Scientists have discovered a white bubble of hydrogen in the city of Metz in northern France. This discovery could be a very valuable discovery for a large part of Europe, because hydrogen is considered a source of clean energy. But before that can happen, according to France correspondent Eva Ramelow, all kinds of research must first be conducted.
Scientists discovered a hydrogen bubble in France
The hydrogen that is currently extracted is a very light fuel. When it is burned, only water is released. “The expectations are therefore very high for fuels in industry, where they require very high temperatures, or in the transportation sector,” explains Ramello.
Bad process
Hydrogen extraction has so far been unclean. Currently, hydrogen is obtained from industrially initiated chemical processes, for example by heating natural gas or gasifying coal. “This is a huge amount of lubrication, because things like sulfur oxide and carbon dioxide-free materials are still coming,” says the French correspondent.
“Gray hydrogen extraction is a dirty process.”
That’s why Europe is increasingly focusing on green energy, which is generated by wind turbines and solar cells. A quarter of the energy is lost during this process, so it is not yet effective. The hydrogen we are talking about now is white hydrogen. It was initially thought not to exist, because hydrogen is so light that if found in Earth it would immediately bond with other substances.
46 million tons
However, it seems that this is not the case now, because this hydrogen bubble was found in Metz, France. According to Ramelow, this is a broad sample. Scientists now assume that when they reach a depth of 3,000 metres, there will be approximately 90 percent hydrogen in the Earth. This is a lot, because they believe that the area of the field is more than 200 square kilometers. This would amount to 46 million tons of hydrogen in the land of northern France.
Scientists now assume that when they reach a depth of 3,000 metres, there will be approximately 90 percent hydrogen in the Earth.
This represents more than half of the annual production of gray hydrogen, the dirty version that still releases a lot of carbon dioxide. The next stage of research is for scientists to investigate whether these assumptions are correct in April next year. Then we look at how to extract hydrogen from the Earth, because it is highly volatile and flammable. Ramello believes this may include cooperation with major energy companies. “They will shape this new innovation.”
“Total coffee specialist. Hardcore reader. Incurable music scholar. Web guru. Freelance troublemaker. Problem solver. Travel trailblazer.”
More Stories
Brabanders are concerned about climate change.
The “term-linked contract” saves space on the electricity grid.
The oystercatcher, the “unlucky national bird,” is increasingly breeding on rooftops.