Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have relied heavily on fossil fuels as their primary energy source. However, with atmospheric carbon-dioxide levels and global temperatures rising, governments worldwide are committing to limiting global warming.
If we shift from fossil fuels, what will take its place to meet our energy needs? The answer lies in geologic hydrogen. So, today, we’re exploring what Geologic Hydrogen is, its vast untapped potential, and how it could play a pivotal role in achieving global climate goals.
While hydrogen is heavily used in oil refineries, chemical plants and fertilizer manufacturers, extracting hydrogen from natural gas is a dirty process that emits large amounts of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, geologic hydrogen is a naturally occurring hydrogen produced from a combination of iron-rich rock, water and heated subsurface processes. Therefore, it doesn’t require man-made processes and can be extracted without any carbon-dioxide emissions — an invaluable advantage over traditional fossil fuels and other methods.
In other words, geologic hydrogen offers a near-zero carbon footprint and 24/7/365 availability, making it a low-cost, low-carbon energy alternative to fossil fuels.
But what is the true untapped potential of our worldwide hydrogen reserves? Well, an unpublished study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey has revealed that up to 5 trillion tons of hydrogen are stored in underground reserves globally.
Understandably, geologists call it a new “gold rush” era, not for the precious metal but for hydrogen, and it has sparked immense interest within the scientific community and beyond.
Geoffrey Ellis, a petroleum geochemist with the Energy Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey, mentioned work has begun on finding ways to map and locate large reserves of hydrogen: “Estimated global geologic hydrogen resources range from thousands to potentially billions of mega tonnes. Given our understanding of other geologic resources, most hydrogen accumulations are likely to occur in accumulations that are either too far offshore or too small to recover economically. However, if even a small fraction of this amount could be recovered, it would be a vital resource” and could satisfy the projected global demand of 500 million tons annually for centuries to come.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated that it is imperative to reach “net zero” emissions by 2050. Harnessing this clean hydrogen could play a key role in addressing climate change by enabling decarbonization in industries like transportation, agriculture, steel production and more. In fact, if geologic hydrogen was implemented as a primary energy alternative now, it could prevent 80 gigatons of cumulative carbon-dioxide emissions by 2050.
Excitingly, several countries are already investing in geologic hydrogen research and development. For instance, the Department of Energy recently allocated $20 million across 16 projects in eight states to accelerate research into natural subsurface hydrogen generation. Plus, organizations like PureWave Hydrogen are at the forefront of this movement, dedicated to discovering and developing naturally occurring hydrogen resources across North America.
However, transitioning to geologic hydrogen is not without challenges. Significant investments in technology and infrastructure are needed to extract and use hydrogen effectively. Developing efficient storage and distribution systems is crucial, notable to support widespread adoption.
Moreover, geopolitical considerations and regulatory frameworks must evolve to support the growth of a global hydrogen market. Despite these challenges, geologic hydrogen presents significant opportunities. Its scalability and potential to integrate with existing energy infrastructure make it a versatile option for achieving long-term energy security and environmental sustainability.
Ultimately, the potential of geologic hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy source is immense. With up to 5 trillion tons of hydrogen stored underground, this transition could revolutionize the energy industry and drastically reduce our carbon footprint. As governments and organizations worldwide invest in the discovery and development of this resource, we are on the brink of a new era in energy production.
By harnessing the power of geologic hydrogen, we can move away from fossil fuels, achieve our climate goals, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
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