The discovery contradicts earlier assumptions that hydrogen, due to its small molecular size, would not gather in significant amounts beneath the ground.
A groundbreaking study suggests that a massive underground hydrogen reserve could significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for at least 200 years. Published in Science Advances on Friday, December 13, the research, titled “Model predictions of global geologic hydrogen resources,” estimates around 6.2 trillion tons of hydrogen gas locked within rocks and subterranean reservoirs—about 26 times the quantity of known oil reserves. However, the exact locations of these hydrogen stores remain unidentified.
Due to its abundance and light weight, hydrogen is seen as a promising fuel for the future, with governments around the world exploring its potential to replace oil and gas. The study suggests that hydrogen could comprise up to 30% of the energy supply in certain sectors, with global demand anticipated to increase more than fivefold by 2050.
The study further indicates that the global demand for hydrogen is projected to reach approximately 500 million tons per year by 2050. By recovering just 2% of the estimated most likely in-place resources, this demand could be met for nearly 200 years.
Previous notions
Earlier assumptions held that hydrogen, being a small molecule, would not gather in large quantities underground because it tends to escape through pores and cracks in rocks. However, recent discoveries, such as those in a chromium mine in Albania and in West Africa, have demonstrated that hydrogen can indeed accumulate into substantial underground reservoirs.
“I was surprised that the results exceeded my initial expectations,” said Geoffrey Ellis, a petroleum geochemist at the US Geological Survey (USGS) and lead author of the study, as quoted by LiveScience. “The main takeaway is that there’s a significant amount down there.”
Emphasizing the benefits of accessing natural hydrogen, Mr. Ellis noted that it wouldn’t require an energy source since underground reservoirs can hold the gas until needed. “We don’t have to worry about storage, which is a concern with blue or green hydrogen—you need to produce it when electricity is cheap, and then you have to store it somewhere,” he explained.
Despite the breakthrough, the primary challenge is to extract the hydrogen in a cost-effective manner that attracts investors to support the venture.
Read more trending news here
