Hydrogen production from dry reforming in Australia: applications, opportunities, challenges

Australia’s path to net-zero emissions by 2050 depends heavily on the development and commercialisation of hydrogen as a substitute for hydrocarbons across transport, power generation, and industrial heat sectors. With hydrocarbons currently supplying over 90% of national energy needs, hydrogen must scale rapidly to fill the gap. Existing low-carbon hydrogen production methods, blue hydrogen via steam methane reforming and green hydrogen via electrolysis, are constrained by high water requirements, posing a challenge in water-scarce regions targeted for hydrogen development. This paper investigates dry reforming of methane (DRM) as a water-independent alternative, using CO₂ as a reactant. DRM offers dual benefits: reduced reliance on freshwater resources and the utilisation of CO₂, supporting broader emissions reduction goals. Recent improvements in nickel-copper catalyst performance enhance the viability of DRM for industrial-scale hydrogen production. The Middle Arm Precinct in the Northern Territory is highlighted as an ideal site for implementation, given its access to offshore gas fields containing both methane and CO₂, presenting a unique opportunity for resource-integrated, low-emission hydrogen production.