Hanna Granö-Fabritius, MD & CCO at Elcogen, on Fuel Cells, Leadership & Industry Growth | Season Eight, Episode Nine

Welcome to Season Eight of Conversations in Cleantech!

 

From inspiring stories and words of wisdom to conversations on overcoming obstacles and fostering innovation, you can expect to learn from the trailblazers who are navigating the complexities of change to build a cleaner, more sustainable future.

 

In this episode of Conversations in Cleantech, our host Jake Salem is joined by Hanna Granö-Fabritius, Managing Director & CCO at Elcogen, to explore her journey from chemical engineering to leading one of Europe’s foremost fuel cell and electrolyser companies.

 

With a background spanning international business, general management, and a drive to embrace complex challenges, Hanna’s career is a masterclass in adaptability. From revitalising struggling divisions at Thermo Fisher Scientific to stepping into cleantech during the pandemic, her ability to navigate change has been a defining factor in her success. Now at Elcogen, she’s helping to scale solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyser technology, pushing the boundaries of efficiency and sustainability in hydrogen and clean energy solutions.

 

Scaling a cleantech company goes beyond innovation, it’s about the people driving it forward too. Hanna shares how team diversity, strategic adaptability, and bold leadership are critical in fast-moving markets. She also reflects on the reality of building a business in a shifting hydrogen landscape, the importance of resilience, and why the clean energy transition demands leaders who aren’t afraid to take risks.

 

This episode dives into the lessons of leadership, the power of multi-disciplinary teams, and the exciting future of solid oxide technology in the energy transition. 

 

Whether you're an industry veteran, an aspiring leader, or simply fascinated by the future of clean energy, this conversation is packed with insights on innovation, resilience, and driving meaningful change.

 

01:11 - Introduction to Hanna
02:40 - Can you share how you've navigated your career and reached your current position?
13:40 - Can you give us an introduction to Elcogen, the business as a whole, and your broad role within the company?
15:39 - With significant investments over the past year, how has that impacted Elcogen's outlook?
18:15 - What is the business trying to achieve?
19:06 - And how does the technology differentiate from others in the industry?
21:05 - How did you professionally transition into cleantech, especially during COVID-19?

23:09 - For someone in a senior position now, what was it like transitioning from an individual contributor to a leadership role, and how does it feel to lead in the energy transition?
25:24 - What do you love most about your role, team, and company?
26:50 - What has been the most rewarding part of your time at Elcogen?

28:34 - How have you navigated change within the industry?
31:25 - From a company-specific perspective, how have you managed internal growth?
36:45 - How has the shift from a small team of 10 to a diverse, international team positively impacted the company?
38:00 - How do you see the hydrogen market evolving, and how will you support Elcogen in navigating this change?
40:28 - What advice would you give to young aspiring leaders, especially female leaders, in the industry?

 

Connect with your host Jake Salem on LinkedIn.

Find your guest Hanna Granö-Fabritius on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.

This is a Loaded Hype production.