Thüga is interested in examining the potential of methane pyrolysis for the development of a hydrogen economy in the German federal republic.
According to the public utility network, the preliminary study’s goal is to determine the feasibility of installing a pilot system at the chair of gas and thermal systems at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The study should provide answers to technical, business, and legal questions relating to such a project and should be completed by the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the schedule. “In recent years, there have been significant technological advancements in the field of pyrolysis. In order to determine whether this technology is scalable, we must first determine whether it is usable at all “Thüga AG’s CEO, Michael Riechel, expressed his company’s position.
Pyrolysis is a process in which methane is broken down into hydrogen and solid carbon compounds under high pressure and temperature. In contrast to the conventional reforming of methane to hydrogen, no CO2 is released during the process of reforming. Another advantage is that the process is not restricted to a specific location; all that is required is natural gas or biomethane to be accessible. According to Thüga, renewable electricity is required for the electrolysis of green hydrogen, which is particularly difficult to come by in the southern part of the Federal Republic due to the weak winds that blow through the region. Using renewable electricity and biomethane in the pyrolysis of “turquoise” hydrogen is considered “green” when it is done using renewable resources. It is even possible to remove net CO2 from the atmosphere in this manner.
Gas network decarbonisation is one of the most pressing future issues facing the approximately 100 energy suppliers who participate in the municipal utility network. That is why Thüga is putting forth significant effort to clear the way for the introduction of hydrogen into the distribution network. “By investing in the feasibility study, we are investing in the further development of a technology that we believe has great potential, particularly because of its decentralized approach,” Riechel explained. “We believe this technology has great potential because of its decentralized approach.” Aside from DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH and the Polytechnic University of Madrid, the Bergakademie Freiberg is collaborating on this research with other institutions.
