Graphitic Energy has officially launched its pilot plant at the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) in San Antonio, Texas, marking a significant advancement in the production of low-cost clean hydrogen and graphite through innovative methane pyrolysis technology.
Situated in a region with ample access to natural gas, the facility represents Graphitic’s first large-scale demonstration of a process designed to convert natural gas into both zero-emission hydrogen and solid carbon, thereby addressing crucial energy and mineral requirements.
The pilot plant has the capability to generate several hundred kilograms of hydrogen and nearly 1,000 kilograms of solid carbon each day, operating continuously throughout the week. The plant is expected to be in operation until the end of 2025, with its primary objectives being to gather crucial data for the future design of commercial-scale plants and to produce significant quantities of carbon for the company’s offtake partners. Dr. Patrick Hanks, the Chief Technology Officer of Graphitic Energy, highlighted the importance of this pilot in collecting scale-up data, stating, “We have two primary goals for the pilot plant. The first is to obtain scale-up data for designing commercial scale plants, and the second is to produce large volumes of carbon to send to our carbon offtake partners.”
The most notable aspect of Graphitic’s technology is its ability to produce hydrogen with virtually no direct CO2 emissions, alongside its minimal electricity requirements. This innovative approach can scale operations to produce 100,000 metric tons of hydrogen annually from a single production train. Moreover, unlike other clean hydrogen production methods, Graphitic’s economics do not depend on government subsidies to remain competitive.
As Zach Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of Graphitic Energy, remarked, “The world spent the last few years anticipating an ‘energy transition’, but it already happened during the fracking revolution of the 2010s. America is currently the world leader in producing natural gas – one of the cheapest, greenest fuels available.” He further emphasised the dual benefits of the technology, noting, “The hydrogen can help meet the domestic demand for over 10 million metric tons per year, primarily from the refining and ammonia sectors. This is how we build American energy security and independence while simultaneously decarbonizing.”
The project is buoyed by a recent $15 million extension of Graphitic’s series A funding, which has raised over $65 million to date from various investors, including Energy Capital Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Trafigura. Vic Pascucci, Co-Founder and Managing General Partner of Energy Capital Ventures, praised the company’s innovative strides within the clean hydrogen sector, stating, “We’ve been impressed with the team’s ingenuity in solving for the clean hydrogen opportunity and their expertise in establishing innovative approaches for achieving their mission.” He voiced optimism regarding the potential for Graphitic Energy to play a crucial role in global clean energy adoption.
Carmichael Roberts of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, who has invested in Graphitic Energy multiple times since 2020, articulated the broader significance of the company’s approach, saying, “Graphitic’s innovative approach to producing hydrogen and graphite from natural gas aligns with strategic priorities like strengthening domestic supply chains and building energy security; at the same time, it offers a fast pathway to making clean hydrogen economical, which is a game changer for the industry and the climate.”
The developments at Graphitic Energy’s pilot plant are poised to contribute significantly to the evolving landscape of clean energy solutions, particularly in the hydrogen market, and highlight ongoing efforts in enhancing domestic energy independence and sustainable resource management.
