Unlocking Economic Clean Hydrogen: A Scalable Solution for Hard-to-Abate Sectors
Presented by:
Matthew D. Degyansky
Founder & CEO, Drive On (Utility Global Partner)
At the Seminar 'Advanced Solar Energy System and Hydrogen Production, Storage and Application' on May 20 2025 at the HCMC University of Natural Resources and Environment
Introduction
Utility Global, through its proprietary H2Gen® technology, is transforming hydrogen production by offering a low-cost, low-carbon, no-electricity solution. Designed to decarbonize heavy industries such as mobility, steelmaking, and chemicals, H2Gen® leverages waste gases and biogas to produce high-purity hydrogen and concentrated CO₂ streams with a minimal footprint.
The Problem: Energy Transition Bottlenecks
Industries like steel and mobility represent over 20% of global CO₂ emissions, with limited clean energy alternatives due to:
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High costs and land needs of green hydrogen (electrolysis)
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Inflexibility and emissions of Steam Methane Reforming (SMR)
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Difficulty scaling traditional clean tech in heavy-duty operations
The Solution: H2Gen® – Hydrogen from Water Without Electricity
H2Gen® converts water and process/biogases into hydrogen through a solid oxide electrochemical process, enabling:
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Zero electricity usage
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No need for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) upgrading
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High-purity H₂ and enriched CO₂ streams
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Compact systems deployable in industrial or remote areas
Comparison of Hydrogen Production Technologies:
| Technology | Electricity Required | Carbon Intensity | Footprint | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrolysis | ✅ High | Low–Med | Large | High |
| SMR + CCS | ✅ High | Medium | Large | High |
| H2Gen® | ❌ None | Near Zero | Small | Low |
Steel Industry: 70% Emissions Reduction, Lower Cost
H2Gen® enables steelmakers to cut CO₂ by ~70% while keeping levelized cost below $400/tonne, outperforming other methods like green hydrogen DRI and scrap-based EAF.
Example Costs vs. Carbon Intensity (kg CO₂e per kg steel):
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Blast Furnace (Baseline): $395/tonne, CI: 2.26
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H2Gen® Onsite: $385/tonne, CI: 0.60
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H2 DRI-EAF: $650/tonne, CI: 0.65
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MOE: $1280/tonne, CI: 0.02
H2Gen® hits the sweet spot: clean, cost-effective, and compatible with existing infrastructure.
Mobility: Local Hydrogen, Zero Grid Dependency
Targeting 130+ biogas sites in North America with potential to support over 1,750 future installations, H2Gen® is ideal for:
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Public transit and logistics fleets
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Heavy-duty trucks needing high-range clean fuel
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Decentralized H₂ production using landfill, dairy, and wastewater biogas
Each 2 TPD H2Gen® plant can support up to 50 trucks, with no need for RNG, grid power, or extensive permits.
Investment and Policy Support
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H2Gen® qualifies for up to $3/kg in U.S. clean hydrogen tax credits (45V)
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Endorsed by bipartisan Congressional leaders and under consideration for U.S. federal funding
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Modular design reduces capex, opex, and permitting timelines
Conclusion
Utility’s H2Gen® offers a revolutionary shift in clean hydrogen production by enabling economic, scalable, and flexible decarbonization. Whether in steel, mobility, or chemicals, it provides a viable, near-term pathway to net-zero.
For more infromation, please email: contact@vahc.com.vn
