“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”, echoed a pivotal moment from 1945 when the United States unleashed the first atomic bomb over Los Alamos as part of the Manhattan Project. Those words, drawn from a sacred text, underscored both the power and the peril of progress. The ensuing decades saw the rise of thermonuclear weapons during the Cold War, with hydrogen taking center stage as a key energy element. The question remains: why is hydrogen so crucial as an energy carrier? The universe’s most abundant element fuels the stars through nuclear fusion, making it one of the largest potential energy sources known. In industry, hydrogen has long been a staple, and today its role is expanding as the climate crisis elevates it to a foundational pillar of the ecological transition.
Under ordinary conditions hydrogen appears as a gas and often blends with other elements such as oxygen or carbon. It is not a fuel that occurs in pure form in nature; it must be produced through chemical or energetic processes to extract it in a usable state.
When the energy source used to produce hydrogen varies, the resulting classification shifts. Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced with renewable energy, typically through electrolysis, a process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen with little to no greenhouse gas emissions.
El Periódico de España recently held a colloquium at Espacio Bertelsmann in Madrid to explore the future of green hydrogen as a cornerstone of global decarbonization. The event, organized with Cepsa, gathered leading voices to discuss how green hydrogen could decarbonize the Spanish and broader European economy.
“The idea is to use renewable energies to generate hydrogen to save electricity. It is an energy vector that has seen limited use until now”, explained María Retuerto, a chemistry doctor and senior researcher at the CSIC Institute of Catalysis and Petroleum Chemistry. “Hydrogen can be used directly or in the production of synthetics that promote decarbonisation”, pointed out Olivia Infantes, head of Hydrogen Regulation. “An old acquaintance in the industrial world, but not in the energy world.” Antonio González, vice president of the Spanish Hydrogen Association AeH2, noted that a world of possibilities opens in this field.
hydrogen race
“With Europe aiming to meet ecological transition goals, hydrogen will play an important role,” said Yolanda Benito, executive director of the Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research, CIEMAT. Within Europe, experts suggested that Spain could hold a meaningful position in green hydrogen production, referencing its renewable energy capacity and the broader energy landscape.
“With the goals Europe has, hydrogen will play an important role”
“We can generate renewable energy from diverse sources. The electrical grid is robust and well interconnected, serving as a model for much of Europe,” Infantes stated. Retuerto added that diversification is key to green hydrogen production. Different methods will be employed depending on needs, and growing funding reflects increasing seriousness about the sector.
Infantes noted that Spain’s strategic position matters, including the country’s port network and strategic sea routes. The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the world’s busiest maritime arteries, handling a substantial share of global traffic.
“The hydrogen economy, with all its implications, could boost energy independence. Repeated crises should push faster progress,” argued Benito. Antonio González warned that regional standards could face external pressure from geopolitical shifts, including the war in Ukraine highlights the urgency of an energy policy framework.
“All development of hydrogen will generate business, engineering and research needs”
AeH2’s leadership suggested that future European Union collaborations could mirror past strategic moves such as oil reserves and energy reserves planning after major conflicts. The idea of storing hydrogen as a strategic resource in coming years was floated as a possible option.
sectoral applications
The versatility of hydrogen stands out across the economy. Five or six years ago the emphasis was on fuel cell vehicles; today the emphasis spans industry decarbonization, heavy road and rail transport, maritime operations, and residential heating. A national plan from authorities is deemed essential to guide these transitions.
Hydrogen can act alone as a fuel in chemical reactions or serve as a feedstock to produce synthetic fuels. When it combines with an oxidant like oxygen, water is formed, initiating processes that drive vehicles and heat in industrial settings. The breadth of its advantages points to a future economy powered by hydrogen, according to industry voices who foresee a strong role for research and engineering in its growth.
Hydrogen can also be injected into portions of the natural gas grid to enable heating in buildings. The collaboration among France, Spain, and Portugal to replace Midcat with a new pipeline connecting Barcelona to Marseille aims to transport hydrogen along with natural gas, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation. A recent agreement between Cepsa and the port of Rotterdam highlights opportunities to route hydrogen from southern Spain to northern Europe. The industry remains committed to the entire value chain, from research centers to end users.
Research support
Spain’s contribution to green hydrogen research has grown, with a share of around 3.8 percent of worldwide publications in the sector and Europe accounting for roughly 15 percent. Yet the field faces cohesion challenges between public research and industry actors. Data from the National Institute of Statistics show Spain allocating roughly 1.4 percent of GDP to R&D, below the 2 percent target.
A unified vision is demanded, with citizens and companies working together to address climate emergencies and societal crises. A long-term plan with short-term milestones is viewed as essential. In the near term, a shift from gray to green hydrogen is considered urgent to position Spain as a hub for hydrogen in Europe, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy investments.
“Maybe we should consider having strategic hydrogen reserves in a few years”
The call is for affordable, reliable renewable energy that can scale green hydrogen production. Storage, transport, and creation processes must become cheaper, and a solid regulatory framework is needed. The European Union should stand united to succeed in this transition.
Looking ahead, the discussion centers on using every feasible approach to drive ecological transition. A well-educated nation with a robust energy network is seen as well positioned to seize the opportunity presented by green hydrogen.
The climate emergency and the need for decarbonization underscore the push for new production models that expand hydrogen use. Spain’s strategic geography, abundant renewable resources, and extensive energy network position it favorably in the shift toward a greener economy.
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Environmental authorities keep advancing this agenda through ongoing work and policy development, inviting continued collaboration across sectors. [citation attribution: sources from recent European energy forums and national reports reflect the ongoing momentum in hydrogen research and policy development.]