Decoding Innovation

In this episode, Andrew Horvath, Global Group Chairman, Star Scientific Limited, discusses the role of hydrogen in the new energy economy. Hydrogen became more prevalent after the first energy crisis in the early 1970s. It has now taken a giant leap forward as climate change and the war in Ukraine has made energy and its production a bigger issue. People have come to realize that there is a significant role for hydrogen to play in the new energy economy. With hydrogen taking a center stage in the energy discourse, there are ongoing efforts to reduce its high manufacturing costs and governments are stepping in to provide impetus to hydrogen economy. What remains to be seen is how long it will take to convert our existing energy infrastructure so that it can run entirely on hydrogen. In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast series, Andrew Horvath, Global Chairman for Star Scientific Limited, talks to our host Mitali Sharma about his journey in the hydrogen economy, the impact of hydrogen on parts of our economy, the “plug-and-play” approach for a transition to hydrogen across industries and the ways by which governments can facilitate the adoption of hydrogen. Key takeaways: The problem with hydrogen has always been the high cost of manufacturing. However, by reducing the amount of energy to produce hydrogen, new smarter systems can bring hydrogen under the cost of natural gas. Enabling power plants to run entirely on hydrogen is challenging and massively costly. Thus, adopting an incremental approach of changing just the heat component is better suited for a transition to hydrogen. Government has a big role to play in the transition to hydrogen by making the process to get grants easier. Industry, banks and people need to be provided regulatory relief.

In the second episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast series, General Fusion CEO Greg Twinney talks about why fusion is the most sustainable approach to clean energy production. The innovative techniques in fusion energy generation hold the key to designing commercially viable fusion plants worldwide. The technological approach that has been used for fusion defines the economic and commercial success. Additional peripheral technologies have helped bring innovative fusion techniques into reality that was deemed unimaginable. Greg Twinney is a disruptive innovator in the fusion space. As the CEO of General Fusion, he shares his insights on the right combinations and the secret sauce for disruptive innovation, General Fusion’s approach to generating clean fusion energy, and much more. Key takeaways: The technological approach to fusion plays a key role in building a commercially viable fusion power plant. Fusion energy, coupled with additional peripheral technologies, can be a game changer for clean energy generation worldwide. The focus on achieving net positive energy is key to building a successful fusion plant.

In the first episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast series, General Fusion CEO Greg Twinney talks about his approach to bringing disruptive innovation into reality through strategic partnerships and execution. The world has consistently witnessed new waves of disruptive innovations that have changed how different sectors function today. The ability to recognize an opportunity to innovate and to execute the idea, while having the right resources and technology, is the secret sauce to success for disruptive innovators around the globe. Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion, believes that having clarity about the impact of an innovation for a five-year time period is the key to understanding whether it will be disruptive or not. Along with this, the right kind of partnerships that align with the vision of the company hold key for the innovation to reach its maximum potential to deliver the intended impact. Key takeaways: The execution of an idea along with recognizing the opportunity to innovate is key to driving disruptive innovations, and not just the idea in itself. Strategic partnerships that align with the company’s vision to deliver disruptive innovations is key to reaching the full potential of the innovation.