A team of University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers is on the cusp of a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the energy landscape. They are investigating the Midcontinent Rift, a 1,200-mile-long geological scar running beneath the North American continent, for its potential to produce vast amounts of clean hydrogen energy. If found conclusive, the energy source could power up the globe for over 1,200 years.

"Hydrogen is a key player in our transition away from fossil fuels," said Seunghee Kim, a civil engineering professor at UNL and one of the project's lead investigators. "Unlike oil and gas, which take millions of years to form, hydrogen is constantly being renewed underground."

This ancient rift was formed over a billion years ago when the continent nearly split in two, is a treasure trove of volcanic rock. When water interacts with this rock, it can naturally produce hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel with zero carbon emissions.  

The rift extends from Lake Superior and goes through parts of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska as far south as Kansas. To assess the rift's hydrogen potential, researchers drilled a test well in Nebraska five years ago. The preliminary data is highly promising, suggesting that the rift's unique geological conditions may trap significant amounts of hydrogen.

The government is exploring hydrogen as a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels. A US Department of Energy (DOE) project in Texas is currently evaluating the production and use of hydrogen, which is already powering some vehicles.  

While hydrogen is considered cleaner than many traditional fuels, its production often involves the use of fossil fuels, which can harm the environment. However, a process called electrolysis, which uses renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, offers a more environmentally friendly production method. When hydrogen is produced naturally underground, there are no environmental concerns associated with its production.  

Despite its potential, hydrogen has faced criticism from environmental groups like the Sierra Club. They point out that burning hydrogen releases nitrogen oxide, a pollutant that can harm lung health. However, the DOE states that the nitrogen oxide emissions from burning hydrogen are comparable to those from burning natural gas. Furthermore, the DOE emphasizes that using hydrogen in fuel cells produces zero pollution.  

While the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that vast quantities of hydrogen exist within the Earth's crust, much of it is inaccessible. The Midcontinent Rift, however, presents a unique opportunity for sustainable hydrogen production.  

The UNL team is now delving deeper, exploring crucial questions such as:

Hyun-Seob Song, an associate professor of biological systems engineering, will develop computational models to analyze the complex interplay of these factors.

This project is funded by the National Science Foundation and builds upon previous research conducted at the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research. The findings have significant implications for global energy production and could pave the way for a future powered by clean, renewable hydrogen.