This regional event will focus on four key topics for the region:
1) Celebrating hydrogen advances taking place in the region including, for example, the recently announced hydrogen bus programme and Centrica’s trial of using hydrogen in power generation
2) identifying and developing regional aspirations in relation to hydrogen activity. Key examples include the development of a hydrogen rail demonstrator, a regional skills programme and a fuel cell manufacturing facility
3) Identifying policy issues blocking progress, such as the use of RTFOs, COMAH regulations and the use of blended hydrogen in the gas network. The event will include a session to developing a policy engagement plan
4) An update on international hydrogen engagement with our key global partners. It is hoped this event will allow us to co-create transformational plans for the region which we intend to launch in parliament soon afterwards.
Event Programme
(Please note that some timings and speakers may be subject to change)
Chair: Professor Martin Freer, Director of Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) & Birmingham Energy Institute
- 9.30 – 10:00 Registration and Networking
- 10.00 – 10.10 Welcome: Professor Martin Freer, Director of ERA
- 10.10 – 10.25 The role of the Midlands in the UK’s hydrogen economy:
Speaker from BEIS
- 10.25 – 10.55 Low-cost hydrogen production:
Will Rowe, CEO Octopus Hydrogen
Allan Simpson, Technical Lead, NNL
- 10.55 – 11:25 Hydrogen Applications (industry case studies):
Andy Fuchs, General Manager Europe and Africa, Toyota Mobility Foundation
Ian Pratt, JCB Group Director, Powertrain
- 11:25 – 11:40 Coffee Break and Networking
- 11:40 – 12:10 Hydrogen Opportunities in the Midlands:
Faye McAnulla, Programme Director, ERA
Sally Brewis, Head of Regional Development, Cadent
- 12:00 – 12:40 International Comparisons:
Prof P V Aravind, University of Groningen
Younghun Lee, Ministry for the Environment, South Korea (visiting scholar University of Birmingham)
- 12:40 – 13:45 Lunch Break and Networking
- 13:45 – 14:00 Introduction to Breakout Sessions: Dr Sharon George PI for HyDEX
Breakout sessions
- 14:00 – 15:15 Developing Regional Hydrogen initiatives (Breakout session 1):
Led by Faye McAnulla, Programme Director for ERA
- 14:00 – 15:15 Developing a Policy Route Map (Breakout session 2):
Led by Chris Sims (Uni of Nottingham) and Jude Asibor (Cranfield University)
- 15:15 – 15:30 Feedback from Breakout Sessions
- 15:30 – 15:45 Closing Remarks: Professor Martin Freer
- 15:45: FINISH
