Unveiling the Hydrogen Potential beneath Mountain Ranges
Key Ideas
  • Mountain ranges are being explored as a potential source of clean energy in the form of geologic hydrogen, generated through the reaction of minerals with water.
  • Researchers have found that during the formation and uplift of mountain ranges, mantle rock can be brought close to the surface, where it can react with water to produce hydrogen.
  • Studies in the Grisons area of the Alps in Switzerland and the northern Pyrenees have already confirmed hydrogen production, showcasing the early potential of this approach.
  • The research indicates that mountain regions could offer vast quantities of trapped hydrogen, providing a promising avenue for future clean energy initiatives.
Researchers are exploring the potential of mountain ranges as a source of geologic hydrogen, a clean energy alternative generated through the reaction of minerals with water. Traditionally, such hydrogen-producing minerals were believed to reside deep in the Earth's mantle, away from water sources. However, the uplift of mountain ranges brings some of these minerals closer to the surface, enabling serpentinisation – a process where they react with water to produce hydrogen. Model results and early studies suggest that significant amounts of hydrogen could be generated under mountain ranges, offering a promising avenue for clean energy. While similar processes occur at mid-ocean ridges, the hydrogen formed there is less likely to be preserved due to lower temperatures. In contrast, mountain regions provide a more favorable environment for hydrogen preservation, with potential opportunities to access the 'hydrogen kitchen' where hydrogen is actively generated. Studies in the Swiss Alps and the Pyrenees have already confirmed the presence of hydrogen, indicating the early success of this research. These findings highlight the exciting prospect of utilizing mountain regions as a sustainable source of clean energy, paving the way for further advancements in geologic hydrogen exploration.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.