Welcome to the Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project, a pioneering collaboration between Teesside University and Durham University, aimed at catalysing the decarbonisation and advancement of hydrogen technologies in the Tees Valley. This ambitious four-year, £11 million, initiative leverages the combined strengths of our institutions to drive innovation, research, and capacity building in the region.
In an era where energy costs and environmental concerns dominate the agenda, prioritising the transition to cleaner energy solutions is paramount. While numerous obstacles stand in the way, we are committed to confronting these challenges head-on. Central to our mission is the development of a just transition to a net-zero economy, a key pillar of our research strategy.
This joint venture between Teesside and Durham Universities will harness our research strengths and unite a cadre of research fellows from industry and policy backgrounds. Together, we'll tackle complex challenges, such as transitioning to hydrogen for high-grade heating, deploying hydrogen in flexible power systems, and adopting hydrogen for heavy-duty transportation. Importantly, we will also investigate policy, regulatory hurdles, skill gaps ensuring a just transition to net zero that benefits both communities and the environment.
With a total investment of £11 million, this project is funded through diverse channels, notably receiving £4.8 million from the Research England Development (RED) Fund, a branch of UK Research and Innovation.
Over the last two decades, we've been pioneers in the regional drive to establish a hydrogen economy. Our £16.4 million Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC) is poised to build upon this legacy, offering state-of-the-art facilities and world-class expertise. This cutting-edge hub will act as the epicentre for collaborative initiatives between the University and an expanding network of industry collaborators. In parallel, Durham University, represented by the Durham Energy Institute (DEI ), plays a pivotal role in this initiative. As a multidisciplinary energy research hub, DEI leads the way in national and global efforts concerning hydrogen, spanning its production, storage, distribution, and utilisation. With active participation in numerous government, EU, and industry-funded projects, DEI brings a wealth of expertise to the table.
REHIP is taking a proactive approach to accelerate the journey toward a hydrogen-based economy. In a remarkable stride, the project is recruiting 14 Research Fellows who will collaborate closely with businesses, delving into industrial research and innovation initiatives. These dedicated fellows will play a pivotal role in advancing projects falling within the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-7 range, with the ultimate aim of assisting businesses in overcoming technical challenges.
A distinguishing feature of this initiative is the Research Fellows' invaluable role in bridging the gap between academia and industry. These individuals will spend substantial time embedded within industrial settings, working on a spectrum of industrial research projects. This immersive experience not only fosters collaboration but also positions them as catalysts for change, driving the development of solutions poised for commercialisation.
Professor Tony Roskilly
Professor Tony Roskilly is a seasoned expert in energy systems, boasting three decades of experience in designing, controlling, and optimising energy systems. He holds the Chair of Energy Systems at Durham University and is a Director of the Durham Energy Institute. Additionally, he serves as the UK representative for the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA). As Associate Director of the National Centre for Energy Systems Integration, Professor Roskilly leads pioneering research on infrastructure and storage, cementing his role as a driving force in the energy research landscape.
Dr Andy Smallbone
Andrew, Director of the EPSRC Network+ on Decarbonisation of Heating and Cooling, brings a wealth of expertise to the Department of Engineering at Durham University. As the Co-Director of the EPSRC Network+ on Hydrogen for Transportation, he leads interdisciplinary research teams focusing on decarbonising energy, heat, transport, and industry. Renowned for his work in techno-economic evaluation and advanced numerical modelling, Andrew is at the forefront of developing engineering prototypes and hardware demonstrations, contributing significantly to innovative energy solutions.
Dr Janie Ling Chin
Dr Janie Ling Chin, an Assistant Professor and emerging researcher, leads the impactful IAA project, "Energy Recovery and Utilisation," securing substantial funding. As a Co-Investigator in diverse projects, including "Growing Teesside's Hydrogen Economy," she contributes actively to cutting-edge research, shaping a sustainable energy future.
Dr Prasanth Karikkethu Prabhakaran
Dr Prasanth Karikkethu Prabhakaran is a Technical Research Fellow working on the Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project. His research focuses on the development of sustainable materials for hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, and carbon capture applications.
Since joining the project in April 2022, Dr Prabhakaran has brought extensive academic and research experience from institutions including the University of Bristol and St Albert's College (UK), ENSTA Paris (France), Ernakulam and Mahatma Gandhi University (India), where he served in roles such as researcher and assistant professor.
His expertise lies in the synthesis, characterisation and application of porous materials – such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), activated carbons, carbon nanotubes, zeolites, mesoporous silica, and their composites – for advanced energy and environmental applications. He has authored 18 peer-reviewed publications in international journals and holds a US patent in the field.
Dr Prabhakaran is also a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London.
Dr Danial Qadir
Dr Danial Qadir is a scientist and emerging leader in membrane technology, carbon capture and hydrogen technologies, with over a decade of experience in chemical engineering and sustainable energy solutions. His work is driven by a commitment to tackling global environmental challenges through innovation.
He holds a doctoral degree in chemical engineering, specialising in membrane technology, and previously served as an assistant professor before joining Teesside University as a research associate. In this role, he contributed to projects addressing decarbonisation and hydrogen economy challenges.
Now a research fellow at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, Dr Qadir plays a central role in the Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project. His current work includes leading the development of hydrogen-ready industrial burners and advancing research that supports the transition to cleaner, low-carbon technologies.
Dr Qadir's expertise in materials science and process engineering has underpinned the development of novel technologies and sustainable products. His research not only pushes the boundaries of scientific knowledge, but also contributes meaningfully to global efforts in climate action.
Dr Sean Williams
Dr Sean Williams is responsible for the technical coordination and delivery of research and innovation activities within the Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project.
Following a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, Dr Williams transitioned to the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium, contributing to the early design and development of mission-critical engineering and IT systems. After his time with aerospace company EADS-CASA, he returned to the UK to work with the Ministry of Defence's equipment and support agency, managing the delivery of major projects for the RAF.
Dr Williams was awarded his PhD in 2021 and went on to join the EU Horizon 2020 Resilience to Emergencies through Advanced Cyber Technologies (REACT) project, while also lecturing in instrumentation and control engineering. In early 2022, he joined Cummins, where he led the development and release of medium-duty on-highway engine calibrations.
In July 2023, he joined the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre team, collaborating with ADNOC and Singapore-based partners on a Smart Cities initiative. In his current role, he leads industrial collaboration research, working closely with partners across the Tees Valley Cluster to explore the integration of zero-emission vehicles into existing transport fleets.
Professor Simone Abram
Simone Abram, Professor of Anthropology and Executive Director of the Durham Energy Institute, plays a pivotal role in integrating diverse disciplinary perspectives on energy and society. As the Durham lead for the MSc Sustainability, Energy, and Development, she also chairs the Association for Social Anthropologists in the UK. Simone's research explores the intricate intersections of energy and society, with a particular emphasis on ethical and just transitions, making her a driving force in understanding the evolving social and political dimensions of energies.
Professor Laura Marsiliani
Professor Laura Marsiliani, an environmental and energy economist at Durham University Business School, stands as a Director of the Centre for Environmental and Energy Economics (CE3). As the Faculty of Business Lead in the Centre for Sustainable Development, Law, and Policy, and a Fellow of the Durham Energy Institute, Professor Marsiliani contributes significantly to shaping sustainable economic and environmental policies through her cutting-edge research.
Professor Nashwan Dawood
Professor Nashwan Dawood, the Research Director at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, brings a rich blend of academia and industry expertise spanning 30 years. With a track record of securing substantial research and innovation funding, Professor Dawood is a trailblazer in BIM processes, 5D technologies, smart energy systems, and offsite construction innovation. His extensive global collaborations underscore his leadership in driving transformative change in research and innovation, positioning the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre at the forefront of sustainable solutions.
Dr Mahdi Amanipour
Dr Mahdi Amanipour is an assistant professor in research at Durham University, with over 12 years of combined research and industrial experience in the fields of energy and environmental engineering. He holds a PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering and specialises in carbon capture, green hydrogen production and purification technologies.
His research focuses on developing cost-effective, scalable and reliable methods for producing hydrogen as a clean energy carrier – particularly using electrolysers and advanced composite membrane modules. His work aims to accelerate the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies and support the global transition to zero-emission fuels.
Dr Amanipour is a senior researcher on the Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project, supporting the growth of Teesside's hydrogen economy and promoting the transition to net zero.
Dr Zafar Khan Ghouri
Dr Zafar Khan Ghouri is a distinguished scientist specialising in nanomaterials and advanced energy systems. As a research fellow at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, his work contributes to the development of cutting-edge solutions for sustainable energy generation and storage.
Dr Ghouri holds a PhD in BIN Fusion Engineering from Chonbuk National University (now Jeonbuk National University), South Korea. His academic career includes serving as an assistant professor at the renowned HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, and the University of Karachi. He has also held research scientist positions at Qatar University and Texas A&M University in Qatar.
His research focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of micro- and nanomaterials for use in fuel cells, supercapacitors and environmental energy systems. Key areas of expertise include hydrogen generation via seawater electrolysis, the development of urea-powered fuel cells using non-precious metal-doped carbon nanofibers, and the application of graphene-based materials in energy devices. He also investigates surface modifications of carbonaceous nanomaterials for use in dye-sensitized solar cells and other advanced energy storage technologies.
Dr Ghouri's multidisciplinary research plays a vital role in advancing low-carbon energy innovations and sustainable nanomaterial technologies.
Dr Usman Ali
Dr Usman Ali is a seasoned academic and researcher with over 15 years of experience in sustainable energy systems. As a research fellow, he leads and contributes to innovative projects focused on decarbonisation and hydrogen technologies.
Dr Ali's core research involves integrating amine-based COâ‚‚ capture technologies into commercial-scale power plants powered by coal, biomass and natural gas. He specialises in techno-economic analysis and dynamic modelling of flexible power plant operations under varying part-load conditions, including co-firing biomass with coal and evaluating the performance of advanced solvents.
His current work includes developing process models for blue, green and turquoise hydrogen pathways – assessing the market for co-products, minimising liquid hydrogen loss during transfer and evaluating material properties for hydrogen transport.
Dr Ali's research is diverse and forward-looking. It spans the application of artificial intelligence in sorption-enhanced gasification using calcium looping, membrane technologies in bioethanol distilleries, and the design of solar-powered airports. He also investigates the direct conversion of COâ‚‚ to sustainable aviation fuel, as well as waste-to-energy and waste-to-hydrogen systems.
As principal investigator, he has secured a research grant worth 56 million PKR for exploring the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in COâ‚‚ conversion. In addition to his research, Dr Ali is an active volunteer in STEM outreach and public engagement initiatives.
Simon Bradshaw
Simon Bradshaw, Project Manager for the Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project, has a successful track record managing ERDF hydrogen innovation projects. His industrial research background, including roles at ICI, Dupont, and Texon Non Woven Ltd, enhances his capability to drive ambitious research programs and collaborative initiatives. Simon's expertise lies in industrial collaborative research, making him an asset to REHIP's research endeavours.
Professor Kumar Patchigolla
Professor Kumar Patchigolla, Professor of Decarbonisation of Industrial Clusters at NZIIC, brings over 23 years of experience in chemical engineering. His multidisciplinary work spans combustion, gasification, energy storage, renewables, hydrogen generation, desalination, and sustainable lithium extraction. With a strong emphasis on carbon neutrality and sustainable fuel utilisation, Professor Patchigolla's research contributes significantly to advancing energy transition programs worldwide.
Professor Dawid Hanak
Professor Dawid Hanak, Professor in the Decarbonisation of Industry at Teesside University, specialises in sustainable engineering processes. His research focuses on carbon capture, hydrogen production, and developing high-efficiency, low-carbon power generation systems. Professor Hanak's numerous research and commercial projects showcase his commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in process engineering, earning him prestigious awards in the field.
Professor Matthew Cotton
Professor Matthew Cotton, Chair in Public Policy and Director of the Centre for Social Innovation at Teesside University, is a leading researcher in the social and ethical dimensions of energy systems. With a focus on 'just transitions,' Professor Cotton explores how the socio-economic benefits of net-zero innovation can be shared across diverse communities. His work in the Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project aligns with a broader portfolio addressing energy and climate justice.
Dr Karen Johnston
Dr Karen E. Johnston is an Associate Professor in Inorganic Chemistry at Durham University, specialising in solid-state chemistry. She earned her PhD from the University of St Andrews and has postdoctoral experience from the University of Windsor and ALISTORE-ERI. Since joining Durham in 2015, Dr Johnston has focused on synthesising novel perovskite-based materials and developing solid electrolyte materials for all-solid-state batteries, examining their structural changes and ionic conductivity. She also explores polymer-based electrolytes, comparing their performance to ceramic options, contributing to advancements in battery technology and sustainable energy solutions.
Are you ready to embark on the journey towards a sustainable hydrogen-powered future with us?
We are looking to support both SMEs and large organisations through the project who are seeking support with innovative solutions. If you're an industry player or a visionary researcher keen to join our mission, we invite you to get in touch. Let's collaborate to shape a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
