Technological Advances & Regulatory Trends in the White Hydrogen Sector

Introduction

Geologic hydrogen—also referred to as natural, native, or white hydrogen—is considered a significantly low-carbon and economical fuel. Although geologic hydrogen has not been commercially developed at scale to date, its potential as a clean and adaptable energy carrier has ignited widespread curiosity, and organizations from various industries are eager to explore the numerous opportunities it offers. IeB analysts anticipate that white hydrogen will witness phenomenal growth in the near future. Moreover, industry leaders and governments are keen to explore the potential opportunities around white hydrogen across diversified sectors.

Comparative Assessment of Diverse Energy Segments

Wind and solar energy have gained significant attention as sustainable alternatives to nuclear power. However, they face some challenges in terms of land usage and efficiency.

• Wind farms require up to 360 times more land than nuclear plants to generate the same electricity output. Solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities require up to 75 times the land area.
• A nuclear energy facility has a small area footprint, requiring about 1.3 square miles per 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity. This figure is based on the median land area of the 59 nuclear plant sites in the United States.
• Wind farm capacity factors range from 32% to 47%, varying with wind resources and turbine technology improvements. Solar PV capacity factors also vary based on location and technology, from 17 to 28 percent.
• A solar PV facility must have an installed capacity of 3,300 MW and 5,400 MW to match a 1,000-MW nuclear facility’s output, requiring between 45 and 75 square miles.
• Alta Wind Energy Center in California is the country’s largest wind farm, which has an installed capacity of 1,548 MW. The largest solar PV plants are the 550-MW Topaz Solar Farm and Desert Sunlight Solar Farm, both in California. Six to ten of these facilities would need to operate to equal the annual output of the average nuclear reactor.

Commercial Activities &Technological Advancements in the White Hydrogen Market

The white hydrogen market, which focuses on the extraction and commercial use of natural hydrogen, is seeing significant growth and innovation. Key players are driving advancements across geologic hydrogen exploration, extraction technologies, and large-scale projects, particularly in the energy sector.

• Last year, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Colorado School of Mines established a joint industry program to explore the potential of geologic hydrogen. This consortium includes major energy companies such as BP, Chevron, Petrobras, and several startups.
• In late 2024, Gold Hydrogen initiated a 650 km² 2D seismic survey at its Ramsay Project on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, in partnership with Xcalibur Multiphysics.
• Ecopetrol is constructing Latin America’s largest green hydrogen facility at its Cartagena refinery, with an investment of USD 28.5 million. The plant will produce 800 tonnes of green hydrogen annually and start operations in the first half of 2026.
• HyTerra Limited, formerly Triple Energy Limited, has undergone significant developments in its natural hydrogen exploration initiatives. HyTerra’s flagship project, the Nemaha Project in Kansas, USA, has yielded promising results. Notably, the Sue Duroche 3 well reported hydrogen concentrations of up to 96.1%, among the highest recorded in exploration wells.
• Koloma, the Denver-based geologic hydrogen startup, has secured a total of $394 million in funding over multiple rounds, positioning it as a leader in the emerging field of natural hydrogen extraction.
• Natural Hydrogen Energy LLC (USA) has drilled an 11,287-foot test well in Nebraska and is preparing to extract commercial supplies of hydrogen
• Helios Aragón (Spain) drilled the Monzón-2 appraisal well to a depth of 4,000 meters, aiming to confirm the size and viability of the natural hydrogen and helium reserves initially identified in the 1960s.
• Gold Hydrogen (Austria) has achieved significant milestones in extracting natural hydrogen and helium from its Ramsay Project wells. Stage 1 testing at Ramsay 1 and Ramsay 2 wells confirmed the ability to recover high-purity natural hydrogen and helium to the surface.

Geographical Explorations & Regulations Across the Hydrogen Industry

Current Challenges

Despite its promising potential, stakeholders must address critical challenges to enable the widespread adoption and commercial viability of white hydrogen. These challenges span across extraction methods, infrastructure development, and economic feasibility, all of which require significant advancements and investments.

• Extraction Techniques: The methods for extracting white hydrogen are still under research. Understanding subsurface hydrogen behavior and developing efficient extraction techniques are crucial for scalability.
• Infrastructure Needs: Developing infrastructure, including pipelines and storage facilities, is essential for integrating white hydrogen into the market. Without adequate infrastructure, its hard to fully realize the potential of white hydrogen.
• Economic Viability: While white hydrogen could be more cost-effective than traditional methods, the economic feasibility of large-scale extraction and utilization remains uncertain. 

Conclusion

IeB experts are well-versed in the opportunities and challenges associated with the geologic hydrogen production process. Our knowledge encompasses various decarbonization techniques, renewable energy technology, and innovative solutions around new energy & storage contributing to a greener and more resilient future. We are committed to offering meaningful insights and helping enterprises and individuals journey towards a low-carbon and sustainable society. Our focus is on research and analysis, ensuring we stay current on the newest developments. Whether it’s navigating policy changes, implementing clean energy solutions, or adopting carbon reduction measures, we stand ready to be your trusted partner in achieving a successful decarbonization strategy.

Do you want to know how white hydrogen could serve as a promising alternative to green hydrogen, which is likely to be adopted across various industry segments, and how IeB can help you identify new play areas in this space that may synergize with your existing technological know-how, products, and services, thereby positively impacting your revenue?