UK-France Hydrogen Energy Research Collaboration for Enhancing Research & Innovation

Funder

Universities UK International – UUKi

Project Team

Coventry University: Dr. Sumit Roy (Lead) / Dr Oliver Curnick
CEA – French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission

Value

£10,000

Duration

5th Jan 2025 to 16th March 2025

Project overview

This project aims to build a collaborative partnership between Coventry University and Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), focusing on hydrogen energy research to address challenges in achieving decarbonisation and sustainable energy systems.

Hydrogen energy is a critical area for both institutions, with Coventry University contributing advanced experimental and modelling capabilities and CEA offering expertise in innovative hydrogen production, storage, and application technologies. By addressing challenges such as scalability, integration with renewable energy sources, and lifecycle emissions, the collaboration aims to lay the groundwork for transformative advancements in hydrogen energy systems.

The project will involve a series of targeted activities to develop a Horizon Europe proposal, including feasibility studies on hydrogen production technologies, workshops to align expertise and define research priorities, and resource for bid preparation. Specifically, funding will be allocated to support travel for in-person meetings and workshops in both the UK and France to foster collaboration and align strategic goals, while remaining funding will be used for bid writing support, ensuring a high-quality and competitive application.
This initiative seeks to strengthen the strategic partnership between the UK and France, supporting long-term research and innovation priorities aligned with Horizon Europe’s goals. The expected outcomes include a robust research framework, enhanced institutional capacities, and a jointly prepared proposal ready for submission to Horizon Europe.

These outputs will not only position the institutions competitively for future funding opportunities but also contribute to the broader decarbonisation and net-zero ambitions of both nations.

Project objectives

Develop a collaborative research framework between Coventry University and CEA for hydrogen energy advancements.
Form a strong consortium for Horizon Europe funding call.
Engage with industry partners (FEV France, Symbio) to align academic research with market needs.
Host feasibility studies and workshops to refine research priorities.
Support bid-writing efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the Horizon Europe proposal.

Impact Statement:

The project has significantly contributed to strengthening the UK-France hydrogen research ecosystem, enabling:

A new strategic research collaboration between Coventry University and CEA.
Industry engagement with key players, expanding the impact beyond academia.
Knowledge exchange through targeted workshops, ensuring research alignment with Horizon Europe priorities.
Development of a high-quality Horizon Europe proposal, which, if funded, will drive further advancements in clean hydrogen technologies and decarbonisation efforts.
Strengthening institutional research capacity at Coventry University by expanding its European research partnerships.

From a societal perspective, this initiative supports Europe’s decarbonisation goals by accelerating advancements in green hydrogen technologies. It also contributes to policy discussions on hydrogen energy adoption and its role in achieving net-zero emissions

Outputs

Formation of a Horizon Europe research consortium.
Participation in Hyvolution Paris 2025, facilitating new research-industry partnerships.
Online workshops to refine research priorities and align project goals.
Development of a competitive Horizon Europe proposal, with support from bid-writing services.