# HIBT Lab! Universal Hydrogen: Paul Eremenko

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-10-20
- Length: 37m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko

## Summary

Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen, explains his company's strategy to decarbonize aviation by replacing jet fuel with green hydrogen. He details the technical and logistical challenges of hydrogen, including its low energy density compared to batteries and the high cost of infrastructure, proposing a modular capsule system for distribution. Eremenko outlines the roadmap for retrofitting ATR regional aircraft by 2025 and designing new clean-sheet single-aisle aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 for the mid-2030s, leveraging investors such as Airbus, GE, and Fortescue.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko#t=0) Introduction: The Aviation Decarbonization Challenge
- [3:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko#t=189) Paul Eremenko's Background: From MIT to DARPA and Airbus
- [9:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko#t=577) The Case for Green Hydrogen vs. Batteries
- [14:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko#t=851) Universal Hydrogen's Modular Capsule Logistics Model
- [17:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko#t=1025) Targeting Regional ATR Aircraft and Single-Aisle Jets
- [25:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko#t=1519) Retrofit Kits, Clean-Sheet Designs, and Stakeholder Engagement
- [32:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko#t=1933) FAA Certification, Regulatory Pressure, and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Universal Hydrogen (company)
- Boeing (company)
- Airbus (company)
- ATR 72 (product)
- Boeing 737 (product)
- Airbus A320 (product)
- DARPA (company)
- GE (company)
- Fortescue (company)
- Plug Power (company)
- FAA (other)
- Hyundai (company)
- Toyota (company)
- Tesla (product)
- Toyota Mirai (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [A bumpy ride toward decarbonizing aviation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-02-a-bumpy-ride-toward-decarbonizing-aviation) (Catalyst)
- [Booking your first zero-emissions flight](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-08-18-booking-your-first-zero-emissions-flight) (Catalyst)
- [Solving the Hydrogen Storage and Transport Challenge with Natasha Kostenuk, Founder and CEO of Ayrton Energy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-07-04-solving-the-hydrogen-storage-and-transport-challenge-with-natasha-kostenuk-found) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Why Electric Aviation Is Finally Becoming Possible | Anders Forslund](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-09-03-why-electric-aviation-is-finally-becoming-possible-anders-forslund) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Turning Air, Water, and Sunlight into Natural Gas: Casey Handmer’s Vision for Sustainable Energy Part 1](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-12-05-turning-air-water-and-sunlight-into-natural-gas-casey-handmers-vision-for-sustai) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

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