Hydrogen Event

Otto Simon Ltd • June 11, 2019

Otto Simon attended the North West Hydrogen Event on 5th June which focused on ‘Delivering the Hydrogen Economy’.

A number of pioneering hydrogen projects were showcased at ‘Delivering the Hydrogen Economy’ event, held at Heath Park, Runcorn on 5th June, each of which position the North West at the forefront of this technology.

Cadent presented the findings from their new ‘HyMotion Report’ which confirms plans to introduce hydrogen into the North West England’s gas network for both domestic heat, and also to support the growth of hydrogen as a low-carbon transport fuel. Cadent’s Chief Safety and Strategy Officer, Ed Syson, explained that with Cadent delivering the bulk volume of hydrogen needed in the North West via a pipeline network, “Hydrogen can complement electricity and advanced biofuels as an attracted option for future fuel.”

Liverpool City Region’s Metro Mayor, Steve Rotherham, welcomed the reports’ findings, as a “valuable piece of evidence in our journey towards a hydrogen economy. It shows us how we can use network-delivered hydrogen across the North West to make fuel cells technology a viable option for HGVs, trains, buses and cars, alongside other proposed technologies.” He also highlighted that, “if we are to meet our commitment to be a zero carbon city region by 2040, urgent action is needed to move to alternative fuel sources. Hydrogen will play a key role in that process, and we, with our neighbours, are well-placed to lead the way in this emerging technology.”

The event showcased on-going projects which use Hydrogen as a transport fuel; displaying various hydrogen vehicles, including the: Liverpool City Region Hydrogen Bus; Toyota Mirai; Hyundai Nexo; Renault Kangoo Van; and AA hydrogen refuelling van. A model of the Alstom ‘Breeze’ hydrogen train which is due to be converted in Widnes and used across the UK was also displayed.

With more than 200 delegates from across the industrial, academic and government sectors, the event was a fantastic showcase of the North West’s technical capability and desire to deliver the UK’s first hydrogen economy.

Otto Simon is working with Cadent and the HyDeploy consortium to deliver a blended supply of natural gas and hydrogen for domestic use at Keele University. We’re proud to be supporting this innovative project, and look forward to supporting future hydrogen driven projects in the North West.
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