Advancements in Green and Blue Hydrogen Production and Purification Drive Global Energy Transition Efforts
Key Insights
Geologists in Lorraine, France, are awaiting government approval to drill a deep well to assess the commercial viability of newly discovered underground 'white' hydrogen reserves.
This 'white' hydrogen offers a significant clean energy source, with potential applications in decarbonizing heavy industries like steel production and various transport sectors.
The research team has developed patented technology using semi-permeable membranes to extract hydrogen efficiently while minimizing environmental impact by leaving water underground.
Despite promising technical advancements, the project faces bureaucratic hurdles, potentially delaying commercial-scale operations, which could begin within five years if approvals are secured.
Scientists in France are on the cusp of a pivotal moment in the global energy transition, awaiting government approval to drill a 4,000-meter-deep well this summer in the Lorraine geological basin. This critical step aims to ascertain the commercial viability of significant underground 'white' hydrogen reserves, a discovery first announced in 2023 that promises a new frontier for clean, decarbonized energy.
The initial findings, based on traces of hydrogen observed in numerous wells previously drilled for methane exploration across the Lorraine basin, have ignited hopes of vast, naturally occurring gas reserves. This 'white' hydrogen, distinct from green (electrolysis-produced) or blue (fossil fuel-derived with carbon capture) hydrogen, has only one other known exploited site globally, located in Australia, where it is currently utilized for electricity generation.
Dr. Jacques Pironon, a leading geologist from the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) and the GeoRessources laboratory at the University of Lorraine, emphasized the transformative potential. "If we are able to develop techniques to get it to the surface in the quantities we expect, we think the major uses will be in the steel industry, where hydrogen can replace coal in the making of steel," Dr. Pironon stated. He added that it could also be instrumental in "decarbonized transport, either in fuel cells to make electricity or directly as a fuel in an internal combustion engine," aligning with ambitions for hydrogen-powered aircraft, despite current technological readiness delays.
To address environmental concerns associated with pumping water to the surface, Dr. Pironon and his team have developed patented sensor and extraction technologies. Their innovative machine, designed to be installed at approximately 3,000 meters deep where water temperatures reach around 100°C and pressures are at 300 bar, will utilize semi-permeable membranes to extract the hydrogen while leaving the water in situ. This method aims to prevent environmental issues and avoid creating underground cavities.
While the commercial market price for 'white' hydrogen is yet to be established, Dr. Pironon projects that commercial projects could commence within five years, provided the test well yields positive results. However, the project faces significant bureaucratic hurdles. "We have been working on the paperwork since the summer of 2023, and are still not sure we will get approval for our test in the summer of 2025," Dr. Pironon cautioned, highlighting the regulatory challenges that could impede the rapid advancement of this promising clean energy source.