The Hydrogen Leader Podcast Leadership | Growth | Hydrogen

Episode 29: Why Hydrogen Mobility Will Beat Electric Trucks - Thomas Zorn - The Hydrogen Leader Podcast

In this episode of the Hydrogen Leader Podcast, we speak with Thomas Zorn, Managing Director of Tyczka Hydrogen GmbH, about the future of hydrogen mobility, electric vehicles, and trucks, and the real business case behind the hydrogen economy.Thomas shares his career journey from Linde plc to the family-owned Tyczka Group, where he now leads the development of hydrogen solutions for heavy-duty transport, logistics, and industrial applications. The conversation dives deep into one of the most important debates in clean energy today: hydrogen vs electric vehicles (EVs)—especially when it comes to trucks and long-haul mobility.You’ll learn why hydrogen trucks could outperform electric trucks, how the cost comparison between hydrogen, diesel, and electric vehicles is evolving, and why green hydrogen is already becoming competitive in certain use cases. Thomas explains how hydrogen refueling infrastructure is developing across Europe, including Tyczka’s role in operating hydrogen refueling stations and building electrolyzer projects to scale renewable hydrogen production.We also explore how hydrogen is being used across industry, mobility, and R&D, and why heavy-duty mobility is a key driver for unlocking the hydrogen market. The discussion covers the importance of decentralized hydrogen hubs versus large-scale hydrogen backbones, the role of electrolyzers in balancing the electricity grid, and how hydrogen supports the clean energy transition and decarbonization of transport.In addition, Thomas shares insights into the regulatory challenges facing hydrogen in Europe, the importance of market-based mechanisms, and what needs to happen for hydrogen to scale commercially. Finally, he offers practical advice for young professionals looking to build a career in the hydrogen economy, sustainable energy, and future mobility sectors.This episode is essential for anyone interested in hydrogen mobility, electric trucks, clean energy, and the future of transportation.

Episode 28: From Nitrogen Generator Projects to Parker Hannifin - Neil McPherson - The Hydrogen Leader Podcast

Hydrogen generators, nitrogen generator projects, PEM electrolyzers, and the future of industrial gas generation. In this episode of The Hydrogen Leader Podcast, we speak with Neil McPherson, Alternative Energy Manager at Parker Hannifin, about hydrogen innovation, nitrogen generation technologies, and the real-world challenges of scaling clean energy and industrial gas systems.Neil shares insights from his 40-year career in industrial gas technologies, including hydrogen production, nitrogen generation, gas separation, and filtration systems used across energy, manufacturing, and laboratory applications. He explains how Parker Hannifin transforms customer needs into engineering solutions using structured innovation frameworks such as the Double Diamond design process, business case development, and stage-gate product development.The conversation explores the early development of hydrogen generators and PEM electrolyzers, including Neil’s work in the mid-1990s developing micro-scale PEM hydrogen generators for laboratory and analytical applications. He also discusses his role in a U.S. Department of Energy–supported PEM electrolyzer project with Giner, focused on scaling hydrogen production technologies for industrial and energy applications.We also discuss Parker’s energy-agnostic strategy across hydrogen, nitrogen generation, ammonia, biogas, and biodiesel, and how technologies like gas separation, filtration, PSA nitrogen generators, and on-site gas generation systems support industries pursuing decarbonization, energy efficiency, and sustainable operations.For companies developing nitrogen generator projects, hydrogen infrastructure, or industrial gas systems, this episode highlights how innovation, engineering design, and customer-driven development help bring complex gas technologies to market.Neil also shares his perspective on why the hydrogen economy and clean energy transition take time, highlighting real industry challenges such as project financing, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, and hydrogen offtake economics.Finally, he offers valuable career advice for engineers and energy professionals, emphasizing curiosity, reliability, collaboration, and a strong focus on solving real-world problems.

Episode 27: Global Hydrogen Projects - Insights from Hydrogen Council CEO Ivana Jemelkova - The Hydrogen Leader Podcast

In this episode of the Hydrogen Leader Podcast, we speak with Ivana Jemelkova, CEO of the Hydrogen Council, about her background and the Council’s founding at Davos in 2017 by 13 CEOs, now grown to 140 companies across 20 countries as the only CEO-led global hydrogen organization. Jemelkova describes the Council’s role providing fact bases, advocacy, communication, and convening deals, and shares CEO summit messages to shift from planning to delivery (“Lead, build and deliver”). She discusses support for women-focused initiatives, the need to look beyond headlines about canceled projects, and key Hydrogen Compass findings: around 510 projects have reached FID/construction/operation and global capital commitments have grown tenfold. They compare regional momentum (China leading, North America shifting, Europe stuck in implementation), call for simpler EU rules (including CBAM), advocate lifecycle carbon accounting over “colors,” and emphasize resilience and trusted energy partnerships amid Middle East conflict, with expectations of near-term capacity doubling and focus on execution through 2030.

Episode 26: I created the Hydrogen Masterplan for Holland and Europe - Prof Ad van Wijk - The Hydrogen Leader Podcast

In this episode of The Hydrogen Leader Podcast, we speak with Ad van Wijk, a Dutch physicist, entrepreneur, former TU Delft professor, and one of the pioneers shaping Dutch hydrogen strategy and the future of hydrogen in Europe.Ad shares his journey from early wind energy research to founding Ecofys, and how his work helped shape the Hydrogen Masterplan for the Netherlands after gas production in Groningen declined. His vision has played a key role in the development of hydrogen in the Netherlands and the broader transformation of Europe’s energy system.We discuss how his influential 2017 Green Hydrogen Economy report helped inspire Europe’s hydrogen valley concept and the EU’s 2×40 GW electrolyzer strategy, a cornerstone of the growing hydrogen infrastructure in Europe. Ad explains why developing Dutch hydrogen hubs, expanding pipelines, and enabling hydrogen imports are critical for scaling hydrogen in Europe and securing the continent’s energy future.The conversation also explores the challenges slowing progress in hydrogen in the Netherlands and Europe, including ambitious policy targets, slow market demand, and complex regulatory frameworks. Ad argues that Europe needs a more pragmatic and phased approach to realize the Hydrogen Masterplan and unlock the full potential of Dutch hydrogen development, particularly in regions like Groningen, which could become a major hydrogen hub.We also discuss hydrogen market creation, industrial decarbonization pathways such as green steel, and the geopolitical importance of hydrogen pipelines connecting Europe’s energy system.On a personal note, Ad reflects on his proudest achievements—from family and entrepreneurship to academia and helping shape the Hydrogen Masterplan for the Netherlands. He closes with advice for the next generation of energy leaders: be realistic, be brave, and help build a clean energy future where hydrogen in Europe, Dutch hydrogen innovation, and renewable electricity work together. Download Ad van Wijk's Papers: The Green Hydrogen Economy in the Northern Netherlands:https://profadvanwijk.com/archive/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/NIB-BP-EN-DEF-webversie.pdfGreen Energy for All: https://profadvanwijk.com/product/green-energy-for-all/The Bridge Between Africa and Europe:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352719494_Hydrogen-The_Bridge_Between_Africa_and_Europe

Episode 25: Hydrogen in Real Estate - Data Centers & Waste Heat - Adamo Screnci - The Hydrogen Leader Podcast

In this Episode of The Hydrogen Leader Podcast, Adamo Screnci discusses his new role at IDEC Group, where he leads IDEC Italy and the group’s energy strategy, linking energy systems with real estate and building operations. With a background in electrochemistry, business training (including INSEAD), and experience across hydrogen initiatives and organizations like Hydrogen Europe and DII, Screnci describes his leadership style as listening-first, pragmatic, and focused on measurable, market-driven transition. He explains hydrogen’s role as an energy “vector,” not a primary source, and highlights how falling renewable electricity costs have made hydrogen attractive for storage, transport, fuels, and chemicals. He sees strong potential in integrating energy solutions into buildings—such as solar PV, storage, EV charging, and possibly hydrogen—especially in logistics hubs, industrial clusters, ports, and data centers. Screnci cautions against hydrogen hype, arguing that projects must be application- and region-specific, economically viable, and built around clear customer demand rather than speculation. He emphasizes the importance of regulation, stable offtake agreements, and affordable electricity, pointing to examples like green steel, SAF, and large-scale projects in the Middle East and Europe. He concludes by calling for clearer communication, smarter market mechanisms, and stronger collaboration to accelerate the energy transition.