Scientists from the US, together with colleagues from Oxford, Durham, and the University of Toronto, have confirmed the existence of large underground reservoirs of natural hydrogen. These “hidden treasures” could become a new source of clean energy, Ecoticias reports.
Unlike industrial hydrogen production — when water molecules are split using electricity or fossil fuels — natural hydrogen is formed naturally. It appears as a result of the reaction of water with iron-rich rock in ancient rift zones.
According to a study published in the journal Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, over billions of years, enough of this gas has accumulated on Earth to provide humanity with energy for about 170,000 years. About 30 US states, including Kansas, where significant reserves are expected, are recognized as particularly promising for development.
Business is also showing interest in new resources. Koloma, a startup backed by Bill Gates, and Hy-Terra are already investing in research. Similar projects are also being developed in France, Australia, and Albania.
However, scientists also note challenges: some hydrogen is absorbed by microorganisms, which reduces its available volumes, and the profitability of production has yet to be proven. Nevertheless, experts are confident that natural hydrogen can become one of the cleanest energy sources, completely free of greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.
It was previously reported that colossal underground hydrogen reserves were discovered in Texas, the annual production of which could reach 280 thousand tons, which makes the United States one of the leaders in “green energy”.
