In this work the microwave-assisted CO2 reforming of CH4 over carbon-based catalysts, carried out in a lab-scale microwave pilot plant, was investigated focusing on the conversions achieved and energy consumption. The activated carbon, FY5, and a heterogeneous mixture of FY5 and an in-lab prepared Ni/Al2O3 were selected as catalysts. Regardless of the catalyst used (FY5 or FY5 + Ni/Al2O3), high and steady CH4 and CO2 conversions were obtained. However, the catalytic activity of the heterogeneous mixture of FY5 and Ni/Al2O3 was found to be better. Energy consumption values of the scale-up microwave-assisted CO2 reforming of CH4 reaction were estimated from the experimental data and a flow rate of 1 m(3) h(-1) of introduced CH4 was used as calculation basis. An energy consumption of 44.4 kW.h per m(3) of H-2 produced, with FY5 as catalyst, and of 4.6 kWh per m(3) of H-2 produced, with FY5 + Ni/Al2O3, was estimated. A comparison of these estimations with bibliographic values of energy consumption for steam methane reforming (1.2 kW.h per m(3) of H-2 produced), showed the microwave-assisted CO2 reforming of CH4 over mixtures of activated carbon and metal-based catalyst to be a promising process able to rival the steam reforming process. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.