Paris witnessed a remarkable event on 30 January 2024, where UK and French hydrogen research hubs came together to exchange best practices in research security.
Organized by the Science and Innovation Network France (SIN France), this brokerage event aimed to strengthen collaborative efforts in the rapidly evolving field of hydrogen research.
Setting the Stage: A Bilateral Energy Partnership
In a landmark summit held in Paris on 10 March 2023, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Emmanuel Macron agreed on a bilateral energy partnership focusing on transitioning to a net-zero energy system.
One of the significant aspects of this partnership was the emphasis on hydrogen research, prompting SIN France to bring together the UK’s national hydrogen research hubs, UK HyRES and UK HiACT, with their French counterparts.
Bridging the Channel: The Event’s Inception
Reaching out to the French national hydrogen research network (FRH2), which boasts an extensive ecosystem of over 300 researchers and 30 laboratories, SIN France identified a unique opportunity to foster collaboration.
Despite FRH2’s regular workshops with international researchers, they had not yet engaged with British networks. This event aimed to bridge that gap.
Highlights of the Event
- Dates: 30 January 2024
- Location: Paris, France
- Participants: 6 hydrogen researchers from the UK, French national hydrogen research network (FRH2)
After several preliminary online meetings to understand each other’s needs and interests, a group of six hydrogen researchers from the UK national hubs crossed the channel to embark on a three-day programme of discovery in France.
The visit included attending the French hydrogen tradeshow Hyvolution and visiting CNRS hydrogen hubs in the Greater Paris region, such as ICMPE in Thiais and the Institut d’Energie Soutenable (Sustainable Energy Institute), as well as the Ecole CentraleSupélec at Saclay University.
Bilateral Workshop: Exchange of Ideas
The highlight of the visit was a bilateral workshop held at the British Embassy in Paris.
French and UK researchers, joined by representatives from the French research ministry, CNRS, UK Research & Innovation, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, presented the UK and French hydrogen landscapes.
They shared ideas for collaboration around materials, usage, and production, marking the beginning of a strong bilateral relationship in hydrogen research.
Main Topics Discussed
- Materials: Advanced materials for hydrogen production and storage
- Usage: Innovative applications of hydrogen in various sectors
- Production: Efficient and sustainable hydrogen production methods
Impact and Future Collaboration
The event yielded immediate outcomes, with participants making invaluable contacts. A notable result was the incorporation of a robust hydrogen strand at the first Franco-British Science, Innovation, and Tech dialogue held in London in February 2024.
Plans are already underway for a follow-up UK-France hydrogen workshop in the UK.
Looking ahead, researchers intend to establish a UK-France Hydrogen Research Working Group. This group will explore collaboration around sharing research facilities, data networks, researcher exchanges, internships, and visits, as well as joint research funding.
The collaboration will also tap into new opportunities via Horizon Europe, ensuring sustained and impactful cooperation.
Previous Success Stories: A Proven Track Record
This event is a continuation of a long history of successful UK-France research collaborations. Notable examples include:
- Lancaster House Treaties: Established the Teutates project, a shared facility for testing the safety and reliability of nuclear warhead designs, leading to significant cost savings and strengthened mutual dependence on critical national security aspects.
- Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF): Achieved full operational capability, enhancing operational cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces through regular joint exercises and personnel exchanges.
- AI Safety Collaboration: The UK’s AI Safety Institute and France’s National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (Inria) have partnered to support the safe and responsible development of AI technology.
- Horizon Europe Programme: Under this programme, UK and French researchers have collaborated on various projects, including those aimed at developing potential HIV-AIDS vaccines.
These examples underscore the depth and effectiveness of UK-France collaborations in research security and related fields.
Economic and Strategic Advantages
Collaboration in hydrogen research not only enhances scientific knowledge but also offers significant economic and strategic benefits.
France currently has an advantage in hydrogen production costs due to its access to low-cost nuclear electricity.
According to the ClimateXChange report, hydrogen production is cheapest in France, given its access to low-cost nuclear electricity. In contrast, the UK, particularly Scotland, faces higher production costs due to its reliance on offshore wind power.
Hydrogen Production Costs
| Country | Production Method | Cost Range (€ per kg) |
|---|---|---|
| France | Nuclear electricity | 3 – 4 |
| UK (Scotland) | Offshore wind power | 5 – 7 |
Transportation Costs and Infrastructure
Transportation costs for hydrogen vary depending on distance, volume, and technology. For shorter distances within Europe, pipeline transport is generally the most cost-effective, especially when using repurposed infrastructure.
For longer distances, converting hydrogen to ammonia and shipping via ammonia vessels is most effective.
European Hydrogen Collaboration
Several European countries, including the UK and France, are actively developing hydrogen strategies and collaborations. France’s expertise across the hydrogen value chain creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and cooperation with UK counterparts.
France could become a key hub for European green energy supply and distribution.
The Takeaway
The UK-France hydrogen research collaboration event organized by SIN France marks a significant step forward in research security and scientific cooperation.
Expert minds joined forces, building a strong foundation for hydrogen research cooperation.
With immediate outcomes and long-term plans for collaboration, the future looks promising for UK-France hydrogen research initiatives.
Sources: THX News & British Embassy Paris.
