The Business Fair brought together organisations that support the work of the APPG to showcase their research and expertise in hydrogen technology and engage with both MPs and Members of the House of Lords to discuss how hydrogen can be utilised to enable the UK to meet its net zero targets.
The University was represented by Research Associate Dr Lizzie Ashton, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Professor Karen Coopman, Partnership Development Manager, Dr Ofonime Udoudo and Senior Public Affairs Manager, Paddy Smith.
At the Fair, Loughborough showcased its hydrogen capabilities, which encompass all areas of hydrogen from production through to end use including storage, distribution, combustion, sustainability analysis and lifecycle management. They also had the prototype of the award-winning, world first lead acid-electrolyser, for Parliamentarians, policymakers and representatives from industry to examine.
The Fair also gave the University representatives the chance to raise awareness of our ambitions for The Hydrogen Works – a strategic consortium led by Loughborough University to drive hydrogen skills, innovation and productivity to create a hydrogen superpower in the East Midlands.
Standing out from similar exhibitors, the Loughborough stand also had a Virtual Reality headset that allowed users to experience the battery-electrolyser technology in situ. This proved to be very popular.
The Business Fair was well attended by more than twenty Parliamentarians with an interest in hydrogen and net zero, and the University will look to engage with them moving forward.
Representation at the Business Fair is just the latest activity that Loughborough University has had with the APPG this year. The Group has been running evidence sessions about different areas of policy that hydrogen can play a role in as the UK moves towards a net zero future, and Loughborough researchers have contributed to these. In January, Professor Adrian Spencer discussed the potential for hydrogen use in transport while, in June, Professor Sonya Calnan highlighted what the UK’s recent Industrial Strategy needed to do to support hydrogen development.
For the past year, the APPG has been Chaired by Dr Jeevun Sandher, MP for Loughborough. The University continues to work with Dr Sandher on our hydrogen technology and expertise.