Scientists have identified vast reserves of naturally occurring geologic hydrogen, sometimes called white hydrogen, trapped beneath Earth's surface. Recent research published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that underground hydrogen resources could total trillions of tonnes, making them one of the largest untapped clean energy sources ever discovered.
Unlike green hydrogen, which requires electricity to produce, natural hydrogen is continuously generated underground through geological processes involving water and iron-rich rocks. Researchers estimate that even if only a small fraction of these reserves can be economically recovered, it could supply global hydrogen demand for hundreds of years while significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Exploration projects are already underway in countries including the United States, France, Australia, and Canada to locate commercially viable hydrogen reservoirs. However, large-scale extraction technology is still in its early stages, and scientists caution that much more research is needed before widespread production becomes possible.
If commercialized successfully, natural hydrogen could become a major low-carbon energy source for heavy industry, power generation, shipping, and transportation, helping accelerate the global transition to cleaner energy.
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