Could a new type of hydrogen transform the sector?
Hydrogen has long been a cornerstone of industry, powering fertiliser production, petroleum refining and heavy transport.
As economies move towards net zero, it is also central to decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors such as shipping, aviation and heavy-duty trucking.
While attention has focused on renewable-powered electrolysis or fossil-based hydrogen with carbon capture, a new option is emerging: geologic hydrogen.
A report by the Clean Air Taskforce, explains how important this new form might be.
Also called “natural,” “white,” or “gold” hydrogen, it forms underground through natural processes in the earth’s crust, such as serpentinisation, where water reacts with iron-rich rocks, and radiolysis, where radiation splits water molecules.
Unlike conventional hydrogen, which must be manufactured, geologic hydrogen exists in nature and could offer a low-cost, low-emissions complement to other clean hydrogen sources.
By late 2023, 50 companies worldwide were exploring its potential. Advocates point to three key advantages.
First, its theoretical carbon footprint is minimal: studies suggest carbon intensity could be as low as 0.4kg CO₂e per kilogram of hydrogen, far lower than fossil-derived hydrogen.
Second, scalability is vast, with trillions of tonnes believed to exist underground.
Third, it may prove cost competitive, with early evidence from wells in Mali, Spain and Australia suggesting production costs as low as $0.50–$1.00 per kilogram.
Uncertainties remain.
Current projects are small-scale – Mali’s pilot plant produces only a few tonnes annually – and extraction is technically and commercially unproven at scale.
Exploration is costly and risky, while impurities such as methane could undermine climate benefits if not carefully managed. Infrastructure is another hurdle, with deposits often far from demand centres.
A cautious approach is required. Carefully designed pilot projects, robust monitoring and science-led exploration will be vital to understand whether geologic hydrogen can play a serious role in decarbonisation.
If responsibly developed, it could one day complement other clean hydrogen pathways, strengthening energy security and supporting the global push towards net zero.
Geologic hydrogen: the hidden clean fuel beneath our feet appeared first on Energy Live News.