Long seen as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, it’s finally time to unleash the power of hydrogen, argues Dr. Prem Mahi.
Zero carbon is a goal for a growing number of countries. Achieving it will require a transformation of energy systems. How we fuel our transport, power our industries, heat our homes, electrify our towns and cities must all change. It’s complex and will take time.
Countries and businesses around the world are exploring how hydrogen, when combined with other solutions, can help meet net-zero targets.
The US is accelerating R&D and deployment of hydrogen technologies. The EU is investing heavily to build electrolyzer capacity to produce hydrogen using renewable electricity. Australia is looking to advance its hydrogen industry, while Japan aims to become a hydrogen-powered society.
We’ve been here before. In the 1970s, at the height of the first oil crisis, and again around the millennium, hydrogen was regarded as the future, an alternative to hydrocarbons. On both occasions, hydrogen failed to move beyond the hype. Now, the hydrogen cycle has turned again, with more political support.