Students in the first year of the Higher-Level Vocational Training Course in Renewable Energy received a very special visitor: Alain Villanueva, a researcher at Tecnalia, who gave a talk on ‘Hydrogen as the energy carrier of the future’.

This session provided a direct link between the content of the Renewable Energy Systems module and the reality of today’s energy sector, bringing one of the great technological and environmental challenges of our time into the classroom.

During the talk, the students gained an understanding of why hydrogen is set to play a key role in the energy transition. Against a backdrop of rising CO₂ emissions and the urgent need for decarbonisation, this element is emerging as a strategic solution for moving towards a more sustainable energy model.

Alain Villanueva explained how hydrogen has evolved from being a resource used primarily in industry to becoming a genuine energy carrier, capable of storing and transporting energy efficiently. He also explored the different forms of production—from grey hydrogen to green hydrogen—and their environmental impact, key aspects that the students are studying in the classroom.

Another key point was its enormous energy density, which makes it a particularly attractive option for sectors such as heavy transport and industry. However, the significant technological challenges it still poses were also discussed, particularly with regard to its storage and transport.

The session also provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of hydrogen in a future based on renewable energy, where it will act as an essential ally for storing energy generated by the sun or wind.

On behalf of the centre, we would like to thank Tecnalia and Alain Villanueva for their support and commitment to bringing research and innovation to our students, thereby contributing to their education in a sector that is key to the future.