Imagine a region that is responsible for 77% of its country’s territory, but still has an extremely low population density. Perhaps the average January temperatures of almost -40°C have something to do with it? Well, these favorable geological conditions have led to 250,000,000 tons of something that can power the entire world. It is stranger than fiction, and it is all hidden under this ocean. Thank goodness someone braved the cold to make the discovery!

A region colder than ice but with a massive reserve

The population is growing, and energy demands are skyrocketing. Unfortunately, as of 2021, 82% of primary energy use is accounted for by fossil fuels, as per Visual Capitalist. Examples of fossil fuels are oil, coal, and natural gas, which all have severe carbon emissions and thus are big contributors to global warming. That being said, mankind has been searching for suitable, eco-friendly alternatives.

Enter renewable energy sources. These sources are advantages, as they naturally replenish and have low or nearly zero carbon emissions. One source in particular has been making pioneering changes in the industry, and recently, a massive natural reserve has been discovered in Siberia. According to Energy Reporters, this reserve is set to revolutionize the global energy dynamics.

A massive reserve that can power the entire world

The discovery of this massive reserve was announced at an international conference in Moscow. The company behind the discovery confirmed the kick-off of a broad research program that will be extracting this valuable renewable source from Siberian soils. The consequences of the discovery are invaluable, as it promises a future filled with a more cost-effective and bountiful energy soruce.

The company called Gazprom Hydrogen will be responsible for extracting the highly sought-after hydrogen, more specifically, white hydrogen. It is crucial to understand the difference between white hydrogen and “normal” hydrogen, as one is polluting and the other is not. Since 2020, Gazprom has been researching the Kovykta field and obtained samples from numerous wells, which have confirmed the presence of white hydrogen in the local reservoir.

According to FCW, the Kovykta field is a one-of-a-kind geological site. It comprises 1.8 trillion cubic meters of recoverable gas reserves and 65.7 million tons of gas condensate reserves. Methods that have been previously used to separate helium will now be adapted to extract the hydrogen. The gas layers in the Kovykta field are a mixture of:

  • hydrocarbons
  • hydrogen
  • methane
  • nitrogen
  • helium
  • other gases

Implications of the massive reserve discovery

According to reports from CNN, Siberia’s white hydrogen reserve could potentially vary from 6,000,000 to 250,000,000 metric tons. While the reserve will be celebrated for its potential contribution to mitigating climate change, it could also disrupt the global geopolitical balance. We find ourselves spectators to a global race where nations rush to diversify their power sources with sustainable energy and to gain an edge in the market.

Securing a stable supply of white hydrogen can also be seen as a strategic advantage, especially with its positive contribution to a wide range of applications, which include but are not limited to:

  • Transportation
  • Power production
  • Grid stability
  • Heavy-duty applications
  • Feedstock
  • Heating
  • Aerospace
  • Healthcare sector

Siberia’s massive white hydrogen reserve in the Kovykta field may definitely redefine international relations and energy strategies, and place Russia at the front in the global race. But the overall implications are what is key, and that is that white hydrogen is an economical and efficient energy source. Should Gazprom make it more valuable discernments and extract the resource successfully, the global energy sector will be revolutionized. Soon, we good be bidding goodbye to fossil fuels for good, and finally mitigate the dire effects of climate change.

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