Feb 21, 2025 08:37 PM
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1073601
INTRO: The successful development of sustainable georesources for the energy transition is a key challenge for humankind in the 21st century. Hydrogen gas (H2) has great potential to replace current fossil fuels while simultaneously eliminating the associated emission of CO2 and other pollutants.
However, a major obstacle is that H2 must be produced first. Current synthetic hydrogen production is at best based on renewable energies but it can also be polluting if fossil energy is used.
The solution may be found in nature, since various geological processes can generate hydrogen. Yet, until now it has remained unclear where we should be looking for potentially large-scale natural H2 accumulations.
A team of researchers led by Dr Frank Zwaan, a scientist in the Geodynamic Modelling section at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, present an answer to this question: using plate tectonic modelling, they found that mountain ranges in which originally deep mantle rocks are found near the surface represent potential natural hydrogen hotspots. Such mountain ranges may not only be ideal geological environments for large-scale natural H2 generation, but also for forming large-scale H2 accumulations that can be drilled for H2 production.
The results of this research have now been published in the journal Science Advances. Also part of the team are Prof. Sascha Brune and Dr Anne Glerum of GFZ’s Geodynamic Modelling section. The other team members are based at Tufts University (Dr Dylan Vasey) and New Mexico Tech (Dr John Naliboff) in the USA, as well as at the University of Strasbourg (Prof. Gianreto Manatschal) and Lavoisier H2 Geoconsult (Dr Eric. C. Gaucher) in France... (MORE - details, no ads)
INTRO: The successful development of sustainable georesources for the energy transition is a key challenge for humankind in the 21st century. Hydrogen gas (H2) has great potential to replace current fossil fuels while simultaneously eliminating the associated emission of CO2 and other pollutants.
However, a major obstacle is that H2 must be produced first. Current synthetic hydrogen production is at best based on renewable energies but it can also be polluting if fossil energy is used.
The solution may be found in nature, since various geological processes can generate hydrogen. Yet, until now it has remained unclear where we should be looking for potentially large-scale natural H2 accumulations.
A team of researchers led by Dr Frank Zwaan, a scientist in the Geodynamic Modelling section at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, present an answer to this question: using plate tectonic modelling, they found that mountain ranges in which originally deep mantle rocks are found near the surface represent potential natural hydrogen hotspots. Such mountain ranges may not only be ideal geological environments for large-scale natural H2 generation, but also for forming large-scale H2 accumulations that can be drilled for H2 production.
The results of this research have now been published in the journal Science Advances. Also part of the team are Prof. Sascha Brune and Dr Anne Glerum of GFZ’s Geodynamic Modelling section. The other team members are based at Tufts University (Dr Dylan Vasey) and New Mexico Tech (Dr John Naliboff) in the USA, as well as at the University of Strasbourg (Prof. Gianreto Manatschal) and Lavoisier H2 Geoconsult (Dr Eric. C. Gaucher) in France... (MORE - details, no ads)