Delivering Net Zero for British Ceramics

Otto Simon • September 14, 2023

Otto Simon was delighted to attend the ‘Delivering Net Zero for British Ceramics’ 2023 Conference organised by the British Ceramic Confederation.


The conference was held at Staffordshire University on 13th September 2023. Delegates from across the ceramics, energy, and engineering industries come together to discuss the decarbonisation of the UK ceramics industry, along with associated policy changes and research which are key to the delivery of low-carbon technologies of the future.


Speakers included an update on the future of energy networks for Net Zero from the Energy Networks Association; a video message from Lord Callanan, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, on business transition planning; information about engaging the UK ceramics industry with BAT for industrial emissions from the Environment Agency; and discussions about ‘safer innovation’ and their research into hydrogen from the Health and Safety Executive.


The British Ceramics Confederation also gave an update on the status of their research into using hydrogen for the ceramics sector and We Are Liminal, gave an interesting talk about how to ‘reframe uncertainty as opportunity’.


Otto Simon is currently carrying out hydrogen fuel switching projects for a range of industries, including ceramics, and it was very interesting to discuss the role hydrogen will play in the future of the ceramics industry with a wide selection of the attendees and presenters.


https://www.ceramfed.co.uk/key-topics/industry-decarbonisation-conference/

Back to Blog

Recent Blog Posts

By Clees April 28, 2025
The air in the office is buzzing with more than just morning coffee today – it's electric with the excitement of new beginnings! We're thrilled to officially announce that the refurbishment of our newly consolidated United House office building has kicked off! This marks a significant milestone for us as we bring together our team under one roof. By sharing one building we can reduce overheads, invest in new facilities and maintain our valued location right here in Cheadle, Manchester. This amalgamation isn't just about combining physical spaces; it's about weaving together our collective talents, fostering closer team working, and building an even more vibrant and unified company culture.  So, let the transformation begin! We're incredibly excited about this new chapter and look forward to sharing the journey with all of you. Stay tuned for more updates as our new, united office takes shape!
By Clees April 17, 2025
Presenting at Energy Storage & Hydrogen Solutions Last month, our Head of Consultancy, Clare Dunkerley, was invited to speak at an event in Cyprus, hosted by Ideopsis and the British High Commission Nicosia. The Energy Storage & Solutions Conference brought together leading experts, policymakers, and industry players, with the aim of to fostering dialogue, sharing expertise, and catalysing action towards a more sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon future. The conference attracted some esteemed speakers, including introductory addresses from the Deputy High Commissioner, Adam Sandbrook and the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou. The programme was split into 2 sessions with the first highlighting the future of energy storage, moderated by Dr Alexandros Charalambides from the Cyprus University of Technology. Staveros Stavrinos, the Executive Director of the Transmission System Operator Cyprus, explained the issues the Cyprus Energy Transmission System faced, concentrating on curtailment of renewable solar power. Michael Toumbas, of EV power Ltd, shared innovative thinking around an AI enabled electric vehicle local grid power sharing mechanism. There were also great presentations from smart grid expert Dr Andreas Procopiou and the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority. The second session concentrated on hydrogen solutions. Dr Andreas Poullikkas delivered on future energy systems while Charles Purkiss updated us on the latest developments at ITM Power. Jeremy Bowman, from Hypermotive Ltd, discussed hydrogen technology for transport and Philippa Oldham shared some work from the Advanced Propulsion Centre. An interesting Q&A session was chaired by Dr Nestor Fylaktos of the Cyprus Institute. Clare presented ‘A Safe Hydrogen Future’, addressing the importance of public perception and the imperative for no major incidents. Clare shared her experience from working on hydrogen projects and provided an insight in how to use the current UK regulatory framework in conjunction with industry codes and standards to demonstrate that risks in hydrogen projects were acceptable to all concerned.  It was a fascinating conference providing a fantastic insight to the current and future energy situation in Cyprus, with plenty of time for networking and discussing hydrogen solutions and projects with all the attendees. Our thanks go to Ideopsis and the British High Commission in Nicosia for the invitation and opportunity to participate in the discussions.
By Clees April 15, 2025
Taking Safety Seriously at Otto Simon We’re proud to celebrate the achievement of our Head of Construction and Commissioning, Hugh Doble, who has recently earned his NEBOSH Certificate in Health and Safety Management for Construction. Hugh has been instrumental in the successful delivery of multiple EPC and EPCm contracts across various sectors nationwide. Our continued commitment to excellence and safety underscores the core values we uphold at Otto Simon — ensuring the wellbeing of our people and partners on every project. Congratulations Hugh! To learn more about how Otto Simon can support your Construction and Commissioning needs, get in touch with us at eng@ottosimon.co.uk .
Show More