The Conference: Mission Innovation, a workshop on hydrogen energy and the natural gas grid.
This brought together experts from across the world, to share best practice and combine ideas on how to overcome challenges within the industry.
Speaking about the conference, organiser Young Lee from Australia said: “International delegates gathered in the beautiful historic Town Hall in Chester, UK for a joint workshop on hydrogen in the gas grid.
Over 30 of the participants represented governments, industry and the research community from eight countries and jurisdictions. The workshop was the first opportunity to kick-off discussions about hydrogen in the gas grid, to engage relevant stakeholders and shape the direction for future activities.
Although smaller in size than some of the conferences that SFA had originally identified as an appropriate fit for Thornton’s ambition to deliver the UKs first hydrogen economy, when speaking to Professor Joe Howe (Executive Director of the Thornton Energy Research Institute at the University of Chester) remarked that “they will come in time but at this stage of spearheading hydrogen I don’t really consider them that important although I know and understands that they would generally be good to bring visitors and direct economic benefit to the region, for me personally and Hydrogen, I want more of a long-term strategic approach, vision and prefer attracting more globally strategic events such as Mission Innovation”
Why Cheshire?
Cheshire is home to Thornton Science Park, which has been pioneering ground-breaking research to turn unrecyclable plastic waste into electricity and low-cost hydrogen fuel, which can be used for transport fuel. The prototype demonstrator, based on the Campus, captured the attention of the Australian conference organiser, and delegates had the opportunity to go for a site visit to see the high tech research facilities at the Science Park and gain a detailed understanding of the systems and processes being developed there by speaking to the commercial team located on site and the academics who helped to support the work.
Julius Scholz, a delegate from Germany, said: “With the opening visit of Thornton Science Park, with its testing facilities for advanced fuel cells and integrated energy systems, the scene was perfectly set for the workshop discussion in the following days. With the help of the professional and most welcoming staff of Marketing Cheshire, the international delegates managed to initiate the work and draft the roadmap moving forward.”
Conference Host and Cheshire Ambassador
Professor Joe Howe, who is Executive Director of the Thornton Energy Research Institute at the University of Chester, based at Thornton Science Park, acted as a local host to support the destination to secure this prestigious event. As a leading expert in the field of hydrogen energy, Joe’s knowledge of the industry in the UK, as well as his industrial connections, were instrumental in supporting the conference agenda as well as facilitating the pre workshop field trip.
Professor Joe Howe added: “This is further testimony that the North West Industrial Cluster — with Thornton Science Park at its heart — is being recognised as a leader on industrial decarbonisation and clean growth. The region can benefit significantly from the energy revolution and it is at the forefront of the UK’s hydrogen journey. Hydrogen could be a lynchpin for growth, boosting the North West’s economy and becoming a magnet for inward investment. Studies* show the development of a major hydrogen cluster could deliver £17billion in Gross Value Added for the North West, creating nearly 6,000 jobs.”
