The industrial era began in the 18th century, when coal was the major source of energy. At that time, people believed they were living in the greatest period in human history. Steam engines transformed transportation, factories replaced manual labor, and later, electric bulbs replaced oil lamps. Every generation believes it has reached the peak of innovation.
But everything is relative.
Compared to the 18th century, the world of today is unbelievably modern. Coal was gradually replaced by petroleum, petroleum is now being challenged by electricity, and today the entire world is talking about sustainability. This raises an interesting question: What will be the next major source of energy?
Many experts believe the answer is hydrogen.
Look at the Sun. It has been providing light and heat to Earth for billions of years. The Sun is powered by nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium while releasing an enormous amount of energy. Although we cannot recreate the Sun on Earth at the same scale, it reminds us of one important fact—hydrogen contains tremendous energy.
Unlike coal or petroleum, hydrogen is not mined from the ground. It is an energy carrier, meaning it has to be produced. The most common method is electrolysis, where electricity splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. Many people argue that if electricity is required to produce hydrogen, why not simply use electricity directly?
The answer depends on storage and transportation.
Electricity is difficult and expensive to store for long periods, especially on a national scale. Batteries also become impractical for ships, heavy trucks, steel industries, and aircraft because of their enormous weight. Hydrogen solves this problem by storing renewable energy in the form of gas, which can later be transported, stored for months, and converted back into electricity or used as fuel whenever needed.
This is one of the biggest reasons why governments are investing billions of dollars in hydrogen research.
Imagine a village without a natural gas pipeline. Instead of transporting LPG cylinders every month, hydrogen could be produced locally using solar panels and water. During the daytime, solar panels generate electricity. Excess electricity produces hydrogen through electrolysis, and the hydrogen is stored for use during the night or cloudy days. In many ways, hydrogen acts like a giant rechargeable battery.
Several countries have already started moving in this direction. India has begun testing hydrogen-powered trains, while Toyota has invested heavily in hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Japan and South Korea are building hydrogen infrastructure, and Europe is planning a hydrogen pipeline network connecting multiple countries.
Here is something many people don't know.
Today, nearly all hydrogen produced worldwide is not green. Around 95% of global hydrogen production comes from natural gas or coal, known as grey hydrogen, which releases carbon dioxide during production. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable electricity, currently represents only a very small percentage of total production. The technology exists, but the biggest challenge is reducing its cost.
Countries with abundant renewable energy have a significant advantage. Nepal and Bhutan possess enormous hydropower potential, while countries like Canada and Norway already generate most of their electricity from hydroelectricity. Producing hydrogen using surplus renewable electricity can be both economical and environmentally friendly. Likewise, Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait receive some of the highest solar radiation in the world. As global demand for oil gradually declines over the coming decades, these countries are investing in massive solar projects and could eventually become major exporters of green hydrogen instead of crude oil.
Another interesting fact is that hydrogen is not only being considered for transportation. Steel manufacturing, fertilizer production, shipping, aviation, and even backup power systems are exploring hydrogen because batteries alone cannot meet their energy requirements. Many experts believe batteries and hydrogen will complement each other rather than compete. Batteries are ideal for small vehicles and daily commuting, while hydrogen is better suited for industries that require high energy density and long operating hours.
Of course, hydrogen is not a perfect fuel. It is highly flammable, requires specialized storage tanks, and transporting it over long distances remains expensive. Building hydrogen pipelines, refueling stations, and production facilities will require trillions of dollars in investment. Just as petroleum infrastructure took decades to develop, hydrogen infrastructure will also take time.
History has shown that every energy transition takes decades. Coal did not disappear overnight when petroleum arrived, and petroleum will not disappear overnight because of electricity or hydrogen. Different energy sources will continue to coexist, each serving different purposes.
Hydrogen may not replace every fuel, but it has the potential to become one of the most important energy sources of the 21st century. As renewable electricity becomes cheaper and cleaner, hydrogen could bridge the gap between sustainable power generation and the world's growing energy demand.
The future may not belong to a single energy source. Instead, it will belong to a combination of electricity, batteries, renewable energy, and hydrogen—working together to power the next generation.
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