January 23, 2026: Pioneering lead-based battery-electrolyser technology developed by a UK university has been shortlisted for the ‘innovation project’ category at the Hydrogen UK Awards.

Finalists will be announced on March 10 — just months after Loughborough University received an ‘outstanding international impact’ accolade at the separate 2025 Hydrogen Awards.

The university confirmed shortlisting for what could be another honour on January 16.

Loughborough’s battery electrolyser system reimagines the lead acid battery to combine charging, power supply and hydrogen production in one recyclable unit.

The university said its system makes clean hydrogen at around 22 litres per minute and stores it safely underground, turning what used to be undesired hydrogen evolution, in lead acid batteries, into a productive feature.

Unlike conventional electrolysers, which rely on rare metals and remain idle when renewables are at low levels, Loughborough said its solution uses abundant, fully recyclable materials from the lead acid supply chain.

Over the past year, the battery electrolyser has moved rapidly from concept to real world deployment. It is backed by more than £12 million in funding and supported by over 20 partners, including leading manufacturers Monbat, Hoppecke, Hollingsworth & Vose and Ultima Forma.

The first full system was tested at Loughborough in July 2025 and has arrived in Malawi for commissioning, with another unit almost ready to be sent to Africa, the university said.

Dani Strickland, project lead, said: “Being shortlisted for the Hydrogen UK Awards is fantastic recognition for our team and partners and gives us valuable momentum as we build the next phase.”

The spotlight on the technology comes three years after the Consortium for Battery Innovation said it was supporting the university’s proposals to deploy lead battery technology as part of two projects to provide innovative energy storage systems for Africa.