Here, Mark Richards, Regional Manager of Beckhoff UK, explains why producing, storing and using hydrogen safely and efficiently requires control solutions that are flexible and capable of operating in demanding environments.
As many industries continue to accelerate their path to decarbonisation, hydrogen is emerging as a vital enabler in the transition to net zero. No longer a distant theoretical vision, the hydrogen economy is beginning to take shape. Its role in the global energy system is multifaceted.
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis using renewable energy. It offers a carbon-free energy carrier that can be used in transport, industry, and power generation. Its potential to store renewable energy and to decarbonise sectors like steelmaking and chemicals makes it critical to the future energy mix.
However, the unique properties of hydrogen – including its small molecules, high flammability, and requirements for high pressures and low temperatures – create challenges. This means rethinking how we automate hydrogen facilities.
Read the full article in DPA's September 2025 issue