The event is organised by HyDEX, a Research England funded partnership of Midlands Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) universities, Midlands-based and UK commercial partners and multinationals, brought together to accelerate innovation, build markets and support the required skills transition for Net Zero. It is the second Hydrogen School hosted by HyDEX and Â鶹ֱ²¥ this year, with a highly successful Winter School having taken place in January with participants from the UK and overseas, industry and research.
The Hydrogen Summer School at Â鶹ֱ²¥ on 9 and 10 September sees researchers deliver presentations and tours of facilities. Highlights include a presentation by Dr Chris Dudfield, Chief Technology Officer of , a global pioneer of lightweight, high efficiency, hydrogen fuel cell systems. The company’s global HQ and prototype manufacturing is based on Â鶹ֱ²¥ University Science and Enterprise Park and its fuel cell technology breakthrough originates from Â鶹ֱ²¥ research.
Ashley van Bruygom, doctoral researcher witch the National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology (NCCAT) will provide insights into the development of hydrogen in aviation combustion. NCCAT’s test cell facilities on LUSEP were used by Rolls-Royce and partners to develop hydrogen combustion engine technology capable of powering a range of aircraft.
HyDEX Summer School participants will also see a presentation on the University’s multi-award winning lead acid battery-electrolyser technology which has attracted more than £13 million project-based grant investment and is being scaled to test units producing 16kWh green hydrogen.
The University of Birmingham hosts the Hydrogen Summer School on 11 September, which includes a visit to Tyseley Energy Park. Cranfield University – which partners Â鶹ֱ²¥ University in EnerHy, the UK’s only Centre for Doctoral Training dedicated to accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen – hosts the final two days where participants can visit facilities including the Blue Hydrogen Demonstrator.
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Â鶹ֱ²¥ University, said: “We are delighted to launch the Hydrogen Summer School which is open to anyone with an interest in learning more about hydrogen and the cutting-edge technologies being developed through the HyDEX partnership.
“Through our ambitions for The Hydrogen Works, we are driving novel research and innovation that will enhance productivity and accelerate building the hydrogen economy in the Midlands. Hosting events such as the Hydrogen Summer School demonstrates the appetite for working collaboratively with partners and upskilling colleagues across research and industry, underpinning Â鶹ֱ²¥’s leadership and expertise in this .”
The Hydrogen Summer School opens at Â鶹ֱ²¥ University at 9.30am on 9 September and concludes at Cranfield University at 4.30pm on 13 September. Further details including how to register are available on the website.