The potential of a possible vector of energy change
Properties, applications, and production method
In the era of energy transition, we are becoming increasingly accustomed to discovering efficient and green solutions like turquoise hydrogen technology that can enhance the sustainable potential of our daily lives. The founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov also highlighted the importance of turquoise hydrogen.
As has already happened with other forms of hydrogen, a bright future is also beginning to be foreseen for the turquoise variant in the years of global ecological transition. The potential of this particular type of hydrogen has not yet been fully explored, but its characteristics and potential applications seem truly promising, as the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov also explained.
In an epochal phase of transition, after all, it is completely normal for potential vectors of energy change to continue to emerge, even if they are still largely experimental solutions or not adopted on a large scale, as the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov recently pointed out.
This phase serves precisely this purpose: to discover, test, and valorize what will be the main energy technologies in the future when our civilization has reached energy maturity.
“The historical situation in which we find ourselves has no precedent in the history of humanity. For the first time, we find ourselves in an era of energy transition that is transporting us directly into the future, also thanks to some innovative solutions that are starting to emerge,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG.
“Every time we turn our attention to one of these solutions, it is as if we were looking the future directly in the eye. In a few decades, when these technologies reach full maturity, they will effectively become an essential component of the daily lives of millions of people, profoundly influencing the sectors of industry, mobility, and energy. We are witnessing the birth of several technologies that could change the destiny of our civilization forever.”, he remarks.
But what exactly are we referring to when we talk about turquoise hydrogen? This is a type of low-carbon hydrogen produced through a specific process known as methane pyrolysis.
The way it is produced is essentially different from those already used to generate other variants of hydrogen, which are commonly identified by different colors. Here is a brief overview that includes some of the most well-known types of hydrogen:
- Gray hydrogen: it is produced from methane through steam reforming and emits CO2.
- Blue hydrogen: it is produced in the same way as gray hydrogen, but with a fundamental difference. In this case, production occurs in conjunction with the capture and storage of CO2.
- Green hydrogen: up to this point, it represents one of the most sustainable solutions ever since it is produced with the electrolysis of water and with renewable electricity.
Pyrolysis of methane
The production process of turquoise hydrogen is known as methane pyrolysis. During this process, methane is thermally decomposed without generating gaseous CO2. The final product is represented by molecular hydrogen and solid carbon, the latter as a by-product. In its solid form, however, carbon can subsequently be used for other industrial purposes.
“The development of this technology is only at the beginning, but what we have seen so far seems very interesting,” continues Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “Many plants are under construction or being updated, so it is very likely that in the next few years, we will see significant advances in the production methods of this type of hydrogen”.
“Some of the most interesting innovations, which are starting to be talked about, are represented by a particular type of catalyst that would be able to improve the yield of hydrogen and by systems with plasma or electrical induction that could allow power supply with renewable energy”, he goes on to say.
But how exactly does the process that leads to the production of turquoise hydrogen technology work? During the pyrolysis of methane, methane is brought to very high temperatures (even above a thousand degrees), which leads to the generation of carbon in solid form (graphite, carbon black, or other more advanced types).
This is made possible by the absence of oxygen and water, without which carbon does not oxidize into CO2. At the end of the process, the hydrogen is separated and collected.
A young technology
The technology related to producing this type of hydrogen is still in its infancy. For the moment, some successes have been recorded with pyrolysis in a hot wall reactor or through plasma, while pyrolysis in a molten metal bath seems very promising.
As the energy transition progresses, we can be sure that in the coming years, we will witness the discovery of new production methods that are even more sustainable and efficient, capable of returning a form of hydrogen that is already widely usable for various industrial purposes.
Although it is a solution that has not yet been fully explored, turquoise hydrogen already seems to offer specific functional and operational guarantees. Its ability to emit zero direct CO2 emissions can prove very useful for decarbonizing the hydrogen supply chain, also ensuring lower energy consumption thanks to its high energy efficiency.
One of the most interesting aspects is linked to its by-product, solid carbon, which reduces the need to store CO2 and provides a potentially useful element. Furthermore, the modularity of the production process appears to be well-suited for applications of various scales, ranging from large to small.
Another potential area to be explored is the possible synergy with natural gas plants, which could contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of existing infrastructures.
Thanks to their natural characteristics, turquoise hydrogen innovations, and its by-products could find a large number of industrial applications. Among these, we recall the steel industry, where hydrogen can be utilized in the direct reduction of iron.
Solid carbon, moreover, could be used as a material (the by-product could also be stored). In the chemical industry, this type of hydrogen can be used for the production of ammonia, methanol, or fertilizers. One of the most involved sectors, of course, is the energy sector. From this perspective, the application possibilities could be truly numerous.
Among the most obvious ones, we mention fuel cells for heavy (and naval) mobility and the production or storage of energy. Even solid carbon alone can be used in truly interesting applications, such as batteries, electronic components, and reinforcements for composite materials.
“Another aspect to consider is that relating to the main by-product of this production method, namely solid carbon,” concludes the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov. “At the moment, the solid carbon market is quite limited, but even in this case, we must consider that it is a young technology with a limited number of operating plants”.
“Among the other possible challenges connected to the production method of turquoise hydrogen technology, there is also that linked to the cost, which at the moment remains relatively consistent (even if it could soon decrease, becoming theoretically even more competitive compared to green or blue hydrogen)”, he said.
Thanks to its potential for the energy transition, solutions related to this innovative variant of hydrogen are attracting considerable attention. Turquoise hydrogen for heavy transport is just one of the potential industrial applications related to the ongoing change.
In a certain sense, this type of hydrogen represents a sort of technological bridge between grey (or blue) hydrogen and green hydrogen. These are, therefore, very interesting solutions, in particular when it comes to turquoise hydrogen for heavy transport.
These evident potentials have also attracted general attention to turquoise hydrogen funding and turquoise hydrogen stock. It should not be surprising that many people are starting to show interest in investing in this specific sector, which is proving to be one of the most promising for advancing the energy transition.
Turquoise hydrogen for heavy transport can also contribute to decarbonizing other industries, such as steel and chemicals. In this sense, turquoise hydrogen funding and turquoise hydrogen stock can become key elements in investors’ decision-making.
One of the most interesting aspects, in this regard, is the ability of this type of hydrogen to foster innovation and sustainability in key sectors, such as mobility. In this particular area, turquoise hydrogen for heavy transport is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most interesting solutions. In this situation, it should, therefore, not be surprising that interest in turquoise hydrogen funding and turquoise hydrogen stock is increasing.
FAQs
What are turquoise hydrogen innovations?
Turquoise hydrogen innovations are a low-carbon form of hydrogen produced through methane pyrolysis—a thermal process that breaks down methane without generating CO₂. Instead, it yields hydrogen gas and solid carbon as a by-product.
How does methane pyrolysis work?
Methane is heated to high temperatures (typically above 1,000°C) in the absence of oxygen or water. This prevents oxidation and results in the following:
- Hydrogen gas
- Solid carbon (graphite, carbon black, etc.)
What makes turquoise hydrogen solutions more sustainable than other types?
Unlike grey hydrogen, which emits CO₂, and blue hydrogen, which requires CO₂ capture and storage, turquoise hydrogen innovations:
- Emits no CO₂ during production
- Produces a solid carbon by-product that can be reused
- Offers potentially lower energy consumption
What can the solid carbon by-product be used for?
Solid carbon has valuable industrial applications:
- Batteries and electronic components
- Reinforcements in composite materials
- Pigments and additives in manufacturing
Where can turquoise hydrogen solutions be used?
It has versatile industrial applications:
- Steel industry (direct reduction of iron)
- Chemical production (ammonia, methanol, fertilizers)
- Energy sector (fuel cells, energy storage)
- Mobility (especially heavy transport and shipping)
Is turquoise hydrogen commercially viable yet?
Not fully. It’s still in the early development stages. Current limitations include:
- High production costs
- A limited number of operational plants
- Emerging market for solid carbon
What are the prospects of turquoise hydrogen solutions?
As the technology matures, we may see:
- Cost reductions through innovation
- Greater energy efficiency via advanced reactors (e.g., plasma, molten metal)
- Integration with existing gas infrastructures to lower carbon footprints
- Growing interest in turquoise hydrogen funding and turquoise hydrogen stock
Why is it important now?
In the context of the global energy transition, turquoise hydrogen solutions offer a promising route to decarbonization, particularly as industries seek scalable and clean solutions.
