Bill Gates has invested in a French startup called Mantle8, led by geologist Emmanuel Mansini.
The company focuses on discovering natural hydrogen buried beneath the Earth’s crust. This natural hydrogen could become a game-changer in clean energy if successfully extracted. Alongside Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Kiko Ventures also supported Mantle8 with a $3.4 million investment.
While standard hydrogen can cost between $4 to $6 per kilogram, Stanford University estimates natural hydrogen could cost as little as $0.5 per kilogram. Unlocking these deposits might redefine the cost structures of industries relying on hydrogen, such as green steel manufacturing and clean shipping fuel production.
To find natural hydrogen deposits, Mantle8 is employing three primary technological tools. The first tool leverages AI to identify potential locations with the right geological conditions. Once a site is found, Mantle8’s second tool helps create a visual image of the deposit’s size and depth. Lastly, the third tool assesses the composition of the gas. Mastering these technologies could accelerate the process of finding and extracting natural hydrogen.
Mantle8 already identified several potential deposits in France. However, drilling is costly, and the startup aims to prove the value of these deposits to attract further investment. With a team of eight geologists set to expand, Mantle8 is on a mission to be the first to extract this revolutionary energy source.
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