Working Group Summary
Our working groups see experts collaborating in an exciting forum, to deliver the knowledge needed to drive our policy shaping activities.
As the custodians of our policy development work, they bring together diverse industry perspectives to build consensus and drive our engagement with Government.
HEA members have the chance to participate in and contribute to these specialist groups, which cover everything from hydrogen for transport, through hydrogen storage to green and blue hydrogen production and planning for hydrogen projects.
They are a great way to network, and meet other members with shared interests.
Comms WG
Chair: Rebecca Zeitlin, Protium
The group’s objective is to maximise the HEA’s impact and reach, as the UK’s leading national hydrogen trade group, including by capturing the expertise and insights of the HEA’s technical working groups and refining the Association’s strategic messaging. The scope of work also feeds into the execution of media and public affairs. The group’s first priority areas are the promotion of Industrial and Transport use opportunities for hydrogen and myth-bust acceptance barriers in these areas, including TBC from survey. The group aims to meet approximately quarterly on a project-by-project basis.
Green Hydrogen Working Group
Chair: Matt Kelly, Statkraft
This group works to ensure all aspects of green hydrogen are accounted for in the UK’s strategy for decarbonisation. It develops responses to Government consultations and provides recommendations regarding green hydrogen production and related supply chains. It also lobbies Government for legislative and policy changes that aid the development of green/electrolytic hydrogen, and works with groups such as BHA, REA and RenewableUK.
Blue Hydrogen Working Group
Chair: Robert Jolly, Johnson Matthey
This group has developed a high-level position on how and where blue hydrogen technologies can contribute to the UK’s move to Net Zero, and coordinates specific policy requests for carbon capture and hydrogen production methods that derive hydrogen from carbon-based fuels. The group works with organisations like the ENA, HyNet and H100 to ensure messaging alignment when engaging with Government.
Nuclear Enabled Hydrogen Working Group
Chair: Allan Simpson, Equilibrion
This group identifies how nuclear hydrogen can support wider policy objectives and has developed a high-level position on how and where nuclear hydrogen can contribute to the UK’s move to Net Zero. It puts forward specific policy recommendations, setting out how these will accelerate deployment in the UK, and what needs to be done to enable this to happen at scale. Members work with other relevant groups to ensure messaging alignment when engaging with Government.
Planning for Hydrogen Projects Working Group
Chair: Patrick Robinson, Burges Salmon
This group shares know-how on successfully obtaining permission for new development involving hydrogen, where permission needs to be obtained from the local planning authority or Secretary of State under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or the Planning Act 2008 or their equivalents in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. The emphasis is on practical support in the planning process.
Hydrogen Transport and Storage Working Group
Chair: Alastair Rennie, Kiwa; Daniel Arnold, BP
This group is developing a high-level position on how hydrogen transport and storage in the UK should develop to support the wider role of hydrogen for Net Zero. This includes specific policy requests for hydrogen transport and distribution, with a clear explanation for how these will accelerate deployment in the UK. The group aims to produce a timeline for the roll-out of storage and distribution to align with overall Net Zero ambitions, the role for hydrogen in energy security and wider developments.
Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Working Group
Chair: Jacob Martin, Ingersoll Rand
This group is developing a position on standardisation across hydrogen refuelling in the UK. This will build on and reflect existing provisions and international developments and will include recommendations for future provision. It is also developing a position on supply chain gaps and opportunities across hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. Group members share knowledge and experience of the practical implementation of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for mutual benefit.
Hydrogen Powered Transport Working Group
Chair: Amanda Lyne, ULEMCo
The group’s initial aim is to develop a position on how demand for hydrogen in transport will evolve in the next five to 10 years. It is developing a high-level position on how hydrogen fuelled transport will develop in the UK across the range of modes, including specific policy recommendations, with a clear explanation for how these will accelerate deployment. It is also producing a timeline for growth to reflect hydrogen fuelled transport’s role in delivering Net Zero and as an off-taker for hydrogen supply development to 2030 and beyond.
Hydrogen Combustion Working Group
Chair: Amanda Lyne, ULEMCo
This group has published a high-level position on the role hydrogen combustion has in decarbonising UK transport and heat, and the growth opportunities offered by the industry. It develops responses to government consultations relating to hydrogen combustion, putting forward policy recommendations for early decarbonisation wins through the implementation of hydrogen combustion technology.
Fuel Cells Working Group
Chair: Jon Caine, AVL; Chris Evans, Ceres
This group has published a position paper on the significant role for fuel cells in decarbonising the UK, and the growth opportunities offered by the industry. It develops responses to government consultations on fuel cell related issues, and a key area of focus lies in driving growth in the uptake of fuel cells.