Oregon-based gas utility NW Natural and Kokkola, Finland-based Hycamite TCD Technologies have signed a letter of intent to explore applications for Hycamite’s novel methane pyrolysis technology to produce and distribute clean hydrogen.
Hycamite’s technology uses heat to break down methane molecules, producing hydrogen and carbon without releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The clean hydrogen produced can be used as either an industrial raw material or fuel. Carbon is captured in a solid form and provided to customers as nanocarbon and other industrial-quality products, suitable for applications such as battery production, supercapacitors, electronics, additives in polymers and composite materials and concrete manufacturing.
According to Hycamite, its methane-splitting technology requires only 13% of the energy required to produce hydrogen via electrolysis. Use of methane feedstock (from geologic natural gas, biomethane or synthetic natural gas) allows production to scale up rapidly.
Under the agreement with Hycamite, large natural gas customers within NW Natural’s service territory could develop facilities that use novel methane-splitting technology to deliver low-carbon (turquoise) hydrogen to supplement or replace natural gas usage. Hycamite would install, commission, operate and maintain the methane pyrolysis units, while NW Natural would deliver the natural gas feedstock used to produce hydrogen.
If successful, the collaboration between NW Natural and Hycamite could have a significant impact on the development of the clean hydrogen economy in Oregon and beyond.
Clean hydrogen is a versatile fuel that can be used in a variety of applications, including transportation, power generation, and industrial processes. It is also a low-carbon fuel that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The development of Hycamite’s methane pyrolysis technology could make it possible to produce clean hydrogen at a lower cost and in larger quantities than is currently possible. This could make clean hydrogen more accessible to a wider range of users and help to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future.
The collaboration between NW Natural and Hycamite is a promising development for the clean hydrogen economy. Hycamite’s methane pyrolysis technology has the potential to reduce the cost of hydrogen production and make it more accessible to a wider range of users. If successful, the collaboration could help to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future.
