Jordi Zonneveld, an engineer with a young family, made a life-altering decision in 2015. He had risen through the ranks of Frames Group, a Dutch company specializing in oil and gas extraction equipment, but the changing climate and the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels gnawed at him. The Paris Climate Agreement, signed that year, served as a wake-up call. Zonneveld, along with his colleagues, decided to pivot towards a greener future.
He saw potential in hydrogen, a clean-burning gas that could power vehicles, generate electricity, and even produce steel and fertilizer. Hydrogen, however, was primarily produced from natural gas, making it a fossil fuel byproduct. Zonneveld envisioned a shift towards ‘green hydrogen,’ generated through electrolysis using clean electricity, essentially splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
He rallied his team, though some were skeptical about the future of fossil fuels. Over the next five years, Zonneveld successfully steered Frames Group towards a 10% focus on clean hydrogen technology. This attracted the attention of Plug Power, a U.S. company leading the charge in hydrogen fuel cell technology. The two companies shared a vision for a clean energy future and a commitment to decarbonization. In 2021, Plug Power acquired Frames Group, merging their expertise and resources to accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy.
Plug Power’s ambition is ambitious: to produce over 1,000 tons of green hydrogen per day globally by the end of this decade. The company is attracting major clients like Amazon, which is using Plug Power technology to power forklifts in its warehouses and even producing its own green hydrogen on-site. The Biden administration is supporting this clean energy push through generous tax credits and financial assistance for hydrogen production facilities.
Zonneveld, now 39 and with three daughters, is proud of the legacy he’s creating. He even explains the benefits of hydrogen cars to his oldest daughter, who is starting to understand the need to move away from fossil fuels. He believes that he’s playing a part in building a more sustainable future for his children and the planet.
His story exemplifies the power of individual conviction and the collective effort needed to transition towards a cleaner, greener world. The future of energy might just be powered by hydrogen, fueled by the dreams of individuals like Jordi Zonneveld.
