The United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced a breakthrough in the energy sector with the publication of the first prospective map of natural hydrogen geological resources in the contiguous United States . This first-of-its-kind continental-scale map represents a scientific and strategic milestone, offering a detailed view of the geological conditions that favor the accumulation of hydrogen underground. The initiative is a promising step in the search for cleaner and renewable energy sources.
Identifying Promising Regions: The Potential of Geological Hydrogen
The map highlights underground areas in states including Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, as well as regions in the Four Corners states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah), the California coast and stretches along the East Coast. These areas have the ideal geological conditions for hydrogen to accumulate: gas sources, reservoir rocks and natural barriers that trap the hydrogen .
With prospectivity values ranging from 0 to 1, areas with higher scores are considered the most promising for future exploration. Despite the optimism, scientists warn of significant limitations: some of the hydrogen may be at extreme depths, in distant locations, or in economically unviable quantities.
According to Sarah Ryker, associate director for energy and minerals at the USGS, “For decades, it was believed that natural hydrogen did not accumulate in usable quantities. This map challenges that view and opens up new possibilities.”
The Role of Hydrogen in the US Energy Future
Geologists Geoff Ellis and Sarah Gelman, in research published in Science Advances , have estimated that the energy potential of recoverable natural hydrogen would be roughly twice that of Earth's proven natural gas reserves. However, there are still uncertainties about the economic viability and precise distribution of this resource .
The USGS emphasizes that geologic hydrogen can play a crucial role in energy diversification by serving as a low-cost feedstock for chemicals and aiding in the decarbonization of the energy sector . The methodology applied to create the map will continue to evolve, with new updates as the science advances.
Gelman summed up the importance of this work: “This is just the beginning. Identifying potential areas was the first step in exploring how geologic hydrogen can become a key part of the U.S. energy mix.”
With this advancement, the United States consolidates its position at the forefront of the exploration of emerging energy resources, signaling a renewed commitment to innovation and sustainability.
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