22 April 2025, Riyadh: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) has launched a research project aimed at enhancing the economic viability of green hydrogen production—paving the way for cleaner, scalable energy solutions.
Led by Professor Mohammed Gondal, the initiative focuses on reducing the cost of hydrogen production through an innovative process powered by portable solar panels. The process utilizes solar energy to drive water splitting, a chemical reaction that separates hydrogen atoms from oxygen in water.
Compared to traditional electrochemical methods, KFUPM’s setup operates at a lower energy input, produces high-value byproducts, and powers Saudi Arabia’s vast solar resources. Notably, the project integrates methanol oxidation in a novel way, transforming it into useful chemicals without emitting carbon dioxide, significantly enhancing process efficiency.
Electrochemical water splitting has long been seen as a promising method for producing hydrogen, but it comes with significant challenges namely, high energy consumption and the risk of mixing hydrogen and oxygen gases. KFUPM’s approach addresses these issues by operating at a lower energy input and producing clean, valuable byproducts such as formate and formic acid, improving both the efficiency and safety of the process.
The research team has successfully demonstrated improved hydrogen output and purity, with a long-term goal of scaling up the process. Plans are underway to interconnect multiple reaction cells to showcase the potential for industrial-scale production using materials synthesized locally.
Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of the global energy transition, offering promise for decarbonizing sectors such as shipping, aviation, steel manufacturing, and automotive transport.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a major player in green hydrogen development. Alongside academic initiatives like KFUPM’s, the Kingdom is constructing one of the world’s largest green hydrogen plants in NEOM—a futuristic megacity powered entirely by solar and wind energy.
The project reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader commitment to advancing sustainable technologies and positioning itself as a global leader in clean energy.
