Hydrogen has emerged as a key resource in the quest for a carbon-free energy matrix. However, a recent study suggests that there could be a natural and underground source: geological hydrogen.
Researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Durham, and Toronto, in a study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, have proposed the possibility of extracting hydrogen directly from the Earth’s crust, opening up a new energy frontier.
How much natural hydrogen exists on Earth?
According to the study, the Earth’s crust has produced enough hydrogen over the past one billion years to supply global energy needs for at least 170,000 years.
Although some of that hydrogen has disappeared, been consumed by microorganisms, or is not accessible with current technology, researchers argue that the remainder represents a significant opportunity.
The challenge of locating natural reserves
One of the main obstacles to exploiting this energy source is the lack of a systematic method to locate economically viable deposits.
To date, the study of geological hydrogen has been fragmented, making it difficult to identify deposits with extraction potential.
To address this issue, the international team of scientists proposes a comprehensive exploration strategy based on:
- Fundamental geological studies to determine where hydrogen is generated and accumulated.
- Pressure and temperature analysis favoring its formation and preservation.
- Identification of underground migration mechanisms enabling its extraction.
Key findings from the study
Researchers have determined that the factors for hydrogen formation are not restricted to extreme zones such as volcanoes or tectonic faults but are found in numerous common geological scenarios.
They also emphasize the importance of:
- Avoiding zones where microorganisms consume hydrogen to ensure its preservation.
- Investigating the efficiency of certain rocks in hydrogen production through the reaction with water.
- Understanding the combination of tectonic and hydraulic factors crucial in its underground accumulation.
From the lab to the field: a venture to discover hydrogen deposits
The research team decided to put their findings into practice by creating Snowfox Discovery Ltd., a company focused on locating commercial geological hydrogen deposits.
According to Chris Ballentine, a professor at the University of Oxford, finding a commercially viable hydrogen deposit is as precise as a cooking recipe:
“If you make a mistake in the ingredients, quantities, time, or temperature, the result will not be successful.”
Therefore, experts are working to develop a “reliable and repeatable exploration recipe” to guide future research.
Global impact of underground energy
Projections indicate that global demand for hydrogen will increase from 90 million metric tons in 2022 to 540 million by 2050.
To ensure this growth is sustainable, clean and scalable sources are needed.
Geological hydrogen could become a key solution because:
- It would avoid emissions from the source, reducing environmental impact.
- It could be found in multiple countries, democratizing access to this energy source.
- It would offer energy independence, even in regions without fossil resources.
Challenges for implementation
Despite its enormous potential, geological hydrogen still faces technical and regulatory challenges, including:
- Improving geological modeling tools for more precise exploration.
- Deepening field data collection to identify the best extraction areas.
- Defining regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainability and equitable benefit sharing.
A discovery that could change the energy matrix
Exploring natural hydrogen in the Earth’s crust is not a utopia but an evidence-based initiative developed by prestigious institutions.
If scientists can define an effective and replicable strategy, geological hydrogen could become a key player in the global energy transition, reducing carbon emissions and opening up new technological development opportunities.
From the depths of the Earth, a source of clean and sustainable energy could emerge, ready to be harnessed.
