Insights from a global energycentral influencer

It announced an exceeding of 3 million views and being the top of the ‘global influencer’ charts in that energy site.  If the community will forgive a digression from articles tending to be technical in nature, and focussed on the energy transition, particularly with regards to renewables and hydrogen.

Penning over 300 of them it’s always enjoyable to share knowledge and insights. Engaging with the community around major projects tend to be controversial and it’s important that the developer goes out and shares information as with communities affected as far back in 2008 with eon, now RWE.

We trialled engagement sessions using real world communications.

Social media can be a harsh place and has moved on – as major developments move on and into the world of giga projects.

The headline figure of 3 million views for energy central is important so too is that from the  professional’s site ‘linkedin’ 

A cursory glance at this week’s statistics, for example, reveal over 100,000 viewings per week, dwarfing the 3 million headline prompting today’s musings.

A couple of unexpected ramifications are evident.  When started delivering technical training it seemed obvious to follow up with participants and to establish a bespoke group for each. Examples include, ‘Floating Wind and Hydrogen; or ‘Offshore Wind and Hydrogen’ I thought they may attract 10 or 12 members.

In the event they expand exponentially, attracting thousands of professionals, stakeholders, and experts. Ammonia and Hydrogen for example, gained over three and a half thousand members following a seminar for the United Scientific Group in November 2020.

As the range of subject matter grew, so to did the ‘digital twin’ in the form of the group; there’s a veritable ecosystem now and they continue expand. I’d never heard the phrase ‘c suiters’ until recently but apparently that’s whom they comprise.

Further unexpected developments followed. These experts’ forums have taken on a life of their own and a need for constant administration and moderation. The flip side is the flow of state-of-the-art intelligence – well in advance of that made available to the press or trade.

Another is the engagement of entrepreneurs and innovators. They seek advice and the eternal search for finance. Some may be fanciful, but others certainly merit further due diligence and of course a backdrop of regular contact with the global finance sector seeking investable propositions.

It’s a dynamic and sometimes brutal place – much more agile than mainstream media interests are used to dealing with and one in which the bigger organisations seem to struggle.

This organic approach has led to over 20,000 linkedin ‘followers’ with expert group membership numbering many thousands.

It’s led, in turn, to areas such as conference and event moderation, sitting with a panel comprising global financiers and mega project developers to share knowledge and insights.

At least the acronyms – which can bedevil technical sectors -are familiar and the next question flow smoothly.  It’s one skillset to write a polished academic piece difficult to remain focussed in front of a blaze of light with microphones, TV cameras and papers being waved around as the whole event may be broadcast in real time around the globe.

There’s no point in these exertions if there’s no support for the energy transition. I’m intending in-depth expert seminars, regular and deeper dives into pinch points and bottlenecks facing the sector and to provide self-help organic solutions.

As the sector grows rapidly there have been some unusual requests – for selfies – with my gruesome features!  There has also, on occasion, been comments which are particularly pleasant to receive including ‘you are giving our sector a voice’.

Looking forwards to sharing more insights around this dynamic sector in the coming weeks and months?

Feel free to join me at: The Global Hydrogen Hub