Loughborough PhD Students Innovate Hydrogen Pipeline Solutions

Loughborough PhD Students Innovate Hydrogen Pipeline Solutions

2025-10-09 technology

Loughborough, Thursday, 9 October 2025.
PhD students at Loughborough University have created a prototype to coat natural gas pipelines for hydrogen use, addressing key challenges in moving towards a net-zero economy.

Innovative Coating for Hydrogen Pipelines

PhD students from Loughborough University, working on the EnerHy programme, have successfully completed a design and build challenge to create protective coatings for natural gas pipelines. This innovation aims to repurpose existing pipelines for hydrogen transport, a crucial step in achieving a net-zero economy. Collaborating with Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, the students developed a pipe inspection gauge (PIG) that applies a hydrogen-resistant lining inside methane pipelines. This addresses the challenge of hydrogen embrittlement in steel infrastructure, which is a significant barrier to transitioning the gas grid to hydrogen [1][2].

Hands-On Research and Real-World Impact

The EnerHy project, involving students from Loughborough University, Cranfield University, and the University of Strathclyde, brings together expertise from various disciplines including chemistry, materials science, and robotics. Dr Jonathan Wilson, a lecturer in Sustainable Energy Systems at Loughborough University, highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of the challenge given to the students. The project not only showcased their ability to work under pressure but also their potential as future leaders in the net-zero transition [2].

Future Prospects and Industry Engagement

The prototype created by the students will be presented at the East Midlands Hydrogen Summit at HyMarnham on 16 October. Dr Roy Moobola from Cadent expressed enthusiasm for the innovation, seeing it as a necessary development for adapting the gas network for hydrogen. This project illustrates the importance of academia-industry partnerships in addressing real-world challenges and advancing hydrogen infrastructure [1][2].

Wider Implications for Hydrogen Innovation

The efforts at Loughborough University reflect broader trends in hydrogen research and investment worldwide. For example, the European Union’s initiatives, such as the European Hydrogen Strategy, aim to support green hydrogen production and infrastructure development. Similarly, innovations in hydrogen storage and transport are critical to making hydrogen a viable component of the global energy transition [3][4].

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