Sign in Subscribe
Methane

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Hydropower Reservoirs Pose Significant Climate Concern

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy has revealed that greenhouse gas emissions from hydropower reservoirs, particularly methane, are a significant but often overlooked climate concern. A team of researchers from Chonnam National University, led by Daesung Song, has developed a novel integrated process to capture fugitive methane at turbine discharge, upgrade the recovered CH4 by water scrubbing, and convert it into hydrogen through steam reforming. This study shows that the system can recover 743 t CH4/yr, reduce CH4 emissions by approximately 34%, and yield an overall 12% decrease in reservoir GHG emissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a novel integrated process to capture and convert methane into hydrogen, addressing both energy generation and climate mitigation.
  • The process involves capturing fugitive methane at turbine discharge via a closed-loop hydrocyclone-like tank, upgrading the recovered CH4 by water scrubbing, and converting it into hydrogen through steam reforming.
  • The results show that hydrogen can be produced at an estimated cost of $3.90/kgH2 at a production scale of 300 t/yr, demonstrating economic competitiveness with other hydrogen production routes at a similar scale.
  • The system recovers 743 t CH4/yr and reduces CH4 emissions by approximately 34%, yielding an overall 12% decrease in reservoir GHG emissions.
  • This research has provided a scalable pathway for enhancing the sustainability of existing hydropower infrastructure by co-producing clean hydrogen and significantly mitigating greenhouse gas releases.
  • Financial support for this research came from the Ministry of Science & ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea.
  • The study concluded that effective mitigation strategies for greenhouse gas emissions from hydropower reservoirs remain scarce, and further research is needed to address this critical climate concern.

Statistics:

  • The researchers estimated cost of hydrogen production: $3.90/kgH2
  • Hydrogen production scale: 300 t/yr
  • Methane recovered per year: 743 t CH4/yr
  • Methane emissions reduction: approximately 34%
  • Reservoir GHG emissions decrease: 12%
  • Net mitigation of CO2-eq/yr: 15,183 t
  • Time period for GHG emissions reduction: not specified

Sources:

  • Techno-economic and Environmental Assessment of Hydrogen Production Utilizing Captured Methane From Hydropower Reservoirs. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2025;176.
  • International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; International Journal of Hydrogen Energy - www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-hydrogen-energy/)
  • NewsRx. Research Conducted at Chonnam National University Has Updated Our Knowledge about Environmental Assessment (Techno-economic and Environmental Assessment of Hydrogen Production Utilizing Captured Methane From Hydropower Reservoirs). Global Warming Focus. October 20, 2025; p 555.

Read more