What we do

The NNZA brings together the research and innovation expertise of regional academic partners with the insights of our industrial, private, public, and third-sector collaborators. Through this powerful alliance, the NNZA supports projects that:

• • Drive impactful net-zero innovations from concept to implementation.
  • Boost regional economic growth.
  • Equip the workforce with essential skills for a thriving net-zero economy

The NNZA supports projects and activities across four key workstreams:

• • Projects – Offers early-stage support to advance research and build lasting, diverse partnerships, including those led by partners.
  • People – Provides training and secondment opportunities to foster skills, leadership, and capacity in an inclusive and ethical manner.
  • Partnerships – Engages with partners to promote theme-specific initiatives, focusing on under-represented groups within the region.
  • Promotions – Strengthens branding, key messaging, stakeholder engagement, feedback analysis, net-zero metrics to enhance the visibility and impact of the cluster’s activities.

We are seeking enduring partnerships across the North East, Teesside, and Humber to translate net-zero research innovation into practical solutions
that focus on three strategic areas:

Low Carbon Energy Generation
Advancing bioenergy, geothermal, hydrogen, onshore and offshore wind, subsea, photovoltaic energy, and other sources of low carbon energy.

Energy Storage and Distribution
Developing batteries, thermal and chemical energy storage, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and hydrogen for excess energy storage.

Integration into End-Use Sectors
Strengthening grid networks, industrial decarbonisation, net-zero/circular economy transitions (products, supply chains, and end-users), and transport solutions.