Demystifying hydrogen: Discover how hydrogen is shaping the engineering and manufacturing sector

Hydrogen is emerging as a pivotal element in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector as the country strives to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050.  

Why hydrogen matters 

The UK’s engineering and manufacturing businesses are beginning to integrate hydrogen into their operations, focusing on areas like hydrogen production, fuel cells, and storage solutions. However, widespread adoption is still in its early stages. Challenges include high costs, infrastructure development, the need for new skills, and varying degrees of sustainability for different methods of producing hydrogen. 

As hydrogen technology advances and government support continues, the UK is positioning itself as a leader in the global hydrogen economy, offering significant opportunities for growth and innovation in engineering and manufacturing. 

Understanding the benefits of hydrogen 

Hydrogen offers significant benefits in reducing emissions, enhancing energy security, driving innovation, and promoting sustainable industrial practices in engineering and manufacturing. It produces zero greenhouse gas emissions when used in fuel cells, making it an excellent tool for combating climate change as opposed to traditional energy production methods. Hydrogen can also be produced from various resources, including water, ensuring energy security and diversification.  

Its high energy density makes it efficient for transport and industrial use, offering a strong alternative to fossil fuels. Additionally, hydrogen energy supports the decarbonisation of hard-to-electrify sectors, such as aviation and heavy industry, while fostering innovation and economic growth in the clean energy sector. 

The skills needed for hydrogen 

Small to medium engineering and manufacturing businesses require diverse skills to successfully adopt and integrate hydrogen technologies. These span technical, operational, and strategic areas, enabling effective development, implementation, and management of hydrogen projects.  

For example, technical expertise is essential, including knowledge of electrochemistry and fuel cell technology for system development, hydrogen production and handling for safe storage and transport, and mechanical and electrical engineering for designing and implementing hydrogen systems.   

Further skills include research and development, project management, safety and compliance, to name a few. By fostering these diverse skills, businesses can successfully navigate the transition to hydrogen technologies, driving innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth. 

Hydrogen is set to transform the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector, offering solutions to critical challenges like decarbonisation, energy storage, and industrial efficiency.  

Demystify hydrogen further and explore the other emerging technologies reshaping engineering and manufacturing by exploring our Future Skills Hub.  

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