Overview

Ireland is undergoing significant change in its energy landscape. Hydrogen has been touted as a key element of Ireland's future energy mix, but it's generation, storage, distribution and end-use is subject to many technical and economic challenges. A diverse panel of industry and academic specialists in the field of hydrogen will discuss recent developments in hydrogen integration and energy strategy, as well as novel technologies and technical/safety challenges. The event is an ideal forum to network in the space of hydrogen energy.

Key note talks:

• Hydrogen costs, challenges and implications – A Northern Ireland analysis, David Rooney (QUB)
• Hydrogen production from biomass photocatalytic/photoelectrochemical degradation, Peter Robertson (QUB)
• Novel flow electrolyser development and scale-up challenges for hydrogen technology, Michael Brandon (DCU)
• Mutual Energy: Hydrogen Blending in Ireland's Gas Grid.
• Mannok: Learnings from Mannok's Energy Valley Initiative.
• Followed by panel discussion and audience Q&A.

This hybrid in-person/webinar event is particularly geared towards engineers, researchers, project managers and EHS specialists, who are interested in Ireland's clean-energy transition.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please confirm attendance by 7 October 2025.

Speakers

Prof David Rooney, Dean for Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast

Prof David Rooney is the dean for within the faculty of engineering and physical sciences at Queen’s University Belfast. He is a professor of chemical engineering at Queen’s and academic director of the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy. His research focuses on energy generation, materials and system integration with a particular focus on zero carbon technologies.

He has a H-Index of 57, over 10,000 citations and a grant portfolio of over £10m. He works with a wide range of industries and government bodies to advance decarbonisation through specific projects as well as supporting collaboration and cooperation through industrial clusters. He is a consultant assessor for an international energy company and has been appointed by the Northern Ireland Economy Minister as a critical friend to the Department for the Economy on the decarbonisation pillar of the economic mission. He has developed a range of educational courses in hydrogen energy systems and net zero engineering and has a significant background in international partnerships where he previously led the University’s transnational education programme as vice-dean for the China Queen’s College in Shenyang, China.

Prof Peter Robertson, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Queen's University Belfast

Peter is associate pro-vice chancellor for equality diversity and inclusion at Queen’s University Belfast. As associate pro-vice-chancellor equality, diversity and inclusion, Peter provides strategic, transformational leadership across the university, driving the implementation of EDI action plans and supporting the delivery of the university's strategy 2030, supporting all protected characteristics within QUB’s diverse staff and student community.

In addition to his APVC role Peter is also professor of energy and environmental engineering in the school of chemistry and chemical engineering at QUB. His particular expertise is in the area of photocatalytic technology for both energy and water sustainability. This work has encompassed basic research on photocatalysis through to pilot processes development for water treatment and for solar energy conversion and storage.

Prior to joining QUB in 2015, Peter spent nearly 20 years at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen initially as a lecturer then as chair of energy and environmental engineering and ultimately as vice-principal and pro vice-chancellor (research and academic support services). Peter is a member of the UKRI building a green futures advisory board and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) SUPERGEN high level group. He was a member of as well as EPSRC’s Strategic Advisory Network between 2021 and 2023 and the scientific advisory committee on energy between 2018 and 2022. Peter was also a member of sub Panel 8, chemistry for REF2021 and will also serve as a panel member for the chemistry panel in REF2029.

Dr Michael Brandon, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher, Dublin City University

Michael is a senior postdoctoral researcher in the school of chemical sciences at Dublin City University, specialising in materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. His experience in hydrogen research stretches back to his PhD studies, which focused on catalyst materials for alkaline electrolysers. Since then, he has worked on European and nationally funded research projects related to renewable energy technologies, including electrolysers, fuel cells and automotive rechargeable batteries. His current research focuses on innovation in electrolyser design and catalyst materials, with a view towards viable and sustainable electrolytic green hydrogen production in the future decarbonised energy landscape.

Paul Monaghan, AISEP

Paul is the group head of sustainability for Mannok and has led the development of the company’s ambitious 2030 Vision, its sustainability roadmap to the end of the decade. With a wealth of experience in a variety of technical support and leadership roles in the fields of environmental sustainability, health and safety. Paul is passionate about overcoming the decarbonisation challenge faced by the construction and manufacturing industries. He believes in the power of collaboration to achieve the end goal and actively works in partnership with a multitude of sustainability focused bodies and industry organisations to further advance and accelerate the decarbonisation agenda.

Time

18:00–20:30 BST.

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