University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
The Hydrogen Revolution
Book

The Hydrogen Revolution

A Blueprint for the Future of Clean Energy

Marco Alverà
Basic Books, 2021
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9

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Recommendation

Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, has made great progress – but it cannot eliminate the world’s carbon emissions. However, in partnership with hydrogen, it might. Hydrogen is the simplest and most prevalent element in the universe. It can store the electricity that renewable sources generate, and pipelines could transport it great distances, bringing abundant and cheap renewable energy to where it is needed when it is needed. In this passionate, clear and science-based call to action, energy executive Marco Alverà discusses the technical and economic challenges of making hydrogen a feasible energy option.

Summary

Humanity must reduce carbon emissions to net zero.

Carbon-emitting fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, produce 80% of humanity’s energy needs. Wind and solar power comprise a global average of 2%. Humanity must stop relying on fossil fuels, and must shift instead to solar and wind power sources which are now also cheaper.

To make renewable energy usable on a large scale requires something that can compensate for renewables’ limitations: hydrogen. Even after humans stop emissions, atmospheric temperatures will rise because carbon gas in the atmosphere dissipates over centuries.

Carbon-capture efforts, such as planting trees, can reduce atmospheric carbon. But humanity must focus on replacing fossil fuels with clean energy.

Renewables alone can’t solve the CO2 problem.

Electricity can meet many of humanity’s power needs, but proves inadequate for heavy transport, steel manufacturing and aviation. Electricity is difficult to store or to transport over extensive distances.

Fossil fuels don’t suffer these limitations due to their molecular composition. Molecules can store energy for millions of...

About the Author

Marco Alverà is the Co-Founder of Zhero and CEO of TES, two renewable energy companies that are accelerating the global energy transition. He has more than 20 years of experience in Europe’s largest energy companies, notably as CEO at Snam and in senior positions at Eni and Enel.

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