Exeter DPhil student co-authors new book on clean hydrogen and decarbonisation
Exeter College DPhil student Aliaksei Patonia (2025, DPhil Geography and the Environment) has co-authored a new book titled Clean Hydrogen for Decarbonisation: Beyond the ‘Next Oil’ Narrative, published by Palgrave Macmillan. Written with Dr Rahmat Poudineh, the book offers a comprehensive and evidence-based examination of hydrogen’s role in the global energy transition, addressing both its potential and its limitations as countries seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet climate goals.
Aliaksei is also a Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, where his work focuses on hydrogen economics and policy.
The book explores why hydrogen has become a central topic in climate and energy policy debates, particularly in sectors where electrification alone may not provide a viable pathway to decarbonisation. Drawing on extensive research, the authors assess hydrogen production technologies, costs, and infrastructure requirements, while also examining the policy frameworks, investment incentives, and regulatory approaches needed to support its deployment. The volume considers hydrogen’s potential applications across a range of industries, including power generation, transport, steel, cement, chemicals, and other high-temperature industrial processes.
Rather than presenting hydrogen as a universal solution, Clean Hydrogen for Decarbonisation provides a balanced analysis of the opportunities, trade-offs, and system integration challenges associated with its use. The authors highlight the urgency of climate action while emphasising the importance of realistic, cost-effective pathways towards a sustainable energy future. As they argue, clean hydrogen will play an important role in decarbonisation, even if it is unlikely to become the “next oil.”
Written for policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and researchers, the book makes a valuable contribution to contemporary discussions on energy security, industrial competitiveness, and climate policy. Exeter College congratulates Aliaksei on this significant achievement, which reflects both the impact and relevance of his research in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of the global energy transition.
For more information about Clean Hydrogen for Decarbonisation, please visit the publisher’s website here.
