Dr Elizabeth Ashton - Loughborough University

The challenge

Hydrogen demand is set to rise sharply by 2050, yet green hydrogen remains about 58% more expensive than grey hydrogen, partly because oversized renewable systems waste excess energy. In 2025, the UK spent £1.5 billion on wind curtailment, while 730 million people still lack reliable electricity. 

AIMHy tackles both issues by converting surplus renewable power into hydrogen through integrated battery-electrolyser technology. By combining storage and hydrogen production in one purpose-built device, it handles intermittent power, improves grid balancing, increases renewable use, and creates dual revenue from electricity storage and hydrogen generation. 

The research

The AIMHy project aims to develop a dual-income energy system that reduces renewable curtailment and improves off-grid energy security. Over five years, the project will optimise electrode materials, develop integrated and pressurised battery electrolyser systems, explore sustainable material and deliver a commercialisation pathway for battery-electrolyser demonstrators. 

The researcher

Dr Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ashton is a lecturer at Loughborough University specialising in renewable energy, hydrogen research and energy infrastructure. Her experience spans materials chemistry, integrated battery-electrolyser systems, green hydrogen production and the deployment of renewable technologies for grid and off-grid applications. Dr Ashton’s work is motivated by the need to make clean energy more affordable, resilient and accessible. Her long-term vision is to lead a world-class programme in integrated hydrogen and energy systems, bridging materials science, engineering and deployment, while helping position the UK at the forefront of next-generation hydrogen technologies.