Future Fuels

In October 2020, Derby set out its aim to become the UK’s centre of excellence for future fuel technologies, using the city’s advanced manufacturing expertise to revolutionise the way low-carbon energy is used to power businesses, transport and homes. The ambitious goal will support the city’s recovering economy and create a step-change in successfully achieving net carbon zero. 

In a bid to realise its goal, Derby City Council commissioned Arup - a global, employee-owned, built environment consultancy - to study the potential of hydrogen as an energy source for the region, and to set out a roadmap of how that could become a reality.

The study looks at five main areas: 

1. production, distribution and storage
2. heating
3. transport
4. industry
5. jobs, skills and research.

It provides evidence that Derby and the wider D2N2 region is particularly well placed as a national front-runner for establishing a hydrogen economy, and clearly demonstrates the city’s incredible assets that, if brought together, make hydrogen not only a practical low carbon energy source but also a driver for new jobs and skills for Derby and beyond. 

It recommends the establishment of a taskforce to create pace and greater co-ordination, as well as a strong single voice to investors and Government. This will anchor the city’s regional reputation as an exciting and progressive place, where rich and diverse organisations bring their passion together to establish hydrogen. 

In response, the Council and Arup are working with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to establish a taskforce with people who can support – and we need you.

Those interested in being part of the taskforce, and with an interest in bringing hydrogen to the region are being asked to read the report give feedback, and answer some simple questions:

• are you currently using or planning to use hydrogen to power/decarbonise over the next five years?
• what are you planning to do? 
• how could a co-ordinated approach in the region help your plans?
• how would your organisation contribute to a regional taskforce?

Responses to the questions, and general feedback can be sent to future.fuels@derby.gov.uk

This feedback will be added to enrich the report and help to create a pipeline of on-going schemes and projects that will show the city’s seriousness in delivering the roadmap. The final report and taskforce will be launched at a mass event in early autumn before COP26 in November.