Touching Hydrogen Future

Jules Verne Style’ stories on the role of Hydrogen in 2030s and 2040s

“Touching Hydrogen Future” Physical Book in World Hydrogen Congress 2023

October 13, 2023/0 Comments

1,000 physical copies of ‘Touching Hydrogen Future’ were placed into the hands of delegates who attended the ‘World Hydrogen Congress, 2023’ allowing them to personally engage with the diverse perspectives on where and how the hydrogen future will unfold across the globe in the upcoming decades, particularly in the 2030s and 2040s.

About the book

**A second edition of the book including 10 new countries has been released on 18th July. Download the updated book for free!**

Have you ever wondered how the hydrogen economy will shape our future in the years 2030 and 2040? If so, you’re not alone. Energy writers from around the world have united their efforts to provide insightful perspectives on how hydrogen could revolutionize our lives.

Under the inspiring mantra of “Imagining the future is delivering it,” a diverse group of 38 individuals, ranging from hydrogen enthusiasts to energy realists, have come together to create the book ‘Touching Hydrogen Future: Tour around the Globe.’ With a foreword by former EU Commissioner for Energy, Andris Piebalgs, this remarkable publication consists of 36 chapters, each focusing on a specific country and offering a glimpse into the hydrogen-powered world over the next two decades.

Embarking on a Jules Verne-style odyssey, the book’s hydrogen tour takes us on a captivating journey across six continents. Experts from every corner of the globe share their insights, providing a comprehensive and visionary outlook on the future of hydrogen.

“Almost 150 years after Jules Verne first envisioned a world powered by hydrogen, we now have the ability to envision and map out the changes it will bring within our lifetimes. Through the eyes of today’s energy leaders, we paint a picture of a transformed world powered by hydrogen alongside other energy transition vectors, and we invite you to join us in building it,” explains Erik Rakhou, the initiator and co-editor of the book.

One of the key aims of this publication is to educate and inspire the next generation, encouraging them to embrace and actively contribute to the development of hydrogen technology. ‘Touching Hydrogen Future’ presents a series of short stories that delve into a hypothetical future where hydrogen is the norm. While the book caters to energy professionals and students with an interest in energy and sustainability, it is freely accessible to readers from all backgrounds, making its insights available to everyone.

“We hope this book serves as a starting point for a transformative journey, igniting curiosity about the energy transition and the imminent changes that lie ahead. By shedding light on the diverse and global opportunities within the developing hydrogen economy, we aim to empower readers to consider a career in this industry,” states Rosa Puentes, co-editor of the book.

‘Touching Hydrogen Future: Tour around the Globe’ not only offers a glimpse into a hydrogen-powered future but also emphasizes the importance of our own behaviors and lifestyles in shaping a sustainable world. It seeks to inspire readers to fearlessly embrace the energy transition, fostering a mindset that acknowledges the real difference we can make.

Join us on this extraordinary journey as we embark on a visionary exploration of the hydrogen future. Let’s imagine, innovate, and build the world we envision—one powered by hydrogen and sustainable energy sources.

Key figures

6 CONTINENTS

36 COUNTRIES

76 GW by 2030*

* Based on editors’ calculations for 2030 of available strategies of countries referred in the book. The books stories – if to be an indicator of uncertainty could equally see the countries reach about 1/3 of quoted capacity, with capacity strongly rising by 2040s.

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Authors

38 authors contributed to this book. In alphabetic order:

click on author to open LinkedIn profile

Quotes from authors

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it. This book does just that.”

Petar Sofev

“By 2030, Namibia is to become the ‘Energy Port of Africa.’ Prior to becoming a hydrogen superpower, Namibia contributed a significant amount to the worlds’ diamond market. The vast capacity for solar and wind means Namibia can produce some of the world’s cheapest Green Hydrogen. Namibia’s economic landscape is changing significantly and one to watch out for!”

Oghosa Erhahon

“The read provides a view of what different futures could be. Hydrogen is the main character but also allows other “characters” (nuclear, intermittent RE, batteries, etc. and realistically some remaining fossil fuels) to also have roles in future. Stealing some lines from the also Vernes inspired 2017 movie, Mysterious Island: “Most of us considered Verne’s work as nothing more than science fiction, but Vernes, he knew”

Gerhard Human

“In the past 20 years, the energy landscape has evolved at a fast pace and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. With all the emerging countries and technology, the existing energy infrastructure must adapt to answer new more global problems. Chile’s unique geographic combination holds so much potential that is now being realized. Their goal of energy independence is going to bring around huge shifts in their infrastructure.”

Eric Ehrhardt

“This adventure partially reflects what is expected for the Colombian hydrogen economy and how significant progress must occur to produce, use and export hydrogen in a cost-competitive way while keeping the 2050 carbon neutrality target within reach. Colombia’s abundance of natural resources, coupled with strategic investment for economic development, give the country the opportunity to become a regional leader in the hydrogen field. A challenging, yet exciting ambition to pursue.”

Miguel Ballesteros

“2040, Romania – a Southeast European energy and decarbonization hub. We host a hydrogen valley, we produce and export green H2 to the EU, we bank on our talents and geography and we win. We win at life: we can stand tall and proud for having made such unbelievable progress in energy and we breathe, we worry less…hydrogen helped us get here!”

Lavinia Tanase

“In this partly fantastic (maybe a bit utopic) travel across the 8 times zone of wide Russia we discover how the hydrogen power has utterly changed what we once knew as a country mostly relying on natural resources. Now it’s one of the top world suppliers for technological expertise with a vast variety of scientific and educational centers. Let’s visit its prominent hydrogen hubs and see how they have developed despite all the climate, economical and other obstacles. May the Hydrogen Force be with you!”

Irina Gaida

“Liverpool, beer and hydrogen are at the centre of the story, as usual, as Tom journeys to Liverpool for a game on the hottest ever April day. Retirement beckons as politics and realism clash in this short nostalgic tale which ends with the reader dying to follow future Tom’s exploits travelling Europe with zero carbon emissions to his name”

Tom Baldwin

“Inspiring, funny and sometimes skeptical about the future. This book combines the excitement and “rosy style” that comes when looking into the future with optimism and passion, the fear of failing to achieve the climate objectives and the mixed feelings of how best to ensure a just energy transition. It will make you laugh, reflect, learn.. And eventually, you will either love or hate hydrogen!”

Rosa Puentes

“The book allows us to understand the gravity and complexity of the task in hand, with each country bringing its own opportunities, constraints, and positionality. Although the transition will be far from simple, requiring unprecedented efforts from governments, industry, and citizens, the tour shows the reader the truly exciting opportunities hydrogen offers for all nations. It is not just a fuel replacement, it is a paradigm shift in the way we look at energy systems, with co-benefits across a number of Sustainable Development Goals.”

Andris Piebalgs

“Almost 150 years after Jules Verne first envisaged a world powered by hydrogen, we can map out the changes it will enable within our lifetimes. Through the eyes of today’s energy leaders, we paint a picture of a transformed world powered by hydrogen alongside other energy transition vectors, and invite you to join us in building it.”

Erik Rakhou

“Ziad Al Shammary has a plan. The 2040 climate as he arrives at the Red Sea resort is heating up, green technologies – a few familiar, a few surprising – have become mainstream. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the desire of people and nations for political power, wealth and security. Just like oil, hydrogen is no exception to those machinations – in its own way.”

Robin Mills

“The future is uncertain, only the presence is real. Out of it arise unlimited possibilities. This book shows different visions of a hydrogen future. One day we will sit together and see how close we were…”

Konstantin Lenz

“In this book, you could imagine what a transition to net-zero emissions based on hydrogen would entail. It means changes in jobs, demand, cost, life style and capital spending and how we could protect our planet if we work into achieve our vision during the present decade. We invite you to join us to build this future!”

Rocío Salas

“Humans always have flaws. One of the most urgent things to do is just to correct mistakes,” said Jeong Yak-yong, the Korean polymath in the late 18th century. Faced with the global climate crisis, what we must do now is just to stand up and go fix the problem. In our attempts to correct the mistakes, we have a very effective tool, hydrogen. This book will allow all the readers to visualize the way we will be able to achieve our goal of net zero emission by taking advantage of hydrogen, the good old elemental friend of humankind.”

Kwang Tae Lee

“By 2049, Kazakhstan will have unlocked its hydrogen potential, connecting it to the global hydrogen economy. However, the country’s transformation from a major fossil fuels exporter to a Eurasian green hydrogen leader is yet to continue. As a captain atop a “desert ship,” you will enjoy being a part of a future camel caravan experience through the Hydrogen Silk Roads and hubs, witnessing how hydrogen transforms Kazakhstan beyond one’s imagination.”

Dr. Venera N. Anderson

“This book addresses – amongst others – the bold question ‘How will the future of hydrogen unfold in Belgium by 2035?’. The fictional article will make you reflect on Belgium’s energy future. The authors also used the current state of affairs as a basis for this forecast, based on personal experiences. An optimistic but futuristic picture is painted of Belgium as a leading hub welcoming blue and green hydrogen, for all applications, including power generation and storage, building on its current position along the North sea coast.”

Daniel Cortez Cazas and Jens Mosselmans