2023-12-06 05:31:00
the essentials The government has authorized for the first time in France, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, a research project for so-called “white” hydrogen, a fuel naturally present in the subsoil and of which interest is growing for the decarbonization of industry and transport.
What if the Pyrenees were the El Dorado of “white” or natural hydrogen in France? While interest around this carbon-free primary energy source is intensifying around the world, a first exploration permit has just been granted in France, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and five others are pending. Announced in the Official newspaperthis “exclusive permit for research into native hydrogen mines, helium and related substances known as Sauve Terre H2” was granted to the company TBH2 Aquitaine for five years over an area of approximately 225 km2.
“Grey”, “blue”, “green” and “yellow” hydrogens…
Hydrogen is highly coveted for the decarbonization potential it offers to industries and mobility, provided that it is itself produced or operated without emitting greenhouse gases.
Naturally present everywhere on the planet, natural hydrogen – known as “white” – attracts particular attention because it avoids emitting CO2, one of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change; unlike that produced from fossil fuels – called “gray” hydrogen.
Until now, 95% of the hydrogen produced in the world is “gray” hydrogen manufactured by chemical or petrochemical manufacturers through gas “reforming”, a process that emits high levels of effect gases. Greenhouse. We speak of “blue” hydrogen if the CO2 emissions during its production are captured.
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Other forms of hydrogen exist, made from the electrolysis of water. It is then called “green” or “yellow”, depending on whether it is produced from green electricity sources (wind, solar, hydroelectric) or nuclear. This production therefore remains energy-intensive and very expensive.
Moreover, in 2019, the Occitanie Region deployed an investment plan of 150 million euros (until 2030) to develop the production and distribution of hydrogen in the regional territory. Green hydrogen is at the center of driving projects for the region: the train which will run between Montréjeau and Luchon, expected for 2025 for its first tests, will move forward thanks to carbon-free gas.
A first deposit in Moselle
France could have colossal reserves. Indeed, a deposit was discovered in Moselle earlier this year, as reported The Lorraine Republican. CNRS scientists were looking for another gas in old mines in Lorraine and drilled a small borehole 600 meters deep, as explained RMC. They discovered small amounts of natural hydrogen and so continued to 1000 meters. The hydrogen concentration reached 15%.
After calculations, at a depth of 3,000 meters, these quantities of gas would become colossal with nearly 46 million tonnes, which represents the equivalent of half of current world production.
“Things are speeding up”
All these advances come even though 10 years ago the existence of hydrogen under our feet was not yet a certainty, as explained by Yannick Peysson, program manager at IFP Energies nouvelles. “Things are accelerating, that’s absolutely clear,” agreed geochemist Alain Prinzhofer, a specialist in natural hydrogen.
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Around the world, drilling has started in Australia and the United States, but only one site currently produces natural hydrogen, in Mali. “It’s a discovery that changed a lot of things,” adds Alain Prinzhofer, who knows this deposit located 100 meters deep in Bourakébougou well. According to him, the shift has taken place in the sector. After the pioneering research on “small companies that accept risk”, “the big oil companies and the big energy majors are now in ambush and monitoring the evolution” of the sector.
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