{"id":5228,"date":"2024-03-11T10:20:09","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T09:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/?p=5228"},"modified":"2025-07-29T16:04:41","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T14:04:41","slug":"beneath-the-surface-hydrogen-for-the-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/articles\/beneath-the-surface-hydrogen-for-the-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Beneath the Surface: Hydrogen for the Energy Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\"\"
Image generated using Playground (https:\/\/playground.com\/), 2024 by Philipp Braun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to the IPCC, the essential steps towards a greener energy future involve reducing emissions across the system as a whole<\/a>, rather than focusing on specific sectors. The future low-carbon energy landscape should rely heavily on electrification at the consumer level.  Heating buildings, powering industry and transport still rely heavily on fossil fuels. The challenge is to use low-carbon electricity for these applications. Traditionally, our electricity was generated by burning coal, oil and gas, powering steam turbines connected to generators. Today, as we move towards cleaner energy sources, electricity is set to become a more widespread, more efficient energy carrier than traditional fuels, offering direct use with no loss of energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role of hydrogen in green energy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, renewable energy sources can be highly intermittent.  They are heavily dependent on seasonal fluctuations and atmospheric events, such as sunlight or wind. What’s more, they are often subject to geographical constraints. Conversely, our demand for energy varies from year to year, but remains fairly regular, leading to excesses or deficits in renewable energies. To compensate for differences in production and consumption, energy needs to be stored efficiently<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Green, blue, grey, white: a question of colour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hydrogen produced by electrolysis from renewable energies is commonly known as “green hydrogen<\/strong>“. This hydrogen can be produced when there is a surplus of energy, stored and used when energy is needed (see figure below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Hydrogen from renewable energy sources is stored underground during periods of excess energy production, to be used when demand exceeds production.
By Philipp Braun. Source : Global Technology and HPC leader<\/a> et Energy Environ. Sci.<\/strong><\/em>, 2021,14<\/strong>, 853-864<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrogen can also be derived from hydrocarbons, which generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. If these emissions are directly captured and stored, thereby contributing to the overall reduction of emissions in the energy sector, we speak of “blue hydrogen<\/strong>“. If no emissions are captured, the term “grey hydrogen<\/strong>” is used. This latter form of hydrogen needs to be completely replaced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that green hydrogen and blue hydrogen function as energy carriers rather than direct energy sources. They play an essential role in supporting renewable electricity, but are incapable of producing energy independently. This is where another form of hydrogen, known as “white hydrogen<\/strong>“, comes into play. Unlike green and blue hydrogen, white hydrogen is a natural energy source found in underground accumulations. This carbon-free energy source could further reduce our dependence on traditional fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Different production processes for hydrogen characterized through colours. By Direction de la documentation, des archives et du patrimoine, \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es \/ Canva<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrogen in the underground?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To support renewable electricity, our society needs to store huge quantities of hydrogen, and this cannot be done on the surface alone. Hydrogen could be stored more safely and efficiently underground, in salt caverns, depleted oil and gas reservoirs and aquifers<\/a>. To do this, the gas is injected through a well and fills a cavern or the pores of a rock like a sponge. This technology is already being used to store hydrocarbon reserves. Forecasts show that of the total storage demand estimated at 466 TWh in Europe by 2050, around half could be met by reallocating existing hydrocarbon storage sites to hydrogen. The other half must be covered by developing new storage sites<\/a>.  As this approach is relatively new, research projects and pilot trials are currently underway to explore the potential applications, efficiency and challenges associated with its implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considered rare or too difficult to extract from the ground, white hydrogen as an energy source has been largely neglected in the past<\/a>. In France, it has recently come under particular attention with the discovery of potential sites in the regions of Lorraine<\/a> and Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Atlantiques<\/a>. At the same time, the French government has just announced massive investment to explore these resources<\/a>. While a handful of hydrogen sources are currently operational, as in Mali<\/a>, their success points to promising prospects for the continued development of this technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrogen at the heart of research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Geoscientists are actively studying the production and migration of hydrogen in rocks beneath the Earth’s surface, in order to better understand potential sources of green energy and to identify suitable sites for energy storage. With my colleagues at the Navier Laboratory, we are contributing to this research by developing new experimental devices capable of injecting hydrogen into rock samples, in order to reproduce the conditions observed several hundred metres below the Earth’s surface. By carrying out experimental measurements on rock samples, we hope to obtain relevant information on the migration and physical interactions of hydrogen in the natural formation. This knowledge will be crucial for subsequent numerical simulations and predictions of large-scale geological storage systems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

According to the IPCC, the essential steps towards a greener energy future involve reducing emissions across the system as a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5252,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_related_content_post":[],"_related_content_subject":[937],"_related_content_author":[5263],"_related_content_category":[1720],"_related_content_folder":[5308],"_excerpt":"In the pursuit of a greener energy future, reducing carbon dioxide (C02) emissions is imperative across all sectors. Electrification is set to play a central role in this transition, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, the intermittent nature of renewable energies calls for effective solutions for storing energy and powering electricity grids. Hydrogen therefore appears to be a promising candidate, particularly when it is produced in a sustainable way, using processes such as electrolysis, or as a natural source of carbon-free energy, naturally present deep underground. In order to optimise storage and promote the transition to sustainable energy systems, geoscientists are actively studying the production and migration of hydrogen in the underground.","_duration":4,"_manual_duration":false,"footnotes":""},"article-types":[13,27],"class_list":["post-5228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article-types-article","article-types-folder"],"has_blocks":true,"block_data":[{"blockName":"enpc\/excerpt","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":5252,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"wide","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/bandeau-1024x395.png","alt":"","caption":"Image generated using Playground (https:\/\/playground.com\/), 2024 by Philipp Braun.","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-image alignwide size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"
Image generated using Playground (https:\/\/playground.com\/), 2024 by Philipp Braun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
Image generated using Playground (https:\/\/playground.com\/), 2024 by Philipp Braun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Image generated using Playground (https:\/\/playground.com\/), 2024 by Philipp Braun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"According to the IPCC, the essential steps towards a greener energy future involve reducing emissions across the system as a whole, rather than focusing on specific sectors. The future low-carbon energy landscape should rely heavily on electrification at the consumer level.\u00a0 Heating buildings, powering industry and transport still rely heavily on fossil fuels. The challenge is to use low-carbon electricity for these applications. Traditionally, our electricity was generated by burning coal, oil and gas, powering steam turbines connected to generators. Today, as we move towards cleaner energy sources, electricity is set to become a more widespread, more efficient energy carrier than traditional fuels, offering direct use with no loss of energy.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

According to the IPCC, the essential steps towards a greener energy future involve reducing emissions across the system as a whole<\/a>, rather than focusing on specific sectors. The future low-carbon energy landscape should rely heavily on electrification at the consumer level.  Heating buildings, powering industry and transport still rely heavily on fossil fuels. The challenge is to use low-carbon electricity for these applications. Traditionally, our electricity was generated by burning coal, oil and gas, powering steam turbines connected to generators. Today, as we move towards cleaner energy sources, electricity is set to become a more widespread, more efficient energy carrier than traditional fuels, offering direct use with no loss of energy.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

According to the IPCC, the essential steps towards a greener energy future involve reducing emissions across the system as a whole<\/a>, rather than focusing on specific sectors. The future low-carbon energy landscape should rely heavily on electrification at the consumer level.  Heating buildings, powering industry and transport still rely heavily on fossil fuels. The challenge is to use low-carbon electricity for these applications. Traditionally, our electricity was generated by burning coal, oil and gas, powering steam turbines connected to generators. Today, as we move towards cleaner energy sources, electricity is set to become a more widespread, more efficient energy carrier than traditional fuels, offering direct use with no loss of energy.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

According to the IPCC, the essential steps towards a greener energy future involve reducing emissions across the system as a whole<\/a>, rather than focusing on specific sectors. The future low-carbon energy landscape should rely heavily on electrification at the consumer level.  Heating buildings, powering industry and transport still rely heavily on fossil fuels. The challenge is to use low-carbon electricity for these applications. Traditionally, our electricity was generated by burning coal, oil and gas, powering steam turbines connected to generators. Today, as we move towards cleaner energy sources, electricity is set to become a more widespread, more efficient energy carrier than traditional fuels, offering direct use with no loss of energy.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":"The role of hydrogen in green energy","level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The role of hydrogen in green energy<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

The role of hydrogen in green energy<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The role of hydrogen in green energy<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Nevertheless, renewable energy sources can be highly intermittent.\u00a0 They are heavily dependent on seasonal fluctuations and atmospheric events, such as sunlight or wind. What's more, they are often subject to geographical constraints. Conversely, our demand for energy varies from year to year, but remains fairly regular, leading to excesses or deficits in renewable energies. To compensate for differences in production and consumption, energy needs to be stored efficiently.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Nevertheless, renewable energy sources can be highly intermittent.  They are heavily dependent on seasonal fluctuations and atmospheric events, such as sunlight or wind. What's more, they are often subject to geographical constraints. Conversely, our demand for energy varies from year to year, but remains fairly regular, leading to excesses or deficits in renewable energies. To compensate for differences in production and consumption, energy needs to be stored efficiently<\/a>.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Nevertheless, renewable energy sources can be highly intermittent.  They are heavily dependent on seasonal fluctuations and atmospheric events, such as sunlight or wind. What's more, they are often subject to geographical constraints. Conversely, our demand for energy varies from year to year, but remains fairly regular, leading to excesses or deficits in renewable energies. To compensate for differences in production and consumption, energy needs to be stored efficiently<\/a>.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Nevertheless, renewable energy sources can be highly intermittent.  They are heavily dependent on seasonal fluctuations and atmospheric events, such as sunlight or wind. What's more, they are often subject to geographical constraints. Conversely, our demand for energy varies from year to year, but remains fairly regular, leading to excesses or deficits in renewable energies. To compensate for differences in production and consumption, energy needs to be stored efficiently<\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":"Green, blue, grey, white: a question of colour","level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Green, blue, grey, white: a question of colour<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

Green, blue, grey, white: a question of colour<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Green, blue, grey, white: a question of colour<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Hydrogen produced by electrolysis from renewable energies is commonly known as \"green hydrogen\". This hydrogen can be produced when there is a surplus of energy, stored and used when energy is needed (see figure below).","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Hydrogen produced by electrolysis from renewable energies is commonly known as \"green hydrogen<\/strong>\". This hydrogen can be produced when there is a surplus of energy, stored and used when energy is needed (see figure below).<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Hydrogen produced by electrolysis from renewable energies is commonly known as \"green hydrogen<\/strong>\". This hydrogen can be produced when there is a surplus of energy, stored and used when energy is needed (see figure below).<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Hydrogen produced by electrolysis from renewable energies is commonly known as \"green hydrogen<\/strong>\". This hydrogen can be produced when there is a surplus of energy, stored and used when energy is needed (see figure below).<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":5254,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/figure1.jpg","alt":"","caption":"Hydrogen from renewable energy sources is stored underground during periods of excess energy production, to be used when demand exceeds production. By Philipp Braun. Source :\u00a0Global Technology and HPC leader\u00a0et\u00a0Energy Environ. Sci., 2021,14, 853-864","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-full","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"
Hydrogen from renewable energy sources is stored underground during periods of excess energy production, to be used when demand exceeds production.
By Philipp Braun. Source : Global Technology and HPC leader<\/a> et Energy Environ. Sci.<\/strong><\/em>, 2021,14<\/strong>, 853-864<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
Hydrogen from renewable energy sources is stored underground during periods of excess energy production, to be used when demand exceeds production.
By Philipp Braun. Source : Global Technology and HPC leader<\/a> et Energy Environ. Sci.<\/strong><\/em>, 2021,14<\/strong>, 853-864<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Hydrogen from renewable energy sources is stored underground during periods of excess energy production, to be used when demand exceeds production.
By Philipp Braun. Source : Global Technology and HPC leader<\/a> et Energy Environ. Sci.<\/strong><\/em>, 2021,14<\/strong>, 853-864<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Hydrogen can also be derived from hydrocarbons, which generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. If these emissions are directly captured and stored, thereby contributing to the overall reduction of emissions in the energy sector, we speak of \"blue hydrogen\". If no emissions are captured, the term \"grey hydrogen\" is used. This latter form of hydrogen needs to be completely replaced. ","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Hydrogen can also be derived from hydrocarbons, which generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. If these emissions are directly captured and stored, thereby contributing to the overall reduction of emissions in the energy sector, we speak of \"blue hydrogen<\/strong>\". If no emissions are captured, the term \"grey hydrogen<\/strong>\" is used. This latter form of hydrogen needs to be completely replaced. <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Hydrogen can also be derived from hydrocarbons, which generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. If these emissions are directly captured and stored, thereby contributing to the overall reduction of emissions in the energy sector, we speak of \"blue hydrogen<\/strong>\". If no emissions are captured, the term \"grey hydrogen<\/strong>\" is used. This latter form of hydrogen needs to be completely replaced. <\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Hydrogen can also be derived from hydrocarbons, which generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. If these emissions are directly captured and stored, thereby contributing to the overall reduction of emissions in the energy sector, we speak of \"blue hydrogen<\/strong>\". If no emissions are captured, the term \"grey hydrogen<\/strong>\" is used. This latter form of hydrogen needs to be completely replaced. <\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"It is important to note that green hydrogen and blue hydrogen function as energy carriers rather than direct energy sources. They play an essential role in supporting renewable electricity, but are incapable of producing energy independently. This is where another form of hydrogen, known as \"white hydrogen\", comes into play. Unlike green and blue hydrogen, white hydrogen is a natural energy source found in underground accumulations. This carbon-free energy source could further reduce our dependence on traditional fossil fuels.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

It is important to note that green hydrogen and blue hydrogen function as energy carriers rather than direct energy sources. They play an essential role in supporting renewable electricity, but are incapable of producing energy independently. This is where another form of hydrogen, known as \"white hydrogen<\/strong>\", comes into play. Unlike green and blue hydrogen, white hydrogen is a natural energy source found in underground accumulations. This carbon-free energy source could further reduce our dependence on traditional fossil fuels.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

It is important to note that green hydrogen and blue hydrogen function as energy carriers rather than direct energy sources. They play an essential role in supporting renewable electricity, but are incapable of producing energy independently. This is where another form of hydrogen, known as \"white hydrogen<\/strong>\", comes into play. Unlike green and blue hydrogen, white hydrogen is a natural energy source found in underground accumulations. This carbon-free energy source could further reduce our dependence on traditional fossil fuels.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

It is important to note that green hydrogen and blue hydrogen function as energy carriers rather than direct energy sources. They play an essential role in supporting renewable electricity, but are incapable of producing energy independently. This is where another form of hydrogen, known as \"white hydrogen<\/strong>\", comes into play. Unlike green and blue hydrogen, white hydrogen is a natural energy source found in underground accumulations. This carbon-free energy source could further reduce our dependence on traditional fossil fuels.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":5260,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2024_03_ING_schema_EN-1024x339.png","alt":"","caption":"Different production processes for hydrogen characterized through colours. By Direction de la documentation, des archives et du patrimoine, \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es \/ Canva","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"
Different production processes for hydrogen characterized through colours. By Direction de la documentation, des archives et du patrimoine, \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es \/ Canva<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
Different production processes for hydrogen characterized through colours. By Direction de la documentation, des archives et du patrimoine, \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es \/ Canva<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Different production processes for hydrogen characterized through colours. By Direction de la documentation, des archives et du patrimoine, \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es \/ Canva<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":"Hydrogen in the underground?","level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Hydrogen in the underground?<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

Hydrogen in the underground?<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Hydrogen in the underground?<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"To support renewable electricity, our society needs to store huge quantities of hydrogen, and this cannot be done on the surface alone. Hydrogen could be stored more safely and efficiently underground, in salt caverns, depleted oil and gas reservoirs and aquifers. To do this, the gas is injected through a well and fills a cavern or the pores of a rock like a sponge. This technology is already being used to store hydrocarbon reserves. Forecasts show that of the total storage demand estimated at 466 TWh in Europe by 2050, around half could be met by reallocating existing hydrocarbon storage sites to hydrogen. The other half must be covered by developing new storage sites.\u00a0 As this approach is relatively new, research projects and pilot trials are currently underway to explore the potential applications, efficiency and challenges associated with its implementation.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

To support renewable electricity, our society needs to store huge quantities of hydrogen, and this cannot be done on the surface alone. Hydrogen could be stored more safely and efficiently underground, in salt caverns, depleted oil and gas reservoirs and aquifers<\/a>. To do this, the gas is injected through a well and fills a cavern or the pores of a rock like a sponge. This technology is already being used to store hydrocarbon reserves. Forecasts show that of the total storage demand estimated at 466 TWh in Europe by 2050, around half could be met by reallocating existing hydrocarbon storage sites to hydrogen. The other half must be covered by developing new storage sites<\/a>.  As this approach is relatively new, research projects and pilot trials are currently underway to explore the potential applications, efficiency and challenges associated with its implementation.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

To support renewable electricity, our society needs to store huge quantities of hydrogen, and this cannot be done on the surface alone. Hydrogen could be stored more safely and efficiently underground, in salt caverns, depleted oil and gas reservoirs and aquifers<\/a>. To do this, the gas is injected through a well and fills a cavern or the pores of a rock like a sponge. This technology is already being used to store hydrocarbon reserves. Forecasts show that of the total storage demand estimated at 466 TWh in Europe by 2050, around half could be met by reallocating existing hydrocarbon storage sites to hydrogen. The other half must be covered by developing new storage sites<\/a>.  As this approach is relatively new, research projects and pilot trials are currently underway to explore the potential applications, efficiency and challenges associated with its implementation.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

To support renewable electricity, our society needs to store huge quantities of hydrogen, and this cannot be done on the surface alone. Hydrogen could be stored more safely and efficiently underground, in salt caverns, depleted oil and gas reservoirs and aquifers<\/a>. To do this, the gas is injected through a well and fills a cavern or the pores of a rock like a sponge. This technology is already being used to store hydrocarbon reserves. Forecasts show that of the total storage demand estimated at 466 TWh in Europe by 2050, around half could be met by reallocating existing hydrocarbon storage sites to hydrogen. The other half must be covered by developing new storage sites<\/a>.  As this approach is relatively new, research projects and pilot trials are currently underway to explore the potential applications, efficiency and challenges associated with its implementation.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Considered rare or too difficult to extract from the ground, white hydrogen as an energy source has been largely neglected in the past. In France, it has recently come under particular attention with the discovery of potential sites in the regions of Lorraine and Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Atlantiques. At the same time, the French government has just announced massive investment to explore these resources. While a handful of hydrogen sources are currently operational, as in Mali, their success points to promising prospects for the continued development of this technology.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Considered rare or too difficult to extract from the ground, white hydrogen as an energy source has been largely neglected in the past<\/a>. In France, it has recently come under particular attention with the discovery of potential sites in the regions of Lorraine<\/a> and Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Atlantiques<\/a>. At the same time, the French government has just announced massive investment to explore these resources<\/a>. While a handful of hydrogen sources are currently operational, as in Mali<\/a>, their success points to promising prospects for the continued development of this technology.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Considered rare or too difficult to extract from the ground, white hydrogen as an energy source has been largely neglected in the past<\/a>. In France, it has recently come under particular attention with the discovery of potential sites in the regions of Lorraine<\/a> and Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Atlantiques<\/a>. At the same time, the French government has just announced massive investment to explore these resources<\/a>. While a handful of hydrogen sources are currently operational, as in Mali<\/a>, their success points to promising prospects for the continued development of this technology.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Considered rare or too difficult to extract from the ground, white hydrogen as an energy source has been largely neglected in the past<\/a>. In France, it has recently come under particular attention with the discovery of potential sites in the regions of Lorraine<\/a> and Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Atlantiques<\/a>. At the same time, the French government has just announced massive investment to explore these resources<\/a>. While a handful of hydrogen sources are currently operational, as in Mali<\/a>, their success points to promising prospects for the continued development of this technology.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":"Hydrogen at the heart of research","level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Hydrogen at the heart of research<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

Hydrogen at the heart of research<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Hydrogen at the heart of research<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Geoscientists are actively studying the production and migration of hydrogen in rocks beneath the Earth's surface, in order to better understand potential sources of green energy and to identify suitable sites for energy storage. With my colleagues at the Navier Laboratory, we are contributing to this research by developing new experimental devices capable of injecting hydrogen into rock samples, in order to reproduce the conditions observed several hundred metres below the Earth's surface. By carrying out experimental measurements on rock samples, we hope to obtain relevant information on the migration and physical interactions of hydrogen in the natural formation. This knowledge will be crucial for subsequent numerical simulations and predictions of large-scale geological storage systems.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Geoscientists are actively studying the production and migration of hydrogen in rocks beneath the Earth's surface, in order to better understand potential sources of green energy and to identify suitable sites for energy storage. With my colleagues at the Navier Laboratory, we are contributing to this research by developing new experimental devices capable of injecting hydrogen into rock samples, in order to reproduce the conditions observed several hundred metres below the Earth's surface. By carrying out experimental measurements on rock samples, we hope to obtain relevant information on the migration and physical interactions of hydrogen in the natural formation. This knowledge will be crucial for subsequent numerical simulations and predictions of large-scale geological storage systems.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Geoscientists are actively studying the production and migration of hydrogen in rocks beneath the Earth's surface, in order to better understand potential sources of green energy and to identify suitable sites for energy storage. With my colleagues at the Navier Laboratory, we are contributing to this research by developing new experimental devices capable of injecting hydrogen into rock samples, in order to reproduce the conditions observed several hundred metres below the Earth's surface. By carrying out experimental measurements on rock samples, we hope to obtain relevant information on the migration and physical interactions of hydrogen in the natural formation. This knowledge will be crucial for subsequent numerical simulations and predictions of large-scale geological storage systems.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Geoscientists are actively studying the production and migration of hydrogen in rocks beneath the Earth's surface, in order to better understand potential sources of green energy and to identify suitable sites for energy storage. With my colleagues at the Navier Laboratory, we are contributing to this research by developing new experimental devices capable of injecting hydrogen into rock samples, in order to reproduce the conditions observed several hundred metres below the Earth's surface. By carrying out experimental measurements on rock samples, we hope to obtain relevant information on the migration and physical interactions of hydrogen in the natural formation. This knowledge will be crucial for subsequent numerical simulations and predictions of large-scale geological storage systems.<\/p>\n"}],"seo":{"title":"Beneath the Surface: Hydrogen for the Energy Transition"},"media":{"img":"\"\"","src":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/bandeau.png"},"url":"\/en\/articles\/beneath-the-surface-hydrogen-for-the-energy-transition\/","related":{"post":[],"author":[{"title":"Philipp Braun","url":"\/en\/authors\/philipp-braun\/","id":"5263","media":"\"\"","slug":"philipp-braun"}],"subject":[{"title":"Energy, Ecology & Climate","url":"\/en\/subjects\/energy-ecology-climate\/","id":"937","media":"\"\"","slug":"energy-ecology-climate"}],"category":[{"title":"Article collection","url":"\/en\/articles\/category\/dossier\/","id":"1720","media":"","slug":"dossier","_related_post_type":"folder"}],"folder":[{"title":"Soil and subsoil for the energy transition","url":"\/en\/folders\/soil-and-subsoil-for-the-energy-transition\/","id":"5308","media":"\"\"","slug":"soil-and-subsoil-for-the-energy-transition"}]},"translated":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/articles\/sous-la-surface-lhydrogene-pour-la-transition-energetique\/","icon":"icon-article","duration":"4","custom_excerpt":"In the pursuit of a greener energy future, reducing carbon dioxide (C02) emissions is imperative across all sectors. Electrification is set to play a central role in this transition, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, the intermittent nature of renewable energies calls for effective solutions for storing energy and powering electricity grids. Hydrogen therefore appears to be a promising candidate, particularly when it is produced in a sustainable way, using processes such as electrolysis, or as a natural source of carbon-free energy, naturally present deep underground. In order to optimise storage and promote the transition to sustainable energy systems, geoscientists are actively studying the production and migration of hydrogen in the underground.","duration_type":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5228"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5228\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8982,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5228\/revisions\/8982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article-types?post=5228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}