Underground Hydrogen: A New Hope for Clean Energy?
Photo: MIT Technology Review
Quick answer
Natural underground hydrogen, formed by reactions in the Earth’s crust, may become a key clean energy source. Research indicates vast reserves, though commercial extraction remains unproven.
Traditional hydrogen production is an expensive, energy-intensive process that generates significant CO₂ emissions. However, natural underground hydrogen reservoirs—formed by reactions between water and rock or radioactive decay—could transform the landscape. Known as 'geological hydrogen,' these deposits are drawing global attention from scientists and investors.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Earth’s crust contains trillions of tons of hydrogen. Even extracting a fraction of these reserves could meet global demand for centuries. Yet, no company has confirmed a commercially viable deposit to date. Exploration data remains scarce as startups compete for funding and avoid disclosing details.
New findings from Canada’s Kidd Creek mine reveal promising data. Researchers Barbara Sherwood Lollar and Oliver Warr analyzed over a decade of records, discovering that 35 wells emit an average of 8 kg of hydrogen annually. Extrapolating this to the mine’s 14,000 wells suggests roughly 140 tons of hydrogen escapes annually. While insufficient for global needs, this volume could partially power the mine itself, proving the practical potential of geological hydrogen.
Common questions
- What is geological hydrogen?
- Geological hydrogen is hydrogen naturally produced in the Earth’s subsurface through chemical reactions between water and iron-rich rocks or radioactive decay. Its extraction could replace traditional hydrogen production methods.
- Why is underground hydrogen considered promising?
- Underground hydrogen requires no energy-intensive production and emits no greenhouse gases, unlike conventional methods. Estimates suggest trillions of tons in the Earth’s crust, potentially meeting global demand for centuries.
- Which companies are exploring geological hydrogen extraction?
- Dozens of startups, including Australia’s HyTerra and Bill Gates-backed Koloma, are prospecting for underground hydrogen in the U.S. and beyond, though none have yet achieved commercially viable results.
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