Inaugural Lecture: Hydrogen & Beyond: The Northern Netherlands Energy Transition

When a scientist is appointed professor, he or she holds an inaugural lecture: a public speech of maximum 30 minutes in the auditorium of the university for an audience. Often this speech is about the research area of ​​the newly appointed professor and his or her vision on it.

The global energy transition is at a pivotal moment, and hydrogen is emerging as a key player in reshaping our energy systems. With its potential to decarbonise industries, power homes, and fuel transportation, hydrogen is much more than just a technical challenge: it is a societal transformation. Prof. Aravind Purushothaman Vellayani has dedicated his career to exploring and advancing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, focusing on their integration into real-world energy systems. As the head of the Energy Conversion Lab at the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), he leads research on developing highly efficient, clean, and flexible energy conversion systems, ensuring that future energy solutions are not only sustainable but also practical and efficient.