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Two research hubs co-designing the UK’s hydrogen future

Delivering a hydrogen-powered energy transition isn’t just about breakthrough technologies or about system-level planning in isolation. It’s about how the two evolve together.

UK-HyRES and HI-ACT are both EPSRC-funded hydrogen research hubs. At first glance, they may seem similar, but their roles are deliberately distinct. UK-HyRES focuses on low technology readiness level, fundamental research, while HI-ACT undertakes research which can accelerate progress in hydrogen systems integration.

Positioned at opposite ends of the hydrogen spectrum, the two hubs are nonetheless strategically aligned. They work in close partnership to ensure that hydrogen innovation doesn’t just advance but works in the real world.

Here, the head of each hub, Professor Chris Brace, Director and Principal Investigator of UK-HyRES and Professor Sara Walker, Director and Principal Investigator of HI-ACT, share their visions for the alignment of the two hubs and

Sara began the conversation to clarify where both hubs sit in the hydrogen value chain: “HI-ACT looks at the overall energy system, often from a national or international, top-down perspective. UK-HyRES, by contrast, works at the device level, more bottom-up. But we meet at the interface: what functionality devices offer to the system, and what the system needs from those devices.” 



A two-way feedback loop

At the heart of the collaboration is a simple but powerful idea: hydrogen innovation must be bidirectional. Advances in technology shape what’s possible at system level. At the same time, system-level challenges define what technologies are actually needed.

Chris expands on this, highlighting both the opportunity, and the complexity, of working across scales: “The term ‘system’ is often used in different ways, which can lead to confusion. At one level, it refers to specific engineering elements, like a manufacturing plant, an electrolyser, or a vehicle. At another, it describes the larger networks these elements form, such as a national energy system or transport network. Being clear about these definitions is important, especially when working across disciplines”.

He continues by drawing the connection between these layers: “What becomes clear is that these layers are closely interconnected. Improvements at the device or engineering level, like increasing the efficiency of electrolysers, can have significant impacts on the performance of the wider energy system. At the same time, challenges identified at the national or network level can highlight where breakthroughs are needed in materials, components, or technologies”.

This interplay is where progress happens: “Progress depends on strengthening this two-way relationship. Advances at the small scale can unlock system-wide benefits, while large-scale challenges can guide and motivate fundamental research. This kind of bidirectional thinking is essential for driving innovation in complex energy systems.”

Why collaboration is essential

The energy transition is only as strong as its weakest link. From materials and devices, through infrastructure and systems, to policy, safety, and public acceptance, each layer must work together.

This is why UK-HyRES also focuses on four cross-cutting themes, economics, environment, society, and safety. These areas move beyond device-level research to explore the conditions needed for hydrogen technologies to be adopted at scale, from cost and infrastructure to environmental impact, public trust, and risk. This work provides a natural bridge to HI-ACT’s system-level perspective, where these factors are considered within the context of a fully integrated energy system.

Chris is clear about what’s at stake: “Unless you’re pushing across the full picture, you’re not going to achieve the energy transition we’d like to see. Any weak point in that chain will get in the way of adoption.”

This is why UK-HyRES and HI-ACT are deliberately aligned, not just in ambition, but in structure. The two hubs share a Strategic Advisory Board, bringing together expertise from industry, regulation, and energy systems. This group doesn’t just review progress; it helps shape what comes next.

Sara explains how this strengthens their impact: “We’re collectively thinking about the next steps, not just in research, but in policy and deployment, because hydrogen isn’t a one-off transition. It requires a coordinated national approach. The joint advisory board also act as ambassadors for both hubs, amplifying news and initiatives through their own channels.”



Turning insight into opportunity

While still early in their programmes, the hubs are already building the foundations for joint impact.

One emerging area is nuclear-enabled hydrogen production, exploring how nuclear energy can support more efficient hydrogen generation.

Sara highlights the current gap: “While there are already system-level assessments of using nuclear power for hydrogen production, they often don’t fully reflect future technology breakthroughs. At the same time, those breakthroughs need clear direction, driven by national priorities and opportunities.”

Bridging that gap requires closer integration. Chris builds on this: “Without this integration, solutions remain simplistic, such as using nuclear electricity solely for electrolysis. A more joined-up approach, like combining electricity with waste heat from nuclear plants, could significantly improve efficiency. Realising this potential depends on close collaboration between nuclear and hydrogen experts to design more effective, interconnected systems.”



Defining success

For both hubs, success goes beyond academic outputs.

Sara outlines what she would like to see come out of an effective collaboration between the two hubs: “Success would mean a policy, regulatory, and industrial landscape that fully recognises hydrogen’s role in the energy transition, supported by high-quality research that provides a strong evidence base for decision-making.”

Chris adds a complimentary perspective: “Just as importantly, I would like to see clear alignment between national priorities and technological innovation: tangible examples where system-level needs and emerging technologies actively reinforce one another, turning opportunity into real-world progress”.



Navigating the unknowns

Hydrogen’s potential is clear, but significant uncertainties remain.

Sara points to the global context: “Regardless of geopolitics, energy security and resilience of energy systems is going to continue to be high on the agenda. We need to ensure we’re not replacing one supply chain weakness with another, and that we’re thinking about hydrogen supply chains just as carefully as we do for oil and gas today.”

At the same time, technological and system challenges must be addressed in parallel. Chris explains: “Can solutions meet the required performance, cost, and timescales? Can infrastructure roll out quickly enough to support adoption? There’s uncertainty on both sides, technological readiness and system readiness, and both have to progress together.”

He illustrates this with a practical example:
“Take hydrogen flight. There’s an enormous amount of work to be done before we see passenger aircraft powered by hydrogen. We’re looking at a 10-year horizon, and even then, questions remain around affordability and infrastructure. The challenges are evenly split between technology and system readiness.”



Investing in the next generation

Beyond research and systems, both hubs share another priority: people.

From early career researchers to established leaders, building a connected, collaborative community is essential for long-term impact.

Sara emphasises the importance of this investment: “We’re supporting the people who will deliver this transition over the next 30–40 years. It’s about helping them understand not just what they’re researching, but why it matters in the bigger picture.” 



A model for the future

UK-HyRES and HI-ACT are not just working alongside each other, they are testing a new way of doing research.

One where:

Each hub has a distinct role. But their real strength lies in the connection between them, because that interface is where meaningful progress happens.

Because in the end, the energy transition won’t be delivered by breakthroughs alone. It will be delivered by how well those breakthroughs fit into the systems that power our world.

That’s the shared space where UK-HyRES and HI-ACT operate.