of Manchester, UK.
The formal scientific proceedings started with a Research and Innovation Exhibition where in-person delegates could meander along various posters on display aimed to capture targeted research activities across the technical and cross-cutting themes of UK-HyRES.
A section highlight of the Showcase was the 3-Minute Rapid Fire Pitch Presentations where various key players along the hydrogen value chain presented comprehensive ongoing innovative solutions in their focus areas. This segment of the Showcase captured the essence, the ‘pulse’ as it were, of the hydrogen-based economy by presenting pertinent strategies and approaches currently deployed in the UK and internationally in response to critical research questions on hydrogen production and utilisation.
The Keynote address entitled “Hydrogen’s Role in Decarbonisation” by Mairi Gordon from Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK presented the global progressive work undertaken to reduce industrial emissions at Toyota. Mairi acknowledged the crucial enabling role assumed by the government to stimulate the decarbonisation effort. On the debate of hydrogen vehicles Vs electric vehicles, Mairi advocated the need for an array of mobility powertrains fuelled by various energy sources, including hydrogen. The mindset driving research at Toyota is to provide consumers with the power of choice among suitable alternatives, assured Mairi.
There were three parallel sessions, namely Make It, Move It, and Use It, each tackling specific known issues regarding production, storage and distribution and end use of hydrogen. In the Use It Parallel session, Prof Rothman presented South Yorkshire’s (SY) illustrious heritage of foundation industries such as steelworks, cement and ceramics. Preliminary work identified nodes of CO2 emissions and potential industrial hydrogen demand in SY with corresponding potential hydrogen production via either electrolysis or gasification.
Additionally, work carried out in the context of the SY energy system established that ambitions for green hydrogen production may be hampered by rising electricity costs generated from overloading. To address this challenge, various electrolyser configurations need to be evaluated for geographical suitability and economic fitness. Also, engagement between academia and the SY industry is essential to guide the formulation of region-specific decarbonisation solutions hinged on hydrogen production and integration into industrial processes. Prof Rothman reaffirmed the significant potential for hydrogen in the industrial deffossilisation in Sheffield and in SY at large.
The Showcase ended on a high note with Prof Tim Mays, UK-HyRES Hub Director, who thanked the various teams working on the basic research underpinning the delivery of the UK Hydrogen Strategy. While tactfully cautioning against an “evangelistic” attitude when engaging in novel research, Prof Mays underscored the need for tempered expectations and an open mind in exploring the boundaries of ground-breaking hydrogen research.
We’re thrilled to announce that UK-HyRES has been named a finalist at EntreConf and EntreConf Awards in both the Sustainability and Science categories!
It’s a tremendous honor to receive this recognition, and we can’t wait for the awards ceremony this September.
Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to the big day!
The University of Bath seeks an expert in hydrogen research. If you have a PhD or equivalent experience, a strong publication record, and are recognised in your field, this could be your next career move! Collaborate with top facilities and networks, including IAAPS, to advance your research.
Deadline for applications is the 4th of August!!!
Click here to Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/4bBS4Na
The Hydrogen Innovation Showcase, co-hosted by Innovate UK, HI-ACT, and the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative, took place at the Pendulum Hotel & Conference Centre in Manchester on July 2-3.
Over the course of these two days, the event welcomed industry leaders, innovators, and researchers who explored groundbreaking projects within the UK’s hydrogen landscape. Attendees were treated to a range of engaging activities, including a fascinating plenary session by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, a series of insightful talks, rapid-fire pitches from innovative SMEs, and engrossing panel discussions. Additionally, the event highlighted significant research from various hubs.
The showcase provided a valuable opportunity for networking, allowing participants to connect with new faces and reconnect with familiar ones. The palpable enthusiasm in the room underscored the promising future of hydrogen technology.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all contributors, attendees, and organizers for making this event a resounding success. It was truly an inspiring experience for everyone involved.
The Supergen Energy Networks Impact Hub, together with the Hydrogen Integration for Accelerated Energy Transitions Hub (HI-ACT) and the UK Hub for Research Challenges in Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels (UK-HyRES), is planning to organise a set of in-person and online activities for ECRs in the areas of net zero energy transitions, to better support your development.
Over the following anonymous survey, we have devised a few questions to help us ascertain the suitability of these activities for your needs and to identify the most popular ones if possible. Your responses will help us devise/revise our future events. We are grateful for your valuable input!
Please access our survey via https://forms.office.com/e/qcsf4uQwwf (expiry date: 31/07/2024).
Everyone at UK-HyRES is incredibly proud to announce that Prof John Irvine has been named on the King’s Birthday Honours List. Prof Irvine has been awarded a CBE for services to the green economy, for his leading contributions and research.
On achieving this award, Prof Irvine said:
“I was honoured to receive a CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List this year for my contribution to the Green Economy. The research we carry out as part of the HyRES Hub is pivotal in our pursuit of a green economy, providing a network of experts to tackle the challenges we face in reaching Net Zero. I am proud to have been recognised as a leader in my field. It gives the hub significant impetus to deliver maximum impact.
This recognition underscores the critical work being done at UK-HyRES and strengthens our resolve to drive forward innovative solutions for a sustainable future”.
Congratulations, Prof Irvine!
