Hydrogen has emerged as a cornerstone of the global energy transition, offering a clean and efficient alternative to fossil fuels that can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Traditionally, hydrogen has been produced through industrial methods such as steam methane reforming (SMR) and water electrolysis. While SMR is cost-effective and scalable, it produces substantial CO₂ emissions that offset hydrogen's potential as a clean energy source. In contrast, although electrolysis powered by renewable sources yields “green hydrogen” with no carbon emissions, its high cost limits large-scale adoption.

Geological hydrogen, naturally generated within the Earth through various processes such as serpentinization and radiolysis, offers a promising pathway toward sustainable hydrogen production. Unlike these industrial methods, geological hydrogen can provide a low-emission, self-renewing energy resource.

In contrast to oil and gas, which are found only in specific geological settings, the sources of geological hydrogen are surprisingly widespread. These include regions with mafic and ultramafic rocks, such as ancient cratons and rift zones like the Midcontinent Rift in the United States, where hydrogen is naturally generated through serpentinization. Other promising environments include iron-rich sedimentary basins, such as the Michigan Basin and France’s Paris Basin, as well as ophiolitic complexes like those found in Oman. Together, these diverse settings suggest that geological hydrogen may offer a new pathway to clean, abundant, and potentially low-cost energy. 

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Michigan ranks among the most promising regions in the United States for natural hydrogen accumulation, coinciding with the Midcontinent Rift System (MCR). The rift’s deep mafic and ultramafic formations, enriched in iron, provide ideal conditions for hydrogen generation through serpentinization.

Leveraging this unique geological framework within the MCR, we are investigating hydrogen flux, migration pathways, and detection methods by integrating surface-measured hydrogen with geophysical and geological datasets. To advance this effort, we are establishing a dedicated pilot facility at Michigan Tech's Ford Center to develop best practices for hydrogen measurement, detection, and leakage prevention under controlled field conditions.