New Zealand has begun exploring an emerging and unconventional form of hydrogen energy—geological hydrogen—marking a potential breakthrough in the global clean energy landscape. Unlike green or blue hydrogen, which are produced through industrial or electrochemical processes, geological hydrogen is naturally occurring, found underground in formations that may also contain oil or natural gas. Because it is not manufactured, it is considered an inherently clean and sustainable energy source.

Geological hydrogen forms through a combination of natural geological and chemical processes that take place over millions of years. One prominent subsea process is serpentinisation, in which water reacts with rocks rich in magnesium and iron to slowly generate hydrogen gas. Other mechanisms include radiolysis—the splitting of water molecules caused by natural radiation—and thermolysis, where extremely high temperatures within the Earth produce hydrogen deep underground.

New Zealand’s diverse geology and tectonic activity offer unique opportunities to study and harness this naturally occurring hydrogen. The country’s volcanic zones, ultramafic rock formations, and active fault lines create ideal conditions for research into hydrogen generation and storage. GNS Science, along with other scientific agencies, has begun mapping potential geological hydrogen reserves and evaluating the energy potential of subsurface gas reservoirs.

Preliminary surveys have already identified traces of natural hydrogen across multiple locations in New Zealand, suggesting the possibility of commercially viable reserves. Though research remains in its early stages, these findings have generated optimism about the nation’s capacity to lead in this new area of clean energy discovery.

Beyond its scientific and environmental implications, the development of geological hydrogen holds promise for New Zealand’s broader economic landscape. The sector could create new employment opportunities, attract investment inflows, and reduce dependence on imported energy technologies. As the nation builds expertise in hydrogen extraction and utilisation, it may unlock a new frontier in renewable energy innovation.

With growing global urgency to transition away from fossil fuels, New Zealand’s exploration of geological hydrogen could redefine the clean energy paradigm. The country’s scientific inquiry into this naturally generated fuel positions it at the forefront of one of the most promising—and least explored—sources of sustainable energy.

Source: 

https://www.eldiario24.com/en/new-zealand-tests-geological-hydrogen/22832/