Two French scientists recently stumbled upon what could potentially be the largest reserves of a clean energy source in the world. While they were originally searching for fossil fuels, they unexpectedly discovered vast amounts of hydrogen. This is significant because hydrogen has the potential to be a highly efficient fuel source for various reasons.
One major advantage of burning hydrogen for fuel is that the only byproduct is water. This makes it an environmentally friendly option. Additionally, the energy produced from burning hydrogen is substantial enough to power large-scale industries such as global shipping and air transport. The main challenge with hydrogen energy thus far has been sourcing the right type of hydrogen.
The devil is in the details when it comes to burning hydrogen. Although hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth, much of it is already bonded to other molecules and cannot be converted to energy in its current state. While individual hydrogen gas can be produced, it requires burning massive amounts of fossil fuel. However, “white hydrogen,” which naturally occurs below the Earth’s surface, can be burned. The problem lies in obtaining enough white hydrogen to meet the global energy demand.
The discovery of a significant source of white hydrogen holds immense profit potential, akin to finding oil in the late 19th or early 20th century. Consequently, there has been a surge in startups focused on producing white hydrogen or locating large reserves of it. This is where billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates comes into the picture.
Gates, through his investment firm Breakthrough Energy Ventures, has made contributions to Koloma, a Denver startup that is actively searching for white hydrogen in the United States. Known for backing technologies that can help address the climate crisis, Gates sees white hydrogen-based clean energy as a potential game-changer. The implications of white hydrogen for the world are enormous, with estimates suggesting that the recent discovery in France alone could amount to 250 million metric tons.
Now that researchers and businesses have a better understanding of where to find white hydrogen, the scarcity issue may resolve itself. The next phase will involve scaling up production and making white hydrogen more affordable for the market. With Gates’ support, this day could come sooner than expected.
In conclusion, the accidental discovery of a massive white hydrogen reserve by two French scientists has sparked excitement in the clean energy industry. Bill Gates, a prominent advocate for innovative solutions to the climate crisis, has backed a startup involved in white hydrogen exploration. The potential for white hydrogen as a sustainable energy source is significant, and efforts are underway to bring it to market at an affordable price.
