Japan to Explore Natural Hydrogen Deposits for Carbon-Free Energy Future
Key Ideas
- JOGMEC plans to search for natural hydrogen underground in Japan by fiscal 2025 to find a cost-effective, carbon-free fuel source.
- The use of hydrogen is expected to increase in power generation and fuel cell vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions.
- While traditional methods of hydrogen production emit CO2, generating it from renewable energy is costly.
- Exploring natural hydrogen deposits offers a promising solution for carbon-free energy production in Japan.
The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) is set to begin a search for natural hydrogen deposits underground in Japan by fiscal 2025. This initiative aims to discover a cost-effective and carbon-free fuel source for the nation's future energy needs. The utilization of hydrogen is forecasted to rise significantly in power generation and fuel cell vehicles as part of efforts to combat climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions. While current methods of extracting hydrogen from oil, coal, or natural gas result in CO2 emissions, producing hydrogen using electricity from renewable sources is environmentally friendly but comes with a high cost. By exploring the possibility of natural hydrogen deposits, Japan seeks to harness a more sustainable and economically viable solution for clean energy production. This strategic move aligns with the global trend towards developing innovative technologies like fuel cells and advancing research in the energy sector. The exploration of natural hydrogen reserves holds promise for Japan's transition towards a greener and more sustainable energy future.