Briefing: Pyrolysis of natural gas to hydrogen: a key energy transition tool

Abstract

To achieve a low carbon dioxide (CO2) energy future the fossil fuel industry must pivot to make zero-emissions hydrogen through an open, global collaboration. One track to this is ‘pyrolysis’ in which natural gas is split into ‘white’ hydrogen and carbon black. This avoids the need for a massive roll-out of carbon capture and storage sites as envisaged in natural gas reforming or ‘blue’ hydrogen schemes. The advantages of both options are needed to support longer-term efforts to move towards ‘green’ hydrogen where water is split into its elements. By leading the development of all these routes to hydrogen, the energy majors of today will be able to utilise their enormous resources, technical ingenuity and vast capital and lead the future of energy. With the COP26 climate conference just months away, the UK has a critical role in directing efforts to bring hydrogen to the fore both at home and abroad.