Publications

The transportation industry significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Federal and provincial governments have implemented strategies to decrease dependence on gasoline and diesel fuels. This encompasses promoting the adoption of electric cars (EVs) and biofuel alternatives investing in renewable energy sources and enhancing public transit systems. There is a growing focus on enhancing infrastructure to facilitate active transportation modes like cycling and walking which provide the combined advantages of decreasing emissions and advancing public health. In this paper we propose a System Dynamics simulation model for evaluating factors for the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles such as EVs biofuel vehicles bus bikes and hydrogen vehicles. Five factors— namely customer awareness government initiatives cost of vehicles cost of fuels and infrastructure developments—to increase the adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles are studied. Two scenarios are modeled: A baseline scenario that follows the existing trends in transportation (namely the use of gasoline vehicles) Scenario 1 which prioritizes greater adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and biofuel-powered vehicles and Scenario 2 which prioritizes hydrogen fuel-based vehicles and improves biking culture. The simulation findings show that all scenarios achieve reductions in GHG emissions compared to the baseline with Scenario 2 showing the lowest emissions. The proposed work is useful for transport decision makers and municipal administrators in devising policies for reducing overall GHG emissions and this also aligns with Canada’s net zero goals.

The solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) presents significant potential for transforming renewable energy into green hydrogen. Traditional modeling approaches however are constrained by their applicability to specific SOEC systems. This study aims to develop robust data-driven models that accurately capture the complex relationships between input and output parameters within the hydrogen production process. To achieve this advanced machine learning techniques were utilized including Random Forests (RFs) Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) Linear Regression Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) Elastic Net Ridge and Lasso Regressions Decision Trees (DTs) Support Vector Machines (SVMs) k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) Gradient Boosting Machines (GBMs) Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) Light Gradient Boosting Machines (LightGBM) CatBoost and Gaussian Process. These models were trained and validated using a dataset consisting of 351 data points with performance evaluated through various metrics and visual methods. The dataset’s suitability for model training was confirmed using the Monte Carlo outlier detection method. Results indicate that within the dataset and evaluation framework of this study ANNs CNNs Gradient Boosting and XGBoost models have demonstrated high accuracy and reliability achieving the largest R-squared scores and the smallest error metrics. Sensitivity analysis reveals that all input parameters significantly influence hydrogen production magnitude. Game-theoretic SHAP values underline current and cathode electrode conditions as critical factors. This research determines the performance of machine learning models particularly ANNs CNNs Gradient Boosting and XGBoost in predicting hydrogen production through the SOEC process. The outcomes of this paper can provide a certain reference for related research and applications in the hydrogen production field.

This paper provides a comprehensive review of novel aviation technologies analyzing the advancements and challenges associated with the transition to sustainable air transport. The study explores three key pillars: unconventional aerodynamic configurations novel propulsion systems and advanced materials. Unconventional airframe architectures such as box-wing blended-wing-body and truss-braced wings demonstrate potential for improved aerostructural efficiency and reduced fuel consumption compared to traditional tube-and-wing designs. Aeropropulsive innovations as distributed propulsion boundary layer ingestion and advanced turbofan configurations are also promising in this regard. Significant progress in propulsion technologies including hybrid-electric hydrogen and extensive use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) plays a pivotal role in reducing air transport greenhouse gas emissions. However energy storage limitations and infrastructure constraints remain critical challenges and hence in the near future SAF could represent the most feasible solution. The introduction of advanced lightweight materials could further enhance aircraft overall performance. The results presented and discussed in this paper show that there is no a unique solution to the problem of the sustainability of air transport but a combination of all the novel technologies is necessary to achieve the ambitious environmental goals for the air transport of the future.

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.

The Allam power cycle is a groundbreaking elevated-pressure power generation unit that utilizes oxygen and fossil fuels to generate low-cost electricity while capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) inherently. In this project we utilize the CO2 generated from the Allam cycle as feedstock for a newly envisioned industrial complex dedicated to producing renewable hydrocarbons. The industrial complex (FAAR) comprises four subsystems: (i) a Fischer–Tropsch synthesis plant (FTSP) (ii) an alkaline water electrolysis plant (AWEP) (iii) an Allam power cycle plant (APCP) and (iv) a reverse water-gas shift plant (RWGSP). Through effective material heat and power integration the FAAR complex utilizing 57.1% renewable energy for its electricity needs can poly-generate sustainable hydrocarbons (C1–C30) pure hydrogen and oxygen with near-zero emissions from natural gas and water. Economic analysis indicates strong financial performance of the development with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 18% a discounted payback period of 8.7 years and a profitability index of 2.39. The complex has been validated through rigorous modeling and simulation using Aspen Plus version 14 including sensitivity analysis.

The decarbonization of remote energy systems presents both technical and economic challenges due to their dependance on fossil fuels and the variability of renewable energy sources. This study introduces a Two-Stage Stochastic Programming approach to optimize Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems under uncertainty in renewable energy production. The methodology is applied to the island of Pantelleria aiming to minimize Total Annualized Costs and CO2 emissions using an ε-constraint approach. Results show that within the set of optimized configurations stricter CO2 emissions constraints increase costs due to the need for oversized components to ensure supply reliability. Nevertheless even the zeroemissions scenario offers significant economic benefits compared to the current diesel-based system. Total Annualized Costs are reduced from 15.5 M€ to 8.10 M€ in the deterministic case and to 9.37 M€ in the stochastic one. The additional cost in the stochastic configuration is offset by improved reliability ensuring demand is met under all scenarios. A sensitivity analysis on electricity demand reveals the necessity of further larger components leading to a 27.0% cost increase in a fully renewable scenario with stochastic optimization for a 10% demand increase. These findings highlight the importance of stochastic optimization in designing cost-effective off-grid renewable energy systems.

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.

Hydrogen energy generation faces challenges in efficiency and economic viability due to reliance on scarce noble metal catalysts. This study aimed to develop platinum-doped nickel-iron metal-organic framework (Pt-NiFe-MOF) catalysts with controlled metal ratios and pore architecture for enhanced water electrolysis. The NiFe-MOF framework was first synthesized via a solvothermal method which was then subjected to post-synthetic modification to introduce controlled platinum loadings (0.5- 2.0 wt%). The pore structure was tuned using a mixed-linker strategy (H₄DOBDC ratios 1:0 to 1:1). Catalysts were characterized using PXRD HRTEM BET XPS and ICP-OES techniques. Electrochemical performance was analyzed in 1.0 M KOH. A custom-designed integrated electrolysis system at 75 °C assessed practical performance. The Pt-NiFe-MOF-1.0 catalyst with H₄DOBDC ratio of 1:0.5 achieved remarkable effectiveness requiring overpotentials of only 253 mV for OER and 58 mV for HER when operating at 10 mA/cm². This catalyst featured an optimal pore diameter of 4.2 nm and surface area of 1325 m²/g. DFT calculations revealed platinum incorporation created synergistic effects by modifying hydrogen binding energies. Furthermore DFT calculations and XPS analysis revealed that the role of platinum in the OER is not direct catalysis but rather a powerful electronic modulation effect; Pt dopants withdraw electron density from adjacent Ni and Fe centers promoting the formation of higher-valent Ni³⁺/Fe³⁺ species that are intrinsically more active and lowering the energy barrier for the rate-determining O-O bond formation step. The integrated system achieved 1.62V at 100 mA/cm² with 75.8% energy efficiency maintaining stability for 200 h with 15–30 times lower precious metal loading than conventional systems. Strategic incorporation of low platinum concentrations within optimized NiFe-MOF structures significantly enhances water electrolysis performance while maintaining economic viability advancing development of industrial-scale hydrogen generation systems.

The EU targets 10 Mt of green hydrogen production by 2030 but has not committed to targets for 2040. Green hydrogen competes with carbon capture and storage biomass and imports as well as direct electrification in reaching emissions reductions; earlier studies have demonstrated the great uncertainty in future costoptimal development of green hydrogen. In spite of this we show that Europe risks little by setting green hydrogen production targets at around 25 Mt by 2040. Employing an extensive scenario analysis combined with novel near-optimal techniques we find that this target results in systems that are within 10% of cost-optimal in all considered scenarios with current-day biomass availability and baseline transportation electrification. Setting concrete targets is important in order to resolve significant uncertainty that hampers investments. Targeting green hydrogen reduces the dependence on carbon capture and storage and green fuel imports making for a more robust European climate strategy.

The escalating global demand for primary energy—still predominantly met by conventional carbon-based fuels—has led to increased atmospheric pollution. This underscores the urgent need for alternative energy strategies capable of reducing carbon emissions while meeting global energy requirements. Hydrogen as a clean combustible fuel offers a promising alternative to hydrocarbons producing neither soot CO2 nor unburned hydrocarbons. Although nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the primary combustion by-products their formation can be mitigated by controlling flame temperature. This study investigates the viability of hydrogen as a clean energy vector by simulating an unsteady turbulent non-premixed hydrogen jet flame interacting with an air co-flow. The numerical simulations employ the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) framework for efficient and accurate prediction of transient flow behavior. Turbulence is modeled using the Shear Stress Transport (SST k-ω) model which enhances accuracy in high Reynolds number reactive flows. The combustion process is described using a presumed Probability Density Function (PDF) model allowing for a statistical representation of turbulent mixing and chemical reaction. The simulation results are validated by comparison with experimental temperature and mixture fraction data demonstrating the reliability and predictive capability of the proposed numerical approach.

This study presents a novel multi-objective optimization framework supporting nations sustainability 2030–2040 visions by enhancing renewable energy integration green hydrogen production and emission reduction. The framework evaluates a range of energy storage technologies including battery pumped hydro compressed air energy storage and hybrid configurations under realistic system constraints using the IEEE 9-bus test system. Results show that without storage renewable penetration is limited to 28.65% with 1538 tCO2/day emissions whereas integrating pumped hydro with battery (PHB) enables 40% penetration cuts emissions by 40.5% and reduces total system cost to 570 k$/day (84% of the baseline cost). The framework’s scalability is confirmed via simulations on IEEE 30- 39- 57- and 118-bus systems with execution times ranging from 118.8 to 561.5 s using the HiGHS solver on a constrained Google Colab environment. These findings highlight PHB as the most cost-effective and sustainable storage solution for large-scale renewable integration.

Hydrogen recognized as a critical energy source requires green production methods such as proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) powered by renewable energy. This is a key step toward sustainable development with economic analysis playing an essential role. Life cycle costing (LCC) is commonly used to evaluate economic feasibility but traditional LCC analyses often provide a single cost outcome which limits their applicability across diverse regional contexts. To address these challenges a Python-based tool is developed in this paper integrating a bottom-up approach with net present value (NPV) calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. The tool allows users to manage uncertainty by intervening in the input data producing a range of outcomes rather than a single deterministic result thus offering greater flexibility in decision-making. Applying the tool to a 5 MW PEMWE plant in Germany the total cost of ownership (TCO) is estimated to range between €52 million and €82.5 million with hydrogen production costs between 5.5 and 11.4 €/kg H2. There is a 95% probability that actual costs fall within this range. Sensitivity analysis reveals that energy prices are the key contributors to LCC accounting for 95% of the variance in LCC while iridium membrane materials and power electronics contribute to 75% of the variation in construction-phase costs. These findings underscore the importance of renewable energy integration and circular economy strategies in reducing LCC.

In this study a liquid hydrogen (LH2) safety valve evaluation device was developed to enable safe and stable performance testing of pressure safety valves (PSVs) under realistic cryogenic and high-pressure conditions. The device was designed for flexible use by mounting all components on a mobile frame equipped with wheels and the pressurization rate inside the vessel was controlled through a boil-off gas (BOG) generator. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of LH2 production rate on PSV operation. When the production of LH2 increased by about 2.4 times the number of PSV operations rose from 15 to 20 and the operating pressure range shifted slightly upward from 10.68~12.53 bar to 10.68~13.2 bar while remaining within the instrument’s error margin. These results indicate that repeated valve cycling and increased hydrogen production contribute to gradual changes in PSV operating characteristics. Additionally the minimum temperature experienced by the PSV decreased with repeated operations reaching approximately 77.9 K. The developed evaluation system provides an effective platform for analyzing PSV performance under realistic LH2 production and storage conditions.

Currently local regulations governing hydrogen installations vary by geographical region and by country leading to discrepancies in safety and separation distance requirements for similar hydrogen systems. This work carried out in the frame of IEA TCP H2 Task 43 (IEA TCP H2 2022) aims to provide an overview of various methodologies and recommendations established for risk management and consequence assessment in the event of accidental scenarios. It focuses on a case study involving industrial electrolyzers utilizing alkaline and PEM technologies. The research incorporates lessons learned from past incidents offers recommendations for mitigation measures reviews existing methodologies and highlights areas of divergence. Additionally it proposes strategies for harmonization. The study also emphasizes the most significant scenarios and the corresponding leakage sizes

The transition to decarbonized energy systems positions hydrogen as a critical vector for achieving climate neutrality yet its large-scale transportation and storage remain key challenges. This study presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) and economic analysis of large-scale H2 supply chains evaluating the liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) system based on benzyltoluene/perhydro-benzyltoluene (H0-BT/H12-BT) against conventional technologies: compressed gaseous hydrogen (CGH2) liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid ammonia (LNH3). The analysis includes multiple H2 transportation scenarios across Europe considering the steps: conditioning sea transportation post-processing and land distribution by truck or pipeline. Environmentally LOHC currently faces higher environmental impacts than CGH2 driven by energy-intensive dehydrogenation process. Truck-based distribution further amplifies impacts particularly over long distances while pipeline-based distribution significantly reduces the environmental burdens where infrastructure exists. Sensitivity analysis reveals that using H2 for dehydrogenation heat lowers process-level impacts but increases overall supply chain impacts questioning its net environmental benefit. Economically LOHC remains competitive despite high dehydrogenation costs benefiting from low sea transportation expenses compatibility with existing fossil fuel infrastructure and potential for future CAPEX and OPEX improvements. While CGH2 outperforms LH2 and LNH3 avoiding energy-intensive liquefaction and cracking its storage requirements add considerable costs. For land distribution LOHC trucks are optimal at lower capacities whereas repurposed natural gas pipelines favour CGH2 at higher scale reducing costs by up to 84 %. Despite current trade-offs the scalability flexibility and synergies with existing infrastructure position LOHC as a promising solution for long-distance H2 transport contingent on technological maturation to mitigate dehydrogenation impacts.

Creating a hydrogen market in Africa is a great opportunity to assist in the promotion of sustainable energy solutions and economic growth. This article addresses the legislation and regulations that need to be developed to facilitate growth in the hydrogen market and allow local green hydrogen offtake across the continent. By reviewing current policy and strategy within particular African countries and best practices globally from key hydrogen economies the review establishes compelling issues challenges and opportunities unique to Africa. The study identifies the immense potential in Africa for renewable energy and in particular for solar and wind as the foundation for the production of green hydrogen. It examines how effective policy frameworks can establish a vibrant hydrogen economy by bridging infrastructural gaps cost hurdles and regulatory barriers. The paper also addresses how local offtake contracts for green hydrogen can be used to stimulate economic diversification energy security and sustainable development. Policy advice is provided to assist African authorities and stakeholders in the deployment of enabling regulatory frameworks and the mobilization of funds. The paper contributes to global hydrogen energy discussions by introducing Africa as an eligible stakeholder in the emerging hydrogen economy and outlining prospects for its inclusion into regional and global energy supply chains.

This study explores the safety problems of hydrogen leakage and explosion in hydrogen fuel cell buses through Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. The research investigates the diffusion behavior of hydrogen in the passenger cabin depending on the leakage position and flow rates identifying a stratified constant-concentration layer formed at the top of the cabin. Leakage near the rear wall of the vehicle provided the highest hydrogen concentration while at higher flow rates the diffusive process accelerated the spreading of flammable hydrogen concentrations. Hydrogen ignition simulations showed a fast internal pressure increase and secondary explosions outside the vehicle. Thermal hazards in the cases were higher than overpressure. The research’s additional analysis of ignition timing and source location shows that overpressure peaked initially with delayed ignition but declined afterward while rear-ignited flames exhibited the farthest high-temperature hazard range at 10.88 m. These findings are fundamental for giving insight into hydrogen behavior in confined spaces and thus guiding risk assessment and emergency response planning for the development of safety protocols in hydrogen fuel cell buses contributing to the safer implementation of hydrogen energy in public transportation.

Natural hydrogen is generated via serpentinization radiolysis and organic metagenesis in geological settings. After expulsion from the source and along its upward migration path the free gas may encounter hydratebearing sediments. To simulate this natural scenario CH4 hydrate and CH4 + C3H8 hydrate were synthesized at 5.0 MPa and exposed to a hydrogen-containing gas mixture. In-situ Raman spectroscopic measurements demonstrated the incorporation of H2 molecules into the hydrate phase even at a partial pressure of 0.5 MPa. Exsitu Raman spectroscopic characterization of hydrates formed from a CH4 + H2 gas mixture at 5.0 MPa confirmed the H2 inclusion within the large cavities of structure I. The results show that the interactions between H2 and the natural gas hydrate phase range from the incorporation of H2 molecules into the hydrate phase to the rapid dissociation of the gas hydrate depending on thermodynamic conditions and H2 concentration in the coexisting gas phase.

Infrastructure projects can act as niches for innovation development contribute to strategic goals of network owners and drive broader systemic transitions. However limited research has examined how sustainability transitions are shaped through narratives and counternarratives around infrastructure projects. Using a case study of the port of Rotterdam we analyze how three embedded projects - Maasvlakte 2 RDM Campus and the Hydrogen Pipeline - reflected and shaped evolving narratives and counter-narratives over a 20-year sustainability transition. Grounded in the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) the study demonstrates how an infrastructure owner like the Port of Rotterdam Authority (PoRA) strategically mobilized narrative framing to reshape existing regimes over time. The study contributes to the debate on project management and transition studies by highlighting how infrastructure project owners respond to transition-related tensions by shaping defending and adapting project narratives over time thereby influencing sustainability trajectories.

In order to minimize emissions of the aerospace sector and thus its impact on the climate several novel concepts of propulsion systems for aircraft are being developed. Many of these concepts do not use an energy source based on the combustion of hydrocarbons but other means of energy generation and storage like hydrogen fuel cells and corresponding hydrogen storage systems. The use of hydrogen as a primary energy carrier in aircraft poses novel and different hazards when compared to conventional propulsion and fuel storage systems. The study described in the present paper identifies analyzes and evaluates failure conditions and corresponding hazards that are associated with the electrified propulsion systems. Mitigation strategies to prevent failures to occur or decrease their severity are recommended. The effects of the assessed failures on aircraft crew and occupants are classified as catastrophic hazardous or major as defined in the according Certification Specifications. Failure Conditions occurring at the aircraft system and subsystem levels are considered and their effect on the aircraft and propulsion system is assessed. The hazards identified mostly emerge due to the properties of the gaseous or liquid hydrogen. They include the flammability of gaseous hydrogen and the very low temperatures of cryogenic liquid hydrogen as well as the installation of high voltage power infrastructure and high capacity heat exchangers.

Hydrogen is increasingly recognised as a potential critical energy carrier in decarbonising global energy systems. Australia is positioning itself as a potential leader in offshore renewable hydrogen production by leveraging existing liquified natural gas export infrastructure activating its abundant renewable energy resources and harnessing its extensive offshore marine acreage. Despite this there is limited research on the techno-economic and regulatory pathways for offshore hydrogen development in Australia as an enabler of its net zero manufacturing and export ambitions. This study offers a multidisciplinary assessment and review of Australia’s offshore renewable hydrogen potential. It aims to examine the technical legal and economic challenges and opportunities to enable and adapt the existing Australian offshore electricity regulatory regime and enable policy to facilitate future renewable offshore hydrogen licensing and production. Overall the findings provide practical insights for advancing Australia’s offshore hydrogen transition including technical innovations needed to scale offshore wind development. The study demonstrates how a specific offshore hydrogen licensing framework could reduce legal uncertainties to create economies of scale and reduce hydrogen investment risk to unlock the full potential of developing offshore renewable hydrogen projects.

This paper provides authors’ perspective on the current advances and challenges in utilising polymers and composites in hydrogen economy. It has originated from ‘Polymers and Composites for Hydrogen Economy’ symposium organised in March 2025 at the University of Warwick. This paper presents views from the event and thus provides a perspective from academia and industry on the ongoing advances and challenges for those materials in hydrogen applications.

The utilisation of renewable energy sources for hydrogen production is increasingly vital for ensuring the long-term sustainability of global energy systems. Currently the Sultanate of Oman is actively integrating renewable energy particularly through the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems as part of its ambitious targets for the forthcoming decades. Also Oman has target to achieve 1 million tonnes of green-H2 production annually. Leveraging Oman's abundant solar resources to produce green hydrogen and promote the clean transportation industry could significantly boost the country's sustainable energy sector. This paper outlines a standalone bifacial solar-powered system designed for large-scale green hydrogen (H2) production and storage to operate both a hydrogen refuelling station and an electric vehicle charging station in Sohar Oman. Using HOMER software three scenarios: PV/Hydrogen/Battery PV/Hydrogen PV/Battery systems were compared from a techno-economic perspective. Also the night-time operation (Battery/Hydrogen) was investigated. Varying cost of electricity were obtained depending on the system from $3.91/kWh to $0.0000565kWh while the bifacial PV/Hydrogen/Battery system emerged as the most efficient option boasting a unit cost of electricity (COE) of $3.91/kWh and a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) value of $6.63/kg with net present cost 199M. This system aligns well with Oman's 2030 objectives with the capacity to generate 1 million tonnes of green-H2 annually. Additionally the findings show that the surplus electricity from the system could potentially cover over 30% of Oman's total energy consumption with zero harmful emissions. The implementation of this system promises to enhance Oman's economic and transportation industries by promoting the adoption of electric and fuel cell vehicles while reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

Presently there is no single clear route for the near-term production of the huge volumes of CO2-free hydrogen necessary for the global transition to any type of hydrogen economy. All conventional routes to produce hydrogen from hydrocarbon fossil fuels (notably natural gas) involve the production—and hence the emission—of CO2 most notably in the steam methane reforming (SMR) process. Our recent studies have highlighted another route; namely the critical role played by the microwave-initiated catalytic pyrolysis decomposition or deconstruction of fossil hydrocarbon fuels to produce hydrogen with low to near-zero CO2 emissions together with high-value solid nanoscale carbonaceous materials. These innovations have been applied firstly to wax then methane crude oil diesel then biomass and most recently Saudi Arabian light crude oil as well as plastics waste. Microwave catalysis has therefore now emerged as a highly effective route for the rapid and effective production of hydrogen and high-value carbon nanomaterials co-products in many cases accompanied by low to near-zero CO2 emissions. Underpinning all of these advances has been the important concept from solid state physics of the so-called Size-Induced-Metal-Insulator Transition (SIMIT) in mesoscale or mesoscopic particles of catalysts. The mesoscale refers to a range of physical scale in-between the micro- and the macro-scale of matter (Huang W Li J and Edwards PP 2018 Mesoscience: exploring the common principle at mesoscale Natl. Sci. Rev. 5 321-326 (doi:10.1093/nsr/nwx083)). We highlight here that the actual physical size of the mesoscopic catalyst particles located close to the SIMIT is the primary cause of their enhanced microwave absorption and rapid heating of particles to initiate the catalytic—and highly selective—breaking of carbon–hydrogen bonds in fossil hydrocarbons and plastics to produce clean hydrogen and nanoscale carbonaceous materials. Importantly also since the surrounding ‘bath’ of hydrocarbons is cooler than the microwave-heated catalytic particles themselves the produced neutral hydrogen molecule can quickly diffuse from the active sites. This important feature of microwave heating thereby minimizes undesirable side reactions a common feature of conventional thermal heating in heterogeneous catalysis. The low to near-zero CO2 production of hydrogen via microwave-initiated decomposition or cracking of abundant hydrocarbon fossil fuels may be an interim viable alternative to the conventional widely-used SMR that a highly efficient process but unfortunately associated with the emission of vast quantities of CO2. Microwave-initiated catalytic decomposition also opens up the intriguing possibility of using distributed methane in the current natural gas structure to produce hydrogen and high-value solid carbon at either central or distributed sites. That approach will lessen many of the safety and environmental concerns associated with transporting hydrogen using the existing natural gas infrastructure. When completely optimized microwave-initiated catalytic decomposition of methane (and indeed all hydrocarbon sources) will produce no aerial carbon (CO2) and only solid carbon as a co-product. Furthermore reaction conditions can surely be optimized to target the production of high-quality synthetic graphite as the major carbon-product; that material of considerable importance as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Even without aiming for such products derived from the solid carbon co-product it is of course far easier to capture solid carbon rather than capturing gaseous CO2 at either the central or distributed sites. Through microwave-initiated catalytic pyrolysis this decarbonization of fossil fuels can now become the potent source of sustainable hydrogen and high-value carbon nanomaterials.

Australia’s path to net-zero emissions by 2050 depends heavily on the development and commercialisation of hydrogen as a substitute for hydrocarbons across transport power generation and industrial heat sectors. With hydrocarbons currently supplying over 90% of national energy needs hydrogen must scale rapidly to fill the gap. Existing low-carbon hydrogen production methods blue hydrogen via steam methane reforming and green hydrogen via electrolysis are constrained by high water requirements posing a challenge in water-scarce regions targeted for hydrogen development. This paper investigates dry reforming of methane (DRM) as a water-independent alternative using CO₂ as a reactant. DRM offers dual benefits: reduced reliance on freshwater resources and the utilisation of CO₂ supporting broader emissions reduction goals. Recent improvements in nickel-copper catalyst performance enhance the viability of DRM for industrial-scale hydrogen production. The Middle Arm Precinct in the Northern Territory is highlighted as an ideal site for implementation given its access to offshore gas fields containing both methane and CO₂ presenting a unique opportunity for resource-integrated low-emission hydrogen production.