GEOLOGIC HYDROGEN

Geologic hydrogen, also known as white or gold hydrogen, is naturally occurring hydrogen formed through geologic processes within the Earth’s crust. A range of mechanisms create this hydrogen, including radiolysis and serpentinization, where water reacts with minerals like olivine to form new minerals with hydrogen as a byproduct. Widely dismissed for decades as a rare phenomenon, recent discoveries in places like Mali, Kansas, and South Australia have shown that geologic hydrogen is widespread and potentially abundant.

Geologic hydrogen could be a game-changing new hydrogen source, both for energy production and the chemical industry. Its production emits no greenhouse gases, unlike traditional hydrogen produced from methane or other fossil fuels, and when burned, it creates only water as a byproduct. And its capacity for large-scale extraction means it can potentially be produced at a lower cost than traditional sources like steam reforming (grey hydrogen) and electrolysis (green hydrogen).