Hydrogen today is not a technological problem. The problem is that we still do not know how to bring it into real projects. And this is exactly where it is being decided what will truly work – and what will remain only on paper.

Where projects realistically get stuck

In practice, the same barriers repeatedly appear:

Mismatch between production and demand

Production capacity exists, but secure off-take is missing. Both sides wait – and the project stalls.

Regulation vs reality

Not every meaningful project meets all regulatory conditions. And not every project that does is economically sustainable.

Missing infrastructure and connectivity

Projects are created in isolation. Links between production, distribution and end use are often missing.

Missing cross-border and interregional cooperation

And yet this cooperation is often the key to connecting resources, demand and infrastructure.

No one holds the full picture

Each stakeholder solves their own part. But the project as a whole often lacks a clear leader.

What is missing most, in my view

👉 Projects are not designed as functional systems from the very beginning.

It is necessary to:

  • set up the right partnerships,
  • connect the full value chain,
  • work with a technological mix.

Not for theory, but for:

  • economics,
  • year-round operational stability,
  • greater self-sufficiency.

One technology alone is rarely enough.

The missing role today

I see a strong willingness to implement projects – both here and in Germany.

But at the same time:

  • courage is missing,
  • decisions are missing,
  • someone is missing who will truly lead the project.

👉 Someone who:

  • connects regions and countries,
  • aligns investors, technologies and industry,
  • and maintains direction from initial concept to implementation.

Without this role, projects often remain in the analysis phase.

The way forward

Not through overly complex mega-projects.

👉 But through smaller, functional models that make sense and can be expanded over time.

Step by step, it becomes possible to:

  • scale technologies,
  • connect sectors (industry, mobility, energy),
  • build infrastructure.

Conclusion

Hydrogen today is no longer a question of “if”.

👉 It is a question of execution.

Start. Stop hesitating. Build the first functional projects.

Personally

Today, I see clear gaps as well as concrete opportunities across Europe.

My vision focuses on how to bring hydrogen to end users – in mobility, industry and other application areas.

But the foundation is always the same:

👉 Build functional infrastructure.

I focus on the development of hydrogen projects and infrastructure strategies in a European context.

This is exactly the principle I work on today – connecting individual components so that projects function as complete systems and can actually be realised.

Hydrogen no longer needs more strategies. It needs implementation.

Kristýna Váchalová
Hydrogen Business Development