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Energy Business Review | Friday, August 04, 2023
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Geologic hydrogen, a limitless and eco-friendly energy source, pursued by visionary entrepreneurs, holds the key to a sustainable global energy transformation.
FREMONT, CA: In the pursuit of a sustainable and environmentally friendly future, the world is shifting its focus from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. One particularly promising prospect is hydrogen, often hailed as the future's primary fuel source. While hydrogen has served various purposes for decades, the emergence of geologic hydrogen is reshaping the energy landscape. Geologic hydrogen, also known as natural hydrogen, refers to hydrogen gas trapped beneath the Earth's surface, within reservoirs or the Earth's crust. This boundless and carbon-free energy reservoir has attracted the attention of a new generation of explorers, who are delving deep into the Earth to unleash its potential.
Geologic hydrogen is a conventional concept that has gained renewed interest due to advanced exploration techniques and heightened concerns about climate change. Unlike traditional hydrogen production, which often relies on fossil fuels, geologic hydrogen offers a carbon-neutral alternative. It arises through natural geological processes involving the interaction of water with mineral-rich rocks, resulting in the release of hydrogen gas.
The allure of geologic hydrogen lies in its potential as an extensive and nearly limitless energy resource. Geologists estimate vast reserves of hydrogen lie underground, awaiting extraction. This has captured the attention of both scientists and entrepreneurs, who are eager to assess its commercial viability as a clean and renewable energy source.
Geologic Hydrogen Exploration and Production
Exploring geologic hydrogen is a complex undertaking that demands innovative technology and geological expertise. Pioneers in this emerging energy frontier, often referred to as wildcatters, utilise a combination of remote sensing, seismic imaging, and geological surveys to identify potential reservoirs of geologic hydrogen. These reservoirs are typically situated deep underground, and the process of accessing the hydrogen through drilling resembles traditional oil and gas exploration. The production of geologic hydrogen involves injecting water into subsurface formations containing hydrogen-rich minerals. As water reacts with these minerals, hydrogen gas is released, collected, and subsequently purified for use in diverse applications.
Clean Energy and Decarbonisation
The global pursuit of clean and sustainable energy solutions has intensified in recent years, with geologic hydrogen offering a promising route to decarbonization across various sectors. Hydrogen serves as a clean fuel for transportation, power generation, and heating, or as a feedstock in industries such as steel and chemical production.
A significant advantage of geologic hydrogen lies in its minimal environmental impact. When consumed, hydrogen generates water vapour as a byproduct, establishing it as an entirely clean energy carrier. This characteristic aligns well with international endeavours to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
The Future of Geologic Hydrogen
The future of geologic hydrogen appears promising. Governments and private investors are increasingly recognizing its potential as a clean energy solution. The impact of geologic hydrogen extends beyond energy production alone. Its applications in energy storage, as a buffer for intermittent renewable sources, and in fuel cells for transportation hold substantial promise for achieving a sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.
Geologic hydrogen stands as a transformative force within the energy landscape, presenting an environmentally conscious, boundless, and versatile energy source. Visionary entrepreneurs and scientists, the wildcatters, are diligently tapping into its potential. As infrastructure development advances and technology continues to progress, geologic hydrogen possesses the capability to revolutionise the global energy sector, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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