In May 2023, the French energy company Française de l’Énergie (FDE) discovered a large deposit of natural hydrogen while inspecting methane risks in abandoned mines in the Lorraine region of northeastern France. Although the deposit's size cannot be confirmed due to lack of exploration, local geological research institutes believe it may be the largest natural hydrogen deposit discovered in Europe to date.
Natural hydrogen extraction has a relatively recent history. Tesla founder Elon Musk stated at the 2022 Future of Automotive Summit that hydrogen production is almost entirely artificial, stating, "It doesn't occur naturally on Earth, so you either produce it through water electrolysis or by cracking hydrides." However, countries like Australia, the United States, and Europe have expressed interest in natural hydrogen extraction. Successful extraction of natural hydrogen in France could have a significant impact on Europe's energy transition.
The discovery of hydrogen deposits in the Lorraine region of northeastern France offers new possibilities for Europe's energy transition. Image source: LtDrogo (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Low carbon and low price make natural hydrogen a rising star
Hydrogen itself is a colorless, transparent gas, but it has different names depending on the production process. "Green hydrogen" is produced by electrolyzing water using renewable electricity. It has low carbon emissions but high costs. "Gray hydrogen" is produced through steam reforming and is the most common type of hydrogen. "Blue hydrogen" uses carbon capture to store carbon dioxide emitted by other hydrogen production processes. "Pink hydrogen" uses nuclear power. And "white hydrogen" refers to natural hydrogen.
Euractiv reports that white hydrogen doesn't require water electrolysis, doesn't require extensive land use, and is therefore cheaper than other hydrogen alternatives. According to the French Earth2 initiative, green hydrogen costs €6 per kilogram, while white hydrogen costs around €1 per kilogram.
Philippe de Donato, co-director of GeoRessouces, a laboratory for geological exploration and extraction at the University of Lorraine, said that if confirmed, this would be the largest discovery of natural hydrogen in Europe to date.
To replace natural gas imports from Russia, the EU plans to import 10 million tons of hydrogen and produce 10 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030, reaching an annual output of 60 million tons by 2050.
The history of natural hydrogen extraction is relatively short. According to the journal Geological Survey of China, the oil industry largely believed that natural hydrogen did not exist in nature until 2002, when the British Geological Survey brought it to the forefront. However, awareness of natural hydrogen began to grow in the early 21st century, with the discovery of the first natural hydrogen deposit in Russia and the first use of natural hydrogen for power generation in Africa by Canada's Hydroma.
Natural hydrogen has great potential, even Bill Gates is interested.
While EU regulations have yet to formally include natural hydrogen, France took the lead, incorporating hydrogen mining into its mining regulations in April 2022. Spanish companies also plan to explore in the Pyrenees and are lobbying for relaxed mining regulations.
In South Australia (SA), Australia, businesses have submitted more than 40 applications for natural hydrogen exploration licences (PELs). Gold Hydrogen and H2EX have been among the two companies to receive the permits.
After the discovery of natural hydrogen deposits on Kangaroo Island in South Australia (SA) in 1921, the state has actively developed hydrogen mines. Image source: Dinkum (CC0 1.0)
The Guardian reported that Koloma in Colorado is exploring for white hydrogen in the Midcontinental Rift System, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates is one of the company's five major investors, making this investment through his Breakthrough Energy.
However, large-scale extraction of natural hydrogen is not yet possible. According to Euractiv, Professor Mikaa Mered of Sciences Po in Paris pointed out that the most advanced natural hydrogen development will not be operational until after 2028 at the earliest.
The oil industry is watching. Like all mineral extraction, natural hydrogen could potentially involve environmental controversy. Anna-Lena Rebaud, who oversees fossil fuels at Friends of the Earth France, said energy extraction must be approached with extreme caution, as it could lead to numerous problems, including population displacement and the monopoly of economic income.
While French oil companies Total, Engie, and Repsol also have plans to exploit natural hydrogen, according to The Guardian, their current interest is muted, potentially waiting for the results of pilot projects to attract more oil majors to the market. However, given the potential for natural hydrogen to squeeze out the oil market, they may not fully support hydrogen energy.
References:
European Dynamics (June 30, 2023), Excitement grows about ‘natural hydrogen’ as huge reserves found in France
The Guardian (August 12, 2023), Prospectors hit the gas in the hunt for ‘white hydrogen’
South Australia (SA) official website, Natural hydrogen
China Geological Survey (2022), New energy sources that cannot be ignored in the context of energy transition
Digital Age (May 16, 2022), Musk criticizes hydrogen energy again! What are the reasons for being pessimistic about the use of fuel cells on the road?
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/237426)
