Belgium – The Walloon government has picked FDE to head up the HECO2-Plasmalyse Hybride consortium.

By 2050, the collaboration wants to encourage the use of hydrogen-free of carbon in the region’s energy mix. This ground-breaking technique uses hybrid plasmalysis to convert different methane sources into pure hydrogen and solid carbon compounds. The project is in line with FDE’s dedication to sustainable development in the Greater Region and the ambitions of the European Union for achieving climate neutrality.

The goal of the HECO2 project is to develop a hybrid plasmalysis-based pilot plant for the production of clean hydrogen. The consortium’s ground-breaking technology transforms methane from various sources into pure hydrogen and solid carbon forms without emitting any CO2. The partnership hopes to significantly reduce direct CO2 emissions and pave the road for a more sustainable energy future by utilizing this proprietary technology.

Consortium

AGC Glass Europe, GATE2, EDF Luminus, Vanheede Environment Group, the Polytechnic University of Mons (UMONS), the Materia Nova research facility, and FDE’s subsidiary Gazonor Benelux are among the well-known industrial and research participants in the HECO2-Plasmalyse Hybride consortium. The project’s ultimate goal is to build a facility that can produce 15,000 tons of hydrogen and 45,000 tons of carbon-based materials while drastically lowering CO2 emissions.

Utilization of methane

The project seeks to investigate the utilization of various local methane sources in Wallonia, such as biomethane and mine gas, in addition to producing clean hydrogen. This inquiry will advance knowledge of solid carbon produced by the hybrid plasmalysis method in the area. The research aims to improve the properties of the carbon materials produced, hence broadening their possible uses.

An important turning point in the area’s energy transition has been reached with the Walloon government’s decision to support the carbon-free hydrogen project. The program speeds up the incorporation of carbon-free hydrogen into the local energy mix and is in line with the ambitious climate targets set by the European Union.