Loughborough University hydrogen technology expertise showcased in Parliament

Researchers from Loughborough University showcased their hydrogen capabilities to MPs and members of the House of Lords at the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hydrogen annual business fair.

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 discussed how hydrogen can be utilised to enable the UK to meet its net zero targets.

They told of the University’s hydrogen capabilities, which encompass all areas of hydrogen from production through to end use including storage, distribution, combustion, sustainability analysis and lifecycle management.

Image ©Loughborough University

Parliamentarians, policymakers and representatives from industry were also given the chance to examine the University of Loughborough’s prototype of the award-winning, world first lead acid-electrolyser.

The Fair, attended by organisations that support the work of the APPG, took place on Tuesday 15 July, and provided University representatives the chance to raise awareness of their 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, which 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.

This is not the first time Loughborough University researchers have worked closely with APPG having also contributed to evidence sessions run by the group about different areas of policy that hydrogen can play a role in as the UK moves towards a net zero future.

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 hydrogen technology and expertise.

For more information, visit www.lboro.ac.uk.