Joe Howe, Net Zero Humber Professor, University of Lincoln opened the meeting, to an audience of 75 delegates, both in person and online. Joe welcomed sponsors Amentum and thanked them for their support and discussed their journey from Jacobs and their exciting future.

Kelly Aldis, UKRI and Alyssa Fournier, Guidehouse discussed Enabling Net Zero: Progress on deploying CCS to decarbonise UK industrial clusters. Kelly discussed the Industrial decarbonisation challenge that was launched in 2019. The IDC provided £210M in funding via three streams, Deployment projects, Cluster plans and IDRIC. The three IDC projects in the Humber region include – HumberZero, ZeroCarbon Humber and Northern Endurance Partnership. Next, Kelly and Alyssa, they discussed the 9 IDC deployment projects contributions to UK goals. Alyssa walked the group through the challenges including technical, regulatory, permitting, procurement and execution and discussed he four main recommendations to overcome these challenges. The report can be downloaded here – www.ukri.org/publications/enabling-net-zero-progress-on-decarbonising-uk-industrial-clusters/

Next James Todd, Arup, discussed Hydrogen Storage for Net Zero: Unveiling the Underground Potential. James discussed Hydrogens role in long duration energy storage and the challenge, including that storage isn’t quick, easy or cheap. Three areas of store they are looking at include salt caverns, depleted fields, and lined rock. James highlighted that storage is critical to the 2035 energy system. James discussed the IDRIC funded research, including the targets, technologies and the actions and recommendations. With a key message of “get on with it”! https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5804/ldselect/ldsctech/68/68.pdf

After a quick coffee beak, sponsors Paul Hennessey, Amentum discussed the strategic case for Nuclear Derived Hydrogen in meeting the UK’s net zero commitments. Firstly, Paul discussed the launch of their new brand and their core markets including energy transition, cyber-security and infrastructure. Paul then discussed the energy trilemma – energy security, energy sustainability and energy affordability. Nuclear offers a strong alternative to grid, a non-intermittent, secure energy supply, proven low-cost power and net zero technology solution. Paul discussed the current energy mix and additional demand modelling – highlighting the possible capacity gap is 190 GW in grid demand, including electrification and hydrogen. Also stating that 20-35% of the UK’s Energy consumption by 2050 could be hydrogen-based. Policy is now starting to support the alternative to grid for nuclear, with hydrogen entering policy language and head and hydrogen used as official cases in Nuclear road map. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/biggest-expansion-of-nuclear-power-for-70-years-to-create-jobs-reduce-bills-and-strengthen-britains-energy-security

Next, Paul discussed hydrogen production methods, the different types of hydrogen and the role of nuclear heat to produce hydrogen at scale. Along with the different types of reactors approaching commercialisation. Paul also discussed the benefits of nuclear, including increased load factor / capacity (77%) and the efficiency of a nuclear plant used for heat / steam generation – 80%. Therefore, producing a low levelized cost hydrogen of $1.5-3 per/kg. Next, Paul gave the group an update on the world’s first nuclear / hydrogen trial at Heysham Lancaster to prove the cost modelling. Discussed the potential size of the UK Market across the clusters and highlighted that there was a significant Hydrogen demand and therefore a significant energy demand. Paul closed his presentation by discussing the current market and latest project and development news and provided some statistics on what impacts a nuclear derived hydrogen project could deliver, such as 11k jobs, £11bn investment, 33% of regions hydrogen demand!

Our last speaker, Colin Matthews, Causeway discussed the Hidden Clean Energy Giant in Lincolnshire – Potential for Geothermal Energy. Colin gave background on the Causeway Energy company before discussing the energy flow and where energy is lost and can be conserved. Colin then talked about geothermal opportunities in the UK, and the fact that the east coast cluster sits in a key geothermal area. Next Colin highlighted that the key for geothermal is the ability to deliver decarbonisation at a factory level directly underneath the ground and with the flexibility to deliver specifically what an individual factory may need. Colin expanded on the different depths of drilling and the heat available, and the infrastructure required for domestic to commercial to industry, including the cost savings. Colin then discussed the barriers to geothermal deployment including, the business case, technology, capital costs and scalability.

Joe closed the meeting, thanking Amentum for their sponsorship and inviting in-person delegates to stay for lunch!