The Only Way Is Hydrogen? – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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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?

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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