Energy Centre Seminar: The State of the Hydrogen Economy

Reality, Barriers, and the Path to Sovereignty The transition to a hydrogen economy is often presented as a foregone conclusion, but the reality is far more complex. This presentation argues that a genuine hydrogen economy will not emerge from slogans or selective accounting. It requires a clear-eyed assessment of the current state, which remains nascent: fossil fuels still dominate 86% of the global energy supply, and low-emissions hydrogen accounts for a mere 1% of total hydrogen production. While hydrogen is a leading candidate for long-duration energy storage to address the seasonal variability of wind and solar, the pathway is incomplete. The technical hurdles are immense, spanning production, storage, transport, and utilization, with geological storage being fundamentally harder and more costly than end-use technologies. Furthermore, the financial landscape is slowing, and the strategic implementation risks perpetuating historical patterns of extraction and dependency, a dynamic increasingly described as "green colonialism." These general ideas will be illustrated through an analysis of global energy trends, the specific technical and economic bottlenecks of the hydrogen value chain, and a critical examination of national strategies and their implications for the Global South. The presentation will conclude by outlining the prerequisites for a just energy transition, arguing that energy sovereignty requires a foundation of abundant baseload power, robust long-duration storage, and equitable partnerships that prioritize local value creation over raw material export. Dr. Alberto Boretti is a distinguished scientist, academic leader, and company director with a multifaceted career spanning nearly 36 years across both academia and industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering from the University of Florence, Italy, and has authored over 650 peer-reviewed journal articles, establishing him as a prolific scholar. His research expertise covers energy, transportation, power generation, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and a wide range of hydrogen technologies, from production and storage to utilization in internal combustion engines, fuel cells, and aviation propulsion. As the former Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, he played a pivotal role in the institution's rapid ascent in global rankings. His industry background includes 18 years at the FIAT Group Research Center, where he contributed to groundbreaking advancements like the Common Rail Diesel Injection system and championship-winning racing engines. Currently the Chief Technical Officer of Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Dr. Boretti's work continues to shape the future of energy and propulsion on a global scale.