Why in news? In northeastern France, scientists have unearthed a significant reserve of “white hydrogen,” regarded as one of the most extensive concentrations of this environmentally friendly energy resource ever detected.

Highlights:

• Jacques Pironon and Phillipe De Donato, found a deposit between 6 million to 250 million metric tons of white hydrogen.
• It has been named ‘white’ since the “production doesn’t generate greenhouse gases.”

What is white hydrogen ?

• White hydrogen, also known as natural hydrogen, is hydrogen gas that is naturally generated within the Earth’s crust through water-rock reactions.
• Process involves interactions between water molecules and iron-rich minerals, such as olivine, at high temperatures and pressures.
• Unlike other forms of it only produces water when it is burned, making it an exceptionally clean energy source with enormous potential.

Previous discoveries

• White hydrogen was first discovered in the village of Bourakebougou, Mali in 1987.
• Deposits have also been discovered in places like Russia, Oman, France, Mali, and others.

White hydrogen’s impact on clean energy development

• Abundance and renewability: Unlike manufactured hydrogen, which requires energy-intensive processes, white hydrogen is constantly generated within the Earth’s crust. This makes it a potentially limitless and renewable energy source, with the capacity to meet growing global energy demands.
• Low carbon footprint: It has minimal environmental impact. The process of water-rock reactions does not involve the release of carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions.
• Diverse applications: Powering vehicles to providing heat for industries and residential use, its versatility makes it a candidate to replace fossil fuels in various sectors. This includes heavy-duty vehicles, ships, airplanes, and industries that require high-temperature combustion.
• Economic viability: The extraction of white hydrogen may prove to be more cost-effective compared to traditional hydrogen production methods, which often involve energy-intensive processes.
• Global energy transition: As governments and industries around the world strive to transition towards greener energy sources, white hydrogen could play a pivotal role. Its potential to replace conventional fuels in a wide range of applications could significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainability targets
• Technological Advancements: The development of white hydrogen technology drives innovation in renewable energy, electrolysis, and fuel cell technology.

Challenges and the road ahead

• Scientific understanding and mechanisms: The processes underlying the generation, migration, and accumulation of natural hydrogen within the Earth’s crust are not fully understood. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is essential to ensure efficient extraction and utilisation.
• Commercial viability and scalability: While the concept of white hydrogen is promising, the practicality of commercial-scale extraction and utilisation is still under question. Achieving cost-effective methods for extraction and distribution on a large scale is a critical challenge.
• Environmental and ethical considerations: The extraction of white hydrogen, just like any resource, could have potential environmental and ethical impacts. Careful assessment is needed to ensure that the benefits of white hydrogen outweigh any potential drawbacks, and that extraction processes are conducted responsibly and sustainably.
• Infrastructure and storage: Hydrogen is challenging to store and transport efficiently. Specialized infrastructure is needed to handle and transport hydrogen, which can be costly to build and maintain.
• Competition with other clean energy sources: It competes with other clean energy sources like batteries and natural gas for various energy applications, and its advantages may vary depending on the specific use case.

Way forward

• The abundance and renewable nature of white hydrogen could position it as a potential cornerstone in the transition to a more sustainable energy future. But, this energy resource has a long way to go before, and if, it can used on a commercial scale.