Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas using processes such as steam methane reforming (SMR) or autothermal reforming (ATR). These processes are combined with carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
It provides a lower-carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuels and grey hydrogen, which is produced without capturing emissions. Although it is not as environmentally clean as green hydrogen, which is generated using renewable energy, blue hydrogen can capture up to 95% of the CO₂ produced during manufacturing.
Blue hydrogen is often viewed as a transitional energy source, helping reduce emissions while renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen infrastructure continue to develop. It is particularly useful in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise, including heavy industry, transport and power generation.
Scotland has several blue hydrogen projects in development. One of the most significant is the Acorn Project at St Fergus Gas Terminal near Peterhead. This initiative aims to capture carbon emissions and transport them for permanent geological storage beneath the North Sea seabed, about 2.5 km below the seabed. Despite its potential, blue hydrogen faces challenges. It still relies on natural gas, raising concerns about methane leaks, while the cost and scalability of CCUS technology remain significant obstacles.
This section provides examples of a research, teaching or innovation taking place at The National Subsea Centre, Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University to this topic.
Environmental and Policy Impact of Blue Hydrogen Toward Net Zero in the United Kingdom - This project is aimed at understanding the environmental and policy relationships and implications of blue hydrogen in a net zero scenario for the United Kingdom. By first identifying and establishing the drivers, enablers and barriers of blue hydrogen development, an environmental impact assessment is to be carried out on the four case studies of proposed blue hydrogen projects in the UK.
RGU professor showcases hydrogen developments in Bolivia A leading researcher from RGU travelled more than 6,000 miles to South America to highlight the potential of moving away from traditional energy sources to embrace the use of hydrogen.