What the Stewart Dow Memorial Award Represents
The Stewart Dow Memorial Award, presented by the Hydrogen Energy Association and Hydrogen Scotland, celebrates pioneers who drive commercial hydrogen solutions. It honors the legacy of Stewart Dow, a key figure at BOC Ltd who championed early‑stage hydrogen technology. Winning this accolade signals that a project has achieved excellence in innovation, scalability, and real‑world impact in the hydrogen sector.
Innovation Behind the Battery‑Electrolyser
The Loughborough University team, led by Jonathan Wilson and Dani Strickland, has converted a conventional lead‑acid battery into a dual‑purpose system that both stores renewable energy and produces high‑purity green hydrogen. Built from recyclable materials sourced through existing supply chains, the unit is scalable and cost‑effective—attributes that address current barriers to global energy and hydrogen production.
Discover how this battery‑electrolyser works on a technical level.
Demonstrating Impact Global
Since its prototype test in July 2025, the battery‑electrolyser has achieved 99% hydrogen purity and been deployed in diverse settings—from a solar‑powered hospital in Mwanza, Malawi, to a pilot unit in Zambia under the Horizon Europe LoCEL‑H₂ project. The technology is now operating in Loughborough’s Science and Enterprise Park, backed by a £0.95 million seed investment from the East Midlands Freeport.
These deployments illustrate how the system can supply reliable energy for lighting, refrigeration, and medical equipment in remote regions, boosting local resilience and supporting clean‑energy transitions.
Driving Partnerships and Community Engagement
Collaboration is a cornerstone of the project’s success. The team works with industry leaders such as Hoppecke, Hollingsworth & Vose, and Monbat, while also engaging non‑governmental organisations and other academic institutions worldwide. Public outreach—through science festivals, exhibitions, and online resources—has helped demystify hydrogen technology for future engineers and the broader community.
Explore partnership opportunities with Loughborough’s hydrogen research programme.
Future Outlook for Hydrogen Technology
With a demonstrator set to ship to Malawi and additional units under construction, Loughborough University is poised to expand deployment of the battery‑electrolyser across Africa and beyond. The project exemplifies how academic research can accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a safe, sustainable energy carrier.
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Have questions or ready to discuss collaboration? Contact the Loughborough research team today.
