Published on April 27, 2021
The colourless gas hydrogen is on everyone’s lips. It is not only seen as the key element to defossilise chemical and steel industries, but – further processed into Power-to-X (PtX) derivatives – also many other industry and transport sectors. But is hydrogen production really free of harmful emissions? Well, it depends: The colours of hydrogen tell whether or not it is emission-free.
Many industrial sectors already use hydrogen. Though most of the hydrogen used today is produced in ways that are harmful to the climate, it is possible to produce hydrogen without climate-damaging emissions. This so-called “green” hydrogen can play an important role in fighting climate change – either through green hydrogen itself or through one of its Power-to-X follow-up products. The colour labels of hydrogen – grey, blue, turquoise and green – indicate how the hydrogen was produced.*
Grey hydrogen
Grey hydrogen is produced from fossil energy sources such as natural gas. Usually, the process of steam reforming is applied: Heat converts the natural gas into hydrogen and CO2. The CO2 is then released directly into the atmosphere, thus contributing to global warming. The production process for one tonne of grey hydrogen emits around 10 tonnes of CO2.
Blue hydrogen
Blue hydrogen is also produced from fossil energy sources. Hydrocarbons – mainly natural gas – are used for the production, which also releases CO2.
Unlike grey hydrogen, the CO2 is then not released into the atmosphere, but captured and stored underground. Due to this process of carbon capture and storage (CCS), blue hydrogen is CO2-neutral. So, even though CO2 is produced during the manufacturing process, it is not released into the atmosphere.
However, blue hydrogen can still generate harmful green-house gas emissions. During production and transport of the gas, methane leaks into the atmosphere. As methane has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 28, it is even more harmful than CO2. There are also concerns regarding CCS. Some doubt it to be a proven safe technology. Others highlight that the limited potential of CCS will be needed for other processes that cannot be decarbonised.
Turquoise hydrogen
Turquoise hydrogen is produced via methane pyrolysis – the thermal splitting of methane. Unlike grey and blue hydrogen, turquoise hydrogen does not produce CO2, but solid carbon.
Under certain conditions, turquoise hydrogen can also be CO2-neutral. Firstly, the heat supply for production must come from renewable energy sources. Secondly, permanent bonding of the carbon must be guaranteed. Methane leakage again poses a problem as well.
Green hydrogen
Electrolysis provides the basis to produce green hydrogen. Powered by ‘green electricity’ from renewable energies such as Photovoltaic and wind power, electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. No CO2, and no other harmful greenhouse gases are emitted in this process. Electrolysis is also the basis of Power-to-X products.
Choosing the right pathway
Currently, green hydrogen is still the most expensive option. Grey, turquoise and blue hydrogen are cheaper to produce. However, the production costs of green hydrogen are expected to fall significantly already in the medium-term. And low production costs should not be the only criterion for assessing hydrogen production pathways: Sustainability concerns must also be considered.
And in light of reaching climate and sustainable development goals, green hydrogen is the only viable option.
*Additionally, the colours pink (production of hydrogen via electrolysis with electricity from nuclear power) and white (natural resources of hydrogen) are also sometimes used to describe hydrogen production pathways.
Contributor to this article is Nils Fuchs.
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