The United States is richly endowed with hydrogen deposits, an energy that is expected to explode in the coming years. For the first time, a map reveals the extent of the reserves enjoyed by Americans.
Large stocks of hydrogen
A new map, the result of extensive research, maps natural hydrogen reserves in the United States for the first time. The latter reveals colossal quantities of this gas, coveted for the energy transition. According to the study conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), more of 30 US states have conditions conducive to the accumulation of natural hydrogenalso called “geological” or “white” hydrogen. These discoveries could shake up the country's energy outlook and beyond.
Natural hydrogen is formed by chemical reactions in the earth's crust, notably the dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen on contact with certain rocks. Long considered rare or difficult to accumulate in exploitable quantities, this gas is now seeing its potential reassessed.
Areas identified as particularly promising include Michigan, eastern Kentucky, southern North Dakota, Kansas, Colorado and Iowawhere reserves could be trapped under favorable geological formations. These findings challenge the idea that natural hydrogen only exists in insignificant quantities and broaden the horizons for large-scale extraction.
A major opportunity for the energy transition
The study highlights the gigantic potential of natural hydrogen to power the energy economy for decades to come. If only 2% of the estimated 6.2 trillion tonnes of hydrogen reserves in the Earth's crust were accessible, this would be enough to cover the world's energy needs for 200 years. This new map gives a concrete dimension to these figures by providing a first precise indication of the possible locations of the reserves. The economic and environmental implications of this discovery are considerable.
-Hydrogen, often presented as a clean and renewable solution, could play a key role in the decarbonization of heavy industries and transport. According to projections, global demand for this gas could increase fivefold by 2050. Regions like the Midwest, coastal California and the eastern seaboard of the United States could become nerve centers of this energy revolution. However, a problem persists: the conditions for exploiting this energy remain complex.
A reaction? Leave a comment
Did you like this article? Subscribe to our free newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content and the latest news.
Related News :