Publications

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.

The escalating global energy demand has intensified research into sustainable hydrogen production particularly through water splitting. A highly promising avenue involves photocatalytic water splitting which leverages readily available earth-abundant materials to generate clean hydrogen from water using only renewable energy sources. Among the various catalytic materials investigated metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently attracted considerable interest. Their tunable porosity high crystallinity as well as the customisable molecular structures position them as a transformative class of catalysts for efficient and sustainable photocatalytic hydrogen generation. This review examines MOFs detailing their structural characteristics unique properties and diverse synthetic routes. The discussion extends to the various composite materials that can be derived from MOFs with particular emphasis on their application in photocatalytic hydrogen production via water splitting. Furthermore the review identifies current challenges hindering MOF implementation and proposes modification strategies to overcome these limitations. The concluding section summarises the presented information and future perspectives on the continued development of MOF composites for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production from water.

This paper presents TwinP2G a software application for optimal planning of investments in power-to-gas (PtG) systems. TwinP2G provides simulation and optimization services for the techno-economic analysis of user-customized energy networks. The core of TwinP2G is based on power flow simulation; however it supports energy sector coupling including electricity green hydrogen natural gas and synthetic methane. The framework provides a user-friendly user interface (UI) suitable for various user roles including data scientists and energy experts using visualizations and metrics on the assessed investments. An identity and access management mechanism also serves the security and authorization needs of the framework. Finally TwinP2G revolutionizes the concept of data availability and data sharing by granting its users access to distributed energy datasets available in the EnerShare Data Space. These data are available to TwinP2G users for conducting their experiments and extracting useful insights on optimal PtG investments for the energy grid.

The reliability and sustainability of multi-energy networks are increasingly critical in addressing modern energy demands and environmental concerns. Hydrogen-based hybrid energy systems can mitigate the challenges of renewable energy utilization such as intermittency grid stability and energy storage by integrating hydrogen generation and electricity storage from renewable sources such as solar and wind. Therefore this review offers a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental economic and technological aspects of green hydrogen-based hybrid energy systems particularly highlighting improvements in terms of the economics of fuel cell and electrolysis procedures. It also highlights new approaches such as hybrid energy management strategies and power-to-gas (PtG) conversion to enhance the system’s dependability and resilience. Analyzing the role of green hydrogen-based hybrid energy systems in supporting global climate goals and improving energy security underscores their high potential to make a significant contribution to carbon-neutral energy networks and provide policymakers with useful recommendations for developing guidelines. In addition the social aspect of hydrogen systems like energy equity and community engagement towards a hydrogen-based society provides reasons for the continued development of next-generation energy systems.

Hydrogen-powered aircraft constitute a transformative innovation in aviation motivated by the imperative for sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. This paper aims to concentrate on the design of hydrogen powertrains employing a system approach to propose representative design models for distribution and propulsion systems. Initially the requirements for powertrain design are formalized and a usecase-driven analysis is conducted to determine the functional and physical architectures. Subsequently for each component pertinent to preliminary design an analytical model is proposed for multidisciplinary analysis and optimization for powertrain sizing. A doublewall pipe model incorporating foam and vacuum multi-layer insulation was developed. The internal and outer pipes sizing were performed in accordance with standards for hydrogen piping design. Valves sizing is also considered in the present study following current standards and using data available in the literature. Furthermore models for booster pumps to compensate pressure drop and high-pressure pumps to elevate pressure at the combustion chamber entrance are proposed. Heat exchanger and evaporator models are also included and connected to a burning hydrogen engine in the sizing process. An optimal liner pipe diameter was identified which minimizes distribution systems weight. We also expect a reduction in engine length and weight while maintaining equivalent thrust.

This extensive study delves into analyzing carbon dioxide (CO2)-capturing green hydrogen plant exploring its operation using multiple electrolysis techniques and examining their efficiency and impact on environment. The solar energy is used for the electrolysis to make hydrogen. Emitted CO2 from thermal power plants integrate with green hydrogen and produces methanol. It is a process crucial for mitigating environmental damage and fostering sustainable energy practices. The findings demonstrated that solid oxide electrolysis is the most effective process by which hydrogen can be produced with significant rate of 90 % efficiency. Moreover proton exchange membrane (PEM) becomes a viable and common method with an 80 % efficiency whereas the alkaline electrolysis has a moderate level of 63 % efficiency. Additionally it was noted that the importance of seasonal fluctuations where the capturing of CO2 is maximum in summer months and less in the winter is an important factor to consider in order to maximize the working of the plant and the allocation of resources.

While hydrogen production through pure water splitting remains a key focus in solar hydrogen research photocatalytic seawater splitting presents a more sustainable alternative better aligned with global development goals amid increasing freshwater scarcity. Nevertheless the deactivation of the photocatalyst by the corrosion of various ions present in seawater as well as the chloride ions’ redox side reaction limits the practical use of the photocatalytic seawater splitting process. In this context sulfur has emerged as a crucial component in photocatalytic composites for seawater splitting owing to its unique chemical properties. It acts as a chlorine-repulsive agent effectively suppressing chloride ion oxidation which mitigates corrosion enhances structural stability and significantly improves overall photocatalytic performance in saline environments. This review offers a thorough explanation of the basic ideas of solar-driven seawater splitting delves into various synthesis strategies and explores recent advancements in sulfur-based composites for efficient hydrogen generation using seawater. Optimizing synthesis techniques and incorporating strategies like doping cocatalyst and heterojunctions significantly enhance the performance of sulfur-based photocatalysts for seawater splitting. Future advances include integrating AI-guided material discovery sustainable use of industrial sulfur waste and precise control of sacrificial agents to ensure long-term efficiency and stability.

Decarbonizing ammonia production is critical to meeting global climate targets in agriculture. This study evaluates two hydrogen pathways plasmalysis and electrolysis at Ontario’s Courtright Complex using detailed techno-economic modeling. The natural gas–based plasma system achieves the lowest hydrogen cost ($1.35/kg) but incurs high annual fuel expenses ($297.7 M/y) and shows strong sensitivity to natural gas prices. Electrolysis powered by 110 MW PV 1700 MW wind 60 MW biomass 95 MWh battery storage and a 2.0 GW electrolyzer produces hydrogen at $2.07/kg with lower fuel costs ($29.7 M/y) and significant grid interaction (2.67 TWh/y imports and 1.89 TWh/y exports) enhancing operational flexibility. Over a 15-year horizon both pathways deliver substantial CO2 reductions (plasmalysis: 27000 kt; electrolysis: 26045 kt). Extending plant lifetimes from 10 to 30 y reduces the levelized cost of hydrogen from $2.25 to $1.91/kg in the plasmalysis case and from $1.52 to $1.18/kg in the electrolysis case while increasing overall net present cost. Although electrolysis requires higher capital investment ($5.53 B compared with $1.79 B) it demonstrates resilience to fuel price volatility and provides additional grid revenue. In contrast plasmalysis offers near-term cost advantages but remains dependent on fossil gas underscoring its role as a transitional rather than fully green option for ammonia decarbonization.

Green hydrogen is emerging as a pivotal energy carrier in the global transition toward decarbonization offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in sectors such as heavy industry transportation power generation and long-duration energy storage. Despite its potential large-scale deployment remains hindered by significant economic technological and infrastructure challenges. Current production costs for green hydrogen range from USD 3.8 to 11.9/kg H2 significantly higher than gray hydrogen at USD 1.5–6.4/kg H2 due to high electricity prices and electrolyzer capital costs exceeding USD 2000 per kW. This review critically examines the key bottlenecks in green hydrogen production focusing on water electrolysis technologies electrocatalyst limitations and integration with renewable energy sources. The economic viability of green hydrogen is constrained by high electricity consumption capital-intensive electrolyzer costs and operational inefficiencies making it uncompetitive with fossil fuel-based hydrogen. Infrastructure and supply chain challenges including limited hydrogen storage transport complexities and critical material dependencies further restrict market scalability. Additionally policy and regulatory gaps disparities in financial incentives and the absence of a standardized certification framework hinder international trade and investment in green hydrogen projects. This review also highlights market trends and global initiatives assessing the role of government incentives and cross-border collaborations in accelerating hydrogen adoption. While technological advancements and cost reductions are progressing overcoming these challenges requires sustained innovation stronger policy interventions and coordinated efforts to develop a resilient scalable and cost-competitive green hydrogen sector.