World’s Largest White Hydrogen Deposit Discovered by Accident; Will It Spark the New Era of Clean Energy?

Two scientists searched for fossil fuels beneath the ground of northeastern France, but they did not expect to discover something that could solve the climate crisis.

Hidden Treasure

Research directors Jacques Pironon and Phillipe De Donato from France's National Centre of Scientific Research were examining the amount of methane present in the subsoil of the Lorraine mining basin. Using the world's first specialized probe, they could assess gases dissolved underground in the water rock formations.

After going down a few hundred meters, the probe discovered low concentrations of hydrogen, which did not surprise the researchers since it is common to find small amounts near the surface of a borehole. However, as the probe went deeper, the concentration ticked up, measuring 14% at 3,609 feet (1,100 meters) and 20% at 4,101 feet (1,250 meters).

This was a surprising discovery because it indicated the presence of a large deposit of hydrogen beneath. After making some calculations, Pironon and De Donato estimated that the deposit could contain between 6 million and 250 million metric tons of hydrogen. This could make the reservoir one of the largest deposits of white hydrogen ever discovered.

Harnessing the Potential of White Hydrogen

Hydrogen is one of the most common elements on Earth, which occurs naturally in almost everything. Significant amounts of hydrogen gas in its pure form were not considered present within the Earth until a discovery was made in Mali in 2012, where a borehole was found to release almost pure natural hydrogen.

Unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form, white hydrogen is continuously replenished. Also known as "natural," "gold," or "geologic" hydrogen, this gas is generated from dozens of processes, although it is still not yet clear how large natural deposits are produced.

White hydrogen deposits have been found worldwide, including Russia, Oman, the U.S., eastern Europe, Australia, Mali, and France. The recent discoveries of vast underground deposits of white hydrogen are starting to reshape the conversation around sustainable energy. Since it has the potential to produce only heat and water when burned, hydrogen is currently attracting billions of dollars of investment as countries look for alternatives to fossil fuels.

The vast reserves can offer a long-lasting solution to the energy crisis since they have the potential to meet global hydrogen demand for thousands of years. Pioneers in white hydrogen production also claim it can be obtained at lower costs since it does not require an energy-intensive extraction process.

White hydrogen may be a game-changer in addressing climate change, but some challenges must be addressed. Hydrogen gas is highly flammable, and if mishandled, it could pose fire and explosion risks. It is also lightweight and could leak into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

For now, the effectiveness of hydrogen as a decarbonization strategy over long periods remains uncertain. Despite these challenges, the interest in white hydrogen as a limitless and clean energy source remains strong.