Scientists in northeastern France accidentally stumbled upon what might be the world’s largest deposit of white hydrogen, a clean energy resource with significant potential. Jacques Pironon and Phillipe De Donato, originally searching for fossil fuels, discovered an underground deposit of white hydrogen with a concentration 20% higher than expected at a depth of 1,250 meters. The deposit’s estimated size ranges from 6 million to 250 million metric tons.
White hydrogen is naturally occurring in the Earth’s crust and is considered a promising clean energy source. It is unique in that it only produces water when burned, making it exceptionally clean and environmentally friendly. Unlike other forms of hydrogen, the production of white hydrogen does not generate greenhouse gases.
French Scientists Could Revolutionize Clean Energy
White hydrogen can be employed as a cleaner alternative in various applications, including fuel cells for vehicles and industrial processes. This discovery is significant because scientists had previously believed that large quantities of white hydrogen could only be produced in a laboratory. Unlike green hydrogen and gray hydrogen, which are lab-produced through electrolysis, white hydrogen is naturally sourced.
Experts anticipate that the cost of white hydrogen will be lower, potentially replacing conventional fuels. The discovery is seen as a vital step toward addressing the climate crisis.
White hydrogen deposits have also been found in other locations worldwide, including Russia, Oman, Mali, and elsewhere. The global estimate suggests that there may be tens of billions of tons of white hydrogen. Even if a small fraction of this resource is extractable, it could provide a substantial supply of hydrogen for centuries.
Several startups are already exploring ways to commercialize white hydrogen. However, the development of this resource could take up to 200 years due to regulatory barriers and production costs. At present, the production cost of white hydrogen is estimated to be around $1 per kilogram, significantly lower than the production cost of green hydrogen, which stands at $6 per kilogram.
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