On May 22, 2024, during a layover at Heathrow Airport while traveling from Sweden to England to commence a research project on hydrogen integration for accelerated energy transitions (Hi-ACT), I stumbled upon an article in the Financial Times. The article, titled Lex in Depth: How the Hydrogen Hype Fizzled Out, presented a critical perspective on hydrogen. The irony was not lost on me—just as I was embarking on a hydrogen-focused project, I found an article skeptical of its potential!
This encounter inspired me to reflect on the challenges facing hydrogen today. It also brought to mind Varun Sivaram’s book, Taming the Sun: Innovations to Harness Solar Energy and Power the Planet, which I had written about in my 2019 blog post, Reflections on Taming the Sun. In that post, I discussed Sivaram’s framework for overcoming solar energy hurdles—a framework that I believe holds valuable lessons for hydrogen integration.
Lessons from Solar Energy
Sivaram’s framework highlights that systemic, technological, and financial innovations must evolve simultaneously. This holistic approach led to breakthroughs in solar deployment and is equally vital for hydrogen. By addressing these dimensions, hydrogen can transition from niche applications to mainstream energy solutions, supporting the global move toward a low-carbon future.
For a concise exploration of these ideas and a roadmap for hydrogen integration, view the presentation slides here PDF link.