Cheap and environmentally friendly energy is always a big topic. Now researchers have discovered a rock that could solve many problems. The research is only just beginning, but it is promising.
Many people consider hydrogen to be a key element for clean energy. Even our Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection considers hydrogen to be the “key element for the energy transition.”
American researchers are currently trying to develop a way to extract hydrogen from rocks: in theory, there is an infinite amount of energy in the rocks that people would like to tap into. The research is only just beginning, but the USA is already investing millions of dollars in science.
But there is still one problem: How do you extract the hydrogen and energy from the rock? The first ideas are promising and, above all, cost-effective. Our colleagues at Jeuxvideo.com report on this.
Clean, cheap energy, if you can get the energy from the rock
What kind of rock is this? The so-called “white rock” is rich in natural hydrogen, also known as white hydrogen. This is produced by the reaction of water with iron-rich rock: the iron corrodes and releases hydrogen.
Since this process takes place within the earth’s crust, it has so far only been observed to a very limited extent. However, in 2012, the Canadian company Hydroma confirmed for the first time the existence of this hydrogen, which they now want to use.
This is what the researchers are doing: A geological study by American researchers has found that the Earth’s crust could contain billions of tons of geological hydrogen trapped in water.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is now trying to develop a process to extract white hydrogen from rock. The researchers are still at the beginning of their experiments, but they are promising. And the solution they are aiming for is also cost-effective, as it would require the use of a sophisticated flexible carbon material, the cost of which would be capped at $1.
Other companies are also focusing on selling energy. A large crypto company was affected by the sharp fall in Bitcoin. That is why the company has switched: The company is currently reportedly earning more money with electricity than with Bitcoin: Crypto company lost 70 million euros – now prefers to sell electricity from waste instead of Bitcoins