Click here to read this content in Hindi.
Scientists looking for fossil fuels beneath northern France made a ground-breaking discovery when they discovered a large store of hydrogen. This “white hydrogen” deposit, believed to be between 6 million and 250 million metric tons, is among the largest ever discovered, according to preliminary calculations. It has enormous potential for use in clean energy applications.
Understanding White Hydrogen
- In the Earth’s crust, white hydrogen is a naturally occurring gas.
- Despite being the most common element in the universe, hydrogen usually forms compounds with other elements.
- For sectors including steel, shipping, and aviation, hydrogen is heralded as a promising
clean energy source. - When compared to solar or wind energy, its burning yields just water, making it a very environmentally benign energy source.
Other types of Hydrogen
| Obtained from | Production Method | Carbon Emissions | |
| Green Hydrogen | Water and renewable energy sources | Electrolysis with renewables | Very low to zero |
| Blue Hydrogen | Natural gas | Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) | Reduced but captured |
| Gray Hydrogen | Natural gas | Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) without CCS | High |
Significance of the Discovery
Changing Paradigm: In the past, researchers thought that lab-based procedures were necessary for the large-scale synthesis of hydrogen. Based on where it came from, hydrogen was divided into several sorts, including gray, brown, blue, and green.
Untapped Potential: White hydrogen presents a sizable source of clean-burning energy because it is a naturally occurring, plentiful resource.
Natural and Economical: White hydrogen is produced in a more economical and natural way than with energy-intensive techniques. Green hydrogen is estimated to cost about $6 per kilogram, while white hydrogen is estimated to cost about $1.
