The big reserve of hydrogen gas buried beneath Earth’s crust has estimate to hold trillions of tons of this clean energy source. Scientists suggest that even a small portion of this hidden hydrogen can meet global energy needs for the next 200 years, potentially reducing the dependence on fossil fuels.
As the exact locations of these reserves remain unclear, preliminary studies point to immense quantities, indicating significant implications for future energy systems and sustainable development.
As per a recent study, an estimate 6.2 trillion tons of hydrogen can be trap within rocks and underground reservoirs.
This figure vastly exceeds the total oil reserves globally, with hydrogen quantities calculate to be 26 times greater than the remaining crude oil.
Despite the enormous potential, much of this hydrogen is believe to lie at depths or locations that may prove inaccessible or economically unviable for extraction.
Geoffrey Ellis, a petroleum geochemist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), said that a 2% of these hydrogen stocks can supply sufficient energy to achieve global carbon neutrality for approximately two centuries.
He explain that natural hydrogen is produce via various geological processes, including the breakdown of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
Unlike hydrogen derive from water electrolysis, which requires renewable or fossil energy sources, natural hydrogen found underground is self-generate and store naturally in reservoirs.
This reduces the need for additional energy-intensive storage systems, as the gas can be tap on demand.
Significant challenges persist in determining the precise locations of these underground hydrogen deposits.
The study acknowledge that estimates range widely, from 1 billion to 10 trillion tons, due to the limitations of the modelling approach.
Efforts are underway to refine criteria for identifying viable hydrogen reserves.
If recoverable, natural hydrogen can play a transformative role in global energy systems, with research into its accessibility set to continue in the coming years.
Scientists are focusing on narrowing geologic markers to pinpoint reserves more effectively, with further findings expect in 2025.
