By Minener Staff | Published: May 18, 2025
Natural hydrogen is emerging as a promising renewable energy source that could play a pivotal role in global decarbonization. Unlike solar, wind, or hydropower, hydrogen combustion emits only water vapor, has a higher energy density than fossil fuels, and is versatile in industrial and transport applications. The challenge, however, lies in its production—currently reliant on energy-intensive processes and water usage.
A breakthrough study led by Professor Chris Ballentine at the University of Oxford offers a potential solution: tapping into naturally occurring hydrogen deposits deep within the Earth’s crust. Published in Nature, the research reveals that our planet has produced enough hydrogen over the past billion years to meet current global energy demands for approximately 170,000 years.
The Geological Blueprint for Hydrogen Accumulation
The study outlines a set of geological conditions that foster the generation and preservation of underground hydrogen gas. These include:
- A source material—primarily water
- Reactive rocks capable of splitting water molecules
- Natural reservoirs and seals that trap hydrogen underground
Notably, geologic settings such as ophiolite complexes, igneous provinces, and Archean greenstone belts are considered prime exploration targets. In 2024, a massive hydrogen deposit was discovered in an ophiolite formation in Albania, reinforcing the viability of this geological model.
Spain’s Río Tinto: A Potential Hydrogen Hotspot
One particularly promising location is Río Tinto in southern Spain—a site with a long history of geological and chemical activity. Scientists believe that tectonic stress and high heat flow in such regions may facilitate the release of hydrogen from rocks in the Earth’s crust.
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