Recent research highlights the potential of hydrogen buried beneath Earth’s surface to power the planet for two centuries, potentially transforming global energy resources.
Emerging research challenges the previous assumption regarding the underground accumulation of hydrogen, revealing a vast reserve of approximately 6.2 trillion tons of hydrogen within the Earth’s crust. This quantity significantly surpasses the remaining oil reserves, estimated at 1.6 trillion barrels, and offers a cleaner alternative for the foreseeable future.
The significance of hydrogen as a clean energy source lies in its ability to fuel various industries and generate electricity with minimal carbon emissions. According to Geoffrey Ellis, a petroleum geochemist at the U.S. Geological Survey, tapping into just 2% of these hydrogen reserves could ensure sufficient energy to transition to a net-zero carbon world for several hundred years.
This immense energy potential, nearly double that of all known natural gas reserves, underscores the importance of expanding our understanding of hydrogen accumulation. Although most of this hydrogen is buried in inaccessible locations, such as deep within the Earth or offshore, ongoing research aims to pinpoint viable extraction sites.
A paradigm shift in geological science was sparked by recent discoveries of significant hydrogen deposits in West Africa and an Albanian chromium mine, demonstrating that hydrogen does accumulate in substantial amounts underground. Prior to these findings, the conventional belief held that hydrogen, a small and highly mobile molecule, escapes through tiny pores in Earth’s geological formations.
Despite initial estimates ranging between 1 billion and 10 trillion tons, the most probable model scenario predicts 6.2 trillion tons of hydrogen. This uncertainty highlights the challenges in quantifying and locating these hidden reserves accurately.
Ellis explains that hydrogen is naturally produced through chemical reactions within rocks, such as the breakdown of water molecules. However, most of these processes yield small quantities of hydrogen. The vast amounts now suggested highlight the potential for large-scale extraction and utilization.
Future hydrogen demand is expected to rise sharply, with projections indicating it could provide up to 30% of the energy supply in certain sectors by 2050. Currently, hydrogen is mainly produced via electrolysis of water, yielding either ‘green hydrogen’ when powered by renewables or ‘blue hydrogen’ when fossil fuels are involved. Natural hydrogen reserves present the advantage of eliminating the need for energy-intensive production methods, offering a naturally stored resource ready for use on demand.
Geological research efforts are underway to identify the criteria necessary for substantial hydrogen accumulation underground. Initial findings focusing on the United States could be published in the near future, potentially guiding future exploration and exploitation endeavors.
While the potential of underground hydrogen is vast, the challenge remains in identifying viable extraction methods and accessible reserves. Unlocking this resource could revolutionize energy production, significantly reducing dependency on fossil fuels and advancing global efforts towards sustainability.
Source: Space
