Explore how natural hydrogen could revolutionize clean energy. Learn about its occurrence, extraction, global reserves, and India’s potential for UPSC, SSC, and banking exams.
Introduction: Why Natural Hydrogen Matters
Hydrogen is often hailed as the "fuel of the future"-a clean energy source that could help decarbonize the global economy and combat climate change. But while most hydrogen today is produced from natural gas or through expensive green methods, a new frontier is emerging: natural hydrogen. For aspirants of UPSC, SSC, banking, and other government exams, understanding this development is crucial for both current affairs and science & technology sections-a frequent focus in competitive exam blogs and platforms like Atharva Examwise1116.
What is Natural Hydrogen and How Does It Occur?
Natural hydrogen, sometimes called "white hydrogen," is hydrogen gas that occurs freely in the Earth’s crust. It is produced through several geological processes:
Serpentinization: Interaction of water with iron-rich rocks.
Radiolysis: Breakdown of water molecules by radioactive rocks.
Organic Decomposition: Release from organic matter deep underground.
Historically, natural hydrogen was considered a geological curiosity, with most experts believing its small, reactive molecules would prevent large underground accumulations. However, recent discoveries have challenged this view, revealing significant seeps and reserves worldwide-often in tectonically active regions like the Pyrenees, Alps, and Himalayas1.
Why Was Natural Hydrogen Overlooked?
For decades, the industry dismissed natural hydrogen as unviable for several reasons:
Assumed Scarcity: Belief that hydrogen couldn’t accumulate in large quantities due to its reactivity and small size.
Lack of Exploration: No dedicated frameworks or technologies for hydrogen exploration, unlike oil and gas.
Technological Barriers: Extraction methods and economic models were underdeveloped.
This perception is rapidly changing as new reserves are discovered and extraction technologies improve, sparking a "gold rush" among energy companies and investors1.
Extraction and Economics: How is Natural Hydrogen Harvested?
Unlike manufactured hydrogen (from natural gas or water electrolysis), natural hydrogen can be extracted directly from underground reservoirs-similar to natural gas. Recent pilot projects suggest that extraction costs could be as low as $1 per kilogram, significantly cheaper than green hydrogen, which remains prohibitively expensive due to the high cost of renewable electricity and infrastructure1.
Global Reserves: How Much Natural Hydrogen Exists?
Recent studies and discoveries indicate that natural hydrogen could be far more abundant than previously thought:
Hundreds of Seeps Catalogued: Across Australia, the US, France, Spain, Albania, Colombia, South Korea, and Canada.
Major Finds: In France’s Lorraine and Moselle regions, deposits are estimated at 52 million tonnes-about half the current global hydrogen production.
US Geological Survey (USGS) Model: Suggests tens of trillions of metric tonnes may exist globally. Even if only 25% is commercially viable, this could meet projected hydrogen demand for 200 years1.
Why is the Industry Still Untapped?
Despite the promise, several challenges remain:
Uncertain Economics: Not all deposits are concentrated or easily accessible.
Lack of Exploration Frameworks: The industry is still developing standards and technologies for efficient exploration and extraction.
Environmental and Regulatory Hurdles: New extraction methods must be proven safe and sustainable.
However, the pace of exploration is accelerating, with over 40 companies actively prospecting for natural hydrogen as of 2023-up from just 10 in 20201.
India’s Potential: Does India Have Natural Hydrogen Reserves?
India is considered highly promising for natural hydrogen exploration due to its diverse and favorable geological structures:
Hard Rock Formations: Ultramafic/mafic and basaltic rocks.
Ophiolite Complexes: Found in the Andaman and Himalayan regions.
Greenstone Belts: Dharwar and Singhbhum cratons.
Sedimentary Basins: Vindhyan, Cuddapah, Gondwana, and Chhattisgarh.
Hydrothermal Systems: Hot springs and fractured basement rocks.
While these reserves remain mostly untapped, ongoing research and exploration could position India as a major player in the natural hydrogen sector-an important insight for UPSC and other competitive exams focusing on energy and environment1.
Relevance for Competitive Exam Preparation
Understanding natural hydrogen is vital for aspirants because:
Current Affairs: It’s a trending topic in global and Indian energy policy.
Science & Technology: Covers geology, chemistry, and environmental science.
Government Policy: Potential for new energy strategies and economic development.
For more detailed exam preparation resources, visit Atharva Examwise’s blog section16 and explore their UPSC and MPPSC coaching11. For daily current affairs, refer to credible sources like The Hindu and PIB19.
Key Takeaways for Exam Preparation
Natural hydrogen is emerging as a clean, abundant, and potentially low-cost fuel.
India has significant geological potential for natural hydrogen reserves.
Extraction is becoming economically viable, with global interest and investment rising.
Stay updated on this topic for UPSC, SSC, and banking exams-especially in science & technology and current affairs sections.
Use authoritative platforms like Atharva Examwise for structured preparation and regular updates.
By mastering topics like natural hydrogen, aspirants can confidently tackle questions in competitive exams and stay ahead in the evolving landscape of energy and environment.
