Addressing the need for renewable energy infrastructures
The climate crisis continues to be a matter of both national and international importance. In recognition of this importance, the Midlands Innovation partner universities made a bid to Innovate UK to invest in energy research in the Midlands.
Formed in 2016, ERA initially received £60 million before later receiving an additional £120 million from investors, with the funding strategically allocated amongst the partners. The impact of this funding is ongoing, boosting the reputation of energy innovation in the Midlands.
HyDEX: Establishing infrastructure for hydrogen energy
HyDEX is an initiative established to address the challenge of how to boost a new industry when there is no existing infrastructure to support it. It was established in 2022, receiving £5 million in funding from Research England to help develop a hydrogen-based infrastructure in the Midlands.
To achieve this infrastructure, it’s working with the support of ERA and the Midlands Innovation university partners over the course of a three-year programme. This support comes in the form of sharing hydrogen facilities, research, and knowledge with businesses.
How is HyDEX impacting the Midlands?
Since its beginning in 2022, HyDEX supports across a wide range of ERA initiatives, some of which includes:
- Developing ‘demonstrator’ facilities at partner universities which are enabling researchers to look at different ways of producing, storing and using hydrogen.
- Making hydrogen research facilities at partner universities accessible to businesses to develop new hydrogen technologies.
- Working with the Centres of Doctoral Training at Midlands Innovation partner universities to provide opportunities to develop hydrogen skills, as well as adding to the skill of the hydrogen workforce.
- Working with, and developing, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities for businesses, such as through the Hydrogen Off-Road Network (HORN).
- Providing support to local authorities that are interested in hydrogen through the Local Authority toolkit.
- Influencing policy development through its ‘UK-EU Policy Workshop’ and ‘Potential of Hydrogen in Industry’ roundtables.
By bringing together businesses and researchers across the region, HyDEX is supporting the development of a hydrogen ecosystem in the Midlands. From this ecosystem, new initiatives have come about, such as East Midlands Hydrogen – the UK’s largest inland hydrogen cluster.
HyDEX is also leading on other regional initiatives such as the development of an East Midlands Hydrogen Valley, which will enable numerous hydrogen initiatives to be trialled and demonstrated in the region. Through ERA’s funding, HyDEX is helping the Midlands to become a leading player in the UK’s hydrogen economy.
