Natural Hydrogen

Context

Hydrogen has long been viewed as a clean energy fuel of the future. While much attention has been given to green hydrogen (produced using renewable energy), scientists and industry leaders are now turning to naturally occurring hydrogen — also called white hydrogen — as a potentially abundant, low-cost, and zero-carbon energy source.

What is Natural Hydrogen?

Unlike grey hydrogen (from natural gas, emits CO?) and green hydrogen (from water via electrolysis using renewables), natural hydrogen occurs freely in the Earth’s crust, formed by natural geological processes such as:
- Serpentinisation: A reaction between water and iron-rich rocks.
- Radiolysis: Breakdown of water by naturally radioactive rocks.
- Organic decomposition: Breakdown of buried organic matter deep underground.
It seeps out through fractures in the earth or accumulates in underground reservoirs — much like natural gas or helium.

Global Potential

US Geological Survey (USGS) estimates tens of trillions of tonnes of hydrogen may exist underground.
Even 2% of that, if usable, could power the world’s hydrogen needs for over 200 years.
Recent finds in France (Moselle region) alone are valued at $92 billion, roughly half the current global hydrogen production.
Countries with known or probable hydrogen seeps include:
- Australia (Eyre Peninsula)
- U.S. (Nebraska, Kansas)
- Spain, France, Albania
- Colombia, South Korea, Canada, and possibly India.
India’s Natural Hydrogen Potential: Though still largely unexplored, India is geologically well-positioned to host natural hydrogen reserves:
- Ophiolite complexes in the Himalayas and Andaman Islands (formed from seafloor crust).
- Greenstone belts in Dharwar and Singhbhum cratons.
- Hot springs, basaltic formations (e.g., Deccan Traps), and sedimentary basins like Vindhyan and Gondwana.
These areas show signs of radiolysis and serpentinisation, suggesting natural hydrogen could be present.