University-business collaborations seeking sustainable energy solutions

Using hydrogen as a source of energy could be the key in providing the world with an alternative to its dependence on fossil fuels.

Last year’s COP26 called for countries to ‘phase down’ their use of coal and find a replacement in greener forms of energy. UK university-business collaborations have already been working on a range of projects, looking at how hydrogen could be used as an energy source in our society.

As world leaders continue to debate protecting the global environment at COP27, the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) has published a showcase booklet – Hydrogen for the Future – raising awareness of the potential uses of hydrogen.

The booklet highlights 10 university-business collaborations working on projects that use hydrogen as fuel for vehicles including buses, ferries and potentially haulage trucks, a way to power gas turbines creating more energy and using university-business collaborations to boost local economies.

The work they are doing could speed up the phase-out of fossil fuels by finding sustainable alternatives with net-zero or almost net-zero carbon outputs, a target set at COP26.

Burning fossil fuels, which releases significant amounts of carbon into the environment, poses significant risk to the environment and human health. Using hydrogen as a fuel source produces water, which would help to decarbonise the energy industry.

Dr Joe Marshall, Chief Executive of the NCUB, said: “COP26 stated very clearly that countries need to phase out the use of fossil fuels, speed up the switch to electric vehicles and encourage investment in renewable energy.

“As we can see from our case studies, university-business collaborations are leading the way in developing access to alternative fuels and looking for practical ways hydrogen can be used.

“The Government has already highlighted hydrogen as a priority and our members are proving how successful it could be as a part of our life, revolutionising the way we travel and heat our homes.”

Find out more about Hydrogen for the Future by downloading the booklet from the NCUB’s website https://www.ncub.co.uk/insights/hydrogen-a-fuel-for-the-future