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Revolution in Greifswald: Plasmalysis advances hydrogen production!
A research project in Greifswald is developing climate-neutral hydrogen production through plasmalysis to reduce CO₂ emissions.
Revolution in Greifswald: Plasmalysis advances hydrogen production!
In northern Germany, an exciting research project at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Research and Technology (INP) in Greifswald is researching a revolutionary method for climate-neutral hydrogen production. This new technique, known as plasmalysis, promises to significantly increase energy efficiency in hydrogen production and reduce CO₂ emissions to a minimum. FR.de reports that plasmalysis splits methane into hydrogen and solid carbon, reducing electricity usage by about 20% compared to traditional electrolysis.
The special thing about this process: By converting methane, the carbon remains in solid form and can be used as a valuable raw material. Ideally, the methane comes from climate-neutral sources, such as biogas, which further reduces CO₂ emissions. Given today's energy supply challenges in Germany - hydrogen consumption is currently between 55 and 60 terawatt hours per year - this technology could make a significant contribution to the energy transition.
Hydrogen as part of the future energy system
Like that Federal Environment Agency explains, hydrogen plays a key role in Germany's future energy system. It is not only used as a secondary energy source for refinery processes and the chemical industry, but also to secure electricity supply via gas power plants. The federal government is pursuing ambitious plans to produce 40 to 75 terawatt hours of green hydrogen by 2030.
A crucial point is the flexibility of plasmalysis. It can be used in various systems such as natural gas and biogas plants as well as in liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. The state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania supports the project; The Free State is investing four million euros from EU funds in the hydrogen research factory MV, in which, in addition to the INP, the Fraunhofer IGP and the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT) are involved.
The future in sight
However, the potential of this new technology depends not only on technical advances, but also on political decisions. Federal Minister of Economics Katherine Reiche is committed to a technology-open course in energy policy that includes various hydrogen processes and also imports. This approach will be crucial to how well the climate goals can be achieved and the hydrogen economy expanded in Germany.
Overall, the project in Greifswald shows how innovative technologies can help overcome the challenges of the energy transition. The use of plasmalysis could not only meet hydrogen needs in a climate-friendly way, but also reduce dependence on fossil fuels and pave the way to a more sustainable energy future.