NEW YORK, May 18: A newly published study has revealed that vast, untapped reserves of hydrogen buried deep within the Earth’s crust could provide a clean energy source capable of powering the planet for more than 170,000 years.

The research, published last week in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, suggests that natural hydrogen deposits—accumulated over a billion years—exist beneath continents around the world, including in at least 30 U.S. states.

While hydrogen has long been considered a potential alternative energy source, only 0.1% of current hydrogen production is considered "green," or climate-neutral, according to the World Economic Forum. Most hydrogen today is produced through steam and hydrocarbon-based thermal processes, which contribute approximately 2.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

Researchers from institutions including the University of Oxford and Durham University have developed an “exploration recipe” to identify areas where natural hydrogen accumulations may exist, and to evaluate the feasibility of economically extracting the gas.

“We have successfully developed an exploration strategy for helium, and a similar ‘first principles’ approach can be taken for hydrogen,” said Jon Gluyas, Chair of Geoenergy, Carbon Capture & Storage at Durham University and co-author of the study.

The key geological conditions required to preserve hydrogen in underground reservoirs include ample hydrogen gas, porous reservoir rocks, and a cap rock or seal to prevent the gas from escaping to the atmosphere. Additionally, microbial activity underground can consume hydrogen, so researchers emphasized the need to avoid environments where such microbes thrive.

Barbara Sherwood Lollar, professor of Earth sciences at the University of Toronto, noted, “We know, for example, that underground microbes readily feast on hydrogen. Avoiding environments that bring them into contact with the hydrogen is important in preserving hydrogen in economic accumulations.”

Lead author Chris Ballentine, Chair of Geochemistry at Oxford University, likened the exploration strategy to preparing a delicate dish. “It’s like cooking a soufflé—get any one of the ingredients, amounts, timing, or temperature wrong and you will be disappointed,” he said. However, Ballentine added that once a successful “exploration recipe” is identified, it could be applied globally to unlock a sustainable and commercially viable hydrogen supply.

The study also dispels speculation about hydrogen originating from Earth’s mantle, concluding that such sources are not practical for extraction.

Hydrogen plays a crucial role in modern industries, including fertilizer production, and is viewed as a key element in achieving a carbon-neutral energy future. Global hydrogen demand reached 97 million tons in 2023 and is projected to soar to 540 million tons by 2050.

While natural reserves offer a promising solution, the researchers also note that future hydrogen production could come from renewable energy sources — such as solar or wind — coupled with carbon capture and storage technologies.

“This is about creating a reliable, clean hydrogen supply that can meet future global energy demands,” the researchers concluded.