Connecting diverse voices to explore hydrogen, alternative liquid fuels and the systems, challenges and innovations shaping the future.
The hydrogen community is growing, and these two days are designed to grow it further. Jointly organised by UK-HyRES and GW-SHIFT and hosted at IAAPS, Bristol, the Hydrogen Industry Forum (1st July) and Early Career Researcher Forum (2nd July) bring together industry professionals, academic investigators and the next generation of researchers for two days of discussion, networking and genuine knowledge exchange.
Day 1: Industry Forum
The Industry Forum will explore the key themes shaping the future of hydrogen and sustainable energy systems, including hydrogen deployment and industrial applications, transport and mobility innovation, integrated energy systems, research translation, and emerging technologies.
The agenda (scroll past the location information for the full agenda) features industry-led presentations, panel discussions, collaboration sessions, a research poster and pitch competition, networking opportunities with academic and industry partners, guided tours of the IAAPS facilities, plus refreshments and awards.
Who should attend?
Industry professionals working across hydrogen, transport and energy systems
Academic investigators and project leads
PhD students and early-career researchers (for whom there is an opportunity to take part in a poster exhibition and competition)
Researchers interested in industry collaboration and real-world impact
Organisations looking to engage with emerging hydrogen research and innovation
Agenda:
09:30 - 10:00 Arrival & Registration - Attendee sign-in, tea & coffee on arrival.
10:00 - 10:15 Opening Welcome& Keynote - Opening welcome to IAAPS and the Industry Forum, followed by a keynote, hosted by Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath.
10:15 - 11:20 Industry Sessions - Introduction by Chris Steel, Strategic Partnerships Lead, Hydrogen South West, to 3 short transport-themed industry presentations from Professor Eugine Bari, Chief Executive Officer at Ecomar, Chris Foxall, Founder and CEO of Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions and Simon Cozens, Head of H2 Architects & Integrators at Airbus Fuel Systems, followed by a panel session.
11:20 - 11:40 Refreshment Break
11:40 - 12:45 Industry Sessions - Introduction by Lucy Woodward, Lead Policy Analyst, Hydrogen Energy Association, to 3 short industry-themed presentations from Jon Roper, Business Development Manager at Air Products, Monty Foley-Williamson, Commercial Manager at Protium and Jeffery De Vero, Principal Scientist at Ceres Power, followed by a panel session.
12:45 - 13:30 Lunch & Networking
13:30 - 14:30 Energy Sessions - Introduction to 3 short energy-themed industry presentations from Anna Lewis, Transformation Project Officer at Caerphilly Council and Dr Stephen Carr, Postdoctoral Researcher at University of South Wales, Fionnuala Costello, Programme Director at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and James Bowyer-Adams, Net Zero Project Manager at Wales & West Utilities, followed by a panel session.
14:30 - 14:50 Refreshment Break
14:50 - 14:55 Spotlight Session: Hydrostar - Presented by James McNaughton, Head of Commercial & Strategy, Hydrostar.
14:55 - 15:10 Spotlight Session: RASE - RASE Farm of the Future held by Richard Gueterbock, Director of Foodchains, Royal Agricultural Society of England.
15:10 - 15:25 Spotlight Session: Royce - Led by Martin Carroll / Bob / Caroline, Royce Hydrogen Accelerator.
15:25 - 16:10 Pitch & Poster Competition - Open to all ECRs and PhDs attending the forum. Each presenter delivers a 1-minute pitch at their poster with the audience to vote based on the best design, best pitch and overall winner.
16:10 - 18:00 Canapés, Drinks & Facility Tours - Three 30-minute facility tours with canapés, drinks, and networking.
18:00 - 18:30 Poster Competition Awards - Awards and prizes presented by Lucy Woodward, Lead Policy Analyst, Hydrogen Energy Association, alongside representatives from ROYCE, CERES and Hydrostar.
18:30 - 19:00 Close & Wrap-Up - Final remarks and closing speeches.
Day 2: ECR Forum
A dedicated day for Early Career Researchers to connect, collaborate, and develop within the UK hydrogen research community.
The ECR Forum (scroll past the location information for the full agenda) will explore careers in hydrogen research beyond individual projects, focusing on collaboration, professional development, and the challenges facing Early Career Researchers today. Sessions will include interactive discussions, peer networking, career-focused activities, and opportunities to help shape the future direction of the UK-HyRES network.
Who should attend day 2?
Early Career Researchers
PhD students
Postdoctoral researchers
All in the field of hydrogen and sustainable energy.
Agenda:
09:00 - 09:30 Arrival & Refreshments - Attendee sign-in, tea & coffee on arrival.
09:30 - 10:00 Icebreaker: Marshmallow Challenge - Hosted by Dr Shiqi Huang, Assistant Professor, University of Bath.
10:00 - 10:40 Career Journey Sharing - Presented by Professor Xiaoze (Shirley) Pei, Professor of Transport Electrification & IAAPS Deputy Academic Director.
10:40 - 11:00 Refreshment Break
11:00 - 11:45 Career Progress Development Talk - Led by Dr James Courtney, Co-I and Theme Lead, GW-SHIFT.
11:45 - 12:30 Research Brainstorm
12:30 - 13:00 Lunch & Networking
13:00 - 14:00 Discussion: ECR Challenges and Feedback
14:00 - 14:00 Event Closes