HyDEX program jumpstarts UK hydrogen transition

The hydrogen economy is one of the pieces of the puzzle for delivering net-zero emissions, according to a British member of parliament who stressed the country's need to transition to clean energy.

Robin Teverson, a member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, highlighted hydrogen's role in the UK's change toward a low-carbon economy at the launch of HyDEX, a hydrogen innovation program, on Wednesday.

"Whether you read government reports on energy security, whether you read [reports from] climate change committee, or indeed the International Energy Agency, one of the pieces of the jigsaw of delivering net-zero is the hydrogen economy," said Teverson.

The UK government unveiled its ambition in April to increase low-carbon hydrogen production capacity to up to 10 Gigawatts by 2030 as part of its plan to achieve net-zero by 2050.

On the other hand, a number of strategic challenges will need to be overcome in order to produce and use hydrogen at scale, a British government policy paper said, such as the high cost to produce and use, technological uncertainty and the need for enabling infrastructure.

The launch of the HyDEX program is designed to address the challenge of building a new business, industrial and manufacturing sector in hydrogen.

Delivered by the Energy Research Accelerator, which consists of eight partner universities in the English midlands, the 4.99-million-pound ($6.1 million) three-year program will see ERA university partners make available 111 million pounds' worth of hydrogen facilities, large-scale demonstration programs and research capabilities to regional businesses.

It will allow businesses to accelerate the development and viability of new hydrogen products and associated intellectual property while supporting the transition from declining industrial sectors and enabling the training and re-skilling required, according to HyDEX.

"It will be a great challenge - we are seeking to support the building of a hydrogen economy where one currently doesn't exist. I am confident with our academic, industrial and public sector partners, we will be able to demonstrate the commercial potential of hydrogen technologies, support businesses to create products and build the skills base needed to support the transition to hydrogen," said Sharon George of Keele University, principal investigator for HyDEX.

HyDEX will also facilitate links with growing international markets including China, where ERA partners have strong connections, in order to build commercial opportunities beyond the UK.

"We are excited to witness the launch of HyDEX, an inspiring and fascinating program that demonstrates and accelerates the commercial potential of hydrogen technologies through an academic-industrial-public partnership," said Wang Congcong, head of operations of science park operator TusPark UK, in an interview with China Daily.

Both China and the UK have complementary strengths and deeply entwined interests in the development of the hydrogen economy, Wang said.

"It's our great pleasure to work with HyDEX, and propel their commercial progress with our expertise and resources."