Vast reserves of game-changing clean fuel may be hidden under mountain ranges, scientists find

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🗞️ Driving the news: A new study suggests that vast reserves of white hydrogen may exist under mountain ranges, offering a potential breakthrough in clean energy
• Researchers used computer models to identify hotspots, including the European Alps and the Pyrenees, where geological conditions favor natural hydrogen formation
• This discovery raises hopes of a new energy source to replace fossil fuels

🔭 The context: White hydrogen, also called "natural" or "geologic" hydrogen, forms naturally through geological processes like serpentization
• While small deposits have been found worldwide, large-scale reserves have remained elusive
• Interest in white hydrogen has surged due to its clean-burning properties and potential to decarbonize industries like steel and aviation

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Unlike conventional hydrogen, which is mainly derived from fossil fuels, white hydrogen is naturally occurring and produces only water when burned
• If extracted efficiently, it could provide a large-scale, carbon-free energy source
• This could significantly reduce emissions in industries that are hard to electrify

⏭️ What's next: The key challenge is locating large reservoirs of white hydrogen that can be drilled for commercial use
• Researchers are also exploring ways to artificially stimulate hydrogen production by injecting water into mantle rocks
• While commercialization may take decades, experts believe this discovery could reshape the global energy landscape

💬 One quote: “Oil was somewhat of a curiosity until the technique was ready… white hydrogen may follow a similar pathway.” – Frank Zwaan, geologist at the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

📈 One stat: No specific figures on estimated hydrogen reserves were provided in the study

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