Membership boost for NW Hydrogen Alliance after successful Hydrogen Week
A clutch of new members have been announced by the North West Hydrogen Alliance (NWHA).
The University of Manchester and consulting firms Tetra Tech and Net Zero Energy Systems are the latest hydrogen producers to join the NWHA’s growing membership, which now sits at more than 40 members.
The news comes on the back of the UK’s second Hydrogen Week (Feb 26-March 3, 2024), a week-long initiative spearheaded by the NWHA which saw thousands of individuals and companies celebrate and promote the role of hydrogen in reaching net zero. It saw events taking place from the Scottish Highlands to Bristol, from conferences, school workshops and skills academies to blogs, podcasts and roadshows.
Dave Richardson, Interim Chair of the NWHA and Decarbonisation Solutions Director at Costain, said: “Once again it’s been amazing to see the UK come together to celebrate hydrogen. We’re proud to have launched the initiative last year and 2024 has been even bigger and better.
“One of the clear messages was that the UK needs to unite and collaborate if we are to really capitalise on the hydrogen opportunity. That’s one of the things that the NWHA helps to foster, and we’re really pleased to be welcoming three new members to the fold. Their breadth of experience and knowledge will really add to our already strong membership.”
The University of Manchester boasts a team of more than 70 academics dedicated to pioneering research in various hydrogen-related fields. This extensive research encompasses a broad range of topics such as hydrogen production, purification, storage, transportation and utilisation.
Dr Lin Ma, Lecturer, and Dr Vincenzo Spallina, Reader (Associate Professors) at The University of Manchester, said: “The University of Manchester is actively involved in hydrogen-related research. The research areas include various aspects of Hydrogen Production and Delivery, Hydrogen Storage and a number of cross-cutting topics including policy and social aspects.
“By joining the Alliance, academics and researchers of the University of Manchester will have a focused platform for hydrogen-related contacts, research and business opportunities. They will be able to translate their research results to the benefit of North West industries and communities.”
Tetra Tech has built a strong legacy within the region by providing innovative, technical solutions which will be at the forefront of their approach as they help clients with the transition to hydrogen.
Craig Hatch, Division President, EUD Division, Tetra Tech, said: “The Tetra Tech group of companies look forward to collaborating with our industry peers as a member of the North West Hydrogen Alliance working together to support the UK in meeting its net zero commitments. Tetra Tech has built a legacy of Leading with Science by providing innovative, technical solutions and this will be at the forefront of our approach as we help clients with their transition to hydrogen.”
Grant Spence, Managing Director at Net Zero Energy Systems, said: “With our activities supporting UK decarbonisation projects being increasingly focused on the North West of England and North Wales, it made a lot of sense to apply to join NWHA to access increased collaboration opportunities and also to help support delivery of the NWHA’s mission objectives.”
