Members of Northern Gas Networks’ Young Innovators Council have taken part in a panel discussion with industry leaders, at an event held by the Decarbonised Gas Alliance to coincide with the COP26 conference.

The panel discussion, which was held at Northern Gas Networks (NGN) innovation site at Low Thornley near Gateshead focussed on future career opportunities which could be created as part of the growth of the green economy, as the country transitions to using cleaner energy,

The panel comprised young people aged from 15 to 18 alongside Tim Harwood, Programme Management Director and Melanie Taylor, Head of Stakeholder Relations from NGN, BP’s Stuart Walker, Ivan Jepson from Gateshead College and Chris Barron representing the Decarbonised Gas Alliance.  It was facilitated by Jen Baughan, CEO of Solutions for the Plant. The panel discussed a range of topics including the new jobs which will be created through a Net Zero transition and how these jobs could be designed to attract young people. The panel explored opportunities for the next generation workforce in the North East and how the region can be at the forefront of the Government’s proposed Green Industrial Revolution.

The Young Innovators council is a group of 35 young people aged 14 to 18 years old, cocreated by NGN and Solutions for the Planets’ Youth Insights team. NGN consults the group on a range of topics to ensure the decisions made today take account of their views as the next generation of potential employees and customers.

Head of Stakeholder Relations at NGN, Melanie Taylor said “It was really inspiring to hear members of our Young Innovators Council speaking so articulately about the energy transition and to challenge us with questions on a wide range of topics from public engagement to geopolitics.”

Six members of the council attended the event. In addition to taking part in the panel discussion, the panel took a tour of the UK’s first Hydrogen Homes which are based at the site. The homes, which were built this year by NGN in partnership with fellow gas distributor Cadent and the Government, demonstrate 100% hydrogen appliances including cookers, hobs, boilers and fires.

The homes’ appliances look and operate in the same way as today’s gas appliances but, because hydrogen does not produce any carbon when burned, they are compatible with a future without carbon emissions.  The homes aim to demonstrate that people can continue to heat their homes and cook the way they do today but still tackle climate change.

Melanie Taylor continued: “It was particularly special to welcome members of our Young Innovators Council to tour the Hydrogen Home, as they helped us in the design of the homes and the visitor experience earlier in the year, so they saw first-hand how their ideas had been incorporated. They were even able cook their own lunch on the hydrogen gas hobs.”

Young Innovator Council Member Mille Sutton from Gateshead, aged 15 commented: “Being able to visit the hydrogen house and physically go into the house and cooking on hydrogen gas really helps put into perspective that using hydrogen as a form of gas is achievable and can be easily integrated into our lives.  The experience of seeing a house fully powered by hydrogen was amazing and provided me with true hope that one day we can reach net zero by this gas conversion.”

Joshua Hickson from Hexham, also aged 15 added: “Through the Young Innovators Council it has been amazing to see how hydrogen may be the future of our homes in Britain. It has been absolutely fascinating learning about what Northern Gas Networks is doing, but simply seeing the Hydrogen House in person made me realise that it isn’t just a concept but in fact the future of energy lies in hydrogen, across not only the UK but possibly the entire globe. To see the Hydrogen Home in action along with being the first members of the public to cook on hydrogen appliances was truly inspiring. Being able to see the Hydrogen Home in person truly does give me hope that in the near future, we will tackle climate change, once and for all.”

Young innovator council members outside the Hydrogen Home. Pictured left to right  – Taylor Leyland-Dennett, Kaitlin Smith, Ellie Cook, Joshua Hickson, Imogen Stout and Millie Sutton

Hydrogen Home Liaison Officer Alexandra Brightman showing young innovators the 100% hydrogen hob