Construction is underway on a £5 million hydrogen propulsion systems laboratory at the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus, with completion expected by December 2025.

Delivered by Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson, the facility is designed to support high-power testing of propulsion systems using gaseous hydrogen, ammonia, and other alternative fuels. It will serve key industries including aerospace, automotive, marine, and power generation.

The lab will include advanced testing environments such as cryogenic capabilities and environmental chambers capable of altitude simulation. It will also be connected to the university’s existing Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC), giving researchers access to megawatt-class physical testing infrastructure.

Targeting a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, the lab will feature on-site renewable energy generation through integrated photovoltaic panels. Noise levels during operation will be managed with acoustic doors. The building’s steel frame and cladding are being designed to align with the surrounding campus architecture.

This initiative aligns with broader national goals to advance clean energy technologies and strengthen the UK’s low-carbon industrial base.

A new rail initiative in the East Midlands is exploring hydrogen fuel cell technology to cut emissions in freight transport and strengthen the UK’s industrial supply chain.

Led by the University of Derby in partnership with Clayton Equipment, the pilot project is focused on replacing diesel-powered shunter locomotives with zero-emission fuel cell hybrids. Funded through the East Midlands Investment Zone (EMIZ), the project supports the UK’s wider push towards Net Zero goals and is the first of 15 innovation pilots backed by the newly formed East Midlands Combined County Authority.

The research team has developed a digital twin simulation to model the performance of fuel cell-powered locomotives under different operating scenarios. The model assesses variables such as refuelling, stopping, energy demands, and emission reductions. The goal is to evaluate the feasibility of converting existing diesel-hybrid locomotives into hydrogen-powered systems.

Hydrogen fuel cells, already proven in automotive and passenger rail sectors, offer comparable performance to diesel engines but with zero emissions. Applying this technology to shunting operations could open new commercial opportunities, support low-carbon logistics, and stimulate growth in engineering skills and component manufacturing across the UK.

The project is expected to inform future manufacturing guidelines and enhance the region’s role in green and advanced transport technologies. Based in Derby, a key rail industry hub and the future home of Great British Railways, the project also aims to boost exports and attract investment in local testing and development facilities.

AECOM has acquired UK-based engineering consultancy Allen Gordon to expand its footprint in the water and energy infrastructure sector. Established in 1971, Allen Gordon brings a strong portfolio of utility and renewable energy clients, which will deepen AECOM’s relationships in these fast-growing markets.

The acquisition aligns with AECOM’s strategic goal to double its global water business within five years. It also comes as the UK anticipates over £250 billion in investment across the water and energy sectors in the next decade—driven by regulatory demands and climate resilience initiatives.

Allen Gordon’s integration is expected to enhance AECOM’s ability to deliver on major frameworks, including the AMP8 regulatory programme set for 2025–2030. AECOM’s Environment, Water and Energy division, launched in 2022, has already supported key national projects such as the Great Grid Upgrade, Southern Water’s Professional Services Framework, and Severn Trent’s flood resilience scheme in Mansfield.

The move further positions AECOM to capitalise on large-scale infrastructure opportunities across the UK and Ireland, with a focus on sustainability, resilience, and regulatory compliance.