Hidden hydrogen goldmine: Mountains may fuel green future
Recent studies suggest that the mountains may harbor vast reserves of naturally occurring hydrogen gas, potentially providing us with a huge, untapped source of clean energy. The study results were published in "Science Advances".
These gas reservoirs hidden in mountain ranges may have been produced over millions of years, researchers believe. An international team of researchers, including geophysicist Sascha Brune from the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, conducted simulations of tectonic plate movements and mountain formations to understand hydrogen production processes. Although there are ways to artificially produce hydrogen, it is not easy—they typically emit greenhouse gases, which somewhat defeats the purpose. Finding large natural reserves would be an incredible step forward for clean energy technology. The latest findings on this topic were published in the scientific journal "Science Advances".
Hydrogen inside the mountains
"This new research advances our understanding of suitable environments for natural hydrogen generation," said geophysicist Sascha Brune from the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Germany, in an interview with Science Alert. "Given the economic opportunities associated with natural H2, now is the time to go further and also investigate migration pathways of hydrogen and deep, hydrogen-consuming microbial ecosystems to better understand where potential H2 reservoirs can actually form," he added.
The researchers focused on a process called serpentinization, where the mantle beneath the crust is pushed upwards and comes into contact with water. As a result of this chemical reaction, hydrogen gas is produced. This can occur when continents break apart and when they drift toward each other since Earth's mantle can rise upward in both scenarios. Through their simulations, scientists identified where and when serpentinization is most likely to occur. This process is much more likely in mountains, where the plates are pushed together, rather than where they are pulled apart. Researchers found it could be up to 20 times more likely due to water cycles and temperature ranges.
The Pyrenees, Alps, Balkans may hide hydrogen reservoirs
Moreover, accessing hydrogen reservoirs inside the mountains can be relatively easy compared to other places where research has been conducted, such as mid-ocean ridges. Plans for hydrogen exploration already include the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Balkans. Frank Zwaan from the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences emphasizes that new concepts and exploration strategies, taking into account the tectonic history of a given area, will be crucial for success.
While this study does not provide a global estimate of the amount of hydrogen that may be hidden, previous studies analyzing serpentinization in the eastern Pyrenees suggest that the hydrogen stored there could be enough to meet the needs of half a million people annually. This is an exciting prospect for an energy source that produces water, not carbon dioxide as the main waste product.
The birth of a new hydrogen industry
Frank Zwaan notes that we might be witnessing the birth of a new natural hydrogen industry. "Overall, we may be at a turning point for natural H2 exploration," says Zwaan. "As such, we could be witnessing the birth of a new natural hydrogen industry." The scientific team stated that there is still much work to be done to confirm the presence of this hydrogen gas, utilize it, and ensure a sustainable process, but we can be more hopeful than ever.
