The Race to Unlock the World’s Hidden Hydrogen Reserves
Countries around the globe are racing to become the world’s first geologic hydrogen hotspot. A few years ago, the United States Department of Energy released a bombshell report that estimated that there are trillions of metric tons of natural hydrogen deposits sitting in underground pockets around the world – and that a considerable amount of that could be extracted for industrial use. Energy…
Geologic hydrogen, a promising alternative energy source, is rapidly becoming a focal point as countries worldwide compete to harness its potential. The United States Department of Energy estimated the existence of trillions of metric tons of natural hydrogen deposits, which could be utilized industrially. Recently, a study from China revealed record-breaking levels of hydrogen seepage in the Sichuan Basin, with samples showing hydrogen purity levels of 97.33 percent to 98.24 percent.
This discovery suggests that there could be enormous, easily accessible reserves beneath the Earth's surface. Koloma, a billionaire-backed energy startup in the Philippines, believes that the Southeast Asian nation could be at the forefront of a geologic hydrogen revolution due to its large natural hydrogen seeps. If only 2% of the estimated 5.6 x 10^6 Mt of underground natural hydrogen reserves were extracted, it would yield twice the energy found in all proven global natural gas reserves.
This development could significantly impact the global energy industry and accelerate the decarbonization movement. While the technology is still in its infancy, experts believe that geologic hydrogen could be produced at scale and at a very low cost, potentially even cheaper than gray hydrogen made from fossil fuels. The United States, China, and the Philippines are leading the charge in this emerging field.
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