Outlook 2022: A case for European blue hydrogen

Tackling fugitive methane emissions in the supply chain is vital if blue hydrogen is to be considered low carbon

In August 2021, the paper How green is blue ­hydrogen? hit the academic press. Co-authored by Professor Howarth of Cornell University, the paper makes the case that reforming natural gas alongside carbon capture and storage (CCS) to produce blue hydrogen can generate more than 20pc more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than the direct use of natural gas. This conclusion follows an analysis of two blue hydrogen plants, one in the US and one in Canada, and—importantly—is based on two key assumptions: fugitive methane emissions from natural gas production are set at 3.5pc following analysis of US leakage statistics, and power for the CCS process is supplied from gas-fired generation. In addition,