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The Hydrogen Revolution: A Blueprint for the Future of Clean Energy
Named a Financial Times Best Book of 2021
An energy expert shows why hydrogen can fight climate change and become the fuel of the future We’re constantly told that our planet is in crisis; that to save it, we must stop traveling, stop eating meat, even stop having children. But in The Hydrogen Revolution , Marco Alverà argues that we don’t need to upend our lives. We just need a new kind of hydrogen. From transportation and infrastructure to heating and electricity, hydrogen could eliminate fossil fuels, boost economic growth, and encourage global action on climate change. It could also solve the most bedeviling aspects of today’s renewable energy—from transporting and storing wind and solar energy and their vulnerability to weather changes to the inefficiency and limited utility of heavy, short-lasting batteries. The Hydrogen Revolution isn’t just a manifesto for a powerful new technology. It’s a hopeful reminder that despite the gloomy headlines about the fate of our planet, there’s still an opportunity to turn things around.
An energy expert shows why hydrogen can fight climate change and become the fuel of the future We’re constantly told that our planet is in crisis; that to save it, we must stop traveling, stop eating meat, even stop having children. But in The Hydrogen Revolution , Marco Alverà argues that we don’t need to upend our lives. We just need a new kind of hydrogen. From transportation and infrastructure to heating and electricity, hydrogen could eliminate fossil fuels, boost economic growth, and encourage global action on climate change. It could also solve the most bedeviling aspects of today’s renewable energy—from transporting and storing wind and solar energy and their vulnerability to weather changes to the inefficiency and limited utility of heavy, short-lasting batteries. The Hydrogen Revolution isn’t just a manifesto for a powerful new technology. It’s a hopeful reminder that despite the gloomy headlines about the fate of our planet, there’s still an opportunity to turn things around.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 16, 2021
36 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 26, 2021
The idea of using hydrogen to aid our move to green energy is gathering pace. At one point it was described primarily as a replacement for petrol in fuelling cars - though Marco Alverà does mention this still as a possibility for some vehicles, the far bigger picture is for hydrogen's role as a potential replacement for natural gas and as a means to store energy to enable to it to be transported from solar-rich locations, or to hold energy for use at time when renewables aren't delivering, such as in winter in many European locations.
Despite portraying the seriousness of climate change's impact, Alverà is relentlessly upbeat about the capability of hydrogen in sorting out our problems. It ought to be said upfront (and perhaps isn't explored enough in the book) that Alverà is CEO of an energy pipeline company that is moving into hydrogen in a big way, so to say that he has a potential conflict of interest is, if anything, understating things.
This doesn't mean that some of Alverà's thoughts and suggestions aren't interesting, but it does mean that the way he brushes over the pitfalls and potential barriers is perhaps a little unbalanced. For instance, reading this, you would think that the US and China were doing great things on the climate front, rather than failing to deal with the situation. You would also think that the EU is a paragon of climate change action, when, for example, Germany's disastrous action on nuclear has resulted in a heavy use of coal.
Similarly, while it probably is a good idea in an ideal world to generate solar energy cheaply in the Sahara, say, and transport that energy as hydrogen rather than high voltage DC, Alverà underplays the concerns about putting Europe's energy future in the hands of potentially unstable countries and doesn't even mention threats from terrorism etc. In fact you'd think mostly hydrogen was a harmless substance without a track record of explosions - there's even a suggestion we might return to using hydrogen airships. That went well last time.
Alverà makes good technical points about the comparison of battery and hydrogen technology for long distances and heavy goods vehicles, though the comparison is very much dependent on today's battery technology and doesn't give any allowance for the speed at which this is developing. There is also some remarkable political naivety in a comment on the speed of China's development of hydrogen fuel cell capability saying 'One of the reasons why China is so good at making things happen is its economy is centrally planned...' - neither the Soviet Union nor China historically have shown that central planning is exactly a great way forward.
I don't want to be too hard on this book. It has genuinely made me more positive about hydrogen for some applications, notably energy storage to level out peaks and troughs in renewable supplies, though I'm still pretty certain I wouldn't like to travel in a vehicle sitting on a big hydrogen tank. It's also good to discover a climate change book that isn't all doom and gloom. But anyone reading the book does need to be aware this is a written from the perspective of someone whose company needs hydrogen to succeed and is perhaps talking it up beyond what may be realistic.
Despite portraying the seriousness of climate change's impact, Alverà is relentlessly upbeat about the capability of hydrogen in sorting out our problems. It ought to be said upfront (and perhaps isn't explored enough in the book) that Alverà is CEO of an energy pipeline company that is moving into hydrogen in a big way, so to say that he has a potential conflict of interest is, if anything, understating things.
This doesn't mean that some of Alverà's thoughts and suggestions aren't interesting, but it does mean that the way he brushes over the pitfalls and potential barriers is perhaps a little unbalanced. For instance, reading this, you would think that the US and China were doing great things on the climate front, rather than failing to deal with the situation. You would also think that the EU is a paragon of climate change action, when, for example, Germany's disastrous action on nuclear has resulted in a heavy use of coal.
Similarly, while it probably is a good idea in an ideal world to generate solar energy cheaply in the Sahara, say, and transport that energy as hydrogen rather than high voltage DC, Alverà underplays the concerns about putting Europe's energy future in the hands of potentially unstable countries and doesn't even mention threats from terrorism etc. In fact you'd think mostly hydrogen was a harmless substance without a track record of explosions - there's even a suggestion we might return to using hydrogen airships. That went well last time.
Alverà makes good technical points about the comparison of battery and hydrogen technology for long distances and heavy goods vehicles, though the comparison is very much dependent on today's battery technology and doesn't give any allowance for the speed at which this is developing. There is also some remarkable political naivety in a comment on the speed of China's development of hydrogen fuel cell capability saying 'One of the reasons why China is so good at making things happen is its economy is centrally planned...' - neither the Soviet Union nor China historically have shown that central planning is exactly a great way forward.
I don't want to be too hard on this book. It has genuinely made me more positive about hydrogen for some applications, notably energy storage to level out peaks and troughs in renewable supplies, though I'm still pretty certain I wouldn't like to travel in a vehicle sitting on a big hydrogen tank. It's also good to discover a climate change book that isn't all doom and gloom. But anyone reading the book does need to be aware this is a written from the perspective of someone whose company needs hydrogen to succeed and is perhaps talking it up beyond what may be realistic.
January 5, 2023
Important and cool! Good introduction to the basics of how hydrogen will work as a clean energy source. Written from a very optimistic perspective, but definitely stresses the fact that we all have a part to play in the decarbonization of our planet!
September 3, 2022
XXXXX
AN OVERVIEW OF THE MOLECULE THAT COULD REVOLUTIONIZE CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION AND FUTURE ENERGY
XXXXX
"This book lays out the steps we need to take - as businesses, policymakers, and consumers - to unlock the power of hydrogen...
This book is about how hydrogen puts net zero emissions within our reach - and what we can do to bring it closer...
Net zero is the goal of bringing greenhouse gas emissions down, and/or increasing the amount we actively remove from the atmosphere, so that emissions balance removals i.e. net emissions are zero."
The above quotation (in italics) comes from this well-written, VERY informative, optimistic book by Marco Alvera. He has worked at the world's largest renewable energy company (called Enel). Since 2016, he has served as CEO of Snam, Europe's largest gas pipeline & storage company and hydrogen first-mover.
What exactly is hydrogen? It is the first element in the periodic table, symbol H and most abundant element in the universe. A hydrogen atom (shown in white on the book's cover and displayed above by Good Reads) is made up of one proton in its nucleus and one orbital electron. Hydrogen gas (colorless, odorless, tasteless) is usually in the form of H2 molecules, pairs of hydrogen atoms bound together. It is the lightest substance known, is flammable, and combines with the element oxygen to form water.
Hydrogen gas can be burned for fuel and it burns with NO carbon emissions. Hydrogen is not an energy resource because there is no naturally occurring source of hydrogen in useful quantities (so it has to be made from water) but it is a "carrier" of energy.
The first part of this book details climate change and renewables. This part is entitled "A Hot Mess: Climate Change and How We Got Here."
The final three parts of this book looks at the promise of hydrogen, weighs its pros and cons, and explores the steps that businesses, policymakers, and consumers need to take to unlock its true potential.
Each chapter begins with an introduction to the chapter in boldface. What I did was I read all these boldface introductions first to get a sense of the whole book then I went back and carefully read each chapter.
As I said above, the author is a CEO (not a scientist) who deals in hydrogen. Thus, he's got to really know his product. If you want someone to tell you the practical details of what hydrogen can and cannot do, the economics of it, and the geopolitical implications, then you really won't find anybody better qualified.
This book includes a glossary which I found quite useful. Words and terms like carbon tax, electrolyser, fuel cell, green hydrogen, net zero, and sustainability are fully defined. This means that you are never lost.
Finally, this tome has no index. I couldn't understand why because a wealth of information is presented but there is no easy access to it.
In conclusion, this is a surprisingly optimistic case for hydrogen as a source of clean energy.
I leave you with the boldface introduction of one of the chapters in this book:
"The remarkable rise of renewables is great news, but we can't simply use clean electricity for everything we do. Solar and wind power are not constant. Batteries and other storage systems are limited, especially in the face of seasonal energy needs. In some industries and long-range transport, direct electrification just won't work. Renewables are going to need a partner.
[And that partner is the molecule HYDROGEN]."
XXXXX
(2021; introduction; 4 parts or 25 chapters; main narrative 260 pages; notes; acknowledgements; bibliography; glossary; appendix)
XXXXX
AN OVERVIEW OF THE MOLECULE THAT COULD REVOLUTIONIZE CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION AND FUTURE ENERGY
XXXXX
"This book lays out the steps we need to take - as businesses, policymakers, and consumers - to unlock the power of hydrogen...
This book is about how hydrogen puts net zero emissions within our reach - and what we can do to bring it closer...
Net zero is the goal of bringing greenhouse gas emissions down, and/or increasing the amount we actively remove from the atmosphere, so that emissions balance removals i.e. net emissions are zero."
The above quotation (in italics) comes from this well-written, VERY informative, optimistic book by Marco Alvera. He has worked at the world's largest renewable energy company (called Enel). Since 2016, he has served as CEO of Snam, Europe's largest gas pipeline & storage company and hydrogen first-mover.
What exactly is hydrogen? It is the first element in the periodic table, symbol H and most abundant element in the universe. A hydrogen atom (shown in white on the book's cover and displayed above by Good Reads) is made up of one proton in its nucleus and one orbital electron. Hydrogen gas (colorless, odorless, tasteless) is usually in the form of H2 molecules, pairs of hydrogen atoms bound together. It is the lightest substance known, is flammable, and combines with the element oxygen to form water.
Hydrogen gas can be burned for fuel and it burns with NO carbon emissions. Hydrogen is not an energy resource because there is no naturally occurring source of hydrogen in useful quantities (so it has to be made from water) but it is a "carrier" of energy.
The first part of this book details climate change and renewables. This part is entitled "A Hot Mess: Climate Change and How We Got Here."
The final three parts of this book looks at the promise of hydrogen, weighs its pros and cons, and explores the steps that businesses, policymakers, and consumers need to take to unlock its true potential.
Each chapter begins with an introduction to the chapter in boldface. What I did was I read all these boldface introductions first to get a sense of the whole book then I went back and carefully read each chapter.
As I said above, the author is a CEO (not a scientist) who deals in hydrogen. Thus, he's got to really know his product. If you want someone to tell you the practical details of what hydrogen can and cannot do, the economics of it, and the geopolitical implications, then you really won't find anybody better qualified.
This book includes a glossary which I found quite useful. Words and terms like carbon tax, electrolyser, fuel cell, green hydrogen, net zero, and sustainability are fully defined. This means that you are never lost.
Finally, this tome has no index. I couldn't understand why because a wealth of information is presented but there is no easy access to it.
In conclusion, this is a surprisingly optimistic case for hydrogen as a source of clean energy.
I leave you with the boldface introduction of one of the chapters in this book:
"The remarkable rise of renewables is great news, but we can't simply use clean electricity for everything we do. Solar and wind power are not constant. Batteries and other storage systems are limited, especially in the face of seasonal energy needs. In some industries and long-range transport, direct electrification just won't work. Renewables are going to need a partner.
[And that partner is the molecule HYDROGEN]."
XXXXX
(2021; introduction; 4 parts or 25 chapters; main narrative 260 pages; notes; acknowledgements; bibliography; glossary; appendix)
XXXXX
July 27, 2022
Phenomenal. As someone hoping to get into working in research related to clean energy, this book was a solid dose of climate optimism while also professing the key challenges faced by engineers and economists to make the use of hydrogen universal. I will be keeping this close by for reference over the years I am certain.
I would highly recommend anyone remotely concerned about climate change to read - this is a very well-written book that anyone can engage with no matter how well versed in energy technology, politics, or economics you are. I could probably write paragraphs more, just very excited about this book and the message it relays!
I would highly recommend anyone remotely concerned about climate change to read - this is a very well-written book that anyone can engage with no matter how well versed in energy technology, politics, or economics you are. I could probably write paragraphs more, just very excited about this book and the message it relays!
August 16, 2022
3.75 rating. Gives many uses on how hydrogen can be produced and integrated into our current energy systems around the world. Although they briefly mention nuclear power, I wish they talked about how hydrogen and nuclear energy can work together in the transition period like they did with methane and other natural gases. I believe hydrogen power is the future of energy, but I dislike how their main goal was to achieve a net-zero carbon emission.
March 24, 2022
Solid overview of the new hydrogen economy with some interesting projections for cost declines. More for someone who knows nothing about the decarbonization opportunities that hydrogen can provide.
Read
September 25, 2023i read this for grad school
January 17, 2024
An Informative Advocacy for the Use of Hydrogen
When I first read the title, and then the description, my interest was piqued. In 1985 while teaching Plebe (freshman) chemistry at the United States Naval Academy I devoted part of a lecture to using hydrogen as a green replacement to natural gas in homes and to power vehicles. It can be produced in what now is called by a green process off the coast using solar energy for the destructive distillation of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Existing natural gas distribution with some modifications could be used to store, distribute, to homes. Lastly, hydrogen is safer than any liquid petroleum fuel. I pointed out that remember the terrible Hindenburg catastrophe; it took under a minute to be fully involved in flames, but 64% of the crew and passengers survived. I asked if a full commercial aircraft that becomes fully involved in flames in less than a minute, would 64% of the passengers and crew survive?
The question for you is, “First do you need an advanced degree in chemistry to understand this book?” No. This book is about how urgently substituting hydrogen for natural gas and fossil fuels needs to be accomplished very soon. Do you need an engineering degree to understand this aspect of the book.? No.
Why should you read this book? As a retiree living in California, I understand how close real action needs to start now. Through normal media, I’ve seen very little facts on how bad climate change is, what currently has been accomplished, and finally where this effort needs to go. All I have seen is much wringing of hands but nothing of substance.
The author is the CEO of Snam, a major energy Infrastructure company. He is in the middle of what is happening in the hydrogen revolution. He has a significant involvement in this field. He explains the issues which are very involved in very cogent chapters. He shows how the use of hydrogen not only complements other green technologies but makes them more viable. The author uses over a hundred references to back up his facts. He uses graphics effectively to show comparisons when the discussion has many contributing aspects. This was a large plus for me to follow his logic.
My above paragraph could be considered as the most significant negative against this book. The author is in the industry that would have a major player in his solution. He is not a disinterested observer. The author is a strong advocate, but I would not dismiss this work solely based on this aspect. Finding an alternative source of energy to met real world requirements must be urgently found. Hydrogen technology can be a unifying key to use the best of other green technologies to make them a viable solution in the future. As I stated above that by education, I am chemist but I never worked in the field beyond obtaining a Master’s degree. From that education, I do not see any problems with what the author proposes. The largest issue will be in the implementation of this technology. That is an engineering problem in which I do not have any special expertise, but the author does have that expertise and documents many initial pilots around the world that are very promising.
Overall, this book provides a persuasive look into this important issue facing all of us. It is important that everyone understand the potential of hydrogen technology. The author does have a slight advocacy aspect and is slightly technical, but I still believe that this book an excellent view on the potential and urgency of implementing an integrated hydrogen technology. I rate this book with four stars.
I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Basic Books. My review is based only by my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Basic Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
When I first read the title, and then the description, my interest was piqued. In 1985 while teaching Plebe (freshman) chemistry at the United States Naval Academy I devoted part of a lecture to using hydrogen as a green replacement to natural gas in homes and to power vehicles. It can be produced in what now is called by a green process off the coast using solar energy for the destructive distillation of water into hydrogen and oxygen. Existing natural gas distribution with some modifications could be used to store, distribute, to homes. Lastly, hydrogen is safer than any liquid petroleum fuel. I pointed out that remember the terrible Hindenburg catastrophe; it took under a minute to be fully involved in flames, but 64% of the crew and passengers survived. I asked if a full commercial aircraft that becomes fully involved in flames in less than a minute, would 64% of the passengers and crew survive?
The question for you is, “First do you need an advanced degree in chemistry to understand this book?” No. This book is about how urgently substituting hydrogen for natural gas and fossil fuels needs to be accomplished very soon. Do you need an engineering degree to understand this aspect of the book.? No.
Why should you read this book? As a retiree living in California, I understand how close real action needs to start now. Through normal media, I’ve seen very little facts on how bad climate change is, what currently has been accomplished, and finally where this effort needs to go. All I have seen is much wringing of hands but nothing of substance.
The author is the CEO of Snam, a major energy Infrastructure company. He is in the middle of what is happening in the hydrogen revolution. He has a significant involvement in this field. He explains the issues which are very involved in very cogent chapters. He shows how the use of hydrogen not only complements other green technologies but makes them more viable. The author uses over a hundred references to back up his facts. He uses graphics effectively to show comparisons when the discussion has many contributing aspects. This was a large plus for me to follow his logic.
My above paragraph could be considered as the most significant negative against this book. The author is in the industry that would have a major player in his solution. He is not a disinterested observer. The author is a strong advocate, but I would not dismiss this work solely based on this aspect. Finding an alternative source of energy to met real world requirements must be urgently found. Hydrogen technology can be a unifying key to use the best of other green technologies to make them a viable solution in the future. As I stated above that by education, I am chemist but I never worked in the field beyond obtaining a Master’s degree. From that education, I do not see any problems with what the author proposes. The largest issue will be in the implementation of this technology. That is an engineering problem in which I do not have any special expertise, but the author does have that expertise and documents many initial pilots around the world that are very promising.
Overall, this book provides a persuasive look into this important issue facing all of us. It is important that everyone understand the potential of hydrogen technology. The author does have a slight advocacy aspect and is slightly technical, but I still believe that this book an excellent view on the potential and urgency of implementing an integrated hydrogen technology. I rate this book with four stars.
I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Basic Books. My review is based only by my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Basic Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
November 28, 2021
Without ample energy we'd still be wrestling cave-bears for a place to sleep. Now we know the side-effects of burning a million years of fossil fuels in a century will come back to bite us. Hydrogen is much cleaner. But historically hard to capture and handle. So we cut powerlines through forests to bring Quebec hydro-power down to Boston, cover roofs with solar panels which may be an ongoing headache, and other patchwork energy gimmicks.
There are really only two commercial chemical fuels: Carbon and Hydrogen. Coal is dirty Carbon. All other fuels are mixtures of Carbon with Hydrogen: more Carbon makes solid fuels like wood, more Hydrogen makes liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon fuels.
Marco Alverà left the investment world to focus attention on Hydrogen as a major element of a long-term energy policy. Pure Hydrogen burns to water, far far fewer ill effects than Carbon Dioxide. And Hydrogen is much less liable to carry impurities like Sulphur (Sulphur dioxide stinks and is toxic) or heavy metals like coal does.
Hydrogen burns easily in air to make heat or run engines. It can 'burn' directly to electricity in a fuel cell, with no or few moving parts. Unlike electricity, Hydrogen can be stored or transported in tanks as we wish, bridging time and space. Stock-up summer sun for winter warmth. Re-purpose the existing global fuel-gas transport (pipes, trucks, ships) to move energy around the world.
Marco explains all in a very easy-to read style, not getting bogged in technical details or convoluted logic.
The vision is seductive. And essentially true. If we don't bake or choke first, we will harness Hydrogen for our energy needs. When? Marco is self-convinced and has invested in the beginnings of this revolution. I'm from Missouri, "Show me!" If nothing else, fossil fuels are SO widely ingrained in our lives that even a crash program can't convert us for decades. And many other promising trends turned out to be too hard or, critically, just a wee bit too expensive. Wind power was a very niche market (polder pumps and grain mills) for hundreds of years. Millions have been sunk in Tide power over the last century, with little to show. Is Hydrogen just around the corner, or just out of budgetary reach?
If you are at all interested in climate or energy, read this!
There are really only two commercial chemical fuels: Carbon and Hydrogen. Coal is dirty Carbon. All other fuels are mixtures of Carbon with Hydrogen: more Carbon makes solid fuels like wood, more Hydrogen makes liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon fuels.
Marco Alverà left the investment world to focus attention on Hydrogen as a major element of a long-term energy policy. Pure Hydrogen burns to water, far far fewer ill effects than Carbon Dioxide. And Hydrogen is much less liable to carry impurities like Sulphur (Sulphur dioxide stinks and is toxic) or heavy metals like coal does.
Hydrogen burns easily in air to make heat or run engines. It can 'burn' directly to electricity in a fuel cell, with no or few moving parts. Unlike electricity, Hydrogen can be stored or transported in tanks as we wish, bridging time and space. Stock-up summer sun for winter warmth. Re-purpose the existing global fuel-gas transport (pipes, trucks, ships) to move energy around the world.
Marco explains all in a very easy-to read style, not getting bogged in technical details or convoluted logic.
The vision is seductive. And essentially true. If we don't bake or choke first, we will harness Hydrogen for our energy needs. When? Marco is self-convinced and has invested in the beginnings of this revolution. I'm from Missouri, "Show me!" If nothing else, fossil fuels are SO widely ingrained in our lives that even a crash program can't convert us for decades. And many other promising trends turned out to be too hard or, critically, just a wee bit too expensive. Wind power was a very niche market (polder pumps and grain mills) for hundreds of years. Millions have been sunk in Tide power over the last century, with little to show. Is Hydrogen just around the corner, or just out of budgetary reach?
If you are at all interested in climate or energy, read this!
April 22, 2022
What an encouraging story. I hadn't realized how many advances had been made in the renewable energy world. According to Alvera's sources, the cost of solar and wind installation in some locations is cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives, and in the near future it is likely that renewable electricity will be the most economic option in most cases.
The main premise of hydrogen is that it can be stored and transported just like natural gas, so we can use existing infrastructure, and even existing boilers/furnaces to utilize this new fuel form. Hydrogen can be produced from water and electricity using electrolytic cells, and if we set those up in places with abundant renewable energy like the Sahara Desert, then we can pipe energy around the world much more easily than setting up electric lines.
The author is CEO of an energy company which is heavily invested in hydrogen, so it goes without saying that there is a bias to oversell the wonders of hydrogen. Even so, Alvera's vision of a carbon neutral world feels much more tangible and prosperous than any other plan out there. The biggest thing we, as consumers, can do is vote with our dollars and insist on carbon neutral products. The technology is out there just waiting for us to step up!
The main premise of hydrogen is that it can be stored and transported just like natural gas, so we can use existing infrastructure, and even existing boilers/furnaces to utilize this new fuel form. Hydrogen can be produced from water and electricity using electrolytic cells, and if we set those up in places with abundant renewable energy like the Sahara Desert, then we can pipe energy around the world much more easily than setting up electric lines.
The author is CEO of an energy company which is heavily invested in hydrogen, so it goes without saying that there is a bias to oversell the wonders of hydrogen. Even so, Alvera's vision of a carbon neutral world feels much more tangible and prosperous than any other plan out there. The biggest thing we, as consumers, can do is vote with our dollars and insist on carbon neutral products. The technology is out there just waiting for us to step up!
February 13, 2022
This is a fantastic book! If you’re even remotely interested in the energy transition or a sustainable future, this should be on your to-read list.
The book is chock full of facts and information yet written in a way that makes it feel like you’re reading a novel. It’s an enjoyable read and, at times, hard to put down. Alvera is a talented writer who also “knows his stuff.” I highly recommend this book.
The book is chock full of facts and information yet written in a way that makes it feel like you’re reading a novel. It’s an enjoyable read and, at times, hard to put down. Alvera is a talented writer who also “knows his stuff.” I highly recommend this book.
July 5, 2022
Content good. Writing eh. Appreciate the upbeat tone but also not sure we have no sacrifices to make in the fight against climate change.
Perhaps learning that more nuanced books don’t get published.
Perhaps learning that more nuanced books don’t get published.
October 12, 2022
I think Marco does a good job of forming a complete argument for hydrogen, listing it's many pros, but also explaining some of its cons, and what we can do about them. I found his line towards the end of the book very intriguing, where he compared the current status of hydrogen as the chicken and egg problem. It is very difficult to reduce the price without any demand. It really just needs a jump start (queue government subsidies etc.) to get the ball rolling, and it would be well on its way to $2/kg and beyond.
The simplicity of the whole idea is pretty remarkable as well. Part of the reason many people don't support renewables is always 'well what do you do if the Sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing?'. Sure batteries can be of use here, but the cost, weight, use of precious materials are all pretty obvious. Why not store that electric energy in chemical bonds, namely of molecules of the most abundant element in the universe? The further benefit of being able to extract fuel even from a planet like Mars (after mining the ice for example) is incredible.
Overall the book was very interesting and does a good job arguing for mass adoption of hydrogen as an energy storage method for renewables. Marco also seems very measured with some of his descriptions, namely he accepts that some industries/uses will require a much cheaper cost and a more mature technology for hydrogen to be adopted. That's why we need to get to $2/kg and start the snowball effect. My main issues with the book are simply that I would've liked it to be a bit more technical. I understand the goal is to make this book as approachable as possible to an average person with no science background (as it absolutely should be), so it's probably not an entirely fair critique. The one other thing I noticed was that he switches a lot between using euros and USD which seems to unnecessarily complicate things, at least for me. Hydrogen should absolutely be talked about more, I had no idea how useful it can be when paired with renewables.
The simplicity of the whole idea is pretty remarkable as well. Part of the reason many people don't support renewables is always 'well what do you do if the Sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing?'. Sure batteries can be of use here, but the cost, weight, use of precious materials are all pretty obvious. Why not store that electric energy in chemical bonds, namely of molecules of the most abundant element in the universe? The further benefit of being able to extract fuel even from a planet like Mars (after mining the ice for example) is incredible.
Overall the book was very interesting and does a good job arguing for mass adoption of hydrogen as an energy storage method for renewables. Marco also seems very measured with some of his descriptions, namely he accepts that some industries/uses will require a much cheaper cost and a more mature technology for hydrogen to be adopted. That's why we need to get to $2/kg and start the snowball effect. My main issues with the book are simply that I would've liked it to be a bit more technical. I understand the goal is to make this book as approachable as possible to an average person with no science background (as it absolutely should be), so it's probably not an entirely fair critique. The one other thing I noticed was that he switches a lot between using euros and USD which seems to unnecessarily complicate things, at least for me. Hydrogen should absolutely be talked about more, I had no idea how useful it can be when paired with renewables.
January 3, 2023
Personally I think the author is quite optimistic about the future of hydrogen, but all his arguments have a solid scientific basis and with this reading I managed to learn things I didn't know before. I highly recommend this book to people motivated by hydrogen who do not have a technical background. I would only add that if you want to get a more realistic picture of hydrogen, read some articles not only about the benefits, but also about the challenges and the real expected applications of hydrogen in the future.
April 22, 2022
A nice learning tool and reference guide to the role hydrogen will play in the future of energy, hurdles to overcome, and an outlook toward solutions.
April 26, 2022
A fairly easy read that provides a decent summary of the hydrogen landscape as it stands today (2021-2022).
November 1, 2022
Simple, clear, exciting, encouraging.
January 20, 2024
I'm rating it as a 3-stars since despite of a very interesting first half I came across, it got a bit complicated for an average reader.
December 17, 2022
Until I read this book I would have never thought hydrogen could be the future of clean energy. It was a very interesting book that laid out the possible future of clean energy involving hydrogen. In my opinion, worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews