Hidden reserve of clean energy for millennia found on Earth
An underground energy source found that could save the planet (illustrative photo: Freepik)
Scientists have concluded that a powerful source of clean energy, natural hydrogen, may be hidden within the Earth's crust. Preliminary estimates suggest that its reserves could provide energy for humanity for nearly 200,000 years, according to Boy Genius Report.
Geologists have concluded that the Earth's crust may contain massive reserves of natural hydrogen - a clean and underestimated energy source capable of transforming the global energy balance.
According to researchers' estimates, over the past billion years, the Earth has produced enough hydrogen to meet current global energy demands for more than 170,000 years. Importantly, this is not hydrogen produced in laboratories, but natural hydrogen formed underground through geological processes. Much of these reserves remain untouched to this day.
Why it matters?
Today, hydrogen is widely used in industry - for example, in the production of ammonia and methanol, as well as a fuel for transportation and power plants. However, the majority of hydrogen is still produced from fossil fuels, which involves CO₂ emissions.
Natural hydrogen is a completely different story. Extracting it doesn’t require drilling oil wells, processing at massive plants, or cause greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it a unique candidate for a clean, eco-friendly energy source of the future.
Where to look for underground hydrogen?
Scientists are actively studying the geological conditions under which hydrogen can form and accumulate in the Earth’s crust. It turns out that certain types of rocks - especially ancient volcanic formations and mineralized zones - can produce hydrogen when they come into contact with water.
If porous rocks are present to store the gas, along with dense layers that prevent it from escaping to the surface, such an area can become a full-fledged hydrogen reservoir. A particularly interesting example is the state of Kansas in the USA, where the ancient Midcontinent Rift structure is made of basalt that reacts with water to release hydrogen.
Similar conditions have been found in other countries, including Albania, where a large underground “pocket” deposit of hydrogen was recently discovered. Major players are already joining research and development of such deposits - among them are companies funded by Bill Gates and the oil and gas giant BP.
An alternative to solar and wind?
Unlike solar and wind energy, natural hydrogen doesn’t depend on weather conditions and can provide a stable energy supply 24/7. Of course, there are challenges: for example, in some underground environments hydrogen is absorbed by microorganisms, and not every potential site is suitable for extraction.
Still, the researchers are confident they have found a basic “recipe” to identify and utilize this resource. This could mark the beginning of a new energy era - one that is sustainable, stable, and produces zero emissions.
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