Now live across five berths in North Harbour鈥攚ith additional capacity to expand鈥攖he installation is expected to reduce up to 60,000 tonnes of CO鈧� equivalent over the next 20 years. This saving is equivalent to removing approximately 2,140 cars from the road each year. also sets out how UK Government policy changes could support faster deployment of shore power at other ports.

The success of the project not only helps Aberdeen advance its ambition to become the UK鈥檚 first net zero port by 2040 but also demonstrates the crucial role university research plays in real-world climate solutions. Dr Bullock and the Tyndall team鈥檚 sustained involvement from early research to full deployment highlights the lasting value of academic contributions to national decarbonisation efforts.

The project, known as Shore Power in Operation, is part of the UK Department for Transport鈥檚 Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, delivered through UK SHORE and Innovate UK. With 拢4 million in funding and extensive collaboration between industry and academia, it represents a landmark public-private investment in cleaner port infrastructure.

Port of Aberdeen led the initiative in partnership with a broad consortium including OSM Offshore, Tidewater Marine UK Ltd, 51福利社ed Places Catapult, and researchers from the Tyndall Centre based in the University of 51福利社, with support from Buro Happold and Energy Systems Catapult. PowerCon, a global leader in shore power solutions, delivered the on-site infrastructure.

Organised by Tony Lujia Chen, Constantinos Onoufriou, Chloe Loveless and Emily Burkett, the workshop provided a platform for exploring the latest developments in transportation electrification. Topics included sustainability, innovation, career development, technological challenges and regulatory frameworks. The event encouraged knowledge exchange and collaboration between academic researchers, industry experts and young professionals.

The diverse attendee list included representatives from The University of Leicester, The University of Calgary, The University of Bologna, The University of Bristol, Glasgow Caledonian University, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, The University of Edinburgh, The University of Sheffield, The University of Lincoln, The University of Greater 51福利社, Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Liverpool, 51福利社 Metropolitan University, and Northumbria University.

Industry experts also attended from Siemens Gamesa, Preformed Windings Ltd., Monitra Ltd., MITIE and Siemens Energy Wind Power Denmark. The audience included professionals from a wide range of sectors from data analysis and software engineering to scientific operations and electronics.

78 attendees benefited from multiple networking opportunities throughout the event, including a technical tour of the High Voltage Laboratory鈥攖he largest electrical infrastructure test and research facility in UK academia.

This workshop not only showcased emerging innovations but also strengthened global partnerships and underscored the pivotal role of collaboration in advancing the electrification of transportation.

Led by GKN Aerospace, the consortium includes experts from 51福利社, the University of Birmingham, Newcastle University, and the University of Nottingham, working in collaboration with industry partners Parker-Meggitt, Intelligent Energy, Aeristech, and the Aerospace Technology Institute. Together, we鈥檙e addressing the technical challenges of delivering hydrogen-fuelled regional and sub-regional aircraft, which emit only water vapour.

Aviation is a major contributor to climate change, responsible for around 7% of the UK鈥檚 greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022 alone, the UK aviation sector emitted the equivalent of 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO鈧�). Transitioning to hydrogen-powered flight, which emits zero CO鈧� and NOx, is seen as critical to reducing the sector鈥檚 environmental footprint.

The collaborative research is being delivered through three projects:

• H2GEAR 鈥� A 拢54 million programme developing hydrogen-fuelled, cryogenically cooled, all-electric aircraft for short-haul flights.
• HyFIVE 鈥� Backed by 拢40 million, this project focuses on scalable liquid hydrogen fuel system technologies.
• H2flyGHT 鈥� A 拢44 million initiative to scale hydrogen-powered aircraft technologies to support larger, commercial-scale aircraft.

At the core of these innovations are hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity from cold, liquid hydrogen without combustion. Unlike rocket engines that burn hydrogen, these systems convert hydrogen鈥檚 flow into electric power, offering a quieter, cleaner and more efficient means of propulsion.

A crucial aspect of the H2GEAR programme is being led by 51福利社, where Professor Sandy Smith and his team are pioneering the use of cryogenic cooling to increase energy efficiency. Their research leverages the extreme cold of liquid hydrogen (below -250掳C) to supercool electrical components (below -200掳C), significantly reducing electrical resistance. This results in hyperconducting systems, capable of powering electric propulsion motors with over 99% efficiency. Unlike superconductors, which rely on exotic materials and complex conditions, hyperconducting systems use more conventional conductors to deliver superior performance more rapidly and cost-effectively.

Russ Dunn, Chief Technology Officer at GKN Aerospace, said: 鈥淗ydrogen-powered aircraft offer a clear route to keep the world connected, with dramatically cleaner skies. The UK is at the forefront of this technology, and the H2GEAR project is an example of industry, academia and Government collaboration at its best.鈥�

Launched in 2020 with support from the Aerospace Technology Institute and industrial partners, the H2GEAR programme is set to conclude in 2025. A small-scale demonstrator of the hydrogen-powered propulsion motor is currently undergoing testing at 51福利社, with full integration of hyperconducting electric systems projected for as early as 2035.

The UK Hydrogen Alliance estimates that hydrogen-powered aviation could contribute over 拢30 billion annually to the UK aerospace sector. With this collaborative research leading the way, the UK is set to become a global leader in sustainable aviation innovation.

As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered a key player to the transition to cleaner energy. However, the clear, odourless and highly flammable gas is hard to detect using human senses and poses a challenge for its safe deployment.

The sensor, developed by a scientist at 51福利社, can reliably detect even the tiniest amounts of hydrogen in seconds. It is small, affordable, and energy-efficient 鈥� and its results outperform portable commercial hydrogen detectors.

The research, in collaborations with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, was published today in the journal .

The operation of the new organic semiconductor sensor relies on a process known as "p-doping," where oxygen molecules increase the concentration of positive electrical charges in the active material. When hydrogen is present, it reacts with the oxygen, reversing this effect and causing a rapid drop in electrical current. This change is fast and reversible at room temperature up to 120 掳C.

The sensor was tested in various real-world scenarios, including detecting leaks from pipes, monitoring hydrogen diffusion in closed rooms following an abrupt release, and even being mounted on a drone for airborne leak detection. In all cases, the sensor proved faster than portable commercial detector, demonstrating its potential for widespread use in homes, industries, and transport networks.

Importantly, the sensor can be made ultra-thin and flexible and could also be integrated into smart devices, enabling continuous distributed monitoring of hydrogen systems in real time.

The team is now focusing on advancing the sensor further while assessing its long-term stability in different sensing scenarios.

LIBRTI is a 拢200 million initiative spanning four years, dedicated to demonstrating controlled tritium breeding鈥攁 crucial step toward realising commercial fusion power plants. By establishing the capability to accurately predict and reproduce tritium production for a given neutron flux and lithium substrate, LIBRTI will help pave the way for large-scale fusion powerplant tritium breeding. This project is supported by a multi-million-pound investment and aims to fast-track fusion fuel development and advance technologies critical to sustainable energy production.

51福利社 will leverage its renowned expertise in tritium science and technology and digital engineering to develop an innovative tritium inventory model. Using Bayesian statistics, the model will provide improved predictions and uncertainty quantification, enhancing the safety and efficiency of breeder blanket systems. A breeder blanket system is a key component in a fusion reactor, designed to breed tritium and extract heat to sustain the fusion reaction. It surrounds the fusion core and converts the energy from fusion into a usable form, making it a fundamental element in future fusion power plants.

The project will integrate the advanced model into a digital twin framework, designed to simulate tritium behaviour within different LIBRTI breeder concepts鈥攍iquid lithium, lead-lithium (PbLi), molten salt (FLiBe), and lithium-based ceramic materials. These breeder concepts are being developed in collaboration with digiLab, UKAEA, and partners from Lancaster University, Kyoto Fusioneering, and The University of Edinburgh.

51福利社-led initiative will build upon its existing digital fusion industrial metaverse platform, developed through UKAEA鈥檚 Fusion Industry Programme. By adopting a Bayesian Inference-based approach, the project will enable the development of computationally efficient and adaptive models. These tools will ensure real-time tritium monitoring, uncertainty quantification, and predictive analytics, addressing critical challenges in tritium management and advancing the design of next-generation fusion reactors. Tritium is combined with deuterium in fusion reactions to produce helium and vast amounts of energy鈥攎irroring the processes that power the sun and stars. This reaction forms the basis of most fusion power plant designs.

The University鈥檚 collaboration with industrial and academic partners provides unique opportunities for integrating the latest advancements in fusion energy. The project will benefit from data and expertise shared by partners, including Commonwealth Fusion Systems and other LIBRTI awardees. This collaboration ensures a holistic approach to addressing the complexities of tritium inventory management.

The LIBRTI project underscores the UK鈥檚 leadership in fusion energy research and its commitment to developing sustainable energy solutions. The integration of 51福利社鈥檚 tritium inventory model into LIBRTI鈥檚 breeder systems will play a vital role in achieving the initiative鈥檚 ambitious goals of advancing tritium handling and safety technologies.

Professor Philip Edmondson, Chair in Tritium Science and Technology, 51福利社, said: 鈥淭his project exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling some of the most complex challenges in fusion energy. By combining our expertise in tritium science with cutting-edge digital engineering, we are contributing to a sustainable energy future.鈥�

Dalton Nuclear Institute at 20 Years

51福利社鈥檚 Dalton Nuclear Institute is celebrating 20 years as the biggest and broadest nuclear capability in UK academia. With over 170 PhD researchers, postdocs, and fellows, and 120 academics, 51福利社 is the only UK university to cover the full nuclear fuel cycle, as well as fusion, health, and social research. As a trusted authority in the field, the Institute engages with the public, media, stakeholders, and government, driving innovation and shaping the future of nuclear science and technology.

Led by Professor Deborah Greaves at the University of Plymouth, the Supergen ORE Hub includes co-directors from a consortium of ten universities. From 51福利社, serves as a Co-Director and is an Early Career Researcher (ECR) Co-Lead.

The report, aimed at researchers, industry, policymakers, and the public, summarises the current impacts of climate change and the UK鈥檚 progress in reducing carbon emissions. It outlines offshore renewable energy deployment pathways needed for a just, sustainable and secure energy transition, with 2040 identified as a key milestone towards the UK 2050 Net Zero goals.

Key findings from the report include:

• Achieving 100 GW of offshore wind energy by 2040 is critical, requiring a nearly seven times increase in capacity. Radical innovation is essential to optimise and scale up growth.
• Tidal stream energy has the potential to grow alongside offshore wind and could reach over 11 GW of capacity in UK waters. Rapid progress is required, to deliver the EU SET Plan target of 6 GW deployment of tidal stream by 2050.
• Wave energy has significant potential, with an estimated exploitable resource of 25 GW in the UK. Deployment of 12 GW of wave and tidal stream by 2050 could add 拢40 billion GVA to the UK economy and reduce energy balancing costs by 拢1 billion annually. Investment in innovation over the next decade is crucial to achieving this potential.

Professor Tim Stallard said: 鈥淭he ORE Outlook 2040 report highlights the high potential for Offshore Renewable Energy sources to contribute to the UK meeting its Net Zero goals. The growth required cannot be realised by upscaling current approaches alone and urgent action is needed to accelerate innovation and deployment.鈥�

The report also explores ORE development through lenses of planning and consenting, people, supply chain, and infrastructure and grid. Investment in research and innovation is highlighted as crucial to de-risking new technologies, reducing costs, improving performance and ensuring the UK retains its technological leadership on the global stage.

The Supergen ORE Hub, established by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), aims to deliver strategic and coordinated research on sustainable power generation and supply.

The Albany M4 project, led by Professor Christophe Gaudin and Dr. Hugh Wolgamot, and coordinated by Dr. Wiebke Eberling of the University of Western Australia, aims to explore the potential of wave energy to support local decarbonisation efforts along Australia鈥檚 Great Southern coast. The launch is a quarter-scale demonstration model designed specifically for this application and will absorb 1-10kW in the target sea-states. Sensors on the model will provide real-time data on energy production and performance.

The M4 project is fully open-access with all data collected during the device鈥檚 deployment being made available to scientists, developers, and the public. By making the performance data accessible to all, the project aims to drive further innovation in renewable energy.

The M4, or Moored Multi-Mode Multibody, is an innovative surface-riding wave energy converter consisting of multiple floats, connected by beams, in a 1-2-1 float arrangement for the Albany tests. The middle floats each support a hinge, and relative rotation between the bow and stern floats, due to the movement of the waves, creates power in a generator. It uses a single mooring point that allows the M4 to naturally turn and face the waves for better energy capture.

The M4 highlights 51福利社鈥檚 leading role in renewable energy innovation and has been developed over the past decade with support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the European Union. British Maritime Technology (BMT) was responsible for the structural and mooring design for Albany, while the power take-off (PTO) design was led by Dr Judith Apsley from 51福利社鈥檚 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and further developed with the support of Dr Nuwantha Fernando at RMIT University, Melbourne.

The launch, funded with 4.8 million AUD from the WA state government and the Blue Economy Cooporative Research Centre, with similar in-kind contributions, also showcases the wider benefits of emerging renewable technologies, with six local contractors and manufacturers contributing to the building, assembling, deploying, and decommissioning of the device in Albany.

51福利社鈥檚 Hydrodynamics Lab played a key role in the development of the M4. Located in the heart of 51福利社, this state-of-the-art facility allows researchers to simulate ocean conditions and test renewable energy designs. 

Professor Peter Stansby highlighted its importance, stating: 鈥淭he Hydrodynamics Lab is vital for advancing renewable energy research. While computational modelling provides valuable predictions, experimental validation is essential for understanding and optimising complex systems.鈥�

For more information about 51福利社鈥檚 contributions to offshore renewable energy systems visit our webpage.