Our team is creating a new energy future.
We envision an abundant energy future where the value of the carbon and hydrogen in natural gas can be independently maximized. By pioneering a new approach to commercializing these resources, we aim to drive hydrocarbon utilization towards greater efficiency and sustainability.
"We are scaling our novel methane pyrolysis technology to transform abundant natural gas into graphitic carbon and low carbon intensity hydrogen to secure our energy future by the end of the decade."
— Patrick Hanks , Chief Technology Officer
At the end of 2024, we started up our pilot plant known as Lighthouse 1. With this facility operational, we can produce large volumes of solid carbon, optimize process conditions, and generate the scaleup data and design tools required to build our First of a Kind (FOAK) commercial plant.
Lighthouse 1 is capable of producing several hundred kilograms of hydrogen and up to 1,000 kg of solid carbon per day during continuous 24/7 operations.
Research on methane pyrolysis
Graphitic Energy Co-Founder Dr. Eric McFarland begins research on methane pyrolysis in his lab at the University of California Santa Barbara.
First round of investment
Breakthrough Energy Ventures leads the first round of investment into Graphitic Energy (formerly known as C-Zero).
The eureka moment
After several years of work with molten systems, the Graphitic Energy team develops a new approach that solves the key challenges with methane pyrolysis.
First pilot plant
Graphitic Energy’s pilot plant begins producing hydrogen, with experimental campaigns planned through the end of 2025.
First carbon offtake
Graphitic Energy plans to secure its first carbon offtake agreement based on material produced in the pilot plant.
FOAK commercial system FID
Graphitic Energy plans to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) for its First of a Kind (FOAK) commerical plant, which will be capable of producing up to 10,000 mt of hydrogen per year.
Second commercial plant hits FID
Graphitic Energy will continue to expand its pipeline of additional projects, including world-scale facilites capable of producing 100,000 mt of hydrogen per year.
Research on methane pyrolysis
Graphitic Energy Co-Founder Dr. Eric McFarland begins research on methane pyrolysis in his lab at the University of California Santa Barbara.
First round of investment
Breakthrough Energy Ventures leads the first round of investment into Graphitic Energy (formerly known as C-Zero).
The eureka moment
After several years of work with molten systems, the Graphitic Energy team develops a new approach that solves the key challenges with methane pyrolysis.
First pilot plant
Graphitic Energy’s pilot plant begins producing hydrogen, with experimental campaigns planned through the end of 2025.
First carbon offtake
Graphitic Energy plans to secure its first carbon offtake agreement based on material produced in the pilot plant.
FOAK commercial plant FID
Graphitic Energy plans to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) for its First of a Kind (FOAK) commerical plant, which will be capable of producing up to 10,000 mt of hydrogen per year.
Second commercial plant FID
Graphitic Energy will continue to expand its pipeline of additional projects, including world-scale facilites capable of producing 100,000 mt of hydrogen per year.
Our values define how we work, make decisions, and move forward—together.
Our organization combines world-class expertise in methane pyrolysis research with decades of experience in chemical process scaleup.
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