Let’s talk about hydrogen, the lesser-discussed energy source that could redefine the industry as we know it. It is so seldom spoken of that few know there are actually multiple “types” of hydrogen, classified by color. Two of those are green and white. Green often enters into the clean energy discussion and refers to hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources, which is clean and sustainable but not exactly cheap or easy to scale. White, on the other hand, involves tapping into naturally occurring hydrogen deposits, a far more cost-effective and immediate source of clean energy. The only caveat? Finding enough of it.
So why the focus on green and white? Because most are focused on “green” hydrogen. But not all. PureWave Hydrogen is one of the companies with its eyes on naturally occurring hydrogen. In fact, they’re not just looking, they’re betting big. And it’s all happening right here in the U.S., specifically in geologically promising zones like Kansas’ Mid-Continent Rift.
“We believe North America presents significant potential for naturally occurring hydrogen resources,” remarks Bruce Nurse, the founder and director at PureWave Hydrogen. “But at this time, our focus is on the United States.”
And Kansas is just the start. The net is much wider, with PureWave using geological models to scout other U.S. regions that might hold hydrogen deposits. It’s a big country, and they plan to find out just how much untapped hydrogen potential is out there.
Behind the scenes, it’s not just about exploration. PureWave is partnering up with serious players to get the job done. Among their partners is SnowFox Discovery, known for its expertise in natural hydrogen systems. Not only does the company bring a deep understanding of hydrogen science, but it is combined with decades of exploration know-how.
According to Nurse, they are also collaborating with “geological consultants from academia and the oil and gas industry” to bring together a team capable of enhancing their exploration capabilities.
“In terms of public support, we are actively exploring opportunities to leverage government programs and grants that focus on green energy innovation and hydrogen technology development,” continued Nurse.
That doesn’t mean they are putting all hope into government support or grants. PureWave is actively gathering capital with a strategy that will take place in phases. They’ve already got backing from private investors who see potential, and as the exploration scales up, so will their funding strategy.
But even with partnerships and funding, the big question still remains — how are they going to find and extract this hydrogen? The short answer: cutting-edge tech.
Imagine taking oil and gas exploration techniques but tweaking them for hydrogen. That’s essentially what PureWave is doing, with the added bonus of proprietary software that “filters through vast amounts of geological and geophysical data, looking for specific markers that signal the presence of hydrogen.” And the secret weapon? As is often the case these days, it’s AI.
“We leverage an internal AI system that acts as a powerful research tool, allowing us to explore regions of interest with remarkable precision,” explains Nurse. “The AI analyzes various factors such as geological formations, historical data, and other subsurface indicators to enhance our understanding and guide our exploration efforts.”
By combining the traditional with the technological, they can zero in on regions that are most likely to hold significant hydrogen deposits.
Of course, this is about more than just finding the hydrogen. The goal is to do it sustainably, with the idea that natural hydrogen could be a cleaner, greener alternative to traditional fossil fuels. If PureWave is right, it could cause a massive change not only for energy production but also for the environment.
