News
The Joint Early Career Researcher (ECR) Workshop on Energy Networks Decarbonisation and Hydrogen Integration took place on 17th December 2024 at the University of Birmingham, bringing together researchers from HI-ACT and Supergen Energy Networks Impact Hub. This workshop provided an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers to collaborate, exchange ideas, and explore key challenges in the integration of hydrogen within energy networks to support the net-zero transition.
The event began with a welcome and introduction from Professor Aoife Foley, who stepped in for Professor Sara Walker, the Lead Principal Investigator of HI-ACT. The workshop was made possible through the efforts of several key organisers, including Dr Dlzar Al Kez, Sian Allister, Sophia Forster, Dr Gaurav Sen, Dan Massey, and Dr Shuai Yao, all of whom played essential roles in facilitating the day’s discussions. The session attracted a diverse group of participants, as reflected in the event photograph, which captures the wide-ranging expertise and backgrounds of attendees.
The workshop was structured to provide a combination of presentations, research pitches, and interactive group discussions. Following the opening remarks, the morning session featured keynote presentations that examined the regulatory, economic, and technical aspects of integrating hydrogen into energy networks. These talks set the stage for deeper discussions on the barriers and opportunities associated with hydrogen deployment. A quick-fire research pitch session then allowed early-career researchers to present their work, outline their key strengths, and highlight areas for potential collaboration.
During the afternoon session, a facilitated group discussion encouraged participants to engage with six key research themes, identified through a review of recent publications and proposals from both HI-ACT and Supergen. These themes covered modelling, decision-making, risk and resilience, markets and regulation, policy and societal perspectives, and data and AI-based applications. Using a Mentimeter live polling session, attendees selected the topics that resonated most with their research interests before breaking into groups to explore these challenges in greater depth. Each group then worked together to identify key research gaps and propose possible solutions to advance knowledge in hydrogen integration and energy networks. The discussions were highly collaborative, drawing on expertise from multiple disciplines and perspectives.
One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the complex challenges of hydrogen adoption. Many of the research gaps identified by participants related to the need for more integrated approaches that combine technical, economic, and policy insights. The discussions also highlighted the role of data analytics, AI-driven solutions, and enhanced modelling techniques in supporting more effective decision-making in hydrogen infrastructure planning. Another recurring theme was the need for stronger engagement with stakeholders, policymakers, and industry partners to ensure that research aligns with real-world challenges and opportunities.
The event concluded with group presentations summarising the key findings from each discussion, followed by reflections on the next steps for collaboration and research development. The day’s discussions reinforced the strong momentum within the hydrogen research community and underscored the importance of continuing to provide platforms for early-career researchers to connect and develop their work.
Looking ahead, this workshop marked the beginning of a broader programme of ECR engagement activities within HI-ACT. Plans are now in place for the next ECR event, scheduled for late February 2025, which will be held online via Teams. This upcoming session will focus on research networking and collaboration, providing another opportunity for early-career researchers to engage with peers and align their work with HI-ACT’s long-term goals. Future events will also include training workshops, career development sessions, and interdisciplinary research showcases, designed to equip ECRs with the skills and connections needed to make meaningful contributions to the hydrogen and energy networks research landscape.
The Joint ECR Workshop in December 2024 was an important step in building a more connected and collaborative research community focused on hydrogen integration. The success of the event demonstrated the enthusiasm and commitment of early-career researchers to tackling the challenges of decarbonisation. As plans for future events continue to develop, the focus remains on strengthening research collaborations and ensuring that the work being done contributes to real-world energy transitions.