The Only Way Is Hydrogen?

Karen Brooks, Deputy Director, GW-SHIFT

The Only Way is Hydrogen? – Small molecule. Big clean future.

Hosted by Karen Brooks, Deputy Director of GW-SHIFT and green hydrogen-curious newbie, The Only Way is Hydrogen is a 12-episode podcast exploring the real role hydrogen could play in creating a cleaner future.

Across the series, Karen speaks with experts from local government, energy utilities, transport, industry, research, the arts, businesses and communities to cut through hype and explain hydrogen in plain language.

Episodes explore hydrogen’s role in heating homes, transport, and industry; how it compares with electricity; what it means for cost, reliability, jobs, and everyday life; and what must change in policy and infrastructure to reach net zero by 2050.

Rather than promoting green hydrogen as a silver bullet, the series focuses on evidence, lived experience, and honest debate - helping listeners understand where hydrogen genuinely fits, and where it doesn’t.

Is hydrogen the only way - or just one part of the solution?

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8 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes8

Newest first

Tuesday · 31 min
7. Transport, Technology & Transition: The Future of Clean Mobility with Sara Sloman
Not electric or hydrogen. Electric and hydrogen. Building a transport system fit for every journey. Transport is one of the biggest challenges on the road to net zero. While electric vehicles dominate headlines, there are many sectors where batteries alone may not provide the answer. In this episode, Sara Sloman discusses how hydrogen can complement electrification, the importance of customer experience, infrastructure, policy and innovation, and why the clean transport transition will require a portfolio of solutions rather than a single winner. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gw-shift/ https://www.instagram.com/gwshift/ https://www.facebook.com/gwshiftuk
June 30 · 33 min
6. Discovery, Design & Deployment: The Science Behind Hydrogen with Tim Mays
Hydrogen has enormous potential as a clean energy carrier, but producing, storing and transporting it efficiently remains one of the key scientific challenges. In this episode of The Only Way Is Hydrogen?, Karen Brooks speaks with Professor Tim Mays from the University of Bath about the science behind hydrogen storage. The conversation explores how materials science could unlock new ways of storing hydrogen safely and the importance of collaboration between research and industry. Because when it comes to hydrogen, our energy security and the planet’s future may well depend on what we build at the molecular scale. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gw-shift/ https://www.instagram.com/gwshift/ https://www.facebook.com/gwshiftuk
June 3 · 31 min
5. Industry, Innovation & Investment: Wales’ Net-Zero Future with Ben Burggraaf
Heavy industry is at the heart of the net-zero challenge - powering modern life while producing a significant share of global emissions. Karen Brooks is joined by Ben Burggraaf, Chief Executive Officer of Net Zero Industry Wales, to explore how sectors like steel, cement, chemicals and manufacturing can decarbonise, and what it will take to drive innovation and investment at scale. Because this transition isn’t just about cutting emissions - it’s about building the infrastructure, investment and policy to make change possible. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gw-shift/ https://www.instagram.com/gwshift/ https://www.facebook.com/gwshiftuk
May 6 · 31 min
4. Policy, Place & Partnerships: A Local Authority Perspective on Net Zero with Anna Lewis
Local authorities are on the front line of net zero, making real decisions on energy, infrastructure and what works for communities. Karen Brooks is joined by Anna Lewis from Caerphilly County Borough Council to explore where hydrogen fits into local delivery, the challenges of balancing cost and impact, and what it takes to turn ambition into action. Because net zero isn’t a plan. it’s a delivery challenge. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gw-shift/ https://www.instagram.com/gwshift/ https://www.facebook.com/gwshiftuk
March 31 · 32 min
3. Security, Supply & Sustainability: Wales & West Utilities on the Energy Transition with Matt Hindle
The energy system that powers our homes and communities is evolving, but what does that really mean in practice? Karen Brooks is joined by Matt Hindle from Wales & West Utilities to explore hydrogen’s role in the UK’s energy transition, how the gas network is changing, and the challenges around safety, skills and delivery. Because the transition to cleaner energy only works if it’s trusted, reliable and ready for real life. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gw-shift/ https://www.instagram.com/gwshift/ https://www.facebook.com/gwshiftuk
March 4 · 32 min
2. Power, Policy & Progress: The UK’s Hydrogen Future with Emma Guthrie
In Power, Policy & Progress: The UK’s Hydrogen Future, Karen Brooks speaks with Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, about how hydrogen fits into Britain’s evolving energy landscape. Drawing on insights from The State of the Hydrogen Nation report, this episode explores: • The power hydrogen can bring to the UK energy system • The policy environment shaping investment and delivery • The real progress being made across industry This is a conversation about turning ambition into action - and building a more resilient energy future. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gw-shift/ https://www.instagram.com/gwshift/ https://www.facebook.com/gwshiftuk
February 4 · 28 min
1. Hydrogen Takes the Stage: Reinventing Starlight Express with Sir Richard Stilgoe
Karen Brooks raises the curtain on a world where engines race, music soars, and the future of clean energy takes centre stage with musical legend Sir Richard Stilgoe. Richard explains how the 2024 revival of Starlight Express swapped steam for hydrogen - and why storytelling matters in the clean-energy transition. We explore creativity, clean energy, and how the arts can help society imagine a hydrogen-powered future. https://www.linkedin.com/company/gw-shift/ https://www.instagram.com/gwshift/ https://www.facebook.com/gwshiftuk
January 28 · 1 min
The Only Way is Hydrogen? Series Trailer
The Only Way is Hydrogen? – Small molecule. Big clean future Hosted by Karen Brooks, Deputy Director of GW-SHIFT and green hydrogen-curious newbie, The Only Way is Hydrogen is a 12-episode podcast exploring the real role hydrogen could play in creating a cleaner future. Across the series, Karen speaks with experts from local government, energy utilities, transport, industry, research, the arts, businesses and communities to cut through hype and explain hydrogen in plain language. Episodes explore hydrogen’s role in heating homes, transport, and industry; how it compares with electricity; what it means for cost, reliability, jobs, and everyday life; and what must change in policy and infrastructure to reach net zero by 2050. Rather than promoting green hydrogen as a silver bullet, the series focuses on evidence, lived experience, and honest debate - helping listeners understand where hydrogen genuinely fits, and where it doesn’t. Is hydrogen the only way o or just one part of the solution? https://www.linkedin.com/company/gw-shift/ https://www.instagram.com/gwshift/ https://www.facebook.com/gwshiftuk