Clean Hydrogen at a Crossroads: Why Methane Pyrolysis Deserves Attention
16 hours ago
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- #clean-hydrogen
- #energy-transition
- Only 11% of the world’s planned clean hydrogen production capacity for 2030 has reached final investment decision.
- Major U.S. projects (SMR + CCS and electrolysis) have been paused or canceled due to regulatory shifts, economic uncertainty, and weak demand.
- Building a new commodity market like clean hydrogen is complex and rarely progresses linearly.
- Policy volatility in the U.S. is adding uncertainty at a critical time for climate action.
- Challenges highlight key issues: high costs, lack of committed offtake, supply chain hurdles, and local opposition.
- Despite setbacks, committed investments in clean hydrogen have grown 50% year-over-year since 2020.
- Methane pyrolysis emerges as a promising method, producing hydrogen and solid carbon without direct CO₂ emissions.
- Methane pyrolysis could enable a dual-revenue model, reducing reliance on long-term subsidies.