A team of European researchers has just pointed out a potentially colossal energy treasure map, nestled beneath our own feet. The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earthreassesses the potential of mountain ranges such as Alpes and the Pyrenees for the production of white hydrogen. Far from being a simple laboratory fantasy, this hydrogen is already being exploited in Mali. The real question is whether Europe is home to significant deposits, and new data suggests the answer may be yes.
How can mountains produce energy?
The mechanism is a geological reaction. At depth, rocks from the Earth’s mantle, particularly rich in iron, rise close to the surface thanks to tectonic movements. When they come into contact with water, a chemical reaction called serpentinisation is triggered. It’s this slow mineral cuisinewhich takes place over millions of years, which releasesnatural hydrogen (H₂).
This gas can then accumulate in porous rocks, creating exploitable natural reservoirs. The challenge is high: finding a source of hydrogen that does not require the costly and sometimes polluting industrial processes of “gray” or “green” hydrogen. The Earth would offer it to us directly. But for a deposit to be viable, all conditions must be gathered in the right place, at the right time.
What is the surprising role of erosion in this production?
This is where the study brings its real novelty. Erosion, this phenomenon that we observe on the surface with rain, rivers and glaciers, plays a decisive role at depth. Moderate erosion acts as a geological elevator. By using the reliefs, it lightens the weight of the upper layers, which encourages the rise of mantle rocks towards the ideal zone where serpentinization can occur. This is an unexpected boost that could accelerate the production of hydrogen for energy transition.
But this process is a double-edged factor. If erosion becomes too intense, it can backfire on the deposit. It risks destroying the reservoir rocks or cooling the deep layers too quickly, stopping the chemical reaction in its tracks. This is where the geology almost turns into thriller scenario : all the elements must align perfectly, without a too violent event destroying everything.
Why are the Pyrenees more promising than the Alps?
To decide between the massifs, scientists used digital models simulating the birth of mountains over millions of years. The results are quite clear. THE Pyrenees stand out as a particularly favorable territory. Their tectonic history, notably the duration of the extension phases before the formation of the chain, seems to have created optimal conditions. The rate of erosion would also be in the “good” range to stimulate production without sabotaging storage.
THE Alpesfor their part, retain interesting potential but appear a notch below in the simulations. Other ranges, such as the Baetic Cordillera in Spain, however, seem less well off. This work does not yet designate the location of future drilling, but it provides road map much more precise to geologists. The exploration of tomorrow’s energy will perhaps take place in the shadow of our summits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is natural hydrogen?
Also called white or golden hydrogen, it is hydrogen (H₂) which is produced naturally in the Earth’s subsoil by geological reactions, mainly serpentinization. Unlike gray, green or blue hydrogen, it does not require an industrial process to be manufactured.
Is this resource already exploited somewhere?
Yes, a unique case of exploitation already exists in Mali, on the Bourakébougou site, where natural hydrogen is used to produce electricity for a village. This proves that the concept is viable, but the challenge is to find much larger deposits.
What are the next steps in the research?
Researchers must now move from theoretical models to field exploration. This involves more targeted geological campaigns in areas identified as promising, such as the Mauléon basin in the Pyrenees, to confirm the presence of exploitable hydrogen reservoirs.
