Geologic hydrogen could offer abundant supplies of clean energy: Geologic hydrogen — naturally-occurring hydrogen believed to be produced deep underground through reactions between ultramafic and mafic rocks with anoxic water — can be found in abundance in layers of continental and oceanic crusts, geysers, and hydrothermal systems, supplying vast amounts of net zero energy source, Bloomberg writes.

What we know: Deposits of geologic hydrogen found in France could produce as much as 3 mn tons of clean energy annually, which would be equivalent to about a third of the green hydrogen Europe is looking to produce by 2030, according to research. Australian natural hydrogen exploration company Hyterra Ltd. believes it could produce a kilogram of the clean fuel at USD 1, bringing it closer to price parity with natgas, Bloomberg notes. Global output of natural hydrogen — also known as white hydrogen — might climb to upwards of 23 mn tons a year, research published by Science Direct notes. The Malian town of Bourakébougou is the first locale globally to be powered by white hydrogen, and wildcatters have found deposits of the gas in Oman, New Caledonia, Canada, Russia, Australia, Japan, Germany, and New Zealand.

What we don’t know: While crude oil extraction technologies date back to the 18th of century and scientists have long understood the origin of the fuel, scientists still remain largely divided on how white hydrogen is exactly formed — most theories revolve around its rise from below the earth’s crust, or through bacterial activity, or various chemical processes, Bloomberg notes. Until researchers are able to ascertain the source of geologic hydrogen, startups and researchers will be unable to tap into the naturally occurring clean energy source.

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