Precious Anga
Lagos — Scientists are increasingly turning attention to a potentially transformative clean energy source hidden deep beneath the Earth’s surface naturally occurring geological hydrogen with new research suggesting underground reserves could power the planet for thousands of generations.
The renewed interest comes as governments and energy companies search for lower-cost pathways to decarbonise heavy industries, shipping and other hard-to-abate sectors traditionally dependent on fossil fuels.
According to recent scientific estimates, naturally occurring underground hydrogen deposits could theoretically meet global energy demand for up to 170,000 years if commercially recoverable. Researchers and energy experts say the discovery could reshape the future economics of hydrogen production.
Unlike conventional green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable electricity and water electrolysis, geological hydrogen already exists within underground rock formations and may be extracted directly, potentially reducing production costs significantly.
The United States Department of Energy estimates the resource could eventually be produced for less than $1 per kilogramme
