Surveys by Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) have revealed elevated hydrogen concentrations in the Tumut region and western New South Wales (NSW).
This discovery could play a pivotal role in accelerating the nation’s energy transition and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Hydrogen has long been hailed as one of the true clean energy solutions, producing only water and oxygen when burned.
Traditionally, its production — either through steam reforming of natural gas or water electrolysis — has been energy-intensive and costly.
For hydrogen to be a truly green alternative, steam reforming requires carbon capture and storage, while electrolysis relies on renewable electricity.
Natural hydrogen, on the other hand, bypasses these hurdles by being extracted directly from the Earth.
Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy 2024 highlighted the potential of natural hydrogen as a direct energy source.
By exploring natural hydrogen, Australia could unlock a resource that aligns with its ambitious net-zero carbon goals.
The Tumut region emerged as one of the most promising sites for natural hydrogen exploration, recording soil hydrogen concentrations up to 309.5 ppm.
According to a report jointly released by GA and GSNSW, these values are comparable to, and sometimes exceed, levels reported in those globally recognised hydrogen hotspots, such as the Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia and areas in Namibia.
The geology around Tumut, characterised by serpentinization peridotites, plays a critical role.
These rocks undergo a process called serpentinization, which enhances porosity and permeability, making them ideal reservoirs for hydrogen storage.
The Tumut findings highlight a unique combination of geological features — from deeply dipping faults to varied rock types — that facilitate hydrogen migration to the surface.
These attributes make the region a high-priority target for further exploration.
In western NSW, findings were less conclusive, with only three sites — Anabranch North, Hawsons, and Menindee — showing detectable hydrogen concentrations above the baseline.
The lower levels, ranging from 5.8 to 15.5 ppm, suggest restricted upward migration or less favourable geological conditions. Despite these limitations, clusters like Anabranch North and Hawsons revealed links between hydrogen presence and specific geological formations, offering some prospects for deeper resource exploration.
The hydrogen concentrations detected in NSW align with international benchmarks.
For instance, Namibia’s natural hydrogen fields report values around 392 ppm, while Western Australia’s Yilgarn Craton has recorded concentrations up to 447 ppm.
Such comparisons reinforce the viability of Australia’s natural hydrogen resources and underline the importance of geological factors like serpentinization ultramafic rocks.
However, elevated hydrogen in soil gas serves primarily as a qualitative indicator.
It signals potential underground reserves but does not guarantee commercial viability.
According to the report, further exploration and detailed studies are crucial to understanding the size and scope of these resources.
The surveys also detected helium, another valuable resource, particularly in western NSW.
The Tumut area recorded helium concentrations as high as 35.3 ppm, comparable to major helium-producing regions such as the Bush Dome fields in the United States.
Helium, with applications ranging from medical imaging to space exploration, represents an additional incentive for explorers.
According to Resources Minister Madeleine King, hydrogen has significant importance to Australia resource sector, and she describes it as an “enormous opportunity”.
John Graham, Acting NSW Minister for Natural Resources, said in a statement the report grows the wealth of knowledge about NSW’s geological potential, as well as peoples’ understanding of natural hydrogen and helium.
“Natural hydrogen has potential as a new energy source and can support the economy’s shift to a net-zero future,” Graham said.
This article featured in the Feburary edition of ecogeneration.
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