Natural hydrogen, often referred to as “gold” or “white” hydrogen, was once considered an untapped resource residing deep within Earth’s geologic formations. However, recent breakthroughs and discoveries have shifted the narrative, showcasing the potential for natural hydrogen to emerge as a game-changer in the clean energy landscape.
The notion of harnessing natural hydrogen from subsurface geological reservoirs was once confined to the realms of theory. The belief that such a resource could contribute to the clean energy transition was scarcely entertained. Yet, a series of groundbreaking discoveries across the globe, spanning countries from the United States to Mali, have unveiled reservoirs of natural hydrogen, challenging preconceived notions and sparking a new era of exploration.
At the forefront of this revolution stands Viacheslav Zgonnik, the CEO and founder of Natural Hydrogen Energy (NH2E). With a background in green chemistry and a visionary approach, Zgonnik’s company spearheads the exploration of white hydrogen. Having secured mineral leases for exploratory drilling in the United States, Zgonnik’s pursuit of this renewable source of energy reflects a commitment to unlocking Earth’s natural, inexhaustible processes.
The creation of natural hydrogen within Earth’s crust is a phenomenon that continues to captivate scientists and researchers. Two primary processes have emerged as key contributors to its formation. The first, water-rock reactions through serpentinization of mafic or ultramafic rocks, presents an avenue for oxidation that yields hydrogen. The second process involves water decomposition triggered by ionizing radiation, known as water radiolysis. These processes, prevalent in the Precambrian continental lithosphere, underscore the global potential of hydrogen evolution.
As the exploration for natural hydrogen gains momentum, estimations of its potential impact vary. Conservative projections indicate the possibility of extracting around 23 million tons of hydrogen annually. However, experts contend that this is likely a conservative underestimation. The scarcity of hydrogen-related data and measurements suggests that the true potential of natural hydrogen could exceed current estimates by two to three orders of magnitude.
Startups Race to the Forefront
The advent of natural hydrogen’s recognition has spurred a race among startups to tap into this promising resource. Ventures such as Koloma, backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Helios Aragon, a pioneer in Spain’s hydrogen production, are emblematic of this movement. The enthusiasm is shared by Hydroma, formerly Petroma, which pivoted from oil and gas exploration to unearth hydrogen deposits in Mali.
A Catalyst for Competition: The Future of EnergyThe emergence of natural hydrogen introduces a unique dynamic to the clean energy sector. While investment in electrolyzers for clean hydrogen production remains substantial, the potential of geological hydrogen cannot be ignored. Once scalability is proven, geological hydrogen’s inherent advantage of not requiring the same infrastructure investment can transform the energy market. As this hidden treasure of Earth’s depths comes to light, it has the potential to redefine the trajectory of clean energy transition on a global scale.
