EVENTS

 

The Green at the end of the Hydrogen rainbow

Green hydrogen is emerging as a cornerstone of the global transition to clean energy. Unlike grey or blue hydrogen, which are derived from fossil fuels, green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources, making it a truly sustainable and zero-carbon solution. With the UK’s geography and resources, it represents an area of unique economic opportunity whilst combating climate change.

About the session

Join us for this webinar, guided by lead academic Dr James Courtney, lecturer in Hydrogen within Chemical Engineering at Swansea University and theme Lead for hydrogen production for the GW-Shift programme. It will explore hydrogen production, delving into the different types, unearthing the opportunities and explaining the challenges of producing it.

Green hydrogen has the potential to play a vital role in decarbonising entire sectors of the economy and mitigating significant environmental risks faced by the planet. UK government has set substantial green hydrogen ambitions, aiming for 10 gigawatts of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030.

In this engaging presentation and discussion, James will explore how we can harness this potential and highlight innovative research and technology in this area.

Whether you’re an industry professional, looking at green policies in a civic organisation, a charity focused on clean energy, a student, or are simply passionate about sustainability, this talk will offer valuable insights into one of the most promising solutions to the climate crisis.

Join the session on 28 February 2025

Speaker:

Dr James Courtney, Senior Lecturer, University of Swansea

James’ aim is to enable the Hydrogen Economy and to use the opportunity to achieve a just-transition to net-zero, maintaining an increasing standard of living. Through his work at Swansea, he partners with industry to reduce the barriers to the market, implement innovation and deliver change. His research focus is on the application and recovery of critical materials across the hydrogen value chain, developing future methods for the regeneration of the environment, recycling critical materials and manufacturing electrochemical components.

James has been creating Hydrogen and electrochemical devices for twenty years in academia, industry and with his own ventures. He initially graduated in Chemistry from the University of Bath, before obtaining a master’s in research with the department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham and then obtaining his PhD there with the centre for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research. During these studies James worked with his passion for electrochemistry, electrochemical engineering and Hydrogen, particularly focussing on the issues with platinum group metals within the Hydrogen value chain.

James then took a post-doctoral appointment at the University of East Anglia with the Wildgoose group to develop Frustrated Lewis Pair electrochemical devices. He then decided to follow his own venture, establishing the Three-Oranges Design collective aiming to 3d print surfboards from marine plastic waste, subsequently joining PV3 technologies (now James Cropper advanced materials) delivering innovative electrochemical materials and devices as innovation project manager. He returned to academia at the University of Birmingham, working with the Rees group to develop nano-impact electrochemical techniques before being appointed to his current role as Lecturer in Hydrogen at Swansea University within the Chemical Engineering Department.