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Teesside University is playing a major role supporting the just transition to a net zero economy and putting the Tees Valley firmly at the heart of the UK's green industrial revolution.

Key to this mission is the University's new £13.1m Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC), based at Middlesbrough Advanced Manufacturing Park, which opened for business this autumn. The Director of the NZIIC, Dr Gari Harris, said: ‘I want to see this region become the go-to destination for net zero research and development, and we are well placed to do that.

The national centre of excellence for net zero technologies has already established itself as a key facet in the region’s drive for clean energy and a circular economy, and is supporting businesses through several industry-focused research and innovation projects.

The NZIIC will support the University in achieving its commitment to become a net zero institution by 2030.

Several innovative projects are underway, including developing new processes to create recycled workwear, finding alternative uses for food waste to reduce landfill and replacing non-renewable plastics with sustainable alternatives throughout the supply chain. The NZIIC is collaborating with partners in South Africa to support hydrogen research and a transatlantic centre of excellence for decarbonisation with the University of Illinois in the United States. The Director of the NZIIC, Dr Gari Harris, said: ‘I want to see this region become the go-to destination for net zero research and development, and we are well placed to do that.

The NZIIC is playing an integral part in a ground-breaking research project to accelerate decarbonisation and the use of hydrogen through supporting industrial research and development and capacity building in the Tees Valley. In collaboration with Durham University, the £11m project will see academics and industrial partners work together to identify challenges within the hydrogen economy and develop innovative solutions to overcome them.

Leading by example, the NZIIC has already set the standard for carbon reduction with the build itself hitting its net zero target through innovative measures including a zero-waste initiative, living roof and the use of recyclable materials throughout. As a result, the centre has received the BREAAM Outstanding Award for building techniques that reduce the impact on the environment during construction and operation.

Examples of challenges include fuel switching to hydrogen for high-grade heating, the use of hydrogen in flexible and resilient power systems, and hydrogen fuelled heavy-duty transportation. With the Tees Valley responsible for almost 50% of the UK's production of hydrogen, innovation in this sector is predicted to be a huge driver of economic growth in the region.

‘The East Coast cluster is developing first-in-pipe technology around carbon capture and storage and green/blue hydrogen production, and we have the largest hydrogen storage capabilities in the country.

'As well as the moral imperative to cut carbon, there's a real economic advantage with some major opportunities to be had.' The NZIIC development received £5.2m from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and the European Regional Development Fund. It is one of the projects in the University's ongoing campus masterplan, which has seen £280m invested to date.

Professor Michael Short was listed as one of the most influential people in the UK working within the net zero agenda. He was named on the inaugural Net Zero 50 List 2022, which brings together the 50 most inspiring individuals, initiatives, products and services which are driving forward decarbonisation. Professor Short was named within the Net Zero Hero category for his work with the University's Centre for Sustainable Engineering, which focuses on the design, development, and enhancement of engineering systems, processes, and products that are efficient and sustainable without compromising the natural environment.

He was named on the inaugural Net Zero 50 L 2022, which brings together the 50 most inspiring individuals, initiatives, products and services which are driving forward decarbonisation.

Professor Short was named within the Net Zero Hero category for his work with the University's Centre for Sustainable Engineering, which focuses on the design, development, and enhancement of engineering systems, processes, and products that are efficient and sustainable without compromising the natural environment.

Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), said: ‘This ambitious project aligns perfectly with our research strategy by helping to deliver a smooth transition to decarbonisation, ensuring that all members of our society are able to benefit from the move to net zero.’ The project is funded with £4.8m from the Research England Development (RED) Fund, part of UK Research and Innovation, as well as funding from Teesside University, Durham University and industrial partners.