Science
The underused energy source under the Earth’s surface that could mean a carbon-free future
Scientists have discovered vast underground reserves of a clean energy source capable of replacing fossil fuels and helping feed the world for centuries.
A recent scientific discovery could change the course of the global energy crisis: under the earth’s surface there are vast reserves of natural hydrogen, a clean and sustainable resource.
According to a study published in Science Advances, these reserves could be the key to replacing fossil fuels and feeding the world for the next 200 years.
Until recently it was believed that hydrogen could not accumulate underground due to its volatile nature, but recent research has shown otherwise.
Computer models suggest the planet is home to approximately 6.2 trillion tons of hydrogen trapped in rocks and underground deposits, a figure 26 times greater than known oil reserves.
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The promise of natural hydrogen
Hydrogen, known for being a clean, emissions-free energy source, can power vehicles, industrial processes and generate electricity.
According to Geoffrey Ellis, a geochemist at the U.S. Geological Survey and lead author of the study, even a small fraction of these reserves- about 2%- would be enough to meet global energy demand and move toward a carbon-free future.
The first signs of significant accumulations of natural hydrogen have been found in places such as West Africa and a chrome mine in Albania.
These discoveries have opened up new possibilities for the use of this resource, provided that technologies are developed that allow the reserves to be located and extracted efficiently.
Hydrogen as an energy source: Challenges and opportunities
While calculations indicate there is more than enough hydrogen to meet the planet’s energy needs, scientists acknowledge much of the reserves may be too deep or found in inaccessible locations.
Some deposits may be too small to justify extraction. But these limitations do not negate hydrogen’s transformative potential.
A crucial advantage of natural hydrogen is its stability in the reservoirs where it is found, eliminating the need for costly storage and transportation systems. In addition, its ability to release twice as much energy as known natural gas reserves makes it an attractive alternative for a variety of energy sectors.
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A future powered by hydrogen
With global demand for hydrogen expected to increase fivefold by 2050, experts predict the resource will account for up to 30% of energy supply in some sectors.
Most hydrogen is currently produced artificially through processes such as electrolysis, but the discovery of natural reserves could significantly reduce costs and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
In the coming months, researchers hope to more precisely identify hydrogen deposits in the United States and other countries, ushering in a new energy era. If these findings are confirmed, natural hydrogen could become the key to abandoning fossil fuels and tackling climate change once and for all.
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