A recent study has indicated that certain mountain ranges, including the Alps and Pyrenees, could be significant natural sources of hydrogen gas. This discovery offers a potentially game-changing solution for the UK's transition away from fossil fuels, particularly for industries that are proving challenging to decarbonise, such as chemical production, shipping, and steelmaking.
Hydrogen is widely seen as a critical component in achieving net-zero emissions, but its current production methods are often energy-intensive and costly. The new research, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, explored whether the geological processes involved in mountain formation could naturally produce and store hydrogen, providing a more sustainable and economical alternative.
Researchers at institutions including the Université Grenoble Alpes and the University of Oxford utilised plate tectonic simulations to examine the Pyrenees, Alps, and Baetic mountain ranges. Their analysis focused on assessing the likelihood of hydrogen gas being generated and trapped during the immense geological activity that created these colossal structures. The models suggested that in the Alps and Pyrenees, deep mantle rocks were brought to the surface at an optimal speed, allowing them to react with water to release hydrogen. This gas subsequently accumulated in porous rock layers above, forming potential natural reservoirs.
In contrast, the study found that the Baetic mountains in southern Spain exhibited faster rates of uplift and erosion. This rapid geological activity likely meant insufficient time for substantial volumes of hydrogen to be produced, and any potential reservoir rocks may have been removed. The methodology developed in this study could now be applied to other mountain ranges worldwide, offering a systematic approach to identifying further natural hydrogen exploration sites.
This research builds upon existing understanding of natural hydrogen seeps, which have been observed globally, though their commercial viability has remained largely unexplored. The implications of finding large, accessible natural hydrogen deposits are profound, potentially accelerating the development of a hydrogen economy and significantly reducing the capital expenditure required to establish extensive clean energy infrastructure.