Schneider Electric releases hydrogen findings

The report shows that 82% of hydrogen leaders now view autonomous operations as a critical priority yet cite a ‘lack of forward thinking’ as the biggest barrier to progress. With operators under mounting pressure to scale efficiently, cut costs and rethink asset management, demand for intelligent, interoperable, autonomous systems is accelerating fast.

Key findings:

• Autonomy is now a strategic imperative: 82% of hydrogen operators rank autonomous operations as critical over the next five years, rising to 90% over ten years.
• Progress is underway and more advanced than expected: organisations report approximately 70% autonomy today, with a target of 80%+ by 2030.
• Momentum is accelerating: 29% of hydrogen leaders say adoption is already rapid and accelerating.
• Top technology enablers: 36% cite Advanced Process Control and Optimisation as the single most important enabler of autonomy, with a fifth acknowledging the critical role of AI/ML, alongside digital twins.
• Core drivers: cost reduction, profitability and productivity gains - a third (31%) of hydrogen leaders say optimising operations and reducing costs are among the top benefits sought by advancing autonomous technologies.
• Biggest barrier: 45% cite a ‘lack of forward thinking’ as the primary obstacle to for advancing autonomous operations.
• Cost of inaction: leaders warn that delaying adoption risks declining competitiveness (49%), and worsening talent shortages (49%).

"The hydrogen sector's long-term viability depends on one thing above all else: driving down the levelised cost of hydrogen at scale. AI and autonomous operations are how we get there. By optimising production in real time, reducing energy waste, predicting failures before they occur and enabling leaner operations we can move hydrogen from a promising technology to a genuinely competitive energy source. The data from our Global Autonomous Maturity Report shows the industry knows this. The organisations that act now will be the ones that define what the hydrogen economy looks like,” said Devan Pillay, President, Heavy Industries & Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric.

From research to reality: India's first fully autonomous green hydrogen system

The findings are backed by real-world deployment. Schneider Electric recently announced a landmark project with H2E Power, an Indian green hydrogen pioneer, delivering India's first fully autonomous solid oxide electrolyser system.

The system has surpassed 6000 hours of stable operation across part- and full-load conditions, demonstrated just-in-time predictive maintenance, and shown potential to cut electricity consumption by up to 10% - significant in a process where energy accounts for more than 70% of total hydrogen production costs. The deployment has enabled operators to shift focus from routine monitoring to higher-value, strategic work.

Schneider Electric at World Hydrogen Summit

Two Schneider Electric experts will be speaking at ‘H2 Tech Insights’ (Hall 5):

• Carlos Marin, Green Hydrogen Solution Architect: “From Renewable Integration to Certified Molecule” – Wed 20th May, 11:30 – 11:45am.
• Robin Affre, Power-to-X Solution Manager: “Risk Management through Digital Strategy” – Thurs 21st May, 10.45 – 11.00am.

Background on the Global Autonomous Maturity Report:

Developed in partnership with Censuswide and Development Economics, supported by insights from Independent Energy Market Analyst, Gaurav Sharma, alongside interviews with stakeholders and plant managers across the global energies and chemicals sector.

The report focuses on findings from interviews undertaken with 400 senior decision makers in the energy industry located in twelve countries, with survey fieldwork taking place in September and October 2025. The framework used in the study is the Autonomous Operations Maturity Model (AOMM) developed by ARC Advisory Group, which outlines a five-step hierarchy for adoption of autonomous technology, with Level 5 representing full autonomy.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/special-reports/21052026/schneider-electric-releases-hydrogen-findings/