UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024 – Welcome & Opening Keynote (ECR Meeting Fund)

Abubakr Ayub Sheikh (Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, Teesside University) shares their takeaways from the “Welcome and Opening Keynote” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

The UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference on November 5th and 6^th in Sheffield was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful I had the chance to attend. The event was packed with insightful discussions, and it provided an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers.

The morning began with a series of inspiring keynote speeches. Jon Gibbins, from UKCCSRC and the University of Sheffield, kicked off the event by giving an overview of the history of the UKCCSRC community and its impact on the CCUS sector. He highlighted how the community has been pivotal in driving collaboration between academia, industry and government to accelerate the development of carbon capture technologies. It was inspiring to hear how the network has influenced real-world solutions and shaped policy on a national scale.

Dr. Lizzy Cross, from the University of Sheffield, followed with an exciting presentation on the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), a hub for groundbreaking clean energy research. Lizzy explained how the EIC is playing a crucial role in advancing CCUS, renewable energy and hydrogen technologies. She also introduced two state-of-the-art research facilities: the Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC), which focuses on practical solutions for current energy challenges, and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC), the UK’s first research and testing centre dedicated to sustainable aviation fuels. It was fascinating to see how these cutting-edge facilities are helping to bring research into the real world, accelerating the journey toward a net-zero future.

The keynote came from Charlotte Powell, Head of Bioenergy and Carbon Removals at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Charlotte shared some exciting news—the UK government’s £21.7 billion investment into carbon capture projects. This funding, which will be available over the next 25 years, is set to support the development of two key CCUS clusters: HyNet in the Northwest and the East Coast Cluster in the Northeast. These clusters aim to capture millions of tonnes of CO₂ each year and create thousands of jobs in the process. Charlotte also introduced the UK government’s “CCUS Vision,” a roadmap that sets out plans to make the CCUS sector self-sustaining by 2035. It was clear from her talk that the UK is making significant strides toward a low-carbon future, with ambitious goals and real investments to back them up.

After the keynotes, we had a coffee break, which was a great opportunity to meet others and discuss ideas. I took full advantage of this time to connect with people working in similar areas and share some of the research I’m involved in, particularly around carbon capture technologies. It was refreshing and enlightening to hear different perspectives and get feedback from experts who are pushing the boundaries in this field. The conversations were not just inspiring but also gave me a lot to think about as I continue my own research.