As reported by MIT Technology Review, the race for the next major energy breakthrough is shifting underground, with researchers and companies exploring vast deposits of natural hydrogen buried deep within the Earth. Unlike the fossil fuels of the past, these hydrogen reserves hold the potential to serve as a green fuel for industries like aviation, steelmaking, and shipping, while also supporting the fight against climate change.
Historically dismissed due to hydrogen’s elusive nature, discoveries in mines and wells have revealed that the gas can accumulate in specific iron-rich rocks, such as olivine. Estimates suggest there could be around a trillion tons of hydrogen underground—enough to fuel global energy needs for centuries.
Startups like Australia’s Koloma, which has secured over $350 million in funding, are leading the charge in geologic hydrogen exploration, using techniques adapted from the oil and gas industry. However, challenges remain, including extraction costs, transportation, and concerns about environmental impact, such as methane leakage and hydrogen’s indirect role in warming the planet.
While many questions linger, the prospect of tapping underground hydrogen could transform global energy systems. By repurposing decades of fossil fuel expertise, humanity may find a way to meet energy demands sustainably.
