Editorial Comment

T. CAMPBELL, Managing Editor, H₂Tech

Digitalization will play a significant role in the global energy transition. In accordance with this future, H2Tech has transitioned into a completely digital publication. Furthermore, we have switched from a quarterly publication to a monthly schedule. With this transition, we will provide updates on the newest trends in hydrogen (H₂) technology more frequently and grow alongside the global H₂ industry. 

Advances in H₂ production. Natural gas may be a key component in future H₂ production. Steam methane reforming (SMR) converts natural gas into gray H₂, which is currently the most common method of H₂ production. This H₂ can be carbon neutral if combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS), making it blue H₂. Several projects worldwide are striving towards this end.

According to Gulf Energy Information’s Global Energy Infrastructure database, there are 236 blue H₂ projects worldwide. Many of these projects use SMR or autothermal reforming with CCS. A large portion of these projects are in North America and Europe. In the U.S., a carbon credit is now offered for each ton of carbon captured.  

According to the International Energy Agency, project developers have announced ambitions for more than 200 new carbon capture facilities to operate by 2030, capturing more than 220 MMtpy of carbon dioxide (CO₂).¹ This is a significant increase from the 45 MMtpy of CO₂ currently captured; however, only around ten commercial capture projects under development have taken a final investment decision (FIG. 1).

H₂Tech Market Data Book 2023. According to H₂Tech’s Market Data Book 2023, the low-carbon H₂ market is poised to quadruple, with the electrolyzer market being the big contributor. The global electrolyzer market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.4%, reaching more than $87 MM by 2025 and up to $271.7 MM by 2026.H₂T

LITERATURE CITED

¹ International Energy Agency, “Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage,” 2022. online: https://www.iea.org/fuels-and-technologies/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage