Natural Hydrogen Could Power the World for 200 Years

Imagine an energy source so abundant it could power the entire planet for 200 years, produces zero carbon emissions, and costs nothing to create because nature already made it. That energy source exists right beneath our feet.

Scientists have identified vast reserves of natural hydrogen trapped in underground rock formations around the world. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates more than 5 trillion metric tons of this clean fuel lies hidden in Earth's crust, formed by geological reactions that have occurred naturally over billions of years.

This discovery could transform how we power everything from cars and planes to factories and homes. While today's hydrogen production relies heavily on burning fossil fuels or energy-intensive processes, natural hydrogen simply needs to be collected from underground reservoirs, similar to how we extract natural gas.

The hydrogen forms through fascinating geological processes. In serpentinization, water reacts with iron-rich rocks to release hydrogen gas. In deeper formations, intense heat breaks down organic material over millions of years, creating hydrogen alongside other gases.

Even if only 2% of these reserves can be practically extracted, that's still more than all proven natural gas reserves on the planet. By 2050, global hydrogen demand is expected to jump from 90 million metric tons to over 500 million metric tons annually as emerging technologies make it viable for transportation and industry.

The search for natural hydrogen is heating up fast. The number of companies exploring for this resource quadrupled between 2020 and 2023. Researchers are adapting oil and gas exploration techniques to locate the most promising geological formations, focusing on underground reservoir systems that can concentrate large volumes of hydrogen in accessible pockets.

One village in Mali already runs on natural hydrogen extracted from a commercial field. While Earth produces between 15 and 31 million metric tons of natural hydrogen each year, far less than future projected needs, the massive ancient reserves built up over billions of years offer a substantial complement to other clean energy sources.

The Bright Side

This isn't about replacing renewable energy but adding a powerful new tool to our clean energy toolkit. Natural hydrogen could help bridge the gap as the world transitions away from fossil fuels, providing abundant low-carbon energy exactly when we need it most.

Scientists view geological hydrogen as what Promise Longe, an energy researcher, describes as a very large but finite resource that can work alongside solar, wind, and other renewables. The fact that it exists in such enormous quantities, ready to extract without manufacturing emissions, gives us one more reason to feel hopeful about meeting climate goals while powering modern life.

The race to tap into Earth's natural hydrogen reserves represents a genuine breakthrough in our search for cleaner energy sources.