6.2 trillion tons – One of the most important building blocks for the transport transition lies underground

Earth appears to contain more hydrogen than ever previously thought. Researchers discovered signs that huge amounts of the energy source are stored deep beneath the earth's surface. This finding could pave the way to a sustainable energy supply – possibly for centuries.

Discovery is enough for 200 years of clean energy

Scientists at the US Geological Survey estimate that around 6.2 trillion tons of hydrogen lie underground. Even a small part of these reserves should be enough to supply us with clean energy for 200 years, according to the study that was recently published in the journal “Science Advances”. This amount would be enough to replace fossil fuels on a large scale. But the exact location of the deposits still remains a challenge.

Hydrogen is created through natural chemical reactions in rocks, for example when water is broken down into oxygen and hydrogen. For a long time it was believed that the gas evaporated quickly. But discoveries in West Africa and Albania have shown that hydrogen can accumulate in large quantities in the earth, Live Science reports. “I was surprised that the results were larger than I expected,” Geoffrey Ellis, a petroleum geochemist at the US Geological Survey (USGS) and lead author of the new study, tells Live Science. “The realization is that there’s a lot down there.”

Hydrogen reserves also possible in the USA

There is also evidence of significant natural sources of hydrogen in the USA. Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) are studying the Mid-Continental Trench, which was formed by geological processes over a billion years ago. This trench could provide ideal conditions: “It could be deep enough to store it, but shallow enough to access it,” Karrie Weber, a professor of earth and atmospheric sciences and biological sciences at UNL, explained in a statement. The reaction of water with certain rocks ensures the continuous production of hydrogen.

A major advantage of this natural resource is its climate friendliness. While artificially produced hydrogen often relies on energy from fossil sources, this aspect does not apply to natural sources. In addition, the gas could be stored directly underground.

However, the challenges are significant. The exact location of many hydrogen deposits is unclear, and much of it may be too deep or uneconomic to extract. Nevertheless, the discoveries open up new possibilities for a sustainable energy future.