Hydrogen, one of the most abundant elements in the Universe, mainly exists alongside other elements. However, the discovery of naturally occurring underground pockets of pure hydrogen is increasingly attracting attention as an unlimited source of carbon-free energy. In fact, the US Department of Energy recently awarded $20 million in research grants to 18 teams to develop technologies capable of transforming this subsurface hydrogen into affordable and clean fuel.
Geological hydrogen is created when water reacts with iron-rich rocks, causing the iron to oxidize, leading to hydrogen generation. Recipient of one of the research grants, MIT Assistant Professor Iwnetim Abate’s team will use its $1.3 million grant to determine the optimal conditions for hydrogen production underground. They will consider factors like catalysts for starting the chemical reaction, alongside temperature, pressure, and pH levels. This research aims to enhance the efficiency of large-scale production, considering the cost as well as meeting global energy needs.
Entrepreneurs are also investigating the potential of hydrogen as a clean and affordable energy source. For instance, Aliou Diallo, Malian entrepreneur, found a natural hydrogen deposit in Mali and was able to produce electricity from it. Following this, he started the first hydrogen exploration enterprise in the world, Hydroma. Currently, the company is drilling wells in locations near the original site and has detected high levels of the gas.
Geological hydrogen is becoming desirable at a time when governments and private sectors are looking for carbon-free energy alternatives. Industrial-scale production of hydrogen typically involves burning fossil fuels, releasing carbon that heats the Earth. Green hydrogen produced using renewable energy is a solution, but its current cost is high, making it an expensive alternative. However, the discovery and harnessing of geological hydrogen could change this scenario, offering a competitive alternative to fossil fuels.
The teams working on the hydrogen research grants are hoping to harness the naturally occurring reaction between water and rocks, with a goal to accelerate this process. The success in this endeavor would mean the possibility of replacing fossil fuels with stimulated hydrogen, which could be produced on demand in specific places, providing an unlimited source of carbon-free energy.
