The Hydrogen Age
Costs, Constraints, and the Real Shape of the Energy Transition
Author: Robert Atkinson
Date of Publication: 10/2026 (350 printed pages)
ISBN: 978-3-941159-83-9 (Hardcover with cloth)
€ 58,00 / CHF 70,00
(D: list price of the paperback edition / CH: recommended list price)
ISBN: 978-3-941159-84-6 (PDF, Open Access)
€ 0,00 / CHF 0,00
(e-Book and e-PDF free as Open Access under a CC BY 4.0 license)
Hydrogen is frequently presented as either a vital part of the energy transition or an expensive distraction. The Hydrogen Age moves beyond this debate to examine what it would actually take to build a functioning hydrogen economy. Written for both the interested general reader and industry professional, it explores the technology, economics, infrastructure, policy, regulation and geopolitics shaping hydrogen’s development. Rather than arguing for or against hydrogen, the book asks where it makes sense, what is constraining its growth, and what those challenges reveal about the real shape of the energy transition.
The author Robert Atkinson is an engineer with a career spanning industrial automation and drives, commissioning, international business and the energy sector. His experience has developed from hands-on engineering and commissioning through to international sales, business development and strategic roles, with an increasing focus on hydrogen and the energy transition.
What Readers and Experts Say:
„This exceptionally well-structured book provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the hydrogen sector, offering a pragmatic, balanced, and candid perspective on its opportunities and challenges. It successfully bridges the gap between the technical realities of hydrogen science and technologies and the broader political, industrial, economic, and societal dimensions of the energy transition. Importantly, it goes beyond technology to highlight the people, institutions, policies, and strategic decisions that will ultimately shape hydrogen’s role in the global energy landscape of the future.”
Prof. Dr. Bruno G. Pollet
Executive Vice-President of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE)
President of the IAHE Clean Hydrogen Division
“The Hydrogen Age offers a thorough presentation of the relevant factors for hydrogen in 2026. Robert Atkinson brings to any reader, new to the industry or seasoned participant, a strong understanding and realistic view of the benefits, opportunities, and impediments for inserting hydrogen and hydrogen technologies in the broader global energy mix.”
Frank Wolak
President and CEO Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association USA
“The Hydrogen Age” by Robert Atkinson is a comprehensive compilation of the diverse, competing issues – ranging from science and technology to economics – that shape hydrogen applications across the entire value chain. The book inspires to further deep dive into the various topics to enhance the understanding of them in greater detail. Essential reading for anyone in energy policy or investment.“
Roland Schulze
Managerial Adviser/ Conseiller de Direction Low Carbon Energy Technology – Energy Department, European Investment Bank (EIB)
„Hydrogen has never suffered from a lack of promises. What has been missing is an unsentimental reality-check of where it really makes sense. Robert Atkinson provides one. The Hydrogen Age is technically literate, economically hard-headed and above all refreshingly free of evangelism. Its strength lies in separating what is possible from what is useful — and in showing that hydrogen will matter most when we no longer need to keep explaining why. This book was needed.“
Juergen Pfeiffer
Hydrogen commentator and moderator
Host of ‘The Hydrogen Elevator’ Podcast
„Timely, honest and forward looking, this book gives Hydrogen the reckoning it needs, balancing the fundamentals with a clear eye view of the future. Highly recommended whatever your background“
Kerry Ann Adamson
Head of Hydrogen consulting, Capgemini
“The hydrogen ecosystem involves a wide range of technologies, markets, applications, and challenges, oftentimes making it difficult to see the bigger picture. Working in the hydrogen industry myself, I truly appreciate the way ‘The Hydrogen Age’ provides a well-structured overview to such a complex and rapidly evolving field.
The book provides a comprehensive picture on everything hydrogen in an easy-to-understand, engaging, and entertaining way. This book does an excellent job of connecting the dots and making the world of hydrogen more accessible to both newcomers and experienced professionals.
Thank you, Rob, for the time, effort, and passion you have invested in making this complex industry easier to understand. This is a valuable contribution to helping more people navigate, understand, and ultimately contribute to the development of the hydrogen economy.“
Joachim Ladra
Head of Sales, Marketing & Communication
cellcentric