Discovering natural hydrogen in continental interiors

R&D Focus Areas:
Natural hydrogen

Lead Organisation:
The University of Adelaide

Partners:
Durham University (UK), University of Oxford (UK)

Status:
Active

Start date:
January 2025

Completion date:
December 2027

Key contacts:
Professor Simon Holford: simon.holford@adelaide.edu.au

Funding:
AUD$588,613 – Australian Research Council (ARC)

Project total cost:
AUD$1,436,659 – including cash and in-kind contributions

Project summary description:
Hydrogen can originate from a range of geological processes, and ‘natural’ hydrogen is attracting wide interest because of its potential to provide a clean energy source that can be produced from geological formations at low cost. Exploration for commercial-scale natural hydrogen is at an early stage, and whilst promising discoveries have been made recently in South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, the geological mechanisms behind the formation and accumulation of natural hydrogen are poorly understood.

This project will combine innovative underground image processing with state-of-the-art laboratory techniques to identify the key factors that drive the generation, movement and preservation of natural hydrogen in the Earth’s crust. The project will result in a world-first exploration framework that is needed to determine the technical and commercial viability of large-scale production of natural hydrogen.

Related publications and key links:
Grant – Grants Data Portal

Higher degree studies supported:
Three PhD students are supported.

 

January 2025