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Source: The post is based on the article “Scientists Have Discovered ‘White Hydrogen’ Beneath France” published in “TOI” on 3rd November 2023
Why in the News?
White hydrogen has recently been discovered in an area called Lorraine in northeastern France.
According to the initial calculations, it is one of the largest deposits of white hydrogen ever discovered. It is estimated to be between 6 million and 250 million metric tons of hydrogen.
What is White Hydrogen?
White hydrogen is also known as natural, gold or geologic hydrogen. It is a naturally occurring form of hydrogen found in the Earth’s crust.
Unlike other forms of hydrogen, white hydrogen only produces water when it is burned making it an exceptionally clean energy source with enormous potential.
It has been named ‘white’ since the “production doesn’t generate greenhouse gases”.
What are the advantages of White Hydrogen over other types of Hydrogen?
| Specification | Details |
| Abundant and Untapped Source | White hydrogen is seen as a potential abundant and untapped source of clean-burning energy. |
| Natural Existence | White hydrogen can be found naturally without relying on energy-intensive processes. |
| Cost Efficiency | White hydrogen’s estimated cost is around $1 per kilogram, significantly lower than green hydrogen, which costs about $6 per kilogram, making it a more affordable clean energy source. |
| No emissions | It causes no CO2 emissions when used as a fuel. |
What is the potential and challenges with respect to White Hydrogen?
Potential: White hydrogen deposits have been identified worldwide including in the US, eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, Oman, France, and Mali.
– The potential global reserves could be in the tens of billions of tons, far exceeding the current and predicted annual production rates.
– Startups are capitalizing on this potential. For instance, Australia-based Gold Hydrogen is drilling in the Yorke Peninsula, where high hydrogen concentrations were found in the 1920s.
Challenges: Regulatory hurdles in some countries, cost considerations and the depth required for drilling can impact the viability of white hydrogen extraction.
UPSC Syllabus: Environment (Renewable Energy)
