GeoPura CEO wins 2024 Stewart Dow Memorial Award

GeoPura CEO wins 2024 Stewart Dow Memorial Award

A trailblazer in hydrogen fuel cell technology and its potential to combat climate change has been awarded the prestigious Stewart Dow Memorial Award 2024.

Andrew Cunningham came out of retirement to found pioneering green hydrogen company GeoPura, a company that brings to market and commercialises hydrogen and zero-emission fuel-based technologies. GeoPura is deploying green hydrogen power today, eliminating fossil fuels from off-grid, temporary, backup, and supplementary power, helping businesses reach net zero with emissions that are only pure water and heat.

He received the award, presented annually by the Hydrogen Energy Association and Hydrogen Scotland in recognition of outstanding contributions to the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, at the Hydrogen Scotland Conference in Glasgow yesterday (Tuesday, October 29).

“I’m delighted and honoured to have been chosen to receive the Stewart Dow Memorial Award,” said Andrew.

“I’m delighted because the best compliments are those you get from people who really know what they’re talking about, and I’m honoured because it means that my name and what we’re doing at GeoPura is being mentioned in the same breath as the enthusiasm and drive that Stewart Dow brought to all that he did for our industry. We build together from here!”

Legacy of innovation

The Stewart Dow Memorial Award was established by Stewart’s family, friends, and colleagues to honour his legacy as a champion for innovation in hydrogen and fuel cells.

Stewart, who tragically passed away in April 2020, spent many years working at BOC, a Linde company, and was a driving force behind the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cells. He was known for bringing people together in a collaborative way to find practical solutions, a spirit that continues through this annual award.

Vision for a sustainable future

Before founding GeoPura, Andrew managed several high-tech companies, including a business which developed an electrical financial trading system still used by every bank in the world. With an academic background in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, he is also the inventor of several key patents relating to secure communications.

Andrew has personally invested in sustainable energy research and development, with particular interest in renewable energy storage and zero-emission fuels, and is an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham. His vision for a sustainable future has led to the successful creation of GeoPura’s Hydrogen Power Units capable of replacing fossil fuel-based solutions across various sectors like construction, data centres, off-grid filming and events.

Under Andrew’s leadership, GeoPura has grown from a small team of engineers to over 130 skilled professionals based across multiple hubs in the UK, including Sheffield, Matlock, Nottingham, and Newcastle upon Tyne – collaborating with industry leaders Siemens Energy and attracting finance from a range of notable partners to scale the business in the UK and globally.

Celia Greaves, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, said: “We are thrilled to present the Stewart Dow Memorial Award to Andrew Cunningham, whose passion and dedication to advancing hydrogen technology truly embody Stewart’s legacy.

“Andrew’s tireless work to scale clean energy solutions and his collaborative approach align perfectly with the values Stewart championed. This award honours not only Andrew’s remarkable contributions but also the ongoing drive within our industry to innovate and create a sustainable future.”

Nigel Holmes, Hydrogen Scotland, said: “It gives me great pleasure that Hydrogen Scotland presented this award jointly with the Hydrogen Energy Association at our annual conference in Glasgow.

“Stuart Dow was participant in our 2017 annual in Glasgow and think he would have approved our theme for this year’s conference which is Partnerships for Growth.

“Andrew has established GeoPura as the leading provider of mobile hydrogen fuel cell power units through his own efforts and by bringing together GeoPura’s partners including Siemens Energy and many others from across the UK hydrogen sector. Andrew’s success with GeoPura is a great example for us all to follow.”

Geraint Bruton, BOC Business Manager, a former colleague of Stewart’s and a member of the judging panel, added: “Stewart was passionate about hydrogen and fuel cells, particularly their use to replace diesel generators.

“I am delighted to see this year’s Stewart Dow Memorial Award presented to Andrew who has been leading the way with GeoPura, pioneering the deployment of hydrogen power units as an alternative to diesel generators across various challenging sectors that are difficult to electrify using grid power.”

The Stewart Dow Memorial Award recognises individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to advancing hydrogen fuel cells and fostering collaboration in the industry.

As part of the award, Andrew will receive membership in both the Hydrogen Energy Association and Hydrogen Scotland for the 2024/2025 period, further solidifying his role in shaping the future of the hydrogen industry.

Past winners include Fiona Landy (2020), Dr Robert Leah (2021), Mike Clarke (2022), and Arlan Harris (2023).

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