Challenges and Choices for the Hydrogen Economy

Synopsis

The Challenges and Choices for the Hydrogen Economy which is part of the REHIP project (www.rehip.co.uk) taking place on Wednesday 18^th March 2026 starting at 9am to 5pm, at Teesside University Curve Building.

Led by Teesside and Durham Universities in partnership with Energy Voice and E-FWD, this year’s event will focus on the wider national perspective on hydrogen as a key energy solution.

The event will open with an update on the project’s activities and achievements, some information about our partners E-FWD and Energy Voice along with the main highlights from last year’s conference. Guest speakers will be able to share their insights into the hydrogen market, setting the scene for some panel discussions when the audience will have the opportunity to participate.

There will be networking opportunities and industrial research poster presentations during break and lunchtime sessions.

The topics to be covered will be around the following themes:

1. Just Transition & Skills
2. Hydrogen for Transportation and Policy
3. Hydrogen Distribution & Storage
4. Hydrogen Production & Supply Chain

People with industrial experience will share their experiences in the above themes through panel discussions and presentations.

We are pleased to announce Megan Hine from Dräger will be providing a keynote address to the conference in the morning:  

Megan Hine has worked at Dräger for 8 years specialising in the energy industry for gas and flame detection systems. After three years as Clean Energy Business Development Manager, she has transitioned to UK Product Marketing Manager for fixed gas and flame detection systems which gives a unique insight in to safety challenges across a vast range of industries. As a former TEDx motivational speaker she has spoken regularly at conferences and events including giving an annual guest lecture at University of Aberdeen on the subjects of “Gas safety for the energy transition” as part of the Renewable Energy Engineering MSc since 2021.

We are pleased to announce Emma Guthrie - CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) will be providing a keynote address in the afternoon to the conference

Dr. Emma Guthrie is the CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA). Having been established for 20 years, the HEA champions the UK hydrogen sector, driving clean growth, energy resilience, and net zero. A distinguished leader, Dr. Guthrie has extensive experience in hydrogen technologies and infrastructure.

Panel Discussion Facilitators for the conference:

Jessica Mills Davies (Chair of Skills & H2 Transportation and Policy Panels)

Jessica Mills Davies is a journalist and published author specialising in Westminster politics, finance, and the energy transition. With two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, she has covered the full breadth of the energy sector alongside private and public markets, cleantech, legal affairs, and investigative projects.

Floyd March (Chair of H2 Distribution & Storage and H2 Production & Supply Chain)

North of England Energy Correspondent, Energy Voice. Floyd focuses on regions central to the UK’s industrial strategy: Teesside, Humber, the North West, and North Wales. His specialisms include hydrogen, nuclear, and CCS, with a keen focus on how these sectors shape the transition. He publishes breaking news complemented by long-form analysis of energy developments across the North.

Confirmed Panellist Members include:

James Jenkins - Business Director Onshore Energy DNV

James Jenkins is Business Director - Onshore Energy specialising in low carbon hydrogen, CCS and gas network energy systems, leading DNV’s commercial and strategic engagement across the UK & Ireland.

Emma Guthrie - CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA)

Boris Davis - Lhyfe

Boris Davis is Head of Business Development at Lhyfe, a global pioneer in green hydrogen production. He is driving the company’s expansion into the UK market, focusing on large-scale renewable hydrogen projects

Paul Rowe - Wessington Cryogenics

Paul Rowe is the Technical Director of Wessington Cryogenics. Starting his career in cryogenics in 1985, developing technical expertise across the full lifecycle of vacuum insulated cryogenic vessels and associated equipment. Over the decades, he has contributed extensively to the engineering, design, and delivery of advanced cryogenic equipment used in scientific, industrial, and energy sectors. He is a member of the British Compressed Gases Association’s Technical Safety Committee overseeing cryogenic tanks.

David Jones - CMI

David is the Policy and Innovation Manager at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), leading on sustainability, the green transition and how CMI can support managers with the skills they need for the journey to net zero. He works closely with customers and industry experts and played a key role in the successful development of CMI's sustainability leadership qualifications, which equip managers at all levels with the critical skills needed to address sustainability challenges in the workplace.

Eric Adams - Carlton Power

Eric leads the strategic development of the Carlton Power hydrogen development platform, overseeing three schemes that have secured contracts under HAR1. He plays a pivotal role in fostering relationships with stakeholders to pinpoint early opportunities for deploying green hydrogen schemes for industry in the UK, aimed at delivering early hydrogen solutions in key areas. Eric also spearheads efforts to engage delivery partners across the entire hydrogen production chain.

Alexis Birchall - Northern Gas Networks

Alexis is the Hydrogen Blending Manager at NGN and part of the East Coast Hydrogen project which is an energy transition initiative to convert existing assets and introduce new infrastructure to the existing gas network for hydrogen delivery across the region

Gianluca Galeazzi - ERM

Gianluca is a consultant working at ERM , the largest pureplay sustainability consultancy globally. Over the past 3.5 years he has worked in the hydrogen and fuel cells team, focusing on projects across the hydrogen value chain. These span early innovation projects to large scale implementation across geographies and technologies. He has particular expertise around storage and distribution technologies, including hydrogen carriers. Gianluca is a mechanical engineer with a Masters in energy technologies from the University of Cambridge.

Sheena Bryson - Pinsent Mason

Sheena Bryson is a Senior Associate at Pinsent Masons LLP with over 16 years’ experience advising on complex energy and infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on hydrogen and CCUS. Pinsent Masons LLP is an international law firm named Energy Team of the Year 2025 at the British Legal Awards, as a result of its leading role in supporting the UK’s hydrogen rollout, including advising on seven of the eleven HAR1 projects - six of which have already reached contract with government support.

Mark Eldridge - Element Materials Technology

Dr Mark Eldridge is Director of Hydrogen and Technology Partnerships for Element Materials Technology, a TIC global network of 280 laboratories, supporting customers from early R&D, regulatory approvals to production. www.element.com. This portfolio covers gaseous and liquid hydrogen testing, across a broad portfolio from modelling and simulation, engineering propulsion and fuel systems to fracture mechanics and materials science.

Gary Riches - Hartlepool College

Patrice Burnside - Head of Delivery for Policy and Education, Energy Voice and E-FWD who are partnering with the REHIP Project will provide a short overview presentation of the organisation.

Patrice connects leaders across business and academia to explore solutions for a clean and secure energy future. She also spearheads the Energy Voice Policymakers Access Programme, engaging elected leaders on sector challenges and opportunities.

Backcasting Workshop Opportunity to participate:

Join us for a workshop in the afternoon bringing together our latest analysis on the opportunities and barriers to transitioning to low‑carbon fuels for commercial fleets in our region.
We will share insights from our stakeholder workshops, techno‑economic analysis, and the choice survey, and begin shaping the next steps for Tees Valley’s low‑carbon fuel transition.

With this in mind, we would like to invite you to our Backcasting Workshop, where we will work together to co‑develop a forward‑looking roadmap for low‑carbon fuels in the Tees Valley.

During this interactive session, we will:

• Develop a shared vision for a future low‑carbon fuel system aligned with regional priorities and business needs.
• Work backwards from that future, identifying the key milestones, enabling conditions, and decisions required to get there.
• Discuss collaboration opportunities and highlight areas where further evidence or action is needed.

This will be an interactive conference with the opportunity to engage with the speakers and panellists.

The event promises to be an interesting insight into the national approach to hydrogen.

If you have any questions, please do reach out to Simon Bradshaw (REHIP Project Manager) s.p.bradshaw@tees.ac.uk

The Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project gratefully acknowledges the funding and support provided by Research England. This investment is instrumental in advancing hydrogen industrial research and driving innovation to support the UK’s transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Event Partners

Teesside University

E-FWD

E-FWD & Energy Voice Privacy Policy

Durham University

Revised Agenda

Venue

The venue is just a 15-minute walk from Middlesbrough Railway station.

Please use the link below for further directions of how to find us.

https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/about/visiting/travel.cfm

There are public carparks available and the information is provided below to Middlesbrough Council’s website including a map of their location:

https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/parking-and-permits/car-parks-and-charges-in-middlesbrough/

Refreshments

Food and refreshments are provided throughout the conference and if you have any specific allergies then please make sure we are aware at least 3 days before the event.

Any Questions

Simon Bradshaw, Teesside University
E-mail: s.p.bradshaw@tees.ac.uk

Acknowledgements

Research England Hydrogen Innovation Project (REHIP): Our mission is to lead a green industrial revolution in the North of England, bringing tangible benefits to local authorities, businesses, and communities. Our research focuses on Heat, Transport, Smart Energy Systems/Power, and the Just Transition. 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.