The use of hydrogen, both as feedstock for the industry (oil and chemical) and as an energy carrier, is expected to grow substantially during the coming decades. The current predominant method of producing hydrogen by steam-reforming methane (from natural gas) is not sustainable and has environmental drawbacks, including the emission of greenhouse gasses (GHGs). Nuclear energy offers a way to produce hydrogen from water without depleting natural gas, a valuable natural resource, and without the emission of GHGs.

I wish first to thank the organisers of this meeting who took the risk of inviting me to deliver this speech. I hope you have appetite for hydrogen and nuclear as by chance this is the subject of my talk. I took a great pleasure in reviewing the past history of hydrogen and nuclear energy, while considering how they had been important forever, how they have been used to change the world when they were discovered and understood, and how they will likely shape our future to face specific challenges of the 21st century. I hope I can make you share this interest and pleasure.