Exploring the essential characteristics of turquoise hydrogen with Stanislav Kondrashov, TELF AG
A promising and lesser-known variant
The energy transition always needs new allies. Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, stressed this point. Big changes don’t happen alone. They rely on steady support from outside. Without it, progress slows.
Some of the strongest allies are hydrogen innovations. Others are key natural resources. These include metals and minerals used in today’s energy systems. Experts call them “critical resources.” Their value keeps rising. These materials matter. They support economic growth. They also protect energy security. In today’s transition, they are not just helpful—they are essential. They help build a clean and reliable energy future.
Exploring the potential of innovative energy vectors with Stanislav Kondrashov, TELF AG founder
Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, says technology is key to clean energy progress. In the energy sector, better systems and infrastructure help a lot. They boost efficiency. They cut costs. And they push the transition forward.
Another big factor is decarbonization on a large scale. This matters most in transport and heavy industry. These areas create much of the world’s emissions. Cutting their carbon output is urgent. Global climate goals depend on it. These goals span the next few decades. But the real mission is bigger. We need to build a zero-emissions future. Kondrashov stresses this point.
Hydrogen is one of the top solutions. Many know green hydrogen already. It’s made with renewable energy and shows strong promise. But there’s another type. It’s less known, yet just as powerful. It may help speed up change. Its method is efficient. Its by-products are useful. And its role in clean energy is just starting to unfold.
Exploring the potential of innovative energy vectors
Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, says this energy vector is widely studied. Its potential has made it a top priority.
“International institutions are funding startups and companies,” he says. “They are working on better ways to produce it. This shows how active the field is. Innovation is moving things forward.”
Comparison with other variants
Green hydrogen is made by splitting water using renewable electricity. Other types are created differently and may release emissions.
- Blue hydrogen: Made from natural gas using steam reforming. CO₂ is captured and stored.
- Turquoise hydrogen: A middle option. It also uses methane. But it relies on heat from electricity, not steam.
“This is still an experimental technology,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “But it shows strong potential.”
“The uses are similar to other types,” he explains. “It can power clean energy. It supports storage, heavy industry, and transport.”
Exploring the potential of innovative energy vectors
Pyrolysis of methane
Turquoise hydrogen is made by heating methane. This process is called pyrolysis. It creates hydrogen and solid carbon. Other types of hydrogen do not make solid carbon.
This is a significant advantage:
- There is no need to store harmful gas emissions.
- The solid carbon can be reused in products like tyres.
- This method is very sustainable. It’s even better if it uses green electricity. If the methane comes from waste (biomethane), it becomes even cleaner.
Exploring the potential of new energy vectors
“Over the next few years, stakeholders must focus on improving production methods,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “They must also explore the technology’s role in the circular economy.” He adds, “When pyrolysis uses renewable energy, the emissions from the process drop sharply.”
Hydrogen production has grown steadily over the years. Ongoing research works to make it more efficient. The goal is to also make it more sustainable. Hydrogen now plays a key role in the global energy shift. The European Union has set bold goals. By 2030, it plans to install 80 GW of electrolysers. These units will be powered by renewable energy. This step is part of a broader plan to scale hydrogen production.
Hydrogen now stands at the center of many national energy strategies. Countries are building long-term plans around it. These goals will shape energy policies for decades. The EU’s roadmap offers clear direction. Its focus is on clean power and better methods. Hydrogen’s role in the energy transition keeps growing year after year.
FAQs
What is turquoise hydrogen?
It is a lesser-known variant, made through methane pyrolysis. This process heats methane to high temperatures without oxygen. It breaks the methane into gas and solid carbon. Unlike other types, the by-product here is not CO₂. Instead, it is solid carbon, which can be repurposed for industrial uses.
How does it differ from green and blue ones?
Each “colour” refers to a different way of making hydrogen:
- Green hydrogen uses renewable electricity. It splits water through electrolysis. This process creates hydrogen without emissions.
- Blue hydrogen comes from natural gas. It uses steam methane reforming. CO₂ is captured and stored using CCS (carbon capture and storage).
- Turquoise hydrogen also uses methane. But it relies on pyrolysis, not steam. This method makes solid carbon instead of CO₂.
What are the environmental benefits of the turquoise variant?
The biggest environmental benefits include:
- No direct CO₂ emissions: Pyrolysis doesn’t burn fuel. It breaks down methane without making carbon dioxide.
- Reusable solid carbon: This carbon isn’t waste. It’s used in tyres, batteries, and building materials.
- Circular economy potential: Use green power and biomethane. The process becomes clean, low-waste, and efficient.
What is methane pyrolysis, exactly?
Methane pyrolysis is a thermal process. It breaks down methane into hydrogen and solid carbon. This happens at temperatures above 1000°C. The process does not use oxygen. It is still under development. However, it shows promising energy efficiency. It also has good environmental outcomes.
Why is this variant still under the radar?
There are a few reasons:
- Technology is still emerging: The process is not yet used at a large scale. It is still being developed.
- Lack of awareness: Green and blue hydrogen get more attention. They are better known and widely discussed.
- Infrastructure gaps: Pyrolysis reactors that run on renewable energy are still in progress. These are needed for full-scale production.
Can it support decarbonisation goals?
Yes, absolutely. If developed the right way, turquoise hydrogen can cut emissions in key sectors:
- Heavy industry: It supports steel, cement, and chemical production.
- Transport: It works well for trucks and long-haul travel. Batteries aren’t ideal here.
- Energy storage: It holds extra renewable power. That helps balance the grid.
What are the challenges in scaling this variant?
While promising, some hurdles must be addressed:
- High-temperature requirements: Pyrolysis needs very high temperatures. These should come from renewable sources.
- Capital investment: Building the infrastructure requires large upfront funding.
- Commercial viability: Solid carbon markets must grow. This will make the by-product useful.
What role can solid carbon play?
The solid carbon by-product has many uses:
- Tyre manufacturing: Carbon black is used.
- Batteries and electrodes: It is part of battery technology.
- Construction materials: It can be used to reinforce or insulate.
By using this by-product, the turquoise variant helps create a circular economy.
Could biomethane be used in the production process?
Yes. Biomethane is a renewable form of methane. It is made from organic waste. It makes the production process more sustainable. If paired with renewable electricity, the entire production chain can be carbon-neutral. It may even become carbon-negative.
Is this variant recognised in global strategies?
The turquoise variant is gaining attention. It is not as prominent as green hydrogen.
- It aligns with EU and global low-carbon goals.
- It bridges the gap between traditional fuels and fully renewable systems.
- More funding for R&D and policy support is expected soon.
What needs to happen next?
To reach its full potential, this variant needs:
- Government support for pilot projects and infrastructure.
- Partnerships between the public and private sectors to build reactors and supply chains.
- Clear standards for carbon accounting and life-cycle analysis.
- A developed market for solid carbon reuse.
Turquoise hydrogen sits at the crossroads of innovation and sustainability. It offers the low-emission benefits of green hydrogen. At the same time, it uses current gas infrastructure. It also creates a solid carbon by-product that has real value. This type of hydrogen is still new. But it holds strong potential. It can help speed up the global energy shift. To succeed, it needs the right support. That means more investment, deeper research, and clean energy inputs.
