LIFTE Off! Expanding the Hydrogen Market to it's Next Step with Matthew Blieske of LIFTE H2
Jul 27, 2023
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Matthew Blieske, CEO of LIFTE H2, discusses challenges and opportunities in the hydrogen market such as cheap and reliable energy, scaling up production and distribution, and government intervention. The chapter also explores the need for financing models and policies, prioritizing environmentally friendly practices, and emerging demand and regulatory needs in the sector.
Developing reliable and efficient hydrogen infrastructure requires integration of production, midstream, and downstream aspects of the supply chain.
Addressing customer concerns and providing compelling advantages, such as long-term price stability and localized production, is essential for successful market penetration of hydrogen.
Deep dives
The Challenge of Infrastructure
Matthew Blyskow, CEO of Lyft H2, discusses the importance of developing reliable and efficient hydrogen infrastructure. He highlights the need to integrate the production, midstream, and downstream aspects of the hydrogen supply chain, ensuring that hydrogen can be produced and delivered in a cost-effective and reliable manner. Lyft H2 focuses on filling the gaps in the current market by offering midstream products and project services that facilitate the movement of hydrogen from production to end-users.
Customer Focus and Demand
Blyskow emphasizes the significance of customer demand and their comfort in embracing hydrogen. He notes that customers prioritize factors such as reliability, safety, and performance over cost when considering hydrogen adoption. To ensure successful market penetration, there should be a strong focus on addressing customer concerns and providing them with compelling advantages, such as long-term price stability and localized production. Blyskow believes that incentivizing early movers and mitigating their risks can encourage more customers to transition to hydrogen.
Challenges in Financing and Investment
The lack of appropriate financing models and investment options poses a challenge for hydrogen startups and infrastructure companies like Lyft H2. Blyskow highlights the need for investors to recognize the value of integration and system-wide solutions rather than solely focusing on individual technologies. He suggests that infrastructure funds need to invest in development companies and top codes to build a portfolio of projects, while venture funds should realize the importance of productization and system integration. The financing community should adapt to the unique requirements of the hydrogen infrastructure sector to drive the necessary scale and deployment.
The Role of Policy and Regulation
Addressing the regulatory aspect, Blyskow highlights the importance of combining carrots and sticks in policy frameworks to drive demand and market realization. He suggests that regulations should reward first movers and provide support to those taking on the challenges of early hydrogen adoption. Additionally, he emphasizes the need to have clear standards, certifications, and measures in place to track and differentiate green hydrogen, enabling buyers to make informed choices and comply with regulations. Blyskow believes that a combination of regulation, certification, and market signals can create a conducive environment for hydrogen development.
This week the EAH team discusses LIFTE H2's plans for the future and discusses the challenges in hydrogen markets expansion and rollout, the need for resiliency for offtakers, and how to build consumer confidence.
About Matthew Blieske:
Matthew is co-founder and CEO of LIFTE H2 based in Boston and Berlin with projects globally. LIFTE H2 develops and deploys novel end-to-end hydrogen supply chains that deliver differentiated cost, reliability, safety and performance.
Matthew previously held the title of Global Hydrogen Product Manager at Shell Hydrogen where his group was responsible for project engineering, product & technology development, cost reduction, reliability improvement, and supply chain development for Shell’s hydrogen mobility business globally. Matthew built and led a global team that delivered hydrogen projects, products, and digital operations on three continents.