By David Murphy

As climate change impacts and greenhouse gas emissions grow worldwide, the need for sustainable energy solutions has become increasingly important. Now more than ever, the work of the world’s leading scientists is crucial as we attempt to reverse the negative impact our actions have on the environment.
With that in mind, the scene is set for the next generation of young scientists in Saudi Arabia to tackle climate change, transform the chemical industry and refine and accelerate new forms of renewable energy.
A group of KAUST’s leading researchers are busy developing new forms of carbon-based technology that align with the Kingdom’s long-term goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2060.
One of these next-generation scientists is Fabiyan Angikath Shamsudheen, a Ph.D. candidate in the Chemical Engineering Program at the KAUST Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC). Angikath Shamsudheen’s research explores novel routes to reduce emissions in global transport and the development of alternate technologies for sustainable hydrogen production and decarbonization.

The transport and energy researcher’s innovative approach saw him win the recent Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association’s (GPCA’s) Carbon Neutrality Cup. The competition challenged and encouraged senior undergraduate and postgraduate students from STEM fields to explore ways of supporting the transition to net zero in downstream value chains.
The Neutrality Cup was held for the first time during this year’s GPCA Responsible Care Conference. The fifth edition of the conference took place in Manama, Bahrain, from September 5-7, 2023. The event showcased regional best practices and learnings across the chemical and petrochemical industry.

Developing a versatile alternative energy source
Hydrogen, a versatile and abundant element, has emerged as a promising solution to decarbonize greenhouse gases and stem emissions from transport and industrial sectors. However, the sustainability of hydrogen as an energy source depends on its production process.
Grey hydrogen, the cheapest option, is emission-intensive; blue hydrogen, produced with carbon capture and storage, offers a middle ground; and green hydrogen, produced via water electrolysis using renewable energy, is the cleanest, but currently the most expensive option. The discovery of natural gas reserves, particularly in the Middle East region, offers a low-cost source for methane pyrolysis (a process that uses heat to split methane (CH⁴) into hydrogen (H²) and solid carbon) into industrial hydrogen and solid carbon known as "the turquoise hydrogen process."
“This approach’s net energy demand is only 21% of conventional green hydrogen production via proton exchange membrane electrolysis,” Angikath Shamsudheen explained. “Saudi Arabia, with its established energy infrastructure, is well-positioned to support turquoise hydrogen's growth. This, in turn, will enable low-cost, carbon-free methanol, ammonia production and decarbonization in various sectors.”
His Carbon Neutrality Cup submission titled "Low-Cost CO2 Free Hydrogen Production and Decarbonization of Industry," detailed a joint work with KAUST Professors Mani Sarathy and Bassam Dally and ACWA Power. The team’s research is exploring turquoise hydrogen’s potential through techno-economic evaluation of molten media natural gas pyrolysis processes. Angikath Shamsudheen and his colleagues are also addressing challenges focused on finding pathways to catalyst regeneration and separation methods.
Within the next two to three years, the group plans to shift their focus to developing a functional molten reactor technology for hydrogen production.
“Winning the GPCA Carbon Neutral Cup represents validation and recognition of our dedication and work in the field of sustainability. This can potentially open doors to collaboration and funding opportunities while increasing the global visibility of the research,” he concluded.