ERA Energy Research Accelerator

Build Your Own AI Research Tool
2026-02-05 10:30 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | On-line via Zoom
Join C-DICE and Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) for a focused two-hour session designed to show researchers how AI can support every stage of the research process. This session guides researchers through creating a personalised AI tool. Participants will see how to design a GPT/Gem/Agent for their own topic area, set boundaries and instructions, upload supporting documents, and use it for analysis, synthesis, coding frameworks, admin and writing. It includes examples of how researchers across disciplines are using custom tools.
Requirements:
You will need access to a paid ChatGPT Plus or Pro account in order to build your own Custom GPT, access to Agents in Copilot (check in the lefthand sidebar if Agents is visible in your institutional access), or access to Google’s Gemini (free).
Date and time:
Thursday 5 February 2026, 10:30-12:30, Online via Zoom
Presenter biography:
Dr Naomi Tyrrell is an ICF Accredited Coach and runs Europe’s largest advice network for alternative-to-academic careers. After 18 years in academia, Naomi now runs an evaluation consultancy and training business. She is passionate about helping people and organisations develop their strengths and navigate periods of growth, offering expertise in areas such as programme monitoring, evaluation, organisational development AI training and executive coaching.
Eligibility:
This event is open to postdocs, final-stage PhDs from UK universities and ERA associated PhD students.
Please register your interest via Build Your Own AI Research Tool, 5 February 2026, 10:30-12:30 – C-DICE and clicking the Book Online button.
We will contact you by email if we need further information or if we are unable to offer you a place. If your registration is successful, you will receive an Outlook calendar invitation confirming your place at the workshop.

Grant Writing with AI: From Idea to Stronger Bids: A Researcher’s Guide
2026-01-30 12:30 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | On-line via Zoom
Join C-DICE and Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) for a focused one-hour session designed to show researchers how AI can support every stage of the grant-writing process.
Competition for grant funding is tougher than ever. AI can be a powerful tool in helping you to find funding, optimise your applications and strengthen your bids – but only if you use it wisely and know how to prompt properly! In this interactive workshop, you will learn how AI tools can support grant writing across the whole process, from shaping initial ideas to polishing final drafts. We’ll explore practical AI prompts that save time and enhance clarity, while addressing ethical considerations and funder’s expectations.
By the end of the session, you’ll leave with hands-on strategies, prompts, and confidence to use AI responsibly and effectively in your next funding application.
Date and time:

Friday 30 January 2026, 12:30-13:30, Online via Zoom
Presenter biography:
Dr Naomi Tyrrell is an ICF Accredited Coach and runs Europe’s largest advice network for alternative-to-academic careers. After 18 years in academia, Naomi now runs an evaluation consultancy and training business. She is passionate about helping people and organisations develop their strengths and navigate periods of growth, offering expertise in areas such as programme monitoring, evaluation, organisational development AI training and executive coaching.
Eligibility:
This event is open to postdocs, final-stage PhDs from UK universities and ERA associated PhD students.
How to register:
Please register your interest by accessing the C-DICE link:Grant Writing with AI: From Idea to Stronger Bids: A Researcher’s Guide, 30 January 2026, 12:30-13:30 – C-DICE and clicking the ‘Book On-line’ button.
We will contact you by email if we need further information or if we are unable to offer you a place. If your registration is successful, you will receive an Outlook calendar invitation confirming your place at the workshop.

HORN Network Event: Cadent’s H2East Hydrogen Pipeline
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
HORN Network Event: Cadent’s H2East Hydrogen Pipeline
Andy Lewis, Regional Development Manager at Cadent, will be speaking at the Energy Research Accelerator’s next HORN network event, taking place online from 12pm–1pm on Thursday 29th January.
This session will explore Cadent’s early-stage plans for the H2East hydrogen pipeline and what it could mean for the future of hydrogen infrastructure in the UK.
What the session will cover

An overview of the proposed H2East pipeline, a 150km largely underground hydrogen pipeline
The proposed route from Immingham in the Humber to Newark in Nottinghamshire
How the pipeline would connect regional hydrogen production with industrial end users
The role of H2East within the wider East Coast hydrogen network
Cadent’s approach to stakeholder and community engagement

About the H2East pipeline

The project is being developed by Cadent, working alongside National Gas and Northern Gas Networks
It represents the first phase of a wider hydrogen pipeline network across the UK
If delivered as planned, this could result in around 1,500 miles of hydrogen pipelines nationwide
The Humber to Nottinghamshire section is expected to reach final investment decision within four to five years
The pipeline would help address a key barrier to hydrogen deployment: the lack of dedicated transportation infrastructure

The project aligns with the UK Government’s announcement of over £500m in funding for hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure, marking the first major funding programme focused on hydrogen networks.
Who should attend?
This event is free to attend and is open to anyone with an interest in:

Hydrogen and energy infrastructure
Industrial decarbonisation
Net zero and energy system development

About HyDEX and HORN:
HyDEX (www.hydex.ac.uk) is a Midlands-based programme accelerating the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies through collaborative innovation and skills development.
The Hydrogen Off-Road Network (HORN) is a HyDEX initiative focused on supporting the use of hydrogen in non-road applications, including construction, agriculture, mining, and industrial vehicles and machinery.

AI for Policy, Impact and Public Engagement, 22 January 2026, 13:00-14:00
2026-01-22 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | On-line via Zoom
Join C-DICE and Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) for a one‑hour session designed to show researchers how generative AI tools can be used to strengthen evidence for policy, improve impact pathways and create accessible public engagement outputs. We cover rapid insight generation, narrative building, stakeholder mapping, accessibility checks and creating clear summaries for non-specialist audiences. Participants finish with practical methods they can apply immediately to communicate research more effectively and support policy and impact goals.
Date and time:
Thursday 22 January 2026, 13:00-14:00, Online via Zoom
Presenter biography:
Dr Naomi Tyrrell is an ICF Accredited Coach and runs Europe’s largest advice network for alternative-to-academic careers. After 18 years in academia, Naomi now runs an evaluation consultancy and training business. She is passionate about helping people and organisations develop their strengths and navigate periods of growth, offering expertise in areas such as programme monitoring, evaluation, organisational development AI training and executive coaching.
How to register:
This event is open to postdocs, final-stage PhDs from UK universities and ERA associated PhD students.
Please register your interest by clicking the Book Online via the C-DICE webpage: https://www.cdice.ac.uk/events/ai-policy/
We will contact you by email if we need further information or if we are unable to offer you a place. If your registration is successful, you will receive an Outlook calendar invitation confirming your place at the workshop.

Email: nav.kaya@cranfield.ac.uk

AI Ethics for Researchers, 15 January 2026, 12:30-13:30
2026-01-15 12:30 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | On-line via Zoom
Join C-DICE and Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) for a focused one-hour session that guides researchers through the practical and ethical use of generative AI in day-to-day work. We look at confidentiality, data protection, academic integrity, bias, transparency and responsible decision making, with real examples from research settings. Participants leave with clear principles, workable guardrails and confident next steps for using AI safely and responsibly in their own projects.
Date and time:
Thursday 15 January 2026, 12:30-13:30, Online via Zoom
Presenter biography:
Dr Naomi Tyrrell is an ICF Accredited Coach and runs Europe’s largest advice network for alternative-to-academic careers. After 18 years in academia, Naomi now runs an evaluation consultancy and training business. She is passionate about helping people and organisations develop their strengths and navigate periods of growth, offering expertise in areas such as programme monitoring, evaluation, organisational development AI training and executive coaching.
How to register:
This event is open to postdocs, final-stage PhDs from UK universities and ERA associated PhD students.
Please register your interest by clicking the Book Online via the C-DICE webpage: AI Ethics for Researchers, 15 January 2026, 12:30-13:30 – C-DICE .
We will contact you by email if we need further information or if we are unable to offer you a place. If your registration is successful, you will receive an Outlook calendar invitation confirming your place at the workshop.

Email: nav.kaya@cranfield.ac.uk

GeoPura – scaling green hydrogen to replace diesel - A HORN network event
2025-12-18 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
We’re pleased to welcome Matt Barney, Chief Hydrogen Business Officer at GeoPura, to our December HORN (Hydrogen Outreach and Research Network) meeting.
Matt will introduce GeoPura’s approach to delivering zero-emission temporary and off-grid power using green hydrogen and their 250 kW Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs), which are already replacing diesel generators across construction, events, broadcasting, and infrastructure projects.
GeoPura has secured over £100m of investment to scale production of hydrogen, HPUs and supporting infrastructure. This includes major funding from Siemens Energy, GM Ventures, the UK Infrastructure Bank and Barclays. Their ambition is to deploy around 3,600 HPUs by 2033, eliminating millions of tonnes of CO₂ by shifting away from diesel.
A key part of their expansion is the HyMarnham Power project in the East Midlands – a former coal plant now being developed into a major green-hydrogen hub and backed by UK Government support and a significant green loan facility. GeoPura is also expanding into Europe with new production capacity.
At HORN, Matt will outline what GeoPura does, their latest investments, and how organisations can get involved – from trial deployments to wider partnerships in the growing green-hydrogen supply chain.
Could you benefit from a Green Advantage?
Our second speaker is Christian Byron who will be sharing insights from Aston University’s Green Advantage Programme – a support scheme helping businesses develop practical sustainability skills and deliver low-carbon innovation.
Christian will give an overview of how the programme works, the impact it’s having on SMEs, and how organisations across the Midlands can get involved.
This is a great chance to learn how universities and industry can collaborate to drive real change in business sustainability.
About HyDEX and HORN:
HyDEX (www.hydex.ac.uk) is a Midlands-based programme accelerating the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies through collaborative innovation and skills development.
The Hydrogen Off-Road Network (HORN) is a HyDEX initiative focused on supporting the use of hydrogen in non-road applications, including construction, agriculture, mining, and industrial vehicles and machinery.

ERA / C-DICE Community Fund – Guidance Webinar
2025-12-08 12:00 - 12:45 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
Are you a doctoral or post-doctoral researcher passionate about energy or net-zero topics?
Do you want to gain valuable experience in event management, leadership, and researcher development?
The ERA / C-DICE Community Fund [Funding opportunities – ERA Energy Research Accelerator] is offering up to £2,500 to help you design, develop, and deliver your own energy and/or net-zero-focused event that engages researchers across the ERA partnership and wider!
This webinar provides a guide to the funding opportunity, how to apply and details the support available for potential applicants to the ERA / C-DICE Community fund.
Link to join webinar

Decarbonising UK domestic heating: Disruptive approaches (Webinar)
2025-11-21 | Virtual event
View the full details here

Decarbonising UK domestic heating: Disruptive approaches (in person)
2025-11-21 | Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), One Birdcage Walk, London, SW1H 9JJ, United Kingdom

The East Midlands Hydrogen Pipeline- Supplying green hydrogen to industries in the East and West Midlands (Webinar)
2025-11-13 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
Join us to explore the East Midlands Hydrogen Pipeline (EMP) — a landmark project set to accelerate the UK’s hydrogen economy by up to 15 years.
The EMP will repurpose a 63 km pipeline to transport green hydrogen. This network will link producers and users across the East and West Midlands, creating the foundation of a regional hydrogen infrastructure.
Beyond this first phase, EMP aims to connect additional sites across the Midlands, building a resilient, integrated system that supports the UK’s journey to net zero.
EMP is actively seeking partners — from producers and suppliers to investors and technology providers — to help make this vision a reality.
Learn more: empipeline.co.uk
Who should attend?

Hydrogen users or those planning to adopt hydrogen
Suppliers, service providers, and investors
Researchers, policy makers, and clean-energy professionals
Anyone interested in the UK’s hydrogen transition

HORN Hydrogen Marketplace
This is also an opportunity to hear from two HORN partner businesses showcasing innovation in the hydrogen sector:
Sauer Compressors UK
A global leader in compressor technology since 1884, Sauer provides hydrogen-ready compressors for production, storage, and refuelling at pressures up to 450 bar. More: sauercompressors.com
Hycomplate Ltd
A UK clean-tech company developing advanced composite bipolar plates for fuel cells, electrolysers, and energy storage systems — enhancing durability, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. More: hycomplate.com
Register today to secure your place!
Gain insight into one of the UK’s most ambitious hydrogen projects, connect with key industry players, and explore opportunities to help shape the Midlands’ clean-energy future.

Shaping Hydrogen Policy – A HyDEX HORN network event
2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
Join us for the next Hydrogen Off-Road Network (HORN) event hosted by HyDEX, exploring how the hydrogen industry can work together to shape policy and advance the low-carbon agenda.
This online session features a keynote presentation from Dr Emma Guthrie of the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA), who will share insights into how the sector is collaborating to influence policy, address regulatory challenges, and accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy.
Dr Guthrie will discuss:

The current hydrogen policy landscape in the UK
The role of industry collaboration in shaping effective and realistic policy
Opportunities for organisations to contribute to policy development
The importance of strategic engagement through networks like HORN

This session is designed to support dialogue and coordination across stakeholders in hydrogen, particularly those working on off-road, hard-to-decarbonise applications.
Speaker:
Dr Emma Guthrie CEO, Hydrogen Energy Association
Dr Guthrie is an experienced energy policy specialist with a focus on low-carbon and hydrogen technologies. She leads engagement with government and industry to support the development of effective policy frameworks for the hydrogen sector.
Who Should Attend:

Hydrogen technology developers and solution providers
Policymakers, local authorities, and regulators
Off-road equipment manufacturers and operators
Researchers and academics
Supply chain and logistics professionals
Anyone involved in hydrogen deployment or policy development

About HyDEX and HORN:
HyDEX (www.hydex.ac.uk) is a Midlands-based programme accelerating the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies through collaborative innovation and skills development.
The Hydrogen Off-Road Network (HORN) is a HyDEX initiative focused on supporting the use of hydrogen in non-road applications, including construction, agriculture, mining, and industrial vehicles and machinery.

Engage with German GreenTech & Circular Economy Innovators
2025-09-18 09:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | University of Birmingham, Birmingham University Campus, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
Overview

Join us for a unique networking event with a delegation of leading German researchers, entrepreneurs, and government-backed projects visiting Birmingham as part of the Forum Digital Technologies (FDT) Roadshow.
This is a valuable opportunity to explore potential collaborations across GreenTech, sustainability, digital twins, and the circular economy with German innovators seeking UK partners.
Who Should Attend?
This event is ideal for:

Academics and researchers in sustainability, AI, digital engineering, and manufacturing
Industry collaborators and technology providers
Spinouts, scale-ups, and SMEs in digital circular economy solutions
Experts in data standards, legal frameworks, and interoperability

Event Highlights

Welcome and project pitches from the German delegation
Open networking and facilitated matchmaking
Learn about cutting-edge research in:
Green Digital Twins
Digital Product Passports
Circular Economy strategies
AI-powered textile sorting and building renovation planning

About the Delegation
The Forum of Digital Technologies is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, showcasing six major projects in digital and sustainable innovation, including:

BeverGreen – Green digital twins for the brewing industry
CliCE-DiPP – Digital CO₂ passports for manufacturing
DiCES – Circular economy for white goods
NaiS – AI-driven renovation planning with digital twins
fashionsort.ai – AI-powered sorting for the textile industry
PASSAT – Data ecosystems for sustainable product passports

Delegates Are Seeking Collaboration With:

Researchers and developers in semantic tech, AI, BIM, LCA, ERP/MES, and digital twins
Industry partners for tech pilots and real-world applications
Circular economy players in fashion, manufacturing, and construction
Experts in standards, regulations, and digital infrastructure

Click the link for further details about the International Roadshow of Forum Digital Technologies 2025 – GreenTech UK

ERA Researcher Roadshow – Bioenergy Focus (for ERA researchers only)
2025-09-11 10:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | Aston University, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, United Kingdom
Overview

This event will bring together researchers and innovation specialists from across the ERA partnership to explore and discuss the latest developments in bioenergy research. It’s a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, share knowledge, and foster new collaborations within the ERA network.
Researchers with an interest in bioenergy, as well as research and business development professionals, are warmly invited to attend. The event is open to colleagues from across the ERA partnership, including the eight Midlands Innovation universities and the British Geological Survey.
The Programme

Presentations showcasing cutting-edge bioenergy research from across the ERA partner institutions
Discussions on research funding opportunities, collaborative projects, and equipment sharing
Insights into skills development and research support available within the ERA partnership
Networking opportunities with leading experts in the field of bioenergy

Whether you’re an established researcher or just starting your career, this event offers a platform to engage with others in the field and explore new opportunities.

Long Term Energy Storage – The EMStor and HyScale projects
2025-07-31 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
Long Term Energy Storage – EMStor and HyScale
An online HyDEX HORN network event: Thursday 31st July, 13:00 – 14:00
Hydrogen will play a critical role in reducing UK CO₂ emissions over the coming decades, supporting renewable energy and enabling the decarbonisation of power, heat, transport, and industry. But storing hydrogen for when it’s needed remains a key challenge.
Join this special HyDEX HORN online session to explore two cutting-edge projects focused on long-duration hydrogen storage:
1. EMStor – East Midlands Hydrogen Storage
A Strategic Innovation Fund project investigating geological hydrogen storage in the East Midlands, where heavy industry accounts for 75% of regional CO₂ emissions. The session will explore alternative storage solutions, such as depleted oil fields and aquifers, and how they can integrate with emerging hydrogen networks.
2. HyScale – Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs)
HyScale explores LOHCs, a liquid hydrogen storage method ideal for areas lacking geological storage. The project investigates their potential to store and transport hydrogen using existing infrastructure, with insights into the UK’s first planned LOHC demonstration.
Who should attend?
Ideal for energy professionals, policymakers, researchers, and local authorities interested in hydrogen infrastructure, long-duration storage, and net-zero strategies.

ERA Retreat - Cultivating Excellence: Navigating Research Culture and Responsibility
2025-02-13 - 2025-02-14 | Loughborough University, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
Join us for a two-day event designed specifically for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, focused on enhancing your understanding of research culture and responsible research practices. Cultivating Excellence: Navigating Research Culture and Responsibility offers an opportunity to learn from experts and engage in interactive discussions aimed at equipping you with the knowledge and tools to thrive in your academic journey.

Day One: Research Culture
The first day will focus on understanding and developing a positive research culture. You’ll learn how to foster collaboration, promote inclusivity, and cultivate a supportive academic environment that encourages innovation and personal growth. Sessions will cover practical strategies to navigate the challenges of research life while maintaining well-being and professional excellence.
Day Two: Responsible Research
The second day will focus on responsible research, drawing on the EPSRC’s Framework for Responsible Innovation. You’ll explore how to anticipate the potential implications of your research, reflect on the ethical and societal dimensions, and engage with a broad range of stakeholders. Through workshops and expert-led discussions, you’ll learn how to embed these principles into your research to ensure it is ethically sound, socially beneficial, and sustainable. Key areas will include anticipating risks, taking a reflexive approach to your work, and developing strategies for open and transparent communication.

This event is an invaluable learning opportunity for researchers at the early stages of their careers. Whether you’re working towards your doctorate or building your post-doctoral profile, this event will provide you with key insights and practical guidance to support your development as a responsible researcher.

Impacts of Energy Transitions and Mining Geographies in the Global South
2024-11-25 12:30 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
The Veil of Progress: Unveiling Overlooked and Unforeseen Impacts of Energy Transitions and Mining Geographies in the Global South.
Join us for a webinar examining Kenya’s journey toward net zero, focusing on environmental justice and sustainable practices. Charity Mbaka will discuss the impacts of Kenya’s renewable energy transitions on local communities and the need for equitable, place-based solutions. Lindah Nelimah Wakhungu will address the environmental and health consequences of small-scale mining, exploring sustainable practices that protect both ecosystems and communities. The session will conclude with a Q&A and panel discussion, offering insights into achieving net zero with justice and sustainability at the core.

Hydrogen: The case for UK-EU Collaboration, Brussels
2024-11-20 13:30 - 16:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Sofitel Brussels Europe, 1 Place Jourdan 1040, Bruxelles, Belgium
The UK and the EU both see hydrogen as essential to achieving net zero and both have extensive and well-funded policies to support it. Yet progress is far too slow.
Green hydrogen represents less than 1% of total production and still costs 6-14 times more than grey hydrogen. Only a tiny fraction of green or blue hydrogen projects have reached final investment decision.
In many proposed applications, hydrogen is being eclipsed by electrification. But in other areas, hydrogen and its derivatives still look like the best or possibly only option: fertilizer, shipping, jet aviation and long-duration grid balancing.
What’s more, regardless of the higher production costs of cleaner forms of hydrogen, its system benefits in terms of greater energy security and lower overall energy system costs still look potentially enormous.
It is therefore time to take stock. Both the UK and the EU need to ask what their policy is getting wrong and whether they could make faster progress, and at lower cost, by working together.
In 2024, HyDEX (Hydrogen Development and Knowledge Exchange) and ERA (Energy Research Accelerator) held a series of summits in Brussels and London where academics, policymakers and industrialists examined the issue of hydrogen collaboration between the UK and EU.
At this FREE event at the Sofitel Hotel in Brussels, ERA and HyDEX will be launching their ‘UK-EU Hydrogen Policy Report’ with a host of speakers from industry and the public sector, outlining the case for UK-EU collaboration, with specific recommendations to develop hydrogen infrastructure, markets and policy.
Speakers confirmed:

Martin Freer, Hydex/ERA – presenting the report
Marije Vos, Project Secretary, HEAVENN hydrogen valley, Netherlands
Matthew Barney, Chief Hydrogen Business Officer, GeoPura, UK
Marije Vos, Project Manager, HEAVENN Hydrogen Valley, NLS
Moderator 1, Mark Watts
Natasha Sogol, Head of Energy, UK Embassy to the European Union
Nicole Glanemann, Energy Attache at German Embassy to the European Union
Robert Francia, Regulatory Affairs, the European Network of Transmission System Operations for Gas (ENTSOG)

Hydrogen: The case for UK-EU Collaboration, London
2024-11-12 12:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Vaillant Live, Derby, DE1 1LA, United Kingdom
The UK and the EU both see hydrogen as essential to achieving net zero and both have extensive and well-funded policies to support it. Yet progress is far too slow.
Green hydrogen represents less than 1% of total production and still costs 6-14 times more than grey hydrogen. Only a tiny fraction of green or blue hydrogen projects have reached final investment decision.
In many proposed applications, hydrogen is being eclipsed by electrification. But in other areas, hydrogen and its derivatives still look like the best or possibly only option: fertilizer, shipping, jet aviation and long-duration grid balancing.
What’s more, regardless of the higher production costs of cleaner forms of hydrogen, its system benefits in terms of greater energy security and lower overall energy system costs still look potentially enormous.
It is therefore time to take stock. Both the UK and the EU need to ask what their policy is getting wrong and whether they could make faster progress, and at lower cost, by working together.
In 2024, HyDEX (Hydrogen Development and Knowledge Exchange) and ERA (Energy Research Accelerator) held a series of summits in Brussels and London where academics, policymakers and industrialists examined the issue of hydrogen collaboration between the UK and EU.
At this FREE event at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in London, ERA and HyDEX will be launching their ‘UK-EU Hydrogen Policy Report’ with a host of speakers from industry and the public sector, outlining the case for UK-EU collaboration, with specific recommendations to develop hydrogen infrastructure, markets and policy.

HyDEX Celebration Event
2024-11-07 09:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Museum of Making Derby, Silk Mill Lane Derby, Derby, Select a State or Province:, DE1 3AF, United Kingdom
At this event, we will be celebrating the success of the HyDEX programme in bringing together academic, businesses, local authority and policy makers to support the development of a Hydrogen Economy in the Midlands.
After launching in 2022, the Research England HyDEX programme is coming to a close in December, having supported over 50 companies with their training needs, supporting 12 micro/start-up companies to further develop hydrogen technologies, over £100 million of funding has been secured for hydrogen projects by our university partners and more than 50 events delivered across the Midlands and beyond.
We will be hearing from those who have collaborated and innovated with us as part of the programme to showcase and celebrate their success. We will then look to the future, beyond HyDEX, to explore hydrogen developments in the Midlands. The day will also provide opportunities for networking to meet familiar faces and form new collaborations.
Agenda: (subject to change)
09.30-10.00 Registration and refreshments / Networking / Exhibition stands
10.00-10.10 Welcome: Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Keele University
10.10-10.30 Celebrating HyDEX – round up of the innovative work of the HyDEX programme – Professor Martin Freer, CEO of the Faraday Institution
10.30-10.45 HyDEX – influencing hydrogen policy:
Professor Martin Freer, CEO of the Faraday Institution
10.45-11.45 Hydrogen Innovators: (presentation of 3 Innovation Funded projects with Q&A)
• Green Coordinate – Martin Stanley and Aston University – Amir Amiri
• Nium – Kerry McLaughlin and Aston University – Amir Amiri
• Microcabs – Anne Shepherd and John Jostins, and
University of Birmingham – Yousif Al-sagheer
11.45-12.15 Refreshments / Networking / Exhibition stands
12.15-13.15 HyDEX Skills
Hydrogen Micro-internship programme: Guest speakers:
· Modular Clinton Global – Clinton Liu, CEO
· Intern – Numan Ahmed
· Air Products PLC – Chloe Tindale, Hydrogen Strategic Marketing
Intern at Xodus – Shakana Onyinah Manager
12.35-13.15 Skills Panel Discussion: Building the Hydrogen Workforce of the Future: Skills, Training, and Industry Growth
Panel: Richard Penn, Sonya Calman, Hanlin Li, Lisa Bingley, Richard Harper
13:15-14:15 Lunch, Showreel + videos / Exhibition stands / networking
14.15-14.35 Keynote: The future of Hydrogen in the Midlands
Will Morlidge – East Midlands Combined Authority and East Midlands Hydrogen
14:35-15:10 Panel: The future of Hydrogen in the Midlands
Panel chair: Sarah Windrum, Horiba-Mira
Panellists: Will Morlidge – East Midlands Combined County Authority, Kelly Manders – Cadent, Matt Barney – GeoPura, Professor Martin Freer – CEO of the Faraday Institution
15.10-15.30 Closing remarks – Beyond: The HyDEX legacy

AI for Researchers: A Beginner’s Guide
2024-11-06 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
We have collaborated with the Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure Cities and Energy (C-DICE) to host an AI for beginner’s workshop.
This workshop is for you if you want to use Generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, Claude) in your research but you’re not sure where to start!
It is a workshop for AI beginners, not AI experts. You do not need to have any experience of using Generative AI to attend the workshop.
We will explore a range of GenAI tools for general users and researchers, and consider how they work, how you can optimise them for research tasks, effective prompt engineering, and how you can understand AI outputs. We will also discuss the ethics of Generative AI and guidelines for their use in research.
A recent ‘Nature’ article found that 25% of researchers sampled were already using AI to write grants. The pace of AI change is rapid in areas like content production and data analysis. Being up-to-date with how you can use these tools is becoming essential for researchers.
This workshop will help you to become more aware of the potential uses of AI tools in your research.
(Chat GPT-4 helped to write this workshop summary!)
Booking:
Booking is via Inkpath (the C-DICE researcher development platform) if you are not registered with Inkpath follow this link for information on how to register www.cdice.ac.uk/programme/inkpath/ .
To reserve your place login to Inkpath then click here to book your place.
Date and time:
Friday 17th May 2024, 10:00-12:00, Online via Zoom.
Presenter biography:
Dr Naomi Tyrell is the founder of ‘Research Your Way’ and has over 20 years of research and evaluation experience.
​Naomi has led research projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, European Commission, British Academy, Leverhulme Trust, University of Plymouth, charitable trusts and the National Lottery. She is currently a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth.
You can see Naomi’s published, peer-reviewed journal articles, books and book chapters here and here.
researchyourway.com

Decarbonising UK domestic heating: Disruptive approaches
2024-11-06 | Vaillant Live, Derby, DE1 1LA, United Kingdom

Energy Storage is Not Whiskey - Blends are Best!
2024-07-09 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
This event took place on Tue, 9 Jul 2024 15:00 – 16:30 as part of Net-Zero Week 2024
Synopsis
Decarbonising energy requires that we reconcile the differences between natural demand (how much electricity we would use at any given time if there were no incentives to do differently) and supply.
Because much of our future primary energy supply will be drawn directly from renewables, the supply side resource will be quite variable. Several different measures are available to reconcile the two sides but of those and among these options, energy storage is very likely to play a hugely important role.
This webinar, which is part of Net-Zero Week, focuses on “the benefits of the blend”. In theory at least, we could operate a net-zero energy system using just one type of storage but modelling is increasingly showing that blends of multiple types of storage will provide the lowest-cost systems. In this webinar we will hear about the four main ranges of discharge-duration for energy storage and the technical solutions that suit each of those four ranges best.
Chair: Professor Seamus Garvey, University of Nottingham.

Seamus Garvey is a Professor of Mechanical at the University of Nottingham and an expert in the roles that energy storage solutions will achieve in net zero energy systems. He has been passionately vocal over almost 20 years on the elucidation of how mechanical energy storage can and will play a major role in the future and he leads a Task under the IEA Technology Collaboration Program on Energy Storage focused on medium-duration solutions.

Speakers:

Prof. Keith Pullen, CEO of Levistor Ltd.. Keith discussed the roles that flywheels can play in storing energy over very short periods – cycled millions of times
Dr. John Joseph Marie, Principal Analyst at The Faraday Institution. JJ addressed the expanding role that stationary batteries can serve in electricity grid support for times (mainly) below 10 hours.
Dr. Nerea Martinez Hipolito, Hydrogen Intelligence Service Research Manager at LCP Delta. Nerea focused on how hydrogen can balance-up supply and demand mismatches over very long timescales – typically exceeding 200 hours.

Download the presentations below

Professor Seamus Garvey – introduction to the event
Professor Keith Pullen – The roles of flywheels in storing energy over short periods
Dr John Joseph Marie – The role of stationary batteries in electricity grid support
Dr Nerea Martinez Hipolito – How hydrogen can balance supply and demand mismatches
Professor Seamus Garvey – The importance of Medium Duration Energy Storage

View the event video here

View the video of ‘Energy Storage is Not Whiskey – Blends are Best!’

2024 Birmingham Decarbonisation Summer School: 17 to 21 of June 2024
2024-06-17 - 2024-06-21 | Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
The 2024 Birmingham Decarbonisation Summer School: Accelerating Energy Transition towards Net-Zero is a five-day event that will bring doctoral and postdoctoral researchers together to propose a technical solution and business model for a decarbonisation challenge. Accepted applicants will be pooled into interdisciplinary teams of up to 5 members each and will compete by pitching their proposal to a judging panel by the end of the summer school. The winning team will receive a lot of kudos and a £500 prize to be split amongst the team members (up to £100 per person, this may take the form of vouchers). Places are awarded via a competitive application process, application deadline is Tuesday 4 June 2024.
More details on the summer school and the application process are available at www.cdice.ac.uk/2024bdss/. The application form is available via C-DICE’s researcher development platform Inkpath, direct Inkpath link is here.

Nurturing Sustainable Campus Eco-Systems: Charting a Green Net-Zero Future for UK Universities.
2024-06-03 - 2024-06-04 | Cranfield University, College Road, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
Together, let us chart a course towards a green, net-zero future for UK universities, where sustainability is not just a goal but a way of life. Join us for this exciting conference to see how you can make a difference to your campus. Find out more and register here.

AI for Researchers: A Beginner’s Guide Friday 17 May 2024, 10:00-12:00
2024-05-17 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
We have collaborated with the Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure Cities and Energy (C-DICE) to host an AI for beginner’s workshop.
This workshop is for you if you want to use Generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, Claude) in your research but you’re not sure where to start!
It is a workshop for AI beginners, not AI experts. You do not need to have any experience of using Generative AI to attend the workshop.
We will explore a range of GenAI tools for general users and researchers, and consider how they work, how you can optimise them for research tasks, effective prompt engineering, and how you can understand AI outputs. We will also discuss the ethics of Generative AI and guidelines for their use in research.
A recent ‘Nature’ article found that 25% of researchers sampled were already using AI to write grants. The pace of AI change is rapid in areas like content production and data analysis. Being up-to-date with how you can use these tools is becoming essential for researchers.
This workshop will help you to become more aware of the potential uses of AI tools in your research.
(Chat GPT-4 helped to write this workshop summary!)
Booking:
Click here to book your place.
Booking is via Inkpath (the C-DICE researcher development platform) if you are not registered with Inkpath follow this link for information on how to register www.cdice.ac.uk/programme/inkpath/ .
Date and time:
Friday 17th May 2024, 10:00-12:00, Online via Zoom.
Presenter biography:
Dr Naomi Tyrell is the founder of ‘Research Your Way’ and has over 20 years of research and evaluation experience.
​Naomi has led research projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, European Commission, British Academy, Leverhulme Trust, University of Plymouth, charitable trusts and the National Lottery. She is currently a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth.
You can see Naomi’s published, peer-reviewed journal articles, books and book chapters here and here.
researchyourway.com

How to Design a Workshop: 30 April 2024, 10:00-16:00
2024-04-30 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | University of Birmingham, Birmingham University Campus, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
During this interactive workshop you will learn the principles of effective workshop design and be given the space to practise these principles. Experienced professionals will share their hints and tips on how to design and facilitate a workshop, with a focus on the learning journey. This training will provide you with an opportunity to upskill, collaborate with colleagues and apply best practice in designing and delivering your own workshop.
This face to face workshop will take place at the University of Birmingham.
Booking:
Click here to book your place.
Booking is via Inkpath (the C-DICE researcher development platform) if you are not registered with Inkpath follow this link for information on how to register www.cdice.ac.uk/programme/inkpath/ .

HSiC 2024
2024-04-12 | University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
HSiC-2024 was run as part of a the energy storage conference UKES, which ran 10th-12th April 2024.
Storing hydrogen underground will be a vital component in the UK achieving Net Zero. Transformation from primary energy to hydrogen and back again to usable energy is not technically complex – and huge amounts of energy can be stored in this medium.
Last year the Royal Society published a report entitled “Large Scale Electricity Storage” where they emphasize that the UK will need about 100 TWh of storage capacity provided by underground hydrogen caverns and depleted fields to decarbonise the electricity system. Rounding to the nearest integer, the country currently has a total 0 TWh of storage capacity. There is a real need to get on with it!
In an effort to kickstart strategic developments in the country, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published a document outlining the government’s plans to support hydrogen storage, including a strategy to minimize the risk of low revenue for potential cavern operators.
This year the Hydrogen Storage in Caverns 2024 (HSIC 2024) event took place at the University of Nottingham on the 12th of April. It was held as part of the wider UK Energy Storage Conference (UKES 2024). It builds on successful previous events held in London in [2020, 2022, and 2023].
The event explored some of the key challenges involved in deploying the necessary amounts of hydrogen caverns as well as some of the high profile projects currently being carried out in the country .
HSiC 2024 event resourcesPlease submit your details using the form below to request access to event resources, including speaker videos and presentations from across the event.

SubmitThank you for your message. Please check your email shortly for the link to the event resources.×There was an error trying to send your message. Please try again later.×HSiC 2024 Agenda09:50-10:10
Geological storage of Hydrogen for Net Zero.
Dr. Katriona Edlmann, University of Edinburgh
10:10-10:30
Assessing the Regional Demand for Geological Hydrogen Storage: Building a Strategic Case for Investment in the East Coast Region.
Mr. Adam Kemshell, Arup
10:30-10:50
Sensitivity Analysis in Planning of Seasonal Hydrogen production and Storage Systems.
Dr. Abdussalam Aburziza, Sheffield University10:50-11:10
An overview of gas cavern construction and its energy requirements.
Ms. Aura Alvarado de la Barrera, DEEP.KBB11:50-12:10
Transforming Rough for large-scale hydrogen storage.
Mr. Chris McClane, Centrica
12:10-12:30
Pathfinder project: Engineering electricity storage using hydrogen.
Mr. Klim MacKenzie, SSE
12:30-12:50
H2 long-duration energy storage: How much capacity will there be across Europe by 2030, and will this be enough?
Mr Brendan Murphy, LCP Delta12:50-13:00
Projects EMStor: Exploring potential for geological hydrogen storage in the East Midlands.
Dr. Faye McAnulla, Net Zero Strategy

HyDEX Hydrogen Summit
2024-02-27 09:00 - 16:40 (Europe/London) | Sustainability Hub, Keele University, Home Farm, Keele, Select a State or Province:, ST5 5AA, United Kingdom
The HyDEX Summit
The HyDEX Hydrogen Summit is taking place on Tuesday 27 February at Keele University in Staffordshire.
The aim of the summit is to showcase some of the latest work taking place in hydrogen and energy more widely, and it will also highlight a number of careers available for people who want to enter the energy sector.
After the summit will be the Hydrogen Awards, the UK’s first award competition recognising industries and researchers involved in hydrogen innovation.
If you would like to attend the Hydrogen Awards, please visit www.hydrogenawards.com for more information.
Programme
9.00am – 9.50am: Arrival and coffee
9.50am – 10.05am: Welcome
10.05am – 10.20am: Keele University, a living laboratory – Julian Reed
10.20am: Visits to energy facilities on the Keele University site and workshops. This involves travel by coach around the campus.
11.50am: Dr Sharon George, PI for HyDEX– Hydrogen Research and Innovation overview
12.10pm: Lunch and networking
1.10pm: Hydrogen Innovators spotlight
1.10pm – 1.25pm: Arcadis – Clive Maggs
1.25pm – 1.40pm: Clean Hydrogen Power – Qamar Khan
1.40pm – 1.55pm: Hydrologiq – Ben Lindley
1.55pm – 2.10pm: Origin 21 – Sabin Nair
2.10pm – 2.25pm: Geopura – Matt Bennett
2.25pm – 2.40pm: Hygrid Energy – Harshal Sankhe
2.40pm – 2.55pm: Fuel Cell Systems – Richard Stockwell
2.55pm – 3.10pm: Panel Q&As with the Hydrogen Innovators
3.10pm: Coffee Break
3.25pm: Support for Hydrogen Businesses
3.25pm – 3.40pm: Rob Scott – UK Business Growth (funding and support)
3.40pm – 3.55pm: Ben Lincon & Stephen Moore – Potter Clarkson (IP support)
3.55pm: Q&As on support for businesses
4.05pm: Hydrogen Skills
4.05 – 4.20pm: Hydrogen Skills Report: Jeisson Cardenas-Rubio, Warwick University
4.20pm Q&As on Skills
4.30pm: Summary and reflections
4.30 – 4.45pm: Dr Sharon George, summary and reflection on the summit
4.40pm: Finish

ECR Net Zero Conference 2024
2024-02-27 - 2024-02-28 | The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre, Hill Street Birmingham B5 4EW, Birmingham, B5 4EW, United Kingdom
We’re thrilled to be running another ECR Net Zero Conference in 2024, this time in collaboration with even more fantastic organisations working in the Net Zero space – C-DICE, CO2RE, EDI+, EDRC, ERA, IDRIC, IGNITE+, HI-ACT, Supergen Bioenergy Hub, SUSTAIN, TFI Network+, UKCCSRC, UKERC and UK-HyRES!
The conference will take place at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre (Birmingham, B5 4EW), on Tuesday 27th – Wednesday 28th February 2024. It will provide an opportunity for ECRs to meet and network with peers from different research organisations within the wider net zero research community, and build a more collaborative, multidisciplinary community.
The two days will include a mix of keynote speakers, parallel sessions (skills and topic based) and a networking dinner. New to this year’s conference is the opportunity to present your work in our poster reception to stimulate discussion and find potential collaborative research pathways with fellow ECRs.
There is also an option to attend virtually. The event will not be fully hybrid, however, and only sessions taking place in the main room will be streamed.
Agenda:
Tuesday 27th February
10:00 – 11:00 – Registration and coffee
11:00 – 11:30 – Welcome and keynote
11:30 -12:30 – Centre Overviews
12:30 -13:30 – Lunch
13:30 -15:00 – Plenary Session: EDI
15:00-15:30 – Coffee break
15:30-17:00 – Parallel Sessions: Public engagement for Net Zero – Research into practice; Multidisciplinary Net Zero research UK; How to write a narrative CV workshop
17:00-19:00 – Networking and poster reception
19:00-22:00 – Conference dinner
Wednesday 28th February
9:00-9:30 – Arrivals and coffee
9:30-11:00 – Parallel Sessions: Business Speed Networking workshop; Cost of net zero transition; Reaching net zero in the built environment
11:00-11:30 – Break
11:30-12:30 – Plenary session: Net zero: A global ambition.
12:30-13:00 – Keynote, poster awards and closing remarks
13:00-14:30 – Networking lunch and departures
For further agenda details and more information regarding speakers, visit: https://ukccsrc.ac.uk/ecr-net-zero-conference-birmingham-27-28-february-2024/

ERA Conference: A Race Against Time - Energy Innovation for Net-Zero
2024-01-25 09:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | Cranfield University- AIRC, AIRC Ideas Space, First floor, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0JR, United Kingdom
Conference details and downloadsAim of conference
This was an in person conference with the aim to discuss the role that energy innovation is playing in achieving Net-Zero and to discuss the Energy Research Accelerator’s plans for the future. Throughout the day we will be focusing on our key themes including:
• Energy Generation and Systems
• Transport and Mobility
• Sustainability and People
• Decarbonising Industry
• Data and AI
• Skills for the Net-Zero transition
09.00: Arrival and refreshments
09.30: Welcome and Introduction: Prof Chris Fogwill, Cranfield University
09.50: A race against time, the role and challenges of energy research and innovation in achieving Net-Zero: Keynote speaker: Rachel Fletcher, Director of Regulation, Octopus Energy
10.20: ERA’s national activities: Prof Martin Freer, Director of the Energy Research Accelerator
10.40: Panel discussion on National Energy Innovation Challenges with senior representatives from industry and academia, including:

Michelle Bentham Chief Scientist for Decarbonisation and Resource Management, British Geological Survey (BGS)
David Wright, Director of Electricity Transmission, National Grid
Tom Greatrex, CEO, Nuclear Industries Association
Dennis Hayter, MD, Intelligent Energy

11.30: Refreshments and Networking
11.50: Regional Energy Developments and Opportunities:
Faye McAnulla, Programme Director ERA
12.05: Panel discussion on Midlands energy opportunities with senior leaders from the public and private sector:

Ian Cuddington, Director of Economic Development, Rolls-Royce
Kelly Manders, Regional Development Manager, Cadent
David Horsfall, Director, Tyseley Energy Park
Katie Greenhalgh, Green Growth Lead, East Midlands Freeport

13.00: Lunch and Networking
Lunch break to include Early Career Researcher Posters and presentations in Foyer
Optional tours of Cranfield energy facilities:
The HyPER demonstrator – HyPER can produce hundreds of kg of hydrogen each day. It is a megawatt scale pilot facility that utilises sorbent enhanced reforming to generate clean hydrogen. The pilot sized demonstrator can be of use to any business developing anything from hydrogen/Co2 leak detection, gas analysis, pipe fittings/gaskets non-destructive testing and evaluation of metals and pipes, gas compressors and purification systems etc.
The Turquoise Hydrogen demonstrator – The Turquoise Hydrogen demonstrator consists of a central upright fixed fluidised bed reactor which generates hydrogen from methane, with built in mechanisms for heating and heat recovery. In the reactor, methane molecules are split into their constituents, H2 and carbon. This pilot reactor has an in-built system to separate gaseous H2 and remove the solid carbon
Optional – Test drive Tesla car
14.10: Breakout groups, exploring collaborative ideas in several ERA research themes:

Energy and the Built Environment – Dominika Walker, (Tomato Energy)
Transport and Mobility – Faye McAnulla and Martin Freer (ERA/University of Birmingham)
Decarbonising Industry – Vasilije Manovic and Phil Longhurst (Cranfield University)
Data and AI – Rob Shipman (University of Nottingham)
Skills – Lennie Foster (ERA), Keith Wishart (IBM), Swathi (C-DICE post doc), Nazmiye Ozkan (Cranfield)
Hydrogen Storage – Kat Mycock (HyDEX) and Gordon Arnott (University of Nottingham)

Each group to focus on one of ERA’s themes and developing one or two ‘Big Ideas’ for industry and universities to work together on.
15.10: Groups to feedback to the conference on their ideas
15.30: Summary of day and next steps:
Prof Martin Freer
15.50: Close
