Kaisa Nikulainen
CEO
ROTOBOOST Finland Oy
CEO and co-founder of ROTOBOOST, is a leader passionate about sustainable technology. With a master’s in chemistry technology and a background at Wärtsilä managing global projects, she brings extensive expertise across energy and industrial sectors.
In 2021, she co-founded ROTOBOOST to advance methane pyrolysis technology, which turns waste and natural gas into clean hydrogen and energy for industry. Relocating to China to drive growth, she has established key partnerships with global energy, shipping, and steelmaking firms, positioning the company as a leader in scalable decarbonization solutions.
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Primary Energy Supply
Natural Gas as a Transition Fuel
Forum 04 | Technical Programme Hall 1
29
April
10:00
11:30
UTC+3
The transition to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mid-century demands scalable, cost-effective, and infrastructure-compatible solutions that bridge the gap between current fossil-based systems and a fully renewable energy future. Natural gas, with the lowest carbon intensity among fossil fuels, can play a pivotal transitional role when coupled with advanced methane pyrolysis methods such as Thermo-Catalytic Decomposition (TCD). TCD converts methane into two valuable products—low-emission hydrogen and solid carbon—without generating CO₂ in the reaction stage, enabling pre-combustion carbon capture and significant lifecycle emission reductions.
Applied across the liquefied natural gas (LNG) value chain, TCD can process flare gas, condensates, and boil-off gas (BOG) in upstream, midstream, and maritime transport operations. This integration reduces methane slip, eliminates routine flaring, and supplies clean hydrogen for power generation, compression, and propulsion, achieving up to 85% direct emission reductions while maintaining operational reliability. The solid carbon co-product, often in the form of high-value graphene or graphite, can displace carbon-intensive materials in steelmaking, concrete, battery, and tire manufacturing, delivering additional Scope 3 emission reductions.
In maritime applications, onboard TCD systems convert BOG into hydrogen for propulsion and store solid carbon in compact tanks, offering a space-efficient alternative to conventional onboard carbon capture. Class Society approvals confirm the safety and feasibility of this approach, aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 83 and FuelEU Maritime decarbonization targets. Similarly, in stationary applications such as LNG terminals or industrial hubs, TCD can be integrated with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) to deliver high-efficiency, low-emission power for energy-intensive sectors, including data centers.
Lifecycle assessments (LCA), independently validated to ISO 14067:2018 standards, demonstrate that hydrogen from TCD can achieve carbon intensities as low as 18 gCO₂/MJ—up to 76% lower than conventional LNG combustion—while the displacement of synthetic graphite production further enhances net climate benefits. The modularity and scalability of TCD systems enable progressive adoption, matching tightening regulatory thresholds without imposing excessive capital or operational costs.
A technology-neutral regulatory framework is essential to fully recognize the environmental value of TCD, particularly its Scope 3 benefits, which are often excluded from current compliance schemes. When evaluated holistically, “turquoise hydrogen” from TCD can outperform green hydrogen in total emission reduction potential, especially when upstream natural gas emissions are minimized.
By transforming natural gas from a transitional fuel into a decarbonization enabler, TCD offers a pragmatic, near-term pathway to net zero. Its compatibility with existing natural gas infrastructure, ability to generate both clean energy and valuable materials, and proven readiness for industrial and maritime deployment position it as a cornerstone technology in the global energy transition.
Applied across the liquefied natural gas (LNG) value chain, TCD can process flare gas, condensates, and boil-off gas (BOG) in upstream, midstream, and maritime transport operations. This integration reduces methane slip, eliminates routine flaring, and supplies clean hydrogen for power generation, compression, and propulsion, achieving up to 85% direct emission reductions while maintaining operational reliability. The solid carbon co-product, often in the form of high-value graphene or graphite, can displace carbon-intensive materials in steelmaking, concrete, battery, and tire manufacturing, delivering additional Scope 3 emission reductions.
In maritime applications, onboard TCD systems convert BOG into hydrogen for propulsion and store solid carbon in compact tanks, offering a space-efficient alternative to conventional onboard carbon capture. Class Society approvals confirm the safety and feasibility of this approach, aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 83 and FuelEU Maritime decarbonization targets. Similarly, in stationary applications such as LNG terminals or industrial hubs, TCD can be integrated with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) to deliver high-efficiency, low-emission power for energy-intensive sectors, including data centers.
Lifecycle assessments (LCA), independently validated to ISO 14067:2018 standards, demonstrate that hydrogen from TCD can achieve carbon intensities as low as 18 gCO₂/MJ—up to 76% lower than conventional LNG combustion—while the displacement of synthetic graphite production further enhances net climate benefits. The modularity and scalability of TCD systems enable progressive adoption, matching tightening regulatory thresholds without imposing excessive capital or operational costs.
A technology-neutral regulatory framework is essential to fully recognize the environmental value of TCD, particularly its Scope 3 benefits, which are often excluded from current compliance schemes. When evaluated holistically, “turquoise hydrogen” from TCD can outperform green hydrogen in total emission reduction potential, especially when upstream natural gas emissions are minimized.
By transforming natural gas from a transitional fuel into a decarbonization enabler, TCD offers a pragmatic, near-term pathway to net zero. Its compatibility with existing natural gas infrastructure, ability to generate both clean energy and valuable materials, and proven readiness for industrial and maritime deployment position it as a cornerstone technology in the global energy transition.
