HyDEX

Climate Change 3.0 & The Future of Sustainability – A Midlands Green Innovation Network event
2023-10-26 12:00 (Europe/London) | Online Event
There is now broad scientific and political agreement that we need to rise to the challenge of climate change and to live in a more sustainable manner. Yet, in the UK and beyond, is becoming clear that political mechanisms do not exist that will allow even currently declared climate change mitigation targets to be met.
In March, the United Nations AR6 report “Climate Change 2023” also highlighted the gap between rhetoric and reality. Businesses therefore need to rapidly understand that we are entering a new era of the climate change debate, and how policy is likely to evolve.
Looking further ahead, at some point the sustainability agenda will need to widen from consuming less, to in addition finding more. The human species is much better at going forwards rather than backwards. In the future, grand infrastructure projects – on planet Earth and beyond -are therefore at least as likely to gain widespread support as measures to curtail human action.

Hydrogen Grand Prix - Hydrogen Car project info session for universities
2023-06-05 12:00 - 13:00
Design, Build, Race!
The Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix is a science and engineering programme where students design, engineer and build their own hydrogen fuel cell-powered Remote Control car and test it during a 4-hour race.
The Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) provides a hands-on experience for secondary school students in the fields of renewable energy, hydrogen, and fuel cell technology. The 4-8 months unique educational programme focuses on engineering, problem definition, problem solving and teamwork.
From the earliest conceptual stages to maintaining and repairing their car during the race, students are in control of every step of the process, providing an immersive experience that captures the excitement of real-world science and engineering endeavours.
The H2GP programme helps students to be the problem-solve, connect with the automotive industry, and learn about renewable energy technology solutions.
Why get involved?
The H2GP programme in the UK is being supported by HyDEX and the Energy Research Accelerator as part of our objective to develop interest and skills in hydrogen technologies. We are keen to work with university partners who would like to be involved in this project with schools. This would be a very good outreach opportunity for Early Career Researchers and other university staff with an interest in supporting STEM in schools. This could involve by providing specialist advice and expertise to schools to help them build their hydrogen powered remote controlled racing cars, or simply helping to link up the H2GP programme into schools where you have established relationships.
Programme Timeline
• The Horizon Hydrogen Grand Prix programme will run in a minimum of 10 schools as a curriculum or after school educational programme. It can be run with a full class of students or a smaller team.
• The programme will commence between October 2023 and February 2024
• It will culminate during the UK H2GP Finals between April-June 2024.
• The winning team will be invited to compete in the world finals in Las Vegas in 2024.
Information session for university partners
We’re holding an information session for university partners on Monday 5th June from 12pm to 1pm. If you are an academic, early career researcher or a professional services staff member who could provide support to participating schools, or if you have links with schools that may be interested in the H2GP programme, then please come along to this session to find out more.

Hydrogen Storage in Caverns 2023
2023-03-29 09:30 - 16:30 | The Geological Society, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BG
Energy storage is going to be absolutely central to the timely achievement of Net Zero. That storage will have to be applied over a vast spectrum of times ranging from fractions of a second to many months – and possibly more than a year.
Storing pure hydrogen in caverns has a vital role to play in this, because the transformations from primary energy to hydrogen and back to usable energy are so relatively straightforward.
This event, which takes place at the Geological Society in London on Wednesday 29th March, sets out to explore some of the key challenges involved in deploying the necessary amounts of hydrogen storage in caverns.
Event Summary
The event will examine:

The potential in the UK for making salt caverns to store hydrogen
The technical challenges of storing hydrogen in caverns
How hydrogen storage blends with large-scale compressed air energy storage and other thermo-mechanical energy storage solutions much better suited to shorter timescales than hydrogen.
Examination of case studies of hydrogen storage in caverns

It will conclude with a panel session comprising experts from academia and industry.
Event Programme
09:20 – 09:50 – Registration
09:50 – 10:00 – Introduction, Professor Seamus Garvey, University of Nottingham
10:00 – 10:20 – Marcus Eich (Uniper): The impact of hydrogen blending on existing gas storage infrastructure (the compatibility topic)
10:20 – 10:40 – Alan Leadbetter (Storengy): Hypster project – Large scale hydrogen underground storage in France.
10:40 – 11:00 – Hans-Age Nielsen (Corre Energy): An overview of Corre Energy’s ongoing projects in Denmark and the Netherlands
11:00 – 11:10 – Q&As
11:10 11:30 – Coffee Break and Networking
11:30 – 11:50 – Sebastian Boor (Uniper): Hydrogen pilot cavern development at Krummhorn, Germany
11.50 – 12:10 – Richard Applewhite (Inovyn): The HyKeuper Project – Planning a large H2 storage in the UK.
12:10 – 12:30 – Felicia Chang / Louis Day (Element Energy): Business and commercial aspects of H2 storage in caverns
12:30 – 12:40 – Q&As
12:40 13:45 Lunch and Networking
13:45 – 14:05 – Tim Armitage (ARUP) : Title to be confirmed
14:05 – 14:25 – Elodie Zausa (Geostock): Different ways to store H2 underground with a focus on lined rock cavern project from a business development standpoint
14:25 – 14:45 – Serge van Gessel (IEA Hydrogen TCP) “Towards demonstration and implementation of underground hydrogen storage”
14:45 – 15:05 – Andres Fernandez and Tasos Stavrou (WSP): The State of Hydrogen Underground Storage Projects. A Real Sample under development in Utah.
15:05 – 15:15 – Q&As
15:15 – 15:35 – Coffee Break and Networking
15:35 – 16:20 – A thought-provoking discussion panel including:

Shabana Jamil – Head of Hydrogen Storage Business Model @ Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Frances Buckingham – Energy Engineer@ Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Susannah Ferris – Hydrogen Market Strategy Lead @ National Grid
Michael Wagner – Hydrogen Advisor @ AFRY

16:20 – 16:30 – Closing Words
16:30 – Finish

The future of Low Carbon Hydrogen in the Midlands
2023-03-27 09:30 - 16:00 | Aston Conference Centre, Aston University, Aston Street, Birmingham, B4 7ET
At this event, HyDEX and the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University are bringing together businesses, local authority and academic partners to explore low carbon hydrogen, including production, storage and distribution, in the Midlands.
We want to use the outcomes of the day to inform future Hydrogen policy development for the Midlands.
The event will take place at Conference Aston on Monday 27th March from 9:30am till 4:00pm. This is a free event with refreshments and lunch provided.
We will be exploring the potential of low carbon hydrogen energy in the Midlands. We have talks from academic and industry experts on the production, storage and distribution of low carbon hydrogen, a tour of the EBRI gasification pilot plant, opportunities for networking and discussion about the future of Hydrogen in the Midlands.
Numbers are limited to 50 attendees and is by invite only, if you would like to attend, please register here
Agenda
9:00 Registration (Tea and coffee)
9:30 Introduction and welcome
10:00 The production of low carbon hydrogen (presentations with Q&A)
10:45 Tea or Tour (of the pilot gasification plant)
11:45 What are the opportunities for hydrogen across the Midlands? The HyDEX Demonstrators (brief presentations, Q&A followed by networking)
1:15 Networking Lunch
2:00 Hydrogen storage and distribution (presentations with Q&A)
3:00 Future hydrogen demand in the midlands (presentation and attendee participation)
3:45 Plenary: Next Steps
4.00 Close

The role of hydrogen in decarbonising transport
2023-03-09 12:00 - 13:30 | Online Event
Live webinar organised by HyDEX, a programme delivered by the Energy Research Accelerator partnership, for Decarbonising Transport Week.
With the increasing popularity and media attention on electric vehicles, hydrogen is often as seen as the poor relation when it comes to its use in decarbonising transport. But is this perception fair?
Successful launches of hydrogen trains and ships have already proven the potential of the technology in those sectors, and hydrogen trucks offer a reasonable range and fast refuelling capability that is making them more attractive to hauliers. In the UK, recent trials by Cranfield University have also demonstrated that hydrogen can have a role particularly for powering light aircraft.
At this online event, leading academic experts from the Energy Research Accelerator and HyDEX, along with industry specialists from manufacturers, the transport sector, hydrogen producers and distributors will be discussing the latest developments in hydrogen. The webinar will explore its advantages and disadvantages as a fuel for transport, and the important role that it can play as we move towards a decarbonised transport system.

UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell conference and exhibitions
2023-03-07 | National Conference Centre, National Conference Centre, Coventry Road Bickenhill, Solihull, B92 0EJ
The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell conference is the largest and longest running hydrogen gathering in the UK. Entering its 19th year, the conference this year is being delivered in partnership with Hydrogen UK, the UK’s leading hydrogen industry association. The conference will showcase the latest developments in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and projects both in the UK but also internationally. Sessions will focus on production, distribution and end use of hydrogen as well as discussions on how regional and international collaboration can support the emerging hydrogen sector.
Come and visit the HyDEX team at their stand 55-57

Skills for the Green Economy - A Green Innovation event
2023-02-09 11:00 - 13:00 | The Museum of Making, The Museum of Making, Silk Mill Lane, Derby DE1 3AF, Derby, DE1 3AF, United Kingdom
At this in person event, we will be exploring the kind of skills that are needed by businesses for the new Green Economy and we need your help! The Federation of Small Businesses will be discussing their Skills Improvement Plan, and this is an opportunity for you to input into a plan that will be presented to government.

HyDEX Regional Policy and Innovation Summit
2023-01-26 09:30 - 16:00 | Toyota Motor Manufacturing Plant, Burnaston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 9TA,, United Kingdom
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

Innovation Techniques : Thinking Inside the Box! A Green Innovation event
2023-01-12 11:00 - 12:00
How can you think differently? This webinar explains how you can look at problems in a new way, helping to find innovative solutions!
This unique online webinar, delivered by innovation expert, Professor Colin Garner, will discuss approaches to innovative problem solving using TRIZ (the theory of inventive problem solving), objective setting and biomimicry.
It is aimed at helping businesses and individuals to innovate more effectively and, more widely.
The 40 minute presentation will be followed by an open session for questions, comments and discussion.

Innovate or Die! A Green Innovation Network Event
2022-12-15 11:00 - 13:30 | University of Nottingham, Innovation Park, University of, Triumph Rd, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG7 2TU, United Kingdom
The Midlands Green Innovation Network has been developed to provide businesses with the support that they need to innovate in energy.
We are holding our first Green Innovation Network event on 15th December at the Ingenuity Centre, University of Nottingham Innovation Park.
At this event, Paul Yeomans from the University of Nottingham will be talking about how businesses innovate, and providing real-world examples. In addition, we will launch our Green Innovation report, and discuss the opportunities that we have identified for businesses. Following the presentations there will be lunch and the opportunity for networking.

Protecting your ideas! - A Green Innovation Event
2022-12-14 08:00 - 17:00 | University of Birmingham, Birmingham University Campus, Birmingham, England,, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
At this event, the UK’s Intellectual Property Office will explain how you can protect your ideas and technologies, and will give details about the range free support that they can offer you.

Automotive & Hydrogen Technologies Sector R&D Facilities Workshop at HORIBA-MIRA Technology Park
2022-12-02 09:30 - 16:30 | HORIBA-MIRA Technology Park, Watling Street, Nuneaton, CV10 0TU
For Hydrogen technologies to be adopted in the automotive sector, key advancements are required in durability, performance, infrastructure & cost. The UK currently lacks Automotive R&D facilities and many companies cannot justify individual investment. In addition new skills are needed to address the gaps between traditional and future propulsion systems.
This workshop is to scope out the need for and potential content for a Centre of Excellence in hydrogen technologies for the automotive sector that focusses on addressing these challenge which currently limit the large scale adoption and growth of the hydrogen automotive sector. Initial thinking is to develop an independent centre which would be owned by universities and operated by HORIBA-MIRA and academic experts to deliver; would join up early lifecycle material development through to application, manufacturing and sustainability targets and that allows the entire automotive industry access to advanced high investment equipment.
We invite you to participate in this workshop so that we can develop an understanding of user needs. This workshop is being organised by HORIBA-MIRA and the Energy Research Accelerator and forms part of a wider initiative to understand and develop thinking on key hydrogen facilities and opportunities relevant to the Midlands.
Agenda for the day:
09:30 – Refreshments and registration at HORIBA MIRA Technology Institute
10:00 – Welcome and introduction to the event (brief overview about market outlook and needs for Hydrogen R&D facilities) – University of Birmingham – Prof Martin Freer
10:20 -Industry R&D challenges and the need for advanced R&D facilities;

HORIBA Grp – Building the UK’s Hydrogen Technology Hub at HORIBA MIRA – Sean Crespin
ERA – Faye McAnulla
Bosch UK – Maxime Wurtz
Bramble Energy – Paul Barnard
Cranfield University – Jon Horsley
Innervated Vehicle Engineering – Ram Gokal
Intelligent Energy – Dennis Hayter
Keele University – Sharon George
MTC – confirmed
ULEMCo – Amanda Lyne

12:00 – Networking Lunch
13:00 Breakout workshops
– What are the 5 key challenges that your company is facing and what would the ideal R&D facilities look like to help solve them? (R&D, Skills, Safety, Certification, Manufacturing)
Breakout Themes:

Electrochemistry & Materials
H2 Production
Power Production (fuel cells, combustion & power management)
H2 Storage

14: 00 – Workshop themes present outcomes
– 5 Key R&D challenges & the ideal facilities that will help solve them?
14:40 – Refreshments and networking break
14:50 – Group workshop – what collaborative scenario works for the group & what are the opportunities for funding support?
15:40 – Tour of Horiba – Site Tour
16:30 – Close

2022 EU Hydrogen Policy Summit
2022-11-28 12:00 - 2022-11-29 12:00 | Residence Palace, Wetstraat 155, Brussels, 1040, Belgium
2022 EU Hydrogen Policy Summit, Brussels
The summit will be an outstanding opportunity to bring together policymakers from Birmingham, Nottingham and across the Midlands with counterparts from across the EU, particularly where policy thinking and making is more advanced, to share the latest thinking, fore-sighting and network with some of our key partners in industry and the wider community, aiming to address the question of how we can best filter hydrogen policy down from the international, European and national level to help local regions, cities, towns and communities make the transition to zero carbon.
This in-person event will gather different stakeholders in a bid to share knowledge and best practice on how to implement the changes necessary to best utilise hydrogen to achieve decarbonisation, through the following four themes:

Unlocking Hydrogen Economy Potential
Hydrogen Project Developments in the UK-EU
The Role of International Collaboration in Achieving Zero Carbon Economy
Technologies and Solutions for Use of Hydrogen

More information about the event, please get in touch with Mr Ben Peng : ben.peng@era.ac.uk

Cenex - LCV & CAM event
2022-09-07 08:00 - 2022-09-08 17:00 | UTAC, Milbrook, Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford, MK452JQ, United Kingdom
UK’s Premier Low Carbon Vehicle Event & Connected Automated Mobility Event.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Here and Now
2022-06-28 | UTAC, Milbrook, Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford, MK452JQ, United Kingdom
Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Here and Now: Tuesday 28th June, NEC, Birmingham. To learn more about HyDEX come and visit us at stand 32 in the Exhibition Area.

Keele University Showcase Event
2022-06-20 | Toyota Motor Manufacturing Plant, Burnaston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 9TA,, United Kingdom
20 June: Showcase event at Keele University

UKAEA-ERA Research Workshop on UKAEA's Nuclear Fusion Programme
2022-06-17 11:30 - 13:00 | Online Event
Find out about the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s STEP nuclear fusion programme.
Background
Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) is a UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) programme that will demonstrate the ability to generate 100 MW net electricity from fusion. It will also determine how the plant will be maintained through its operational life and prove the potential for the plant to produce its own fuel.The first phase of the programme is to produce a concept design by 2024. It will be a spherical tokamak, connected to the National Grid and producing net energy, although it is not expected to be a commercially operating plant at this stage.
Energy storage
Spherical fusion reactors require powerful magnetic fields to confine and control the extremely hot plasma of fusion fuels. The confinement and heating processes are very energy intensive until a “burning” plasma has been formed when the energy generated by the plasma exceeds the energy required to sustain it. Once the plasma is extinguished the energy contained within the systems can be released either as electrical or thermal energy. The STEP prototype’s objective to generate net energy requires power station scale electricity generation. These have significant thermal requirements for start-up and shut down. A mixture of electrical, chemical, and mechanical storage solutions will be required to manage the rate and quantity.
Hydrogen Fusion reactors use three different isotopes of hydrogen (protium, deuterium and tritium). Deuterium and Tritium reactions provide the greater energy gain with the lowest operating conditions. Tritium is a radioactive isotope (with a ½ life ~ 12.3 year and decays to Helium and a weak beta) very expensive and difficult to source. Energy efficient purification and reprocessing of all tritiated streams will be required, this has the potential to generate large quantities of protium (hydrogen with an atomic mass of 1). The UKAEA is seeking expertise in the dissociation, recombination, and storage of protium.
Event Programme

Introduction to UKAEA and nuclear fusion programme
Introduction to the challenges of Tritium breeding and energy extraction
Introduction to the wider challenges, including materials, linking to hydrogen and energy storage and the power system
Question and Answer and discussion session

This webinar takes place on Friday 17th June from 11:30 – 13:00 and is exclusively for staff and students at Energy Research Accelerator partner universities (Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick) and the British Geological Survey.

HyDEX Engagement Event with parliamentarians
2022-06-15 | House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW, United Kingdom
HyDEX Engagement Event with parliamentarians, at the House of Lords, Westminster, London.
