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Golden Hydrogen from Municipal Waste Offers Net-Negative Emissions for Madrid's Bus Fleet

A study published in the Journal of Environmental Management demonstrates the potential of using biohydrogen—termed "golden hydrogen"—produced from municipal solid waste (MSW) with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to decarbonize Madrid's public bus fleet. The hydrogen is derived from biomethane extracted from the organic fraction of MSW and reformed via steam methane reforming (SMR) with CCS. As the CO₂ captured is biogenic, the overall process achieves net-negative emissions.

The study models a scenario where 60% of the bus fleet transitions to fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) powered by golden hydrogen, while the remaining 40% continues operating on natural gas. This hybrid strategy maintains net-zero emissions while minimizing infrastructure overhaul. Despite high capital costs for hydrogen infrastructure and FCEVs, the overall costs are comparable to a 100% natural gas fleet when factoring in rising gas prices and carbon taxation.

This approach also aligns with circular economy goals by transforming waste into energy and enabling reuse of biogenic CO₂. However, the success of such a model depends on consistent biomethane output, availability of geological CO₂ storage, and adequate investment in hydrogen infrastructure. If adopted widely, golden hydrogen could represent a powerful tool for both decarbonizing transport and sustainable waste management.