Hydrogen research: technology first, society second?

Abstract

Hydrogen futures are in the making right in front of our eyes and will determine socio-ecological path dependencies for decades to come. However, expertise on the societal effects of the hydrogen transition is in its infancy. Future energy research needs to include the social sciences, humanities and interdisciplinary studies: energy cultures have to be examined as well as power relations and anticipation processes since the need for (green) hydrogen is likely to require a massive expansion of renewable energy plants.