On January 16, 2025, FreeHydroCells brought together 25 experts and thought leaders from academia, industry, investment, policymaking, and general public to explore the future of green hydrogen. This Civic Engagement Workshop provided a platform to discuss not only the potential of green hydrogen but also the transformative role the FreeHydroCells project could play in creating a sustainable energy landscape.
The Promise of Green Hydrogen
Dr Martin Galvin, Head of Research Culture (Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation, University College Cork), welcomed participants by pointing to the potential of green hydrogen and sustainable solutions as the global energy transition accelerates. Unlike the derivation of other colours of hydrogen (e.g. blue, grey, black), which emit byproduct contaminants during their production, such as carbon dioxide, green hydrogen is produced by a process that does not emit contaminant molecules, leaving a clean environmental footprint.
Dr Dara Fitzpatrick, Director of the BARDS Acoustic Science Labs, then describes how the FreeHydroCells project takes this objective further by addressing the key challenges associated with hydrogen production. Its innovative submerged photon-driven electrolyser system is designed to achieve high efficiency, eliminate the use of rare and critical raw materials, and be low-cost financially and energetically, making them cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally benign. The technology is also compatible with wind, PV and hydroelectric energy integration to drive the hydrogen production, giving the potential for high density, 24/7 operation. The main objective is to create a viable photon-driven prototype for a product that would be affordable, effective, low power and deployable anywhere, on- or off-grid. The novel project could therefore democratise energy production, empowering communities to generate and manage their own energy locally, reducing reliance on traditional grid networks, and increasing their energy security.
Potential Hydrogen Storage Solution
Hydrogen itself is a storage mechanism for converted energy, but of course, we need somewhere to store the hydrogen until we are ready to use the energy contained within it. The present routes to hydrogen storage are costly, tentative, and require significant energy input. Although the FreeHydroCells project is focused on the novel production of hydrogen as its primary goal, it has also developed a novel idea for a low-cost distributed hydrogen storage system to work in parallel to the hydrogen production system. The project will engage with partners and the EU to explore prototype options and test routes for this important tangential innovation.
Advancing Renewable Energy
Compared to other renewable energy technologies, FreeHydroCells potentially offers some distinct advantages. The project aims to have the input energy needed for driving the hydrogen production inbuilt within the submerged materials system, which is then activated by the photon irradiation (or equivalent free/renewable energy source) The interface of the materials system with water is designed to be as unreactive and robust as possible, FreeHydroCells’ technology is aimed to achieve durability and to maintain a high performance with a long product life. This would make it a more efficient option for long-term energy needs.
Furthermore, by enabling localised energy production, the project addresses logistical challenges such as energy transportation and dependency on old, centralised infrastructure networks that were designed for methane, not hydrogen. This innovation has the potential to positively disrupt traditional energy models, and aims to enable local communities to be self-reliant and resilient for their energy production, empowering households, townlands, communities and even cities to be the gatekeepers of their energy production.
Tackling Key Barriers
Despite its potential, green hydrogen faces several obstacles to widespread adoption. During breakout room discussions, the workshop identified three critical challenges:
- Public awareness and acceptance: A lack of understanding about green hydrogen’s benefits and applications limits societal readiness to embrace the technology.
- Competing technologies: Other renewable solutions, such as solar and wind, often overshadow green hydrogen, even in areas where hydrogen may offer a better fit.
- Policy gaps: Current government subsidies and policies may not fully support innovative technologies like those in FreeHydroCells, requiring advocacy and alignment with policy frameworks.
Unlocking Opportunities
Participants also explored ways to overcome these barriers and capitalise on green hydrogen’s potential:
- Industry collaboration: Partnering with established players in the energy and gas sectors can accelerate adoption and ensure alignment with market needs.
- Policy engagement: Informing policymakers about the advantages of green hydrogen and advocating for supportive regulations can help drive systemic change.
- Community empowerment: By highlighting FreeHydroCells’ ability to address energy poverty, the project can inspire public and policy-level support for decentralised energy solutions.
The idea of integrating hydrogen production (and possibly storage) systems into local communities emerged as a compelling opportunity. Such systems would allow for efficient energy production, storage, and sharing—further strengthening the case for FreeHydroCells as a cornerstone of a potential alternative sustainable energy infrastructure.
Aligning with the EU Green Hydrogen Landscape
To maximise impact, FreeHydroCells is actively exploring ways to align with the evolving EU green hydrogen landscape. By understanding existing policies, market trends, and industry perspectives, the project aims to position itself as a leading contributor in green hydrogen innovation.
Key strategic priorities include reducing dependency on critical raw materials, avoiding grid-based transport issues, and offering a low-cost and efficient energy source alternative to traditional renewables and fossil fuels—all while supporting the EU’s ambitious climate goals.
Driving Positive Disruption
At its core, FreeHydroCells envisions a future where energy is produced, stored and used by each household, each community, on- or off-grid, enabling the community to manage their energy security. By fostering decentralisation and independence, the project seeks to empower communities to tackle challenges like energy access and create a sustainable, equitable energy future.
The Civic Engagement Workshop underscored the importance of collaboration with communities in achieving this vision. By bringing together diverse perspectives, FreeHydroCells is building the foundation for all households and communities – regardless of their global location – to contribute to a more rapid and impactful transition to an environment free from climate change effects. This will only happen if each and every one of us make the transition when we are enabled. FreeHydroCells aims to make this possible.
Read the summary report from the workshop here and view the workshop slideshow here.
You may also want to read: FreeHydroCells Newsletter: Issue 2 Dec 2024
