The future of clean energy has been widely debated around the world, and hydrogen has stood out as one of the great promises in the quest for global decarbonization. Among the various forms of producing this fuel, turquoise hydrogen emerges as a promising alternative, presenting itself as the “cousin” of the well-known green hydrogen. But what exactly is this new technology, and what are its economic and environmental implications?
According to experts, turquoise hydrogen is produced from methane pyrolysis, a process that uses intense heat to break down natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon. This process distinction is important, as the separation of carbon prevents it from being emitted as CO₂, one of the main contributors to global warming.
The Difference between Green and Turquoise
While green hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis, using electricity from renewable sources, turquoise uses natural gas as its raw material. Although both aim to reduce carbon emissions, the turquoise process, by generating solid carbon, allows the element to be stored or used in other industries, such as tire manufacturing and construction materials. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), green hydrogen still has a high production cost, ranging from US$ 3 to US$ 7 per kilogram, which hampers its expansion. On the other hand, turquoise hydrogen presents itself as a more financially competitive option.
Environmental Impacts
The environmental factor is crucial in this discussion. Turquoise hydrogen has the advantage of not emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide directly into the atmosphere, unlike its counterpart, gray hydrogen, which is widely used today and generates about 10 tons of CO₂ per ton of hydrogen produced. However, the turquoise process still depends on the use of natural gas, raising concerns about the continued exploitation of fossil fuels.
In a recent study published by the Energy Transition Institute, analysts highlight that turquoise hydrogen can be a “transition technology,” allowing the global economy to gradually migrate to cleaner energy forms without completely abandoning the current natural gas infrastructure. This offers an intermediate solution until green hydrogen production becomes more economically viable.
The Turquoise Hydrogen Economy
One of the major attractions of turquoise hydrogen lies in its economic potential. Countries rich in natural gas reserves, such as the United States, Russia, and Qatar, are beginning to explore the use of this technology as a way to add value to their hydrocarbon production. The US government, for example, recently announced a US$ 1.5 billion investment in hydrogen projects, with part of these funds allocated to turquoise hydrogen initiatives.
Additionally, according to the Hydrogen Council, a global consortium of companies promoting the use of hydrogen, the global hydrogen economy could generate US$ 2.5 trillion in revenues by 2050, creating around 30 million jobs. In this context, turquoise hydrogen appears as a viable alternative, with lower production costs than green hydrogen, and a way to leverage the current natural gas infrastructure.
Challenges to Implementation
Despite the economic and environmental advantages, turquoise hydrogen faces significant challenges for its widespread adoption. One of the main obstacles relates to the storage and transport of the solid carbon resulting from pyrolysis. Although solid carbon has various industrial applications, not all regions have the infrastructure or sufficient demand to use the material, which could limit the technology’s expansion.
Another challenge is the public and political acceptance of this technology. Although turquoise hydrogen emits less carbon than gray hydrogen, it still depends on a fossil source, raising questions about its long-term sustainability. Environmental groups argue that continuing to use natural gas, even in a cleaner way, still contributes to the exploitation of non-renewable resources.
The Transition to a Sustainable Future
Although the energy transition is a global topic, the solution will not be unique. Green hydrogen may be the ideal solution in regions with an abundance of renewable energy, such as Europe, which has vast investments in wind and solar energy. On the other hand, countries dependent on hydrocarbons may adopt turquoise hydrogen as an intermediate step while working to develop more sustainable technologies.
Germany, for example, has already signaled its interest in exploring turquoise hydrogen as part of its hydrogen strategy, while Japan and Australia are investing in carbon capture and storage technologies to reduce emissions from hydrogen production from fossil sources.
Promising Future, But with Caution
Turquoise hydrogen represents an important addition to the global energy solutions portfolio, especially in a scenario where the urgency to reduce carbon emissions has never been higher. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hydrogen could supply up to 12% of the global energy demand by 2050, but for that to happen, investments in infrastructure, research, and public policies will be essential.
The long-term viability of this technology will depend not only on technical advances but also on collaboration between governments, industries, and civil society to ensure that the energy transition is truly sustainable.
Conclusion
Turquoise hydrogen emerges as a viable and promising alternative on the path to a cleaner energy future, taking advantage of existing infrastructures and offering a transition solution. However, like any technology, it comes with challenges that will need to be overcome through innovation, investments, and solid regulation.
With the continuous advancement of research and the growing interest of governments and companies, turquoise hydrogen may consolidate itself as a key piece in the puzzle of the global energy transition. However, its effectiveness and sustainability will depend on balancing economic benefits and long-term environmental concerns.
Comment