The South Beach technology, which was part of the project CO2-free, on-demand, on-site production of low-cost green hydrogen produced with microwave plasma, Acronym South Beach, funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) within call HORIZON-EIC-2022-ACCELERATOR-01 is based on the direct decomposition of CH4 (CH4 ➨C + 2 H2, 75 kJ/mol) found in natural gas and biomethane, using a microwave-assisted plasma at atmospheric pressure. The reaction products are hydrogen gas H2 (green from biomethane and turquoise from natural gas) and solid carbon, both of which have industrial added value.
South Beach implements efficient, sustainable, low-carbon production of H2 and solid carbon, significantly reducing CO2 emissions from industry, transport&mobility, oil&gas. At the same time it establishes a new value chain based on innovative production technology enabling green/turquoise H2 and solid carbon to be produced cost-effectively on site and on demand.
As social acceptance of alternative and circular industrial solutions is essential for a successful transition to the EU Green Deal, involving cultural and behavioural changes among customers, the SOUTH BEACH project takes a multidisciplinary approach encompassing technical innovation, testing, and market positioning. This approach helps to gain acceptance and trust from stakeholders, industry end-users, and citizens, helping them to visualise and experience the benefits of alternative H2–based fuels for the energy transition by integrating them into three value chains: industry, mobility and oil & gas. The uptake and impact of South Beach solutions will be evaluated beyond the EIC project by measuring industrial and customer needs via feedback from customers.
