The natural hydrogen gold rush is captivating attention worldwide as a potential game-changer in the quest for cost-effective, low-carbon energy sources.
Countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Spain, Colombia, and South Korea are actively engaged in exploratory efforts for geological hydrogen.
What Is Natural Hydrogen?
Natural hydrogen, also referred to as white or gold hydrogen, is hydrogen gas that occurs naturally beneath the Earth’s surface. It is thought to form from high-temperature reactions between water and minerals rich in iron.
Unlike current hydrogen production, which is mainly produced using fossil fuel, natural hydrogen holds promise as a cleaner option.
Why the Hype?
Hydrogen is often reported as a potential energy source for transitioning away from fossil fuels. Yet, the methods used to produce it frequently result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions.
Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, is an exception. Unfortunately, its development has been hindered by high costs and economic challenges.
Geologic hydrogen is a ‘natural’ hydrogen. Companies are now actively exploring this untapped resource. Countries like Australia, France, Spain, U.S., Canada, Colombia, and South Korea.
Research by Rystad Energy reportedly suggests that forty companies were actively searching for geologic hydrogen deposits by the end 2023. That’s up from just 10 in 2020. The term ‘white gold rush’ has emerged from this surge in interest.
Potential Impact
Advocates hope that natural hydrogen could be a gamechanger in the clean energy transition.
Although it’s not an entirely novel concept, interest in geologic hydrogen is gaining traction. Both researchers and corporations are eager to explore its possibilities.
As the exploration unfolds, the world looks on with eager anticipation. Hopefully natural hydrogen will play a significant role in shaping a more sustainable energy future.
The natural hydrogen will have to be mined and that in itself may bring environmental issues. Remember the concerns fracking created?