Hydrogen is seen to be one of the key elements in meeting net zero goals by 2050, enabling a clean transition from natural gas, a carbon-emitting fossil fuel. Several technologies have been mooted for the creation of grey and green hydrogen, but is there a simpler natural answer in the shape of geological white hydrogen?
Trillions of tons of hydrogen gas are likely buried in rocks and reservoirs beneath Earth’s surface. And just a fraction of this hidden hydrogen beneath the Earth’s surface could power the globe for 200 years, but researchers are working to identify where these natural resources lie.
Geological hydrogen, also known as natural, white, or golden hydrogen, is hydrogen gas that is generated naturally within the Earth’s crust. Unlike other forms of hydrogen that are produced through industrial processes (such as grey or green hydrogen), white hydrogen forms continuously through various geological and chemical phenomena. This makes it a potentially renewable and low-carbon energy source.
White hydrogen is primarily formed through two main processes: serpentinization or radiolysis of water. Serpentinization is the most significant process, accounting for an estimated 80% of the world’s natural hydrogen production. It involves the reaction of water with iron-rich minerals, such as olivine, at high temperatures and pressures deep within the Earth’s crust. This reaction releases hydrogen gas. Radiolysis of water occurs when radioactive elements in the Earth’s crust split water molecules due to ionising radiation, releasing hydrogen.
While the existence of natural hydrogen has been known for some time, recent discoveries have revealed that significant quantities may exist beneath the Earth’s surface, challenging previous assumptions that it was scarce. New research suggests the planet holds around 6.2 trillion tons (5.6 trillion metric tons) of hydrogen in rocks and underground reservoirs. That’s roughly 26 times the amount of oil known to be left in the ground (1.6 trillion barrels, each weighing approximately 0.15 tons) — but where these large-scale hydrogen stocks are located remains unclear.
That said, white hydrogen deposits have been identified in a number of locations around the globe. A massive deposit was discovered in the Lorraine mining basin in northeastern France. Researchers, initially looking for methane, found hydrogen concentrations increasing with depth, reaching 14% at 1,100 meters and 20% at 1,250 meters. This deposit is estimated to contain up to 46 million tons of hydrogen, which is more than half of the world’s current annual grey hydrogen production.
The only white hydrogen field currently being commercially exploited is in the village of Bourakébougou, Mali. This deposit was accidentally discovered in the late 1980s while drilling for water. The extracted hydrogen is used to generate electricity for the local community.
There were also indications of white hydrogen in the Monzón area of Spain in the 1960s, and more recently, exploration has been re-initiated. The Pyrenees mountain range is estimated to have the potential to yield millions of tons of white hydrogen. The first white hydrogen well in the US has been drilled in Nebraska, and exploration is ongoing in regions like the Mid-continental Rift System. The Australian government has also issued licenses for the exploitation of white hydrogen, with a potential deposit in the southern region of Australia thought to be large enough to power the city of Adelaide for 40 years. Other potential sites include the Bulqizë chromite mine in Albania, and sites in Oman and Russia.
Here in the UK, companies are actively exploring potential sites for white hydrogen around The Lizard, Cornwall; Greenock to Aberdeen in Scotland; and Omagh in Northern Ireland. Any discoveries and resultant development of white hydrogen could significantly contribute to the UK’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by providing a clean and potentially abundant energy source by 2050.
The discovery of white hydrogen reserves could be a game-changer for the clean energy sector. It offers a potentially continuous and cost-effective source of hydrogen that does not require energy-intensive production methods or emit carbon dioxide. This could be a crucial factor in transitioning away from fossil fuels in various sectors, including transportation, heavy industry and commercial heating.
However, challenges remain. The processes of how white hydrogen is generated and accumulates are not fully understood. The commercial viability and scalability of extraction methods are still being explored, and a deeper understanding is needed to ensure efficient and cost-effective extraction and distribution on a large scale.
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