In this episode of Applied Imperative, Dale Goulding sits down with David Meyer, business development manager for sustainable energy solutions at Siemens Digital Industries Software.
Together, they explore the future of energy, diving into the role of hydrogen, renewable natural gas (RNG), and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in driving the transition toward clean energy.
Clean energy’s growing momentum
Two powerful forces are driving the energy sector: the increasing demand for energy and the push for decarbonization. In response, clean alternatives like hydrogen, RNG, and SAF are gaining traction across industries.
Hydrogen is especially in the spotlight. “We see a lot of utility companies looking into hydrogen-powered turbines,” David said. “There’s also growing activity around green hydrogen, whether for transportation or for producing green ammonia to decarbonize fertilizer supply. And we’re seeing a great interest from airlines in SAF.”
From utilities to aerospace, hydrogen and other renewable fuels are reshaping how industries think about and produce energy. While challenges remain, the momentum is clear, and digital tools are helping turn innovative concepts into scalable solutions.
What will the future of energy look like?
The energy industry is undergoing a major transformation. According to the Department of Energy, renewables, which are currently just 8% of our energy production consumption, are projected to grow to around 30% by 2050. At the same time, fossil fuel use is expected to decline from around 80-85% to about 60-65%. While that shift may not seem dramatic at first glance, it reflects meaningful progress. “It’s similar to how corn ethanol went from zero to about 15 to 18 billion gallons,” David said.
This transition will not be driven by a single solution. Instead, a diverse mix of technologies—hydrogen, RNG, SAF, and more—will all contribute to decarbonizing our systems. On the carbon capture front, innovation ranges from using CO2 in materials like concrete and plastics to advanced direct air capture systems that can be deployed anywhere.
This transformation will take time, but collaboration, digital tools, and a commitment to shared progress are accelerating the path forward. “Let’s continue to sponsor that innovation. Let’s continue to look for those solutions, and we will get there,” David said.
Want to hear more energy insights from David and Dale? Stream the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.