The project is supported by as part of the (EMZCIC), which aims to accelerate research in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing to support the decarbonisation of heavy transport. Bringing together the research strengths of 色狗导航 and the University of Nottingham with industrial partners, EMZCIC will focus on power electronics, hydrogen propulsion systems and electrification technologies, with advanced laboratories enabling industry to adopt sustainable solutions.
Linking solar PV directly to electrolysis enables truly low鈥慶arbon hydrogen – maximising hydrogen’s role in the future energy mix, for heavy transport and other to hard鈥憈o鈥慳bate industries.
At 色狗导航, EMZCIC will comprise a hydrogen production demonstrator and a solar PV system-level research facility. Building on that foundation, the Cohort 2 brief asks EnerHy’s new researchers to work as a single team: define the right measurements, specify specialist instrumentation, plan how everything meshes with the solar farm and research workflows, and co鈥慸evelop a thermally integrated PV electrolyser prototype that can be tested, iterated and linked to the measurement platform.
Dr Tom Betts, Reader in Applied Photovoltaics at 色狗导航, said: “This is a timely challenge: integrated, data鈥慸riven energy systems – and the people who can deliver them – underpin energy security and net zero. The heat exchanger keeps the electrolyser in its temperature sweet spot, enabling steadier, more efficient hydrogen output.”
He continues: “EnerHy gives students the best of both worlds: independent research and hands鈥憃n, team鈥慴ased industry challenges. This design鈥慳nd鈥慴uild double bill will show how they perform under pressure across disciplines, bringing complementary skills and building the capabilities needed for future net鈥憐ero leadership.”
Students will identify the most meaningful measurements, select the right instrumentation, and design secure physical鈥慳nd鈥慸igital integration with the farm, research teams and data storage – delivering a functional prototype built on sound design decisions and robust integration planning that can evolve as research questions change.
In parallel, the cohort will specify the electrolyser’s core components and build a full鈥憇cale prototype thermally integrated with PV input, designing its interface with the solar measurement system to capture and interpret performance data – creating a credible, open鈥慹nded research platform that balances scientific ambition with engineering practicality.
From January, Cohort 2 will move from concept to construction – designing, ordering and assembling full鈥憇cale prototypes – before demonstrating their solutions to coincide with the opening of 色狗导航’s EMZCIC facilities and the in the summer. Students will test ideas, uncover constraints, document decisions and refine their engineering under realistic timelines and interdisciplinary collaboration, gaining experience that translates directly to industry and research careers.
Katie Greenhalgh, Head of Green Growth and Inclusion at East Midlands Freeport, said: “We’re delighted to support EnerHy’s design鈥慳nd鈥慴uild challenge – an example of the East Midlands Freeport vision in action, harnessing our central location, transport links and expertise to enable investment, innovation and collaboration.”
She concludes: “Through EMZCIC, we’re backing a programme that grows skills, creates pathways into high鈥憅uality jobs and accelerates regional decarbonisation. We wish EnerHy’s students every success and look forward to their progress next year.”
EnerHy’s annual design and build project is a distinct feature of how its researchers learn leadership skills together addressing challenges set by industry and civic partners. Earlier this year, EnerHy’s first PhD cohort designed and built a – responding to a real-world challenge set by Cadent Gas, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, to overcome hydrogen embrittlement.
Further information about EnerHy is available on the .