The greenhouse gas footprint of blue hydrogen, made from natural gas using carbon capture and storage (CCS), is 20% worse than burning natural gas or coal for heat, concludes a study from researchers at Cornell and Stanford Universities.

Total CO² equivalent emissions from the production of blue hydrogen are only 9% to 12% less than for grey hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas without CCS, the report states.

Fugitive methane emissions are higher for blue hydrogen than grey hydrogen – 95.4 grams of CO² equivalent per megajoule (g CO2eq/MJ) versus 77.4g CO2eq/MJ – because of an increased use of natural gas to power the carbon capture.

Some fossil fuel companies argue that societies will reach large-scale green hydrogen production (made from renewable energy) via “a blue highway” and politicians are “placing expensive bets on blue hydrogen as a leading solution in the energy transition,” says Robert Howarth, a co-author of the study.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“This is a warning signal to governments that the only ‘clean’ hydrogen they should invest public funds in is truly net-zero, green hydrogen made from wind and solar energy.”

Armin Laschet, chancellor candidate of the German Christian Democrats, launches the inauguration of a green hydrogen production plant at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland in Wesseling, Germany, July 2021. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)