The Future of Green Transport in the Midlands - A Midlands Green Innovation Network event
2023-09-28 12:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
Midlands Connect is working to decarbonise the transport system in the Midlands. It is developing and prioritising the most important transport investments – the projects we need to support a more productive, prosperous and sustainable Midlands.
At this online Midlands Green Innovation Network event, Bharat Pathania, Head of New Technologies at Midlands Connect will be explaining the future transport strategy for the Midlands and some of the new transport technologies that we could be seeing on our roads and railways and in our towns and cities over the next few years.
Bharat’s presentation will highlight some of the significant changes that we are likely to see in our transport system in the coming years, and will identify potential opportunities for businesses to get involved with the new technologies.
The event will finish with a question and answer session.
About the Midlands Green Innovation Network
The Midlands Green Innovation Network is run by ERA with the support of the Midlands Engine and Federation of Small Businesses. It aims to provide small businesses with information and new technologies and opportunities, and the support they need in order to maximise their potential for innovation.

ERA Community Fund Info Webinar: Wed 25 Oct 2023, 13:00-14:00
2023-10-25 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
During this info webinar we will tell you about the ERA Community Fund which provides up to £2,500 to design, develop, and deliver energy and/or net-zero-centric events, and hear from previous recipients of this award about why you should apply.
More info on the ERA Community Fund can be found at https://www.era.ac.uk/skills/funding-opportunities/

Climate Change 3.0 & The Future of Sustainability - A Midlands Green Innovation Network event
2023-10-26 12:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | Virtual event
Renowned futurist, Chris Barnatt, looks at the future of sustainability. How do we consume less yet find more of the resources we need?
There is now broad scientific and political agreement that we need to rise to the challenge of climate change and to live in a more sustainable manner. Yet, in the UK and beyond, is becoming clear that political mechanisms do not exist that will allow even currently declared climate change mitigation targets to be met. Businesses need to rapidly understand that we are entering a new era of the climate change debate, and how policy is likely to evolve.

ERA Partner Roadshow at Loughborough University (exclusive event)
2023-11-02 14:30 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | Loughborough University, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
This event is only for staff / students at Loughborough University. Please use your university email address to register.

At this roadshow you will have the chance to meet with ERA staff to find out about the work that is being done in energy research and innovation and how you can get involved in the future.
Come along to this session to find out how ERA can help you with:
– Cross-university research collaborations
– Disseminating your research
– Funding applications
– Building international links
– Accessing world-leading facilities
– Training and development opportunitie
Places are limited so please book today!
Please note that this is an internal event and to attend you must have an institute-specific email address.

ERA Partner Roadshow at University of Leicester (exclusive event)
2023-11-22 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | University of Leicester – Space Park, Space Park, 92 Corporation Road, Leicester, LE4 5SP, United Kingdom
This event is only for staff / students at University of Leicester. Please use your university email address to register.

At this roadshow you will have the chance to meet with ERA staff to find out about the work that is being done in energy research and innovation and how you can get involved in the future.
Come along to this session to find out how ERA can help you with:
– Cross-university research collaborations
– Disseminating your research
– Funding applications
– Building international links
– Accessing world-leading facilities
– Training and development opportunitie
Places are limited so please book today!
Please note that this is an internal event and to attend you must have an institute-specific email address.

Start your Business's Net-Zero journey - A Midlands Green Innovation Network event
2023-11-23 10:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | The Museum and Art Gallery on The Wardwick, Derby, The Strand, Derby, DE1BS, United Kingdom
Learn how to create a sustainability plan for your business at our in-person event, where we’ll delve into strategies for a greener future!
Join us for an exciting event at the Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill in Derby. This in-person event will guide you through the process of developing a sustainability plan. Learn how to create and implement strategies that promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
At this event, award winning business woman, Rachel Hayward from procurement consultancy, Ask the Chameleon is joined by Tommy Allsop, Net-Zero Delivery Lead for Tyseley Energy Park, who will be providing practical advice and tips on how businesses can develop a sustainability action plan.
Read more and register here!

MDES 2024 – Medium Duration Energy Storage 2024
2024-01-12 09:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Vaillant Live, Derby, DE1 1LA, United Kingdom
About this event

MDES 2024 was held from 09:00 – 17:00 UTC on January 12, 2024 and addressed recent advances in thinking around the technologies, the policies and the commercial realities of Medium Duration Energy Storage (MDES). It covered the following issues:
– Specific technology and project updates within compressed air energy storage
– Specific technology and project updates within pumped hydro energy storage
– Short updates from MDES developments in early commercialisation stages
– Modelling that elucidates the added value of different storage technologies
– A panel discussion on latest thinking about what policy and market mechanisms are needed to elicit investment in MDES
The event was free to attend – either physically (at IMechE in London) or virtually.
This event was brought-about through funding from Research England under its “Policy Support Fund” scheme. It drew upon support from Energy Research Accelerator (where presentations and recordings will be archived), Supergen Energy Storage Network Plus, the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on Energy Storage and EERA (European Energy Research Alliance) SP4.

View all event presentationsProgramme

09:15 – 10:45: ADVANCES IN COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE

Isothermal Compressed Air Energy Storage for Decentralised Energy Grid: Dr. Yasser Mahmoudi (Manchester Univ)Download PresentationView Video

Sustainable & Affordable CAES, Dr. Edward Barbour (Loughborough Univ)Download PresentationView Video

High Performance CAES through elevated temperature thermal storage, Dr. Wei HeDownload PresentationView Video

Offshore CAES – FLASC, Dr. Daniel BuhagiarDownload PresentationView Video

CAES with Heat: Cheesecake Energy Ltd, Dr. Mike SimpsonDownload PresentationView Video
Video of question session for Compressed Air Energy Storage

10:45 – 11:15: REFRESHMENTS

11:15 – 12:30: ADVANCES IN MEDIUM DURATION ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Iron Air: Enabling Ultra-Low Cost Multi-Day Storage, Cillian Totterdell (FORM Energy)Download PresentationView Video

RheEnergise, Lizzi GoldDownload PresentationView Video

Small-scale Pumped Hydro projects. Mr. Jonathan Cox (AECOM)Download PresentationView Video
Video of question session for Medium Duration Energy Storage

12:30 – 13:30: LUNCH

13:30 – 14:30: THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE

Topologically Engineered Thermal Energy Storage for Carnot Batteries – Dr Adriano Sciacovelli (Birmingham)Download PresentationView Video
PRISMA: Compressor Integrated Energy Storage, Dr. Adrian Alford (Innovatium)Download PresentationView Video

SynchroStor – a Pumped Thermal E.S. system, Prof. Win Rampen (Edinburgh)View Video

14:40 – 14:50: REFRESHMENTS

14:50 – 15:35: MODELLING AND MEDIUM DURATION ENERGY STORAGE

The benefits of blending storage types, Dr. Tony Roulstone (Cambridge)Download PresentationView Video

Whole-system value of MDES&LDES solutions in Net Zero Futures, Prof. Goran Strbac (Imperial College)Download PresentationView Video

Monetising Medium Duration Storage, Dr. Iain Staffell (Imperial College)Download PresentationView Video
Modelleing Energy Systems Including Multiple Stores, Professor Seamus Garvey, (University of Nottingham)Download PresentationView Video

15:40 – 16:40: PANEL SESSION: POLICY AND MARKET ISSUES AFFECTING MDES
Panel Session chaired by Tom Bent.
– Nina Skorupska, CEO of the REA (Association of Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies)– Prof. Ian Arbon (Independent Consultant, EngineeredSolutions)– Sarah Keay-Bright from National Grid ESO (TBC)– Dr. Iain Staffell (Imperial College)
Video of Q&As for the panel session

Any questions about this event?
Please email Professor Seamus Garvey at the University of Nottingham.

ERA Partner Roadshow at University of Warwick (exclusive event)
2024-01-18 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | University of Warwick, Scarman Building, Scarman Road, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
This event is only for staff / students at University of Warwick. Please use your university email address to register.

At this roadshow you will have the chance to meet with ERA staff to find out about the work that is being done in energy research and innovation and how you can get involved in the future.
Come along to this session to find out how ERA can help you with:
– Cross-university research collaborations
– Disseminating your research
– Funding applications
– Building international links
– Accessing world-leading facilities
– Training and development opportunitie
Places are limited so please book today!
Please note that this is an internal event and to attend you must have an institute-specific email address.

ERA Skills Retreat: raising your research profile.
2024-01-24 | Cranfield University, College Road, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
During this one day retreat we will look tools and techniques that doctoral and post doctoral researchers can use to raise awareness of their research. Including how to make a video bio, how to pitch your research, and tools and techniques for conferences (fantastic if you are joining us for the ERA conference).
We will be joined by Rob Glass a television presenter and producer for both the BBC and ITV who has run video training workshops around the world for organisations such as Siemens, Deloitte and Disney and regular Masterclasses for The Guardian. Rob will help you produce your own video bio all about you and your research.
Places are limited so book now via our short EOI form.
This event is run in partnership with The Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure Cities and Energy (C-DICE).

ERA Partner Roadshow at Cranfield University (exclusive event)
2024-01-24 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Cranfield University- AIRC, AIRC Ideas Space, First floor, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0JR, United Kingdom
This event is only for staff / students at Cranfield University. Please use your university email address to register.

At this roadshow you will have the chance to meet with ERA staff to find out about the work that is being done in energy research and innovation and how you can get involved in the future.
Come along to this session to find out how ERA can help you with:
– Cross-university research collaborations
– Disseminating your research
– Funding applications
– Building international links
– Accessing world-leading facilities
– Training and development opportunitie
Places are limited so please book today!
Please note that this is an internal event and to attend you must have an institute-specific email address.

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

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/

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

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

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/ .

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

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.

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.

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!’

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

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

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

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.

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)

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.
