EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero

Lead Research Organisation: Loughborough University
Department Name: Wolfson Sch of Mech, Elec & Manufac Eng

Abstract

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero will develop the necessary networking, training and skills in future doctoral level leaders to enable rapid growth in hydrogen-related technology to meet the UK government's 2050 net zero targets. This CDT is a partnership of three world class Universities and around 40 Industrial and Civic organisations. The CDT aims to address the challenging aspects of rapid growth in hydrogen production and usage such as cost, supply and waste chain development, scalability, different system configurations, new technology, and social requirements through a blended cohort co-creation approach. The CDT will provide mandatory and optional training in Fundamental Knowledge, Thinking Innovatively, Business Acumen and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community (EDIC). A cohort based CDT is most appropriate for embedding skills in Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero due to the breadth of the training needs and the need for co-support and co-learning.

In addition to a tailored co-created skills training program, the CDT will engage with partners to address key research priority areas. The CDT research plans are aligned with the EPSRC's "Engineering Net Zero" research priority, aiming to engineer low-cost hydrogen for net zero. Decarbonisation is not just implementation of a single solution fits all but a complex process of design that is dependent on what is being decarbonised e.g. different types of chemical industry to whether or not there is future access to a hydrogen hub. This results in the requirement for many new solutions to ensure affordability, scalability and sustainability. This includes undertaking research on hydrogen into topics such as, design for scalability, hydrogen on demand, new low cost materials, new interfaces, new processes, new storage means, new energy interactions, new waste management, existing infrastructure adaption and lifespan monitoring and management and social acceptance.

The CDT will work with industry and civic partners to generate impact through innovation through research. This will include direct financial benefits, improved policy outcomes through engagement with local authorities, government organizations, and standards bodies, enhanced public engagement and acceptance of hydrogen, and create employment opportunities for students with industry-ready skills. The CDT represents an excellent opportunity for students to work together, with industry and with world leading international experts on impactful projects for a common decarbonisation goal with multifunctional stakeholders.

This CDT will build upon the experience of the University partners and the lessons learnt from participation in 7 previous CDT's to bring forward best practice (e.g. buddy scheme and childcare funding) and remove roadblocks to opportunities (e.g. timetable clashes). We will co-create a CDT with international reach and access to over £55m worth of hydrogen and wind turbine demonstrator and research facilities. The team has excellent links with Universities and Industry internationally including partners in Europe, Canada, Malawi, China, USA, Brazil and Australia. CDT students will have opportunities to learn from International experts at a summer design and build, link with world leading experts to build international networks of contacts, undertake CPD activities (such as partner site visits), attend national and international conferences & partners secondments, research sandpits and webinars. All activities will be undertaken with due care, diligence & best practice in EDIC.

The academic, industrial and civic team has the expertise to deliver the vision of the co-created CDT through the development of a unique research and training program.

Organisations

Publications

10 25 50

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/Y035194/1 31/03/2024 29/09/2032
2926407 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 29/09/2024 28/09/2028 Jubril THOMAS
2932846 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2028 Isabell Stansbury
2933032 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2028 Jacob Boden
2933641 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2032 Soustain Chigalu
2932804 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2028 Nur Ilyani Binti Mohd Suhaimin
2931705 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2028 Steffi Shaji
2932818 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2028 Elizabeth Pollard
2926398 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2028 Joseph CLACK
2931012 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2028 Harry Marjoram
2933646 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 30/09/2024 29/09/2028 Trevor Smith
2927858 Studentship EP/Y035194/1 23/10/2024 28/09/2028 Soorya KULATHUNGA MUDIYANSELE