Unleashing Earth's Hidden Power: A Potential Hydrogen Revolution
Key Ideas
  • A new study suggests the Earth's subsurface may hold trillions of tonnes of hydrogen, enough to fuel human activities for nearly 200 years and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
  • Hydrogen is being touted as a clean energy source that could replace fossil fuels in various sectors, with global demand expected to rise significantly in the future.
  • Researchers are exploring natural processes that produce hydrogen underground, with estimates of 1 billion to 10 trillion tonnes potentially trapped in the subsurface, offering a substantial contribution to decarbonizing the planet.
  • Despite not being renewable, harnessing just 2% of the estimated hydrogen reserves could meet global demand for about two centuries and play a crucial role in achieving net-zero carbon emission goals in a shorter time frame.
A recent study by US Geological Survey researchers suggests that the Earth's subsurface may hold a significant amount of hydrogen gas, potentially revolutionizing the energy landscape. The study estimates that there could be 5.6 trillion metric tonnes of hydrogen in rocks and underground reservoirs, with the potential to power human activities for nearly two centuries. While acknowledging the challenges of accessing this vast hydrogen reservoir, the study highlights the possibility of harvesting just 2% to meet global demand for about 200 years. This advancement could reduce dependence on fossil fuels and pave the way for a cleaner energy future. Hydrogen is increasingly being recognized as a clean energy source that could replace fossil fuels in various sectors, such as transportation, industry, and electricity generation. The global demand for hydrogen is projected to increase significantly, with the gas expected to play a crucial role in future energy supplies. Geologists have discovered natural processes that release hydrogen in rocks, challenging previous assumptions about the gas's sources. With estimates ranging from 1 billion to 10 trillion tonnes of hydrogen potentially trapped underground, researchers are exploring ways to harness this vast resource for decarbonization efforts. Although not renewable, leveraging even a small fraction of the estimated hydrogen reserves could have a substantial impact by meeting global demand for centuries and accelerating progress towards net-zero carbon emissions. The study emphasizes the importance of developing low-carbon hydrogen sources swiftly to make meaningful contributions to combating climate change on a shorter timescale.
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