{"id":164076,"date":"2025-05-01T19:10:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T13:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&p=164076"},"modified":"2025-05-01T19:10:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T13:40:26","slug":"potential-of-natural-hydrogen","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/potential-of-natural-hydrogen","title":{"rendered":"Potential of Natural Hydrogen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural hydrogen is emerging as a potentially low-cost, clean energy source, attracting global interest as nations seek sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>What is Natural Hydrogen?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural hydrogen, also called<\/span><b> &#8220;geologic hydrogen,&#8221; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is a free gas that occurs underground due to natural geological processes like<\/span><b> serpentinisation, radiolysis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>organic matter decomposition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.5992%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>PW OnlyIAS Extra Edge<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Serpentinisation<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serpentinisation is a<\/span><b> geochemical process<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where <\/span><b>ultramafic rocks <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(rich in olivine and pyroxene) <\/span><b>react with water, producing hydrogen (H\u2082) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as a byproduct.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It occurs in tectonic settings like <\/span><b>mid-ocean ridges or subduction zones,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where water infiltrates deep mantle rocks, enabling natural hydrogen generation.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Radiolysis<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Radiolysis is the <\/span><b>dissociation of water molecules<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to <\/span><b>natural radioactive decay<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (e.g., uranium, thorium, potassium) in Earth&#8217;s crust.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This process <\/span><b>releases hydrogen gas and oxidized products,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contributing to subsurface natural hydrogen formation.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Formation of Natural Hydrogen: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is formed when<\/span><b> water reacts with iron-rich rocks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or when <\/span><b>radioactive decay splits water molecules<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> deep underground<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can also originate from volcanic<\/span><b> outgassing or organic-rich sediments.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-164066\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/12-6813731e00bd3.webp\" alt=\"Natural Hydrogen\" width=\"700\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/12-6813731e00bd3.webp 982w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/12-6813731e00bd3-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/12-6813731e00bd3-768x438.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Advantages of Using Natural Hydrogen<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Low Carbon Footprint: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural hydrogen emits minimal carbon when extracted and burned, making it <\/span><b>cleaner than grey or blue hydrogen.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With proper mitigation, it is<\/span><b> even cleaner than blue hydrogen<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lower Cost of Production: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural hydrogen extraction can <\/span><b>cost less than $2 per kg<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, significantly <\/span><b>cheaper than green hydrogen,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which currently exceeds <\/span><b>$6 per kg due to renewable energy costs.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>High Energy Potential: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><b>US Geological Survey (USGS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), even if <\/span><b>only 2% of natural hydrogen reserves are exploitable,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> they could meet <\/span><b>global hydrogen demand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for over <\/span><b>200 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Reserves and Extraction of Natural Hydrogen<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Accidental Discovery : <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0In 1987, a<\/span><b> flame accidentally triggered during water drillin<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">g in Bourak\u00e9bougou, Mali, led to the discovery of<\/span><b> 98% pure natural hydrogen underground,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> paving the way for renewed exploration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Global Discoveries: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydrogen seeps have been found in over a dozen countries including the U.S., Australia, France, Spain, South Korea, and Canada.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>France\u2019s Moselle and Lorraine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> regions hold an <\/span><b>estimated 92 million tonnes.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India\u2019s Potential : <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India shows promise with<\/span><b> geological structures like ophiolite complexes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Himalayas and Andamans,<\/span><b> volcanic-sedimentary belts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in cratons (Dharwar, Singhbhum), and <\/span><b>active hydrothermal systems <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in hot spring areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Current Exploration Technologies: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hydrogen-sensing gas probes and spectrometers are now used to detect dissolved hydrogen in rock formations up to 1,500 metres deep, with ongoing development to reach 3,000 metres.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Industry Momentum: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over 40 companies globally are currently exploring natural hydrogen sites, up from 10 in 2020. Major firms like BP, Rio Tinto, and Amazon\u2019s Climate Fund are investing in the sector.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Potential of Natural Hydrogen as a Clean Energy Source<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Energy Security and Transition Support: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural hydrogen offers a scalable, cleaner fuel that can complement green hydrogen and aid global decarbonisation goals without the heavy energy input of electrolysis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Untapped Market in India: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While India has not yet explored natural hydrogen systematically, experts urge government-supported research and exploration to harness potential reserves and align with the country\u2019s green hydrogen ambitions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sustainability: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The environmental sustainability of natural hydrogen<\/span><b> depends on extraction techniques, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">associated gas emissions, and managing hydrogen leakage, which is an indirect greenhouse gas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural hydrogen, once a geological curiosity, is now being recognised as a viable and cleaner alternative energy source. With technological advances and increased exploration, it may play a pivotal role in the global clean energy transition, provided that exploration, regulation, and environmental safeguards progress in tandem.<\/span><\/p>\n<span class=\"vc_button\"><b>Additional Reading: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/udaan\/hydrogen-fuel-types-india-green-mission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Hydrogen Fuel<\/b><\/a><\/span>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Editorials<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Main Answer Writing<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Test Series<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Natural hydrogen is emerging as a potentially low-cost, clean energy source, attracting global interest as nations seek sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":164069,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2089],"subject":[2100],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/164076"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=164076"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/164076\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/164069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=164076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=164076"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=164076"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=164076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}