The North East and Yorkshire is home to a number of world-leading universities and research centres, many of whom have research specialisms in innovative technologies and studies on clean energy and heat, including a number of centres of excellence:
The Hub has also undertaken a mapping exercise with the aim of better understanding the Net Zero research of universities in our region. This has enabled us to disseminate knowledge that can inspire and inform the development of energy projects around our region and beyond.
Summaries of the net zero work of universities the Hub has engaged with are captured below.
If you would like to arrange a meeting with the Hub to capture new projects that you are working on, please contact enquiries@www.neynetzerohub.com.
The University of Hull is working on a range on Net Zero research projects through their Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies and Energy & Environment Institute. Some projects they are involved in include SuDs research, co-producing a Hull specific ‘Climate Dialogue map, cooling data centres, hydrogen production and storage and energy from waste.
The University also leads the Aura Innovation Centre, a consortium helping SME’s drive for low carbon innovation, and are involved in the Place Based Accelerator Programme, a collaboration of 6 North East Universities providing funding for net zero projects.
Leeds Beckett Universities Sustainability Institute are working on a £3million Demonstration of Energy Efficiency Potential (DEEP), delivering 41 fabric retrofits and conducting before & after modelling. The key research themes are sustainable behaviour, sustainable urban environments, and sustainable buildings. The University are also involved in a number of Community Energy projects
Newcastle University are involved in the Northern Net Zero Accelerator, a £5 million initiative focused on low-carbon energy generation, storage, and distribution. The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise is working on a range of community energy projects, Agri-Tech projects and delivering climeathons. The university is also involved in a range of geothermal projects, including investigating closed-loop systems and collaborating with the RAF to utilise seismic imaging to assess potential.
Durham University leads the £21.3m UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub, aiming to reduce emissions in the maritime sector through sustainable fuels and port infrastructure improvements. The National Geothermal Centre has been established to develop geothermal energy from mine water projects.
Northumbria University have recently launched ReNU+, a £11.5 million Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy and are a key partner in the Northern Net Zero Accelerator, alongside other North East universities. The University is also working on a renewable energy toolkit for rural communities.
The University of Sheffield’s Energy Institute leads projects focusing on carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, energy systems integration, and hydrogen infrastructure. The institute for Sustainable Food is working on green ways to grow food. The University is also involved Zero Carbon Humber project, aiming to create a carbon-neutral industrial cluster in the Humber region and exploring geothermal energy through deep underground drilling.
Teesside University is working to enhance carbon capture techniques and integrate them into industrial processes and exploring hydrogen production. The Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre is driving innovation in low-carbon technologies and solutions across industries. The university is also part of the Northern Net Zero Accelerator collaboration.
The University of York is building an innovation cluster for the bioeconomy in York & North Yorkshire through BioYorkshire. They are also exploring the potential of hydrogen as a clean fuel through the H2Boost project led by the Bio Renewables Development Centre.
