The conference marked an early milestone EnerHy’s mission to achieve Net Zero by making green hydrogen and wind energy more affordable, scalable, and sustainable. It provided a valuable platform for its first cohort of Doctoral Researchers from leading research groups at Loughborough University, Cranfield University, and the University of Strathclyde to showcase their pioneering projects to an audience of almost 70 academic, industry and civic partners. Topics included advancing electrolysis for jet fuel, anchoring floating wind turbines in the North Sea, and producing green hydrogen directly from seawater.
A highlight of the event was the selected design and build project for this year, posed by the UK’s largest gas distribution network, Cadent. Students with varied science and engineering backgrounds worked as a 13-person multidisciplinary team on a six-month project and unveiled a unique prototype at the event: a specialised pipe inspection gauge (PIG) capable of travelling through natural gas pipelines and applying a hydrogen-ready protective coating.
EnerHy Director, Dani Strickland, Professor of Electrical Power Engineering at Loughborough University, praised the event’s success: “It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome so many industry partners, including those sponsoring our research student projects such as ESB, Caterpillar, and Cadent. One of the most distinctive aspects of the EnerHy is that our students get the best of both worlds – they pursue their own cutting-edge research projects while also working as part of a collaborative cohort. This team-based approach, combined with exposure to over 60 industry partners, gives them a unique perspective on how their work fits into the wider energy transition. This event really captured that blend of individual innovation and collective ambition.”
EnerHy Advisory Board Chair and Chief Strategy and Regulation Officer at SGN Professor Antony Green concluded: “EnerHy is a vital part of the UK’s Net Zero journey – it brings together academic excellence and industry insight to lay the foundations for the technologies we’ll need for a sustainable energy future. Hydrogen and wind energy are central to delivering energy security, and this conference offered an exciting first glimpse into how EnerHy is beginning to bridge research with real-world impact.”
EnerHy’s impact was also recognised publicly as part of the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibits on Tour, held at Jodrell Bank in August.
EnerHy researchers showcased new technologies aimed at replacing fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions at the University’s interactive exhibit, Fuelling the Future,
The highlights included:
- A VR experience inside Loughborough’s innovative battery-electrolyser containerised system.
- Hydrogen-powered model cars that emit only water
- Hands-on activities exploring molecular structures and catalytic reactions
- Opportunities to speak directly with EnerHy researchers about sustainable energy and education pathways into net-zero careers.
Dr Lizzie Ashton, Senior Research Associate from Loughborough’s Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, delivered a lightning talk titled One Battery – Two Powers on both days, drawing a capacity audience each time. She explained how Loughborough’s award-winning battery-electrolyser technology combines energy storage and hydrogen generation in one recyclable, low-cost device.
“I loved having the chance to speak to such a diverse crowd – everyone was genuinely curious about how green hydrogen could become part of everyday life,” said Dr Ashton. “As an early career researcher, it was a brilliant opportunity to share our work and connect with people who are excited about the future of clean energy.”
Professor Sandie Dann, EnerHy Deputy Director and Head of Loughborough’s Chemistry Department, who leads the Fuelling the Future initiative, reflected on the importance of public engagement: “Public engagement is central to EnerHy’s mission, helping foster understanding and acceptance of hydrogen and wind energy by connecting our research with communities through outreach, education, and dialogue around real-world energy challenges. I was delighted by how much interest we received – from school children now inspired to choose chemistry, to exciting new industry connections that could lead to future research collaborations. It was also an invaluable experience for our research students to get involved in public engagement and help build trust and awareness in hydrogen.”
More information about EnerHy can be found on their dedicated website.