The cutting-edge technologies which will play a critical role in decarbonising the Humber industrial cluster have been spotlighted at Associated British Ports’s Innovation Day.
The event, held at the Aura Innovation Centre in Hessle, East Yorkshire, shone a light on technologies including hydrogen, energy storage, carbon capture and electrification.
Hosted by ABP, in conjunction with venture capital firm Plug and Play, the event brought together the pioneers driving the energy transition, including some of the UK’s most promising startups.
Humber Freeport CEO Simon Green joined a panel of speakers to explore how the region can create the ecosystem to enable innovation at scale and transition to a net zero economy.
Joining Mr Green on the panel were Richard Gwilliam, UK BECCS Programme Director at Drax Group and Chair of Humber Energy Board, and Duncan Hammond, Humber Decarbonisation Projects Manager at Phillips 66.
Mr Green said: “When looking at the best models to support startups and incubators, you can’t look past the triple helix approach – that is industry, government and academia working collaboratively together.
“Humber Freeport is keen to be seen as a gateway for companies looking to access knowledge transfer, grants and funding streams. We also have the sites across the Humber which provide a range of incentives for investors.
“We need to make sure the energy transition provides opportunities for innovation, product development and new technologies. That is the holy grail we seek.”
Humber Freeport CEO Simon Green joined a panel at ABP’s Humber Innovation Day.
The event heard from a range of startups which could shape the energy transition not just in the Humber, but across the UK and beyond.
Those startups included C-capture, which has designed and built a pilot carbon capture plant at Drax power station with a target to catch 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every day.
Also taking to the stage was Seabound, which has developed an innovative carbon capture system which can be installed onto ships to significantly reduce their carbon emissions.
The audience also heard from Hull-based HiiROC, which has developed a new process for producing affordable, clean hydrogen.
Richard Gwilliam chairs the Humber Energy Board, which brings together key partners from across the Humber to deliver a thriving, decarbonised industrial cluster.
He said: “We must make use of the skills and the expertise we already have here in the Humber, and grow the region’s presence on a global stage.
The event shone a light on technologies including hydrogen, energy storage, carbon capture and electrification.
“It is about capturing, at the heart, what the Humber can do to transform its economy moving forwards. The energy transition is first and foremost a decarbonisation opportunity, but there must also be opportunities for businesses to evolve and grow.
“The energy transition is so significant, and if we get it right, it can create tens of thousands of jobs right here in the Humber.”
The panel was hosted by Ralph Windeatt, ABP’s Group Head of Business Development.
ABP sits on the Humber Energy Board, and alongside its strapline to “Keep Britain Trading,” also has a mission to “Enable the Energy Transition.”
As the UK’s largest ports group, ABP also sits on Humber Freeport’s board, as it plays a significant role in shaping the future economic success of the region.
The Freeport’s Innovation workstream is helping to shape innovation policy and break down the local and national barriers facing businesses looking to access funding streams and routes to market.
- Find out more about the Freeport’s Innovation strand at humberfreeport.org/who-are-we/innovation/.
