More than 120 researchers, industry partners, academics and stakeholders came together at Loughborough University on 2-3 September for the second EnerHy Research Conference, celebrating the achievements of the UK’s next generation of hydrogen and net zero engineers.
The conference programme featured research presentations from Cohort 1 researchers, poster sessions from Cohort 2 and keynote addresses from leading figures across the hydrogen sector. Delegates heard from Professor Tony Green, Chief Strategy and Regulation Officer at SGN; Sikander Mahmood, President Elect of IGEM and Operational Transition Project Manager at Cadent Gas; Clare Jackson, Chief Executive of Hydrogen UK; and Dr Emma Guthrie, Chief Executive of the Hydrogen Energy Association.
EnerHy’s first cohort presented research from projects sponsored by BOC, Cadent, EDF, EffecTech, ESB, INFLO, PETRONAS, Ocean Winds and X-Rotor, demonstrating strong progress. Researchers have already begun publishing their work and presenting at national and international conferences.
EnerHy’s second cohort presented their individual research for the first time, with new industry sponsors Aftrak, Caterpillar, HyWaves, Natural Power and Origen joining ESB and X-Rotor. The Best Poster Award was presented to Aidan Burns for Bridging the Gap: Reducing uncertainty in wind energy prediction, sponsored by Natural Power.
A highlight of the conference was the presentation of the latest EnerHy Design and Build Challenge. Supported by East Midlands Freeport, the challenge saw second-cohort researchers work in multidisciplinary teams to develop and demonstrate a solar farm measurement system and a thermally integrated photovoltaic-electrolyser.
The conference concluded with the opening of the East Midlands Zero Carbon Innovation Centre (EMZCIC) at Loughborough University, a major new facility supporting hydrogen and net zero research, training and industry collaboration. Developed through a partnership between Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and industry partners, with major funding from East Midlands Freeport, the Centre provides facilities where low-carbon technologies can be developed, tested and scaled towards real-world deployment.
The facility will support future EnerHy research by enabling students and partners to move beyond laboratory-scale experimentation and demonstrate technologies in a real-world outdoor environment.
The opening also provided an opportunity to showcase pioneering technologies being developed at Loughborough, including the University’s battery-electrolyser system, which combines energy storage and hydrogen production in a single device. The technology is already being demonstrated internationally and was operating during the event, producing and storing green hydrogen.
A consistent theme throughout the conference was the importance of developing the talent needed to deliver net zero. In his keynote address, Professor Tony Green, who is also Chair of the EnerHy Advisory Board, reminded researchers that “Net zero needs talent at scale. Stay adaptable, keep learning, and you’ll always be in demand.” The quality of research, innovation and teamwork on display throughout the conference showed that EnerHy researchers are already making a strong contribution to that future.
Thank you to all our industry and civic sponsors and supporters and researchers from Loughborough, Strathclyde and Cranfield for helping make this year’s conference a success.