France has just made a game-changing discovery in the quest for clean energy. Beneath the soil of Folschviller, in the Moselle region, scientists have uncovered a staggering 46 million tons of natural hydrogen—a hidden treasure with the potential to revolutionize the energy transition.
A Chance Discovery with Massive Potential
The discovery, made by researchers from the GeoRessources laboratory and the CNRS, was entirely unexpected. Scientists were initially searching for methane, but what they found instead—buried 1,250 meters underground—was a colossal deposit of natural hydrogen.
To put it into perspective, this find represents over half of the world’s annual production of gray hydrogen, but without the carbon emissions that come with it.
This white hydrogen is different from its well-known green and gray counterparts. It doesn’t require complex industrial production, nor does it generate CO₂ emissions. Instead, it exists naturally beneath the Earth’s surface, waiting to be tapped. If exploited properly, this resource could redefine how we produce and consume energy worldwide.
White Hydrogen: The Missing Piece in the Clean Energy Puzzle
For years, the hydrogen economy has been held back by two major obstacles. The first is the cost and complexity of producing green hydrogen, which requires vast amounts of renewable electricity. The second is the pollution associated with gray hydrogen, which is derived from fossil fuels.
White hydrogen could eliminate these challenges in one stroke. It’s already there, ready to be extracted, offering a clean, low-cost, and highly efficient alternative. No energy-intensive electrolysis, no fossil fuel dependency—just a natural source of power waiting to be unlocked.
The potential is enormous. If similar geological formations exist elsewhere, this could open the door to a global revolution in sustainable energy production. Countries across the world could suddenly have access to a clean fuel source without needing to invest in costly hydrogen production infrastructure.
France’s Strategic Advantage in the Hydrogen Race
Lorraine might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about energy innovation, but this discovery propels the region into the spotlight. Once a hub for coal and steel industries, Lorraine now has a golden opportunity to become a leader in hydrogen production.
The implications are massive. A boom in job creation could emerge, from extraction to hydrogen-based industries. A revival of local economies is possible, transforming abandoned mining areas into energy hubs.
On a national level, France could play a key role in Europe’s energy independence, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. If France moves swiftly, it could lead the charge in white hydrogen production, exporting its expertise and establishing a dominant position in this emerging sector.
Other nations still rely on expensive hydrogen production methods, but France could leap ahead by exploiting its naturally occurring reserves.
Will Other Countries Follow?
France’s find raises a crucial question: how many more hidden hydrogen deposits lie beneath our feet? The discovery in Lorraine suggests that other regions—in Europe and beyond—could also be sitting on untapped hydrogen reserves.
If confirmed, this could trigger a global rush to locate and exploit these underground treasures. Countries investing in geological surveys could unlock their own hydrogen reserves, shifting the balance of energy power and accelerating the move away from fossil fuels.
Those that fail to explore their subterranean resources may find themselves at a disadvantage as white hydrogen reshapes global energy markets.
Science at the Forefront of the Hydrogen Revolution
Beyond its economic and environmental benefits, this discovery represents a major scientific breakthrough. Experts at GeoRessources and the CNRS are already investigating how to safely extract and store natural hydrogen.
The sustainability of these underground reservoirs is also a critical question—scientists want to ensure that these reserves can be used efficiently without depleting them too quickly.
Research is now focused on identifying similar geological formations in other parts of the world. If Lorraine contains such a large amount of white hydrogen, it stands to reason that other locations—perhaps in Europe, Asia, or North America—could hold hidden deposits of their own.
I think the math is $92 billion, not trillion.
There is something wrong with your numbers. The world GDP is a little over 100 trillion US dollars. You report that the volume of the discovery is half of annual hydrogen production, with a worth of 92 trillion; that means that hydrogen alone comprises 180% of world GDP. Nope.
Now we know how France can afford the war they just declared on Russia. France has always had a reputation of letting everyone else fight for them. If they step up first against Russia, it may rally these other cowardly countries to do the same. At this time, everyone seems to be afraid of Russia or afraid of Trump. You allow either to go too far and you’ll regret it. At this point in our history, Russia is Nazi Germany and Trump is Hitler! By the time they realized what Hitler was driving towards, it was too late! How far does Donny Trump have to go folks, before he can’t be laughed off in SNL skits and Jimmy Kimmel monologs?
Guess Trump want France now.
It still easily explodes in air with a spark and burns with an invisible, infrared, flame. Too dangerous for widespread use. Might as well use TNT to fuel cars.
Hey Dougie… Keep Donald out ya mouth before you get your glass jaw shattered
The 92 trillion figure suggests that hydrogen costs 2 million dollars a ton !!!
Someone explain to me please how taking something from the earth is actually good for it and the planet and environment, like I get that we have to survive etc but surely taking from the planet isn’t great for it long term? Surely is further decreasing the life expectancy of Earth?? 🤔 We treat this place like shit enough as it is….
Why is it everywhere else on earth hydrogen cannot exist on its own, but there are these massive underground supplies of hydrogen waiting for the taking. I don’t believe this story. Get it out of the ground and show us you can economically use it and it will be less unbelievable.
Concentration of O2 in atmosphere 20.9% and falling as carbon emissions react with O2 in the air, now we will accelerate the reaction by reacting releasing masses of hydrogen with the oxygen to harmlessly form water, but reducing the oxygen in the air downward toward the 19.5 % which is considered the lower safe breathing limit at which mammals begin to experience ill effects.
Whilst the hydrogen is being removed it could be replaced by co2 storage limiting the amount of land drop due to hydrogen removal. A double tick box!