Is there hydrogen to be found beneath the Grisons mountains in Switzerland?
Thomas Stoiber / Alamy
Exploring the Potential of Geologic Hydrogen in Mountain Ranges
Recent research has shed light on the potential of mountain ranges to serve as a valuable source of clean energy in the form of geologic hydrogen. While previous studies have hinted at the presence of underground hydrogen, scientists are now focusing on mountains as a promising reservoir.
Frank Zwaan, a researcher at the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Germany, explains, “Certain minerals have the ability to react with water and produce hydrogen, essentially offering a renewable energy source.” These minerals are typically abundant in the Earth’s mantle but are often inaccessible deep underground. However, the formation and uplift of mountain ranges can bring these mantle rocks closer to the surface, where they can undergo a process known as serpentinisation to generate hydrogen.
Through detailed modeling of the uplift process, Zwaan and his team have identified areas within mountain ranges where optimal conditions for hydrogen production exist, indicating the potential for significant hydrogen generation under these geological formations.
Serpentinisation, a process also observed at mid-ocean ridges, plays a crucial role in hydrogen production. While hydrogen formed at ocean ridges is unlikely to be trapped due to lower temperatures and microbial activity, mountain environments offer the opportunity to access and preserve this valuable resource. By drilling into specific areas where hydrogen is generated, researchers believe they can tap into what Zwaan refers to as the “hydrogen kitchen.”
Early investigations by scientists like Gianreto Manatschal from the University of Strasbourg have confirmed the presence of hydrogen production beneath the Grisons region of the Alps in Switzerland. Similarly, studies led by Alexandra Robert at the University of Toulouse have detected hydrogen seepage beneath the northern Pyrenees, indicating the widespread nature of geologic hydrogen in mountainous regions.
Topics:
- energy and fuels/
- hydrogen power
