The Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) is delighted to announce that HyDEX – the Hydrogen Development & Knowledge Exchange programme – has been awarded the UK Knowledge Exchange Award for Best Place-Based Initiative.

The award recognises HyDEX’s major contribution to building the hydrogen economy in the Midlands through innovation, skills, policy influence and large-scale collaboration.

HyDEX, led by Keele University in partnership with the other universities in the Midlands Innovation partnership has brought together more than 40 companies, SMEs, local authorities and international organisations to create one of the UK’s largest regional hydrogen networks.

Funded, by Research England, since it started in 2022, HyDEX has achieved significant successes in building the Midlands’ hydrogen ecosystem. These include:

• Strengthening the regional hydrogen economy

HyDEX has united industry leaders, universities and public-sector partners to develop a coordinated hydrogen ecosystem across the Midlands. It has convened major multi-partner initiatives, including a consortium for a Hydrogen Valley bid.

• Developing the future hydrogen workforce

The programme has delivered targeted skills development at every level, from schools to doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and industry professionals. This includes the Winter and Summer Hydrogen Schools, and the publication of the Hydrogen Skills Report, which is now shaping regional training and education pathways.

• Accelerating innovation through demonstrators and grants

HyDEX funded hydrogen demonstrators across partner universities, enabling companies to trial technologies in production, storage, transport and low-carbon fuels. It has supported 30+ R&D projects, backed SME innovation and helped support the development of a number of new hydrogen related products, strengthening the Midlands innovation pipeline.

• Influencing hydrogen policy

HyDEX has produced several high-impact policy reports that have shaped thinking in Westminster and Brussels. These include The Case for UK–EU Collaboration in Hydrogen, Accelerating Hydrogen Adoption Across the Economy, the Midlands Hydrogen Rail Study, and a widely used Local Authority Hydrogen Toolkit.

• Delivering knowledge exchange opportunities

HyDEX has hosted major regional events and sector workshops with partners such as JCB and Toyota, engaging more than 2,500 participants. Its monthly Hydrogen Outreach and Research Network (HORN) explores topics of interest to the hydrogen community and regularly attracts over 100 attendees.

A lasting regional legacy

Although the Research England funding ended in April 2025, the HyDEX brand and networks remain active and are now ERA’s recognised platform for all hydrogen activity in the Midlands. Demonstrator facilities continue to support industry, skills programmes are ongoing, and regional partnerships established by HyDEX are exploring large-scale funding opportunities in hydrogen such as Hydrogen Valleys and other initiatives.

Nick King, Marketing Manager for HyDEX, said: “HyDEX has brought together the people, organisations and ideas needed to accelerate hydrogen deployment in the Midlands.

“This award recognises the hard work that everyone involved in the project has undertaken and the real impact the programme has had in driving skills, innovation and awareness of the significant opportunities in hydrogen in the region, nationally and globally.”