Hydrogen technology is one of the four tech trends to watch this year, says Erik Wirsing, vice president of global innovation at German freight forwarder, DB Schenker.
In addition to electromobility, additive manufacturing (3D printing) and quantum computing, the possibilities of deriving clean energy from hydrogen bodes well for the freight industry, Wirsing says.
His sentiments on future fuel, coming as they do in the wake of developments in the field of hydrogen energy for the shipping industry, also extend to the road freight sector.
For long-distance transport, Wirsing says, hydrogen is a strong consideration.
“This would be fantastic, but more research is required to realise this fully.
“Nevertheless, some regulations and setups were implemented for hydrogen trucks last year.”
Wirsing lauds the investment into hydrogen by Japan, which has announced a spate of zero-carbon projects – ranging from ammonia fuel to floating storage and regasification units.
Such is its apparent faith in the possibilities of zero-carbon fuel types, Japan is investing more in hydrogen innovation than electromobility, Wirsing adds.
And yet the hydrogen energy environment finds itself in a “chicken and egg situation”, he points out, as funding appears to be held back by the lack of infrastructure for hydrogen energy.
“Nevertheless, I’m sure these technologies are coming; it’s just a matter of time.”
