A recent study published in Science Advances reveals that approximately 5.6 trillion tons of hydrogen may be hidden in underground rocks and reservoirs worldwide. This finding challenges previous assumptions that hydrogen could not accumulate underground due to its volatile nature, which was believed to allow it to escape through small rock pores.
If just 2 percent of this estimated supply is accessible, it could meet global energy needs for the next 200 years, containing twice the energy of all known natural gas reserves combined.
Geoffrey Ellis, the lead researcher at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), explained to Live Science that hydrogen naturally forms through chemical reactions in rocks. While most natural processes yield only small amounts, this new research indicates that significant quantities have accumulated over time beneath the Earth's crust.
The key advantage of natural hydrogen over artificially produced hydrogen, which is generated by splitting water using electricity, is that no additional energy is required for its production. Furthermore, the underground formations serve as natural storage facilities. "You just need to open and close a valve when you need it," said Ellis.
Currently, the main challenge lies in pinpointing the exact locations of these hydrogen reserves and confirming their abundance. Many deposits may be too deep or located offshore to access. Researchers are now working on a project to map the conditions necessary for hydrogen accumulation.