Hydrogen economy faces technical hurdles
Getting details right will be crucial to the widespread deployment of hydrogen infrastructure
Being a clean, emission-free fuel, hydrogen is commonly referenced as a key component of the energy transition, providing a decarbonisation option for hard-to-abate sectors, including some forms of transport and space heating. Forecasts across the energy sector suggest a rapid and large expansion of hydrogen production, transport and utilisation. However, commentators have so far bypassed discussion of the detailed technical requirements of such a large industrial roll-out of hydrogen. In this article, we will review some key practical elements of the hydrogen roll-out to explain some of the complexities that need to be mitigated for large-scale hydrogen market development. Low energy densit
Also in this section
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market






