United States

On this weeks episode we have Juergen Guldner General Program Manager Hydrogen Technology at BMW. The role of hydrogen in passenger vehicles has for many years been seen as a lonely pursuit for Toyota and Hyundai but the landscape is changing. With the Warrego from startup H2X the Ford H2 pick up the Grenadier/Defender F-Cell from INEOS and now the BMW IX5 it is clear that the race to net zero is far from settled!

In this episode the team dive into the what why and how of the BMW story towards one of the world’s most exciting zero emission vehicle offerings. We explore the details of the vehicle and its performance the reasons why BMW are exploring the potential for hydrogen and why now is the time they feel for hydrogen as a passenger vehicle solution to compliment BEV and finally the How or rather the plan for the testing and broader roll-out of not only the IX5 but also the infrastructure that supports it.

The podcast can be found on their website.

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in shale and tight reservoirs offers a promising solution for large-scale energy storage playing a critical role in the transition to a hydrogenbased economy. However the successful deployment of UHS in these low-permeability formations depends on a thorough understanding of the geomechanical and geochemical factors that affect storage integrity injectivity and long-term stability. This review critically examines the geomechanical aspects including stress distribution rock deformation fracture propagation and caprock integrity which govern hydrogen containment under subsurface conditions. Additionally it explores key geochemical challenges such as hydrogen-induced mineral alterations adsorption effects microbial activity and potential reactivity with formation fluids to evaluate their impact on storage feasibility. A comprehensive analysis of experimental studies numerical modeling approaches and field applications is presented to identify knowledge gaps and future research directions.

China’s progress in decarbonizing its transportation particularly vehicle electrification is notable. However the economically effective pathways are underexplored. To find out how much cost is necessary for carbon neutrality for the light-duty vehicle (LDV) sector this study examines twenty decarbonization pathways combining the New Energy and Oil Consumption Credit model and the China-Fleet model. We find that the 2060 zero-greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goal for LDVs is achievable via electrification if the battery pack cost is under CNY483/kWh by 2050. However an extra of CNY8.86 trillion internal subsidies is needed under pessimistic battery cost scenarios (CNY759/kWh in 2050) to eliminate 246 million tonnes of CO2-eq by 2050 ensuring over 80% market penetration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2050. Moreover the promotion of fuel cell electric vehicles is synergy with BEVs to mitigate the carbon abatement difficulties decreasing up to 34% of the maximum marginal abatement internal investment.

Thermo-catalytic decomposition (TCD) presents a promising pathway for producing hydrogen from natural gas without emitting CO2. This process represents a form of fossil fuel decarbonization where the byproduct rather than being a greenhouse gas is a solid carbon material with potential for commercial value. This study examines the dynamic behavior of TCD showing that carbon formed during the reaction first enhances and later dominates methane decomposition. Three types of carbon materials were employed as starting catalysts. Methane decomposition was continuously monitored using on-line Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The concentration and nature of surface-active sites were determined using a two-step approach: oxygen chemisorption followed by elemental analysis through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Changes in the morphology and nanostructure of the carbon catalysts both before and after TCD were examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to study the reactivity of the TCD deposits in relation to the initial catalysts. Partial oxidation altered the structural and surface chemistry of the initial carbon catalysts resulting in activation energies of 69.7–136.7 kJ/mol for methane. The presence of C2 and C3 species doubled methane decomposition (12% → 24%). TCD carbon displayed higher reactivity than the nascent catalysts and sustained long-term activity.

The potential for hydrogen to reshape energy systems has been recognized for over a century. Yet as decarbonization priorities have sharpened in many regions three distinct frontier areas are critical to consider: hydrogen produced from wind; hydrogen produced from nuclear power; and the development of natural hydrogen. These pathways reflect technology and policy changes including a 54% increase in the globally installed wind capacity since 2020 plus new signs of potential emerging in nuclear energy and natural hydrogen. Broadly speaking there are a considerable number of studies covering hydrogen production from electrolysis yet none systematically examine wind- and nuclear-derived hydrogen natural hydrogen or the policies that enable their adoption in key countries. This article highlights international policy and technology developments with a focus on prime movers: Germany China the US and Russia.

Green hydrogen is viewed as a promising pathway to future decarbonized energy systems. However hydrogen production depends on a few critical minerals particularly platinum and iridium. Here we examine how the supply of these minerals is subject to vulnerabilities hidden in interdependent global networks of trade and investment. We develop an index to quantify these vulnerabilities for a combination of a target country an investing country an intermediary country and a commodity. Focusing on the US as the target country for the import of platinum and iridium we show how vulnerability-inducing investing countries changed between 2010 and 2019. We find that the UK is consistently among investing countries that can potentially induce US vulnerabilities via intermediary exporters of platinum and iridium with South Africa being the primary intermediary country. Future research includes incorporating geopolitical factors and technological innovations to move the index closer from potential to real-world vulnerabilities.

This study investigates the effects of varying hydrogen percentages in fuel blends on combustion dynamics engine performance and emissions. Experimental data and analytical equations were used to evaluate combustion parameters such as equivalent lambda in-cylinder pressure heat release rate and ignition timing. The findings demonstrate that hydrogen blending enhances combustion stability shortens ignition delay and shifts peak heat release to be closer to the top dead center (TDC). These changes improve thermal efficiency and reduce cycle-to-cycle variation. Hydrogen blending also significantly lowers carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions particularly at higher blend levels (H0–H5) while lower blends increase nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and risk pre-ignition due to advanced start of combustion (SOC). Engine performance improved with an average hydrogen energy contribution of 12% under a constant load. However the optimal hydrogen blending range is crucial to balancing efficiency gains and emission reductions. These results underline the potential of hydrogen as a cleaner additive fuel and the importance of optimizing blend ratios to harness its benefits effectively.

This paper compares national hydrogen (H2) infrastructure plans in Canada the United States (the USA) Singapore and Sri Lanka four countries with varying geographic and economic outlooks but shared targets for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It examines how each country approaches hydrogen production pipeline infrastructure policy incentives and international collaboration. Canada focuses on large-scale hydrogen production utilizing natural resources and retrofitted natural gas pipelines supplemented by carbon capture technology. The USA promotes regional hydrogen hubs with federal investment and intersectoral collaboration. Singapore suggests an innovation-based import-dominant strategy featuring hydrogen-compatible infrastructure in a land-constrained region. Sri Lanka maintains an import-facilitated pilot-scale model facilitated by donor funding and foreign collaboration. This study identifies common challenges such as hydrogen embrittlement leakages and infrastructure scalability as well as fundamental differences based on local conditions. Based on these findings strategic frameworks are proposed including scalability adaptability partnership policy architecture digitalization and equity. The findings highlight the importance of localized hydrogen solutions supported by strong international cooperation and international partnerships.

From an environmental standpoint carbon-free energy carriers such as ammonia and hydrogen are essential for future energy systems. However their hightemperature chemical behavior remains insufficiently understood posing challenges for the development and optimization of advanced combustion technologies. Ammonia in particular is globally available and cost-effective especially for energy-intensive industries. The addition of ammonia or hydrogen to methane significantly reduces the accuracy of existing predictive models. Therefore validated and detailed data are urgently needed to enable reliable design and performance predictions. This review highlights the compatibility of ammonia with existing combustion infrastructure facilitating a smoother transition to more sustainable heating methods without the need for entirely new systems. Applications in high-temperature heating processes such as metal processing ceramics and glass production and power generation are of particular interest. This review focuses on the systematic assessment of alternative fuel mixtures comprising ammonia and hydrogen as well as natural gas with particular consideration of existing safety-related parameters and combustion characteristics. Fundamental quantities such as the laminar burning velocity are discussed in the context of their relevance for fuel mixtures and their scalability toward turbulent flame propagation which is of critical importance for industrial burner and reactor design. The influence of fuel composition on ignition limits is examined as these are essential parameters for safety margin definitions and operational boundary conditions. Furthermore flame stability in mixed-fuel systems is addressed to evaluate the practical feasibility and robustness of combustion under varying process conditions. A detailed overview of current diagnostic and analysis methods follows encompassing both pollutant measurement techniques and the detection of key radical species. These diagnostics form the experimental basis for reaction kinetics modeling and mechanism validation. Given the importance of emission formation in combustion systems a dedicated subsection summarizes major emission trends even though a comprehensive treatment would exceed the scope of this review. Thermal radiation effects which are highly relevant for heat transfer and system efficiency in large-scale applications are then reviewed. In parallel current developments in numerical simulation approaches for industrial-scale combustion systems are presented including aspects of model accuracy boundary conditions and computational efficiency. The review also incorporates insights from materials engineering particularly regarding high-temperature material performance corrosion resistance and compatibility with combustion products. Based on these interdisciplinary findings operational strategies for high-temperature furnaces are outlined and selected industrial reference systems are briefly presented. This integrated approach aims to support the design optimization and safe operation of next-generation combustion technologies utilizing carbon-free or low-carbon fuels.

The potential for hydrogen production from heavy oil reservoirs has gained significant attention as a dual-benefit process for both enhanced oil recovery and low-carbon energy generation. This study investigates the technical and economic feasibility of producing hydrogen from heavy oil reservoirs using two primary in situ combustion gasification strategies: cyclic steam/air and CO2 + O2 injection. Through a comprehensive analysis of technical barriers economic drivers and market conditions we assess the hydrogen production potential of each method. While both strategies show promise they face considerable challenges: the high energy demands associated with steam generation in the steam/air strategy and the complexities of CO2 procurement capture and storage in the CO2 + O2 method. The novelty of this work lies in combining CMG-STARS reservoir simulations with GoldSim techno-economic modeling to quantify hydrogen yields production costs and oil–hydrogen revenue trade-offs under realistic field conditions. The analysis reveals that under current technological and market conditions the cost of hydrogen production significantly exceeds the market price rendering the process economically uncompetitive. Furthermore the dominance of oil production as the primary revenue source in both methods limits the economic viability of hydrogen production. Unless substantial advancements are made in technology or a more cost-efficient production strategy is developed hydrogen production from heavy oil reservoirs is unlikely to become commercially viable in the near term. This study provides crucial insights into the challenges that must be addressed for hydrogen production from heavy oil reservoirs to be considered a competitive energy source.

Hydrogen (H2) has the potential to become a cleaner fuel alternative to increase energy mix versatility as part of a low-carbon economy. Geological H2 storage represents a key component of the emerging H2 value chain since large-scale energy generation linked to energy generation and large-scale industrial applications will require significant upscaling of geological storage. Geological H2 storage can take place in both salt domes and bedded salt formations. Bedded salt formations offer a significant advantage for H2 storage over salt domes because of their widespread availability. This research focuses on evaluating the H2 storage potential of the Salado Formation a bedded salt deposit in the Permian Basin of West Texas in the United States. Using data from 3268 well logs this study analyzes an area of 136100 km2 to identify suitable depth and net halite thickness for H2 storage in salt caverns. In addition this work applies a novel geostatistical workflow to quantify the uncertainty in the formation’s storage potential. The H2 working gas potential of the Salado Formation ranges from 0.62 to 17.53 Tsm3 (1.75–49.68 PWh of stored energy) across low-risk to high-risk scenarios with a median potential of 1.19 Tsm3 (3.37 PWh). The counties with the largest storage potential are: Lea in New Mexico and Gaines and Andrews in Texas. These three counties account for more than 75 % of the formation’s total storage potential. This is the first study to quantify uncertainty in H2 storage estimates for a bedded salt formation while providing a detailed breakdown of results by county and 1 km2 grid sections. The findings of this work offer critical insights for developing H2 infrastructure in the Permian Basin. The Permian Basin of West Texas has the potential to become an important hub for H2 production from both natural gas and/or renewable energy. Estimating H2 storage potential is an important contribution to assess the feasibility of the entire H2 value chain in Texas. An interactive map accompanies this work allowing the readers to explore the results visually.

This research evaluates four hydrogen (H2) production technologies via water electrolysis (WE): alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEME) anion exchange membrane electrolysis (AEME) and solid oxide electrolysis (SOE). Two scoring and ranking methods the MACBETH method and the Pugh decision matrix are utilized for this evaluation. The scoring process employs nine decision criteria: capital expenditure (CAPEX) operating expenditure (OPEX) operating efficiency (SOE) startup time (SuT) environmental impact (EI) technology readiness level (TRL) maintenance requirements (MRs) supply chain challenges (SCCs) and levelized cost of H2 (LCOH). The MACBETH method involves pairwise technology comparisons for each decision criterion using seven qualitative judgment categories which are converted into quantitative scores via M-MACBETH software (Version 3.2.0). The Pugh decision matrix benchmarks WE technologies using a baseline technology—SMR with CCS—and a three-point scoring scale (0 for the baseline +1 for better −1 for worse). Results from both methods indicate AWE as the leading H2 production technology which is followed by AEME PEME and SOE. AWE excels due to its lowest CAPEX and OPEX highest TRL and optimal operational efficiency (at ≈7 bars of pressure) which minimizes LCOH. AEME demonstrates balanced performance across the criteria. While PEME shows advantages in some areas it requires improvements in others. SOE has the most areas needing enhancement. These insights can direct future R&D efforts toward the most promising H2 production technologies to achieve the net-zero goal.

Since the early days of space exploration the efficient production of oxygen and hydrogen via water electrolysis has been a central task for regenerative life-support systems. Water electrolysers are however challenged by the near-absence of buoyancy in microgravity resulting in hindered gas bubble detachment from electrodes and diminished electrolysis efficiencies. Here we show that a commercial neodymium magnet enhances water electrolysis with current density improvements of up to 240% in microgravity by exploiting the magnetic polarization of the electrolyte and the magnetohydrodynamic force. We demonstrate that these interactions enhance gas bubble detachment and displacement through magnetic convection and achieve passive gas–liquid phase separation. Two model magnetoelectrolytic cells a proton-exchange membrane electrolyser and a magnetohydrodynamic drive were designed to leverage these forces and produce oxygen and hydrogen at near-terrestrial efficiencies in microgravity. Overall this work highlights achievable lightweight low-maintenance and energy-efficient phase separation and electrolyser technologies to support future human spaceflight architectures.

Pilot projects to generate hydrogen using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers coupled to nuclear power plants (NPPs) began in 2022 with further developments anticipated over the next decade. However the co-location of electrolyzers with NPPs requires an understanding and mitigation of potential risks. In this work we identify and rank failure contributors for a 1 MW PEM electrolysis system. We used fault trees to define the component failure logic parameterized them with generic data and calculated failure frequencies and minimal cut sets for four top events: hydrogen release oxygen release nitrogen release and hydrogen and oxygen mixing. We use risk reduction worth importance measures to determine the most risk-significant components. The results provide insight into primary risk drivers in PEM electrolyzer systems and provide the foundational steps towards quantitative risk assessment of large-scale PEM electrolyzers at NPPs. The results include recommended riskmitigation actions include recommendations about design maintenance and monitoring strategies.

The U.S. produces 10 million metric tons (MMT) of hydrogen annually emitting about 41 MMT of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eqs). With rising hydrogen demand and new emission regulations integrating conventional and novel hydrogen production systems is crucial. This study presents an integrated optimization framework to model diversified hydrogen economies as mixed integer linear programs (MILPs). Moreover the accounting of emissions extends to the system exterior (scope 3) thus providing a comprehensive sustainability assessment. The primary focus of the presented computational example is to analyze the impact of scope 3 emissions particularly material emissions during the construction phase on process system optimization while complying with stringent environmental constraints such as carbon limits. By evaluating emission reduction scenarios the model highlights the role of power purchase agreements (PPAs) from renewable sources and the trade-offs between conventional and novel hydrogen production technologies. The key findings indicate that while electrolyzer-based systems (PEM and AWE) offer potential for emission reduction their high energy demand and significant scope 3 material emissions pose challenges for a complete transition in the near term. The study identified two optimal design configurations: one utilizing PPAs as the primary energy source coupled with the conventional SMR-CCS process and another that combines both conventional (SMR-CCS) and novel hydrogen production technologies under a hybrid purview. Ultimately the findings contribute toward the ongoing efforts to achieve true net-carbon neutrality.