what is white hydrogen?

White hydrogen is “a gas naturally present under our feet, from a few hundred to a few thousand meters deep”explains journalist Saada Soubanepresent on the 20 Heures set, Tuesday December 5. “It is a gas which is clean, that is to say it does not contribute to global warming, unlike the hydrogen which we already use, which is artificial and the manufacture of which is very polluting”she continues.

A first exploration permit signed in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques

“White hydrogen is natural. It is created when water comes into contact with rocks which are ferrous. A chemical reaction then takes place: the water becomes “H”, that is to say hydrogen. This molecule is a natural gas that operators want to be able to extract from French soil by drilling into the subsoil.specifies the journalist. “A first exploration permit has just been signed in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Another should follow in the Great Eastbut there are other deposits”adds Saada Soubane. It indicates that white hydrogen could create electricity to power our railways or become a fuel to fly our planes, but that its exploitation is nevertheless polluting.

Among our sources

France Hydrogen

CNRS

Loïc Bonifacio Trainer on hydrogen issues, ESTACA

Isabelle Moretti Member of the Academy of Technologies, energy center & culture center, specialist in energy mix

French energy

Press articles: Les Echos, Science et vie, France Bleu, L’Express, La Tribune, Actu Environnement

Non-exhaustive list