A source of energy hidden underground that could be sustained for centuries has been found in mines in the northeast of France: a natural hydrogen deposits 950 meters deep.
To understand this finding, let’s think of the Earth’s crust as a silent fabric where geology and geoscience processes happen, and they are capable of generate white hydrogen (also called geological hydrogen). Researchers point to two mechanisms that make this possible: the serpentinization and the radiolysis, which are natural reactions that overtime produce gas.
If this hydrogen finding is viable, it could really improve clean energy and support the energy transition, with a source that doesn’t depend on sun or wind in the surface.
But will this discovery be able to do wha it promises? A continuous, stable and accessible supply that complements other technologies? For now, it’s already a good start, a deep reservoir that’s breathing hydrogen, detected by signals in mining galleries and being carefully analyzed by experts.
Discovery and detection: 950 meters underground
According to what the researchers say, it all started with a visible clue, some kind of gas “bubbling” rich in hydrogen that was leaking off in the mines. That signal suggested the existence of an underground reservoir. Form there, they took samples in the different galleries and found out specific concentrations of gas, enough actually to confirm a natural system that migrate through Earth’s crust. The origin, again, is related to known geology processes like serpentinization (reactions between minerals and water) and radiolysis (rupture of molecules by natural radiation).
But the detail of how deep is located—about 3117 feet—is not a coincidence; many experts think that at these levels, the necessary pressures accumulate for the natural hydrogen to be trapped and “detectable” at specific points.
The new French discovery in the Northeast allows to study with precision, how the white hydrogen/geological hydrogen flows, and what conditions favor its presence.
Global potential… and very real obstacles
The idea is pretty exciting: if small amount of natural hydrogen could generate enough energy, it could provide cities, transportation and industries with clean energy. Being a constant source, independent from the weather and going along with other renewable energies, is a possible advantage.
However, between a “could” and a “works” there still a bit of time. First, there’s an economical and geographic challenge because not all countries might be able to pay a constant extraction from great depths, and the exit location of the reservoir may be limited. Then, hydrogen is very reactive and light, so the engineering behind need to be on point; it need a precise perforation, a reliable sealing method and specialized containment systems to prevent leaks and risks near inhabited areas. Finally, there’s a lot of planning to do; even with a promising reservoir, studies need to be done in detail to map the resource, design pilot wells and evaluate real flows over time.
Without these conditions, exploitation could be not only expensive, but actually unstable or not even possible in certain contexts.
An underground promise that demands a cool head
To make this discovery a success, a step-by-step plan is necessary: more science (mapping with geoscience and geology where natural hydrogen is), controlled tests (pilot drilling in underground mines in the northeast of France or other areas), and a strict safety and impact assessment.
If the extraction show to be constant, safe and cost-effective, then good news: we might be in front of a strong ally for energy transition.
Challenge has just started, now they have to move forward and measure every step very carefully to avoid making easy but faulty promises. If the barriers are eliminated, this hidden reservoir could become a new and valuable way of providing renewable energy on the 21st century.