Germany, China, and the Race for Hydrogen Supremacy – Is the U.S. Falling Behind?

Welcome to The Hydrogen Podcast! I’m Paul Rodden, and today kicks off Part 1 of our special two-part series on building the U.S. hydrogen economy by 2035. In this episode, we break down the four core hydrogen production technologies shaping America’s clean energy strategy:🚀 Featured Technologies:Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) with Carbon CaptureMethane PyrolysisNatural HydrogenNuclear Hydrogen🔍 We explore:The carbon intensity (CI) and scalability of each pathwayReal-world project examples like ExxonMobil’s Baytown plant and Monolith’s plasma pyrolysis pilotTech innovation from Aurora Hydrogen and Koloma’s natural H2 drillingCost analysis based on data from the DOE, IEA, and BloombergNEFThe economic impact of 45V and 45Q tax credits under H.R.1High-value hydrogen derivatives like low-CI ammonia and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)💥 Bonus: Learn how each technology plays into the $200B ammonia and $1T SAF markets by 2050.This is the definitive roadmap for tech leaders, investors, and policymakers shaping hydrogen’s role in the U.S. energy transition.👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2, where we cover hydrogen infrastructure, regional hubs, and market deployment across the U.S.Support the show

In this episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we unpack a powerful Forbes article titled “From Gridlock to Green Light: Three Focus Areas for Hydrogen Energy Executives” (June 13, 2025) by Whitaker Irvin Jr., CEO of Q Hydrogen.💡 The Message? 2025 is a make-or-break year—and hydrogen leaders need a new playbook.🧩 Inside This Episode:How data centers could become hydrogen’s breakout market, powering AI with zero-carbon fuelWhy “subsidy-agnostic” economics are essential in the post-H.R.1 landscapeHow strategic partnerships—like ABB, Fluor & Topsoe’s $400M electrolyzer alliance—are key to scaleWhat the U.S. can learn from Europe’s Hydrogen Bank and China’s hydrogen mega-projectsThe role of behind-the-meter hydrogen, modular electrolyzers, and R&D priorities📊 With the 45V tax credit set to expire in 2026, and global competition accelerating, this episode delivers a clear blueprint for executives who want to lead—not lag—in the $1 trillion hydrogen economy by 2050.🔧 From pilot projects in Utah to policy pivots in Washington, Irvin’s article gives the roadmap—this episode breaks it down.#HydrogenPodcast #QHydrogen #DataCenters #HydrogenEconomy #45VCredit #Electrolyzers #FuelCells #CleanEnergy #EnergyPolicy #HydrogenPartnerships #HydrogenNews #AIandEnergy #ZeroCarbonPower #BloombergNEF #DOESupport the show

In this special episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we break down the June 17 Reuters article, “Trump Tax Bill Risks Exodus of Clean Hydrogen Investment.”📉 What’s happening? The “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R.1), passed by the House, slashes the 45V tax credit timeline—forcing clean hydrogen projects to break ground by January 1, 2026, not 2033. That’s a seven-year cliff that could derail billions in investment.🧩 Inside This Episode:The economic stakes for U.S. hydrogen developers, from HIF Global to Plug PowerHow the loss of the 45V credit could shift hydrogen dominance to China and the EUThe role of 45Q in propping up SMR with CCS—but at what cost to electrolysis?The politics behind the bill and how 250+ companies are fighting backWhat this means for jobs in Texas, Georgia, and other GOP-led hydrogen hubsGlobal contrast: Europe’s Hydrogen Bank and China’s massive hydrogen scale-upWhat happens next—and what U.S. hydrogen needs to stay competitive💡 With hydrogen projects requiring 4–6 years just to start construction, this bill’s rushed timeline threatens to strand sunk costs and kill thousands of jobs. Can the Senate fix it in time?🎧 Stay informed. Stay strategic. Listen now.Support the show

In today’s episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we explore three pivotal stories shaping the global hydrogen landscape:🇬🇧 UK – BP Cancels £2B HyGreen Teesside Project: A June 13 Yahoo News report reveals that BP has scrapped its massive green hydrogen project in the UK due to sluggish subsidy negotiations. This move highlights the UK’s policy delays and threatens its 10 GW hydrogen target for 2030.🇺🇸 U.S. – Plug Power Lands a Major Deal: According to The Motley Fool, Plug Power secured a 25 MW PEM electrolyzer contract with a European customer. This $20–30 million deal strengthens Plug’s order book—but does it fix their financial woes?🇯🇵 Japan/France – Toyota’s Hydrogen Race Car: Car and Driver reports that Toyota plans to run its GR H2 Racing Concept at Le Mans in 2026. This hydrogen ICE-powered race car could redefine high-performance motorsport and push hydrogen tech into the spotlight.📊 In This Episode:The economics of $4–$6/kg electrolytic hydrogen vs. low-CI alternativesPolicy uncertainty and its impact on bankabilityPlug Power’s growth and risksToyota’s hydrogen racing ambitions and global FCV implicationsWhy infrastructure and low-CI hydrogen are key to market growthWhether it's the collapse of a major project, a breakthrough deal, or a high-octane showcase, hydrogen's future is being shaped by bold moves and tough challenges.Support the show

In this episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we explore three powerful hydrogen stories making global waves:🇮🇪 Ireland: The Irish Examiner outlines how Ireland plans to leverage 50,000 km² of offshore wind to decarbonize heavy industry, transport, and heating. With 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and projects like the €200M Galway Hydrogen Hub, Ireland is betting big on green hydrogen—but will the economics work?🏴 Scotland (JCB): The Scotsman covers the debut of JCB’s hydrogen internal combustion engine at The Royal Highland Show. With a retrofit-ready 4.8L hydrogen ICE for heavy machinery, JCB is taking on diesel and battery-electric power head-on. Could this be a game-changer for construction and agriculture?🇮🇳 India: Moneycontrol reports on Indian Oil Corporation’s plan to build India’s largest green hydrogen facility at Panipat. With 200 MW of renewables powering 27 tons of daily hydrogen output, this project is key to India’s 5 million-ton hydrogen target and clean refining future.🔎 In this episode:Policy-backed hydrogen strategies from Ireland, India, and ScotlandEconomic analysis of electrolytic vs low-CI hydrogenDemand challenges and internal-use strategiesTechnology deep dives: PEM, alkaline, and hydrogen ICE innovationLessons for the U.S. from H.R.1, Baytown, and Koloma🌍 As hydrogen accelerates worldwide, each country’s approach offers insight into how the global hydrogen economy is taking shape—from cost, to technology, to market demand.Support the show

In today’s episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we dive into Newsweek’s June 2025 article on the Neom Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC), the heart of Saudi Arabia’s bold $500 billion Neom megaproject.🚧 The world’s largest green hydrogen plant—80% complete and located in Neom’s Oxagon hub—is aiming to be operational by late 2026. With $8.4 billion in investment and 4 GW of renewable energy, this facility will produce 600 tons of hydrogen daily, converted into 1.2 million tons of ammonia annually for global export.🔎 Topics covered in this episode:Key details on NGHC’s economic model, technology stack, and off-take strategyHow NGHC fits into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030Market risks and the need for more buyersJob creation, environmental benefits, and the water-energy tradeoffA comparison to U.S. and China’s competitive projects like ExxonMobil’s Baytown facility and Sinopec’s $690M hydrogen fund📊 Based on data from DOE, IEA, and BloombergNEF, we analyze NGHC’s future in the global hydrogen market and whether it can compete on cost and scale.🌍 Whether you’re in energy, infrastructure, or policy, this episode offers essential insights into one of the biggest clean energy bets in the world.Support the show

In this episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we unpack the sobering truths from Oilprice.com's May 2025 article, "Green Hydrogen Faces Reality Check in Europe."💡 Despite bold promises, only 6% of hydrogen projects in Northwest Europe are being implemented. Why? High costs, weak demand, and poor bankability are creating a massive gap between ambition and reality.🔎 Here’s what we cover:Why electrolytic hydrogen at $4–$6/kg is stalling progressWhy Europe must embrace low-CI alternatives like SMR with CCS, natural hydrogen, and methane pyrolysisHow ExxonMobil’s Baytown facility in Texas could supply low-cost hydrogen to Europe at half the price of local productionWhat it would take to make a true hydrogen commodity market thrive in Europe📊 All numbers and costs are sourced from the DOE, IEA, and BloombergNEF, offering a reality-based look at hydrogen’s future.🌍 Whether you're watching the global energy transition or planning infrastructure investments, this episode provides key insights on hydrogen economics, policy, and strategy.Support the show

In this episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we explore two major hydrogen developments reshaping the global energy landscape.🇩🇪 Germany: Deutsche ReGas secures $127 million in EU funding to launch a major hydrogen hub in Lubmin, Germany—powered by offshore wind and connected to Europe’s hydrogen transport backbone.🇨🇳 China: Sinopec launches a $690 million hydrogen venture capital fund, doubling down on electrolyzer innovation, FCEV infrastructure, and scale-up of low-CI hydrogen production to dominate the global market.🇺🇸 The U.S. Response: With the repeal of the Section 45V tax credit via the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” America must now focus on economics-first hydrogen—SMR with CCS, natural hydrogen, and methane pyrolysis—all producing hydrogen at $1–$2/kg.Plus, we spotlight how natural hydrogen could supercharge ammonia production in the Midwest and what public-private partnerships must do to keep pace.📈 All cost data sourced from DOE, IEA, and BloombergNEF to provide the clearest picture of hydrogen’s economic future.🎧 Listen now to learn:How Germany and China are scaling hydrogen innovationThe real opportunity for the U.S. with natural hydrogenWhy ammonia production could become America’s hydrogen aceWhat it will take to remain globally competitive by 2030Support the show

In this episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we unpack the Forbes article “What Happened to the Hydrogen Economy?” by Robert Rapier and break down the five reasons hydrogen hasn’t revolutionized the energy sector—yet.From the broken promises of Bush-era policy to the economics of modern hydrogen production, we explore what went wrong, and more importantly, what’s next.We spotlight low-cost, low-carbon intensity (CI) hydrogen production methods—steam methane reforming (SMR) with carbon capture, natural hydrogen, and methane pyrolysis—that could finally build a demand-driven U.S. hydrogen economy.We also reveal why the repeal of the Section 45V tax credit might actually push the industry forward and how the Midwest could emerge as the next hydrogen hub by powering ammonia production with natural hydrogen at $0.50–$1/kg.📊 All data sourced from the U.S. DOE, IEA, and BloombergNEF.🎧 Listen now to learn:The 5 biggest roadblocks hydrogen still facesHow H.R.1 shifts U.S. hydrogen strategyWhat production methods can scale economicallyWhy the Corn Belt may become a clean energy giantSubscribe and leave a review if this helped you understand the hydrogen transition better!#HydrogenPodcast #HydrogenEconomy #CleanHydrogen #NaturalHydrogen #MethanePyrolysis #SMRwithCCS #EnergyPolicy #Section45V #HydrogenProduction #MidwestHydrogen #Ammonia #Decarbonization #HydrogenNews #RobertRapier #EnergyTransitionSupport the show

In today’s episode of The Hydrogen Podcast, we break down the biggest legislative shift in the U.S. hydrogen industry to date—the House-passed “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R.1)—and how it could transform the economics of hydrogen production.🧪 Key Topics Covered:Why steam methane reforming with CCS, natural hydrogen, and methane pyrolysis may dominate U.S. hydrogen productionThe repeal of the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit and what it means for projects like Plug Power, Air Products, and Clean Hydrogen WorksThe new focus on Section 45Q for carbon capture—and how ExxonMobil’s Baytown hydrogen hub could thrive under the new rulesThe shifting competitiveness of electrolytic hydrogen, and why its future may now rest on R&D and cost innovation💼 Economic Takeaways:Hydrogen from SMR+CCS, natural hydrogen, and pyrolysis costs $1–$2/kg—half the cost of electrolysisPotential loss of $50B in hydrogen investments due to the short 60-day construction window for 45V eligibilityPlug Power’s market cap could drop $500M; Air Products’ and CF Industries’ projects are now at riskBut ExxonMobil’s Baytown plant could make $500M/year in CCS tax credits under 45Q📈 Whether you're a policymaker, investor, or energy professional, this episode is your definitive guide to understanding the real market implications of H.R.1.👉 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay ahead of the hydrogen curve. 📩 Email us at [email protected] for feedback or questions!#HydrogenPodcast #GreenHydrogen #BlueHydrogen #HydrogenEconomy #HydrogenPolicy #Section45V #Section45Q #CarbonCapture #NaturalHydrogen #MethanePyrolysis #ExxonMobilHydrogen #PlugPower #AirProducts #CleanHydrogen #HydrogenLegislation #HydrogenInvestmentSupport the show