EVENTS

 

Explore how GW-SHIFT can support the development of your hydrogen-focused products, services, or civic initiatives

About the session

Join us for this one-hour online presentation to learn how GW-SHIFT can support the development of your hydrogen-focused products, services, or civic initiatives through funding opportunities.

You’ll hear real-world examples of support already provided to businesses and learn how we can help develop your capabilities in hydrogen and its adjacent technologies, with a focus on organisations that can make a regional impact in the South West and South Wales.

Agenda 

• 12:00 – 12:10 – Introduction to GW-SHIFT
• 12:10 – 12:30 – Presentations from supported researchers and businesses: One from a SPRINT project, one from a SECONDMENT and one on a Collaborative Research and Development support.
• 12:30 – 13:00 – Panel Q&A: Opportunities and how they could benefit you

Meet the speakers

Paul Perera, Hyflux

I have been in business for 35 years, in that time I covered roles as diverse as Programme Manager, Strategy and Planning Director, General Manager, Strategy & Future Programmes Director, VP for Technology and Innovation, Operations Director across Military Technology, and Aerospace industries as well as founder of 3 start-ups, and Non-Executive Director of the Enginuity Charity. In 2021, I received a Distinction in a Global MBA whilst setting up 3 companies, including myMaskFit, which is building on innovation from within universities to benefit the NHS, making medical devices and building on the success of the Ventilator Challenge scale-up.

In 2021, I also founded Hyflux and built, as a spin-out from universities, an aviation motor company, which leverages Hydrogen to provide “Guilt Free” and True Zero emissions aviation – award-winning Net Zero Impact 2023 following the TechX Accelerator and World Economic Forum sustainable aviation innovator.

At work, I lead in a supportive manner, bringing innovation and the ability to take concepts to deliver business growth. As a leader, I am told I have a coaching, calm and adaptive style of leadership. As a follower, I find my opportunities for teams to work together and build connections outside to complement their capabilities to deliver dynamic outcomes. These include qualities that have helped companies to increase their global technology portfolio and investment from governments (£180M) and delivered double-digit growth strategies in the development of two FTSE 100 companies

HyFlux is on a mission to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy for zero-emissions mobility.
We do this by accelerating the disruptive use of Cryogenic Motors and Drives to deliver unprecedented propulsion performance (reducing weight and improving efficiency) to drive sustainable aviation.

 

Agustin Valera Medina, Director, Net Zero Innovation Institute, Cardiff University

Professor Agustin Valera-Medina has participated as PI/Co-I on 33 industrial projects with multi-nationals including PEMEX, Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Ricardo, Airbus and EON (>£35M). He has published 230 papers (h-index 44), 95 of which are specifically concerning ammonia power. He is Co-Director of the Institute of Net Zero Innovation, and Director of the Centre of Excellence on Ammonia Technologies (CEAT), Cardiff University, and is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (2024).

 

Stephen Carr, Lecturer in Energy Physics, University of South Wales

I graduated from the University of Oxford with an MPhys degree in physics in 2004 and started my PhD on integrating renewable technologies on electricity networks at the University of Glamorgan in 2005. After obtaining my PhD, I began working on the CymruH2Wales project at the University of South Wales, working on modelling, control and optimisation of hydrogen energy storage components.

 

 

Karen Brooks, Deputy Director, GW-SHIFT, University of Bath

Karen is leading an initiative in South West England and South Wales to create a Supercluster of Hydrogen Impact for Future Technologies (GW-SHIFT), which connects academic, civic and industry to maximise the enormous potential of the region’s hydrogen ecosystem. The aim is to generate economic growth in the green hydrogen sector to make the region a world leader in this alternative fuel.

Prior to taking up this role, Karen founded the SETsquared Partnership and spent over twenty years supporting entrepreneurs, researchers and students to accelerate their ideas into flourishing businesses through support services and training programmes in a range of technology sectors. During this time, she supported over 5,000 companies to raise over £5bn in investment and provided £15.7bn of economic impact to the UK economy through her work at SETsquared.

Karen now supports a number of organisations within the innovation and higher education space to provide access to commercialisation, entrepreneurial training, marketing, investment and ecosystem development in a consultancy capacity, along with her role at GW-SHIFT.

Who should attend?

This session is ideal for large enterprises, SMEs, start-ups, scale-ups and civic organisations looking to develop green hydrogen technologies or policies for decarbonisation.

Relevant sectors include manufacturing, marine, land transport, aerospace, and energy infrastructure — all key areas as we work toward decarbonisation goals for 2050.

Register now to secure your place