| TECHNOLOGICAL MATURITY LEVEL
IDEA
Unproven concept, no testing has been performed
BASIC RESEARCH
You can now describe the need(s) but have no evidence
TECHNOLOGY FORMULATION
Concept and application have been formulated
Concept Validation
You have an initial offering: stakeholders like your slideware
SMALL SCALE PROTOTYPE
Built in a laboratory environment (ugly' prototype)
LARGE SCALE PROTOTYPE
Tested in intended environment
Pilot System
Tested in intended environment close to expected performance
DEMONSTRATION SYSTEM
Operating in operational environment at pre commercial scale
FIRST OF A KIND COMMERCIAL SYSTEM
All technical processes and systems to support commercial activity in ready state
FULL COMMERCIAL APPLICATION
Technology on general availability for all consumers
| 0 | Discovery of H2 at the Earth surface | Done |
| 1 | Systematic investigation of H₂ seepages across diverse geological settings | Done |
| 2 | Short-term site monitoring | Done for 2-3 sites |
| 3 | Understanding of the origin of H2 | Done for 2-3 sites |
| 4 | Small-scale prototype of continuous H₂ fluxes / Numerical modeling of seepage dynamics | In Progress in Academia |
| 5 | Medium-scale prototype (1200 m): sustained demonstration over several years | Hydroma (Mali) |
| 6 | First deep borehole (3000-5000 m) | Natural Hydrogen energy LLC Desert Mountain Energy |
| 7 | Pre-commercial regional plan with delineation and multiple boreholes | In progress Santos (Australia) |
| 8 | Scale-up of initial discovery for production | Pending |
| 9 | Commercial-scale deployment | Pending |
Representation of the technology maturity level of natural hydrogen, from discovery to commercial application, with current examples of progress worldwide. Source: (Prinzhofer et al., 2023)
| LAND MAP
Potential Area
Study Areas 2024
Maps of Colombia showing the potential area for natural hydrogen and the areas prioritized for geological and exploratory studies in 2024. Source: (ANH, 2024)
| STUDY PATHWAY
Review of existing information
Satellite Image Analysis
Collection of regional information
Analysis of subsoil characteristics
Fieldwork
Integration of information
Identification of Priority Areas
Maps of Colombia showing the potential area for natural hydrogen and the areas prioritized for geological and exploratory studies in 2024. Source: (ANH, 2024)
.General
Global distribution of natural hydrogen discoveries (H₂ > 10%) according to their form of existence and geological setting. Source: (Zgonnik, 2020)
Several studies have shown that molecular hydrogen is much more present in the Earth's subsurface than previously thought. Hydrogen can be found in three main forms in continental geological systems, depending on the environment and processes involved.
Free Gas
Natural gas burning continuously in Turkey, with 7.5-11.3% Hydrogen; active for more than 2500 years and associated with the origin of the first Olympic flame. Source: (Zgonnik, 2020)
Molecular hydrogen in a gaseous state that migrates and accumulates in cavities, faults or permeability zones, manifesting itself in natural upwellings or seeps.
Inclusion in Rock
Photomicrographs of fluid inclusions in olivine crystals, where molecular hydrogen (H₂) may be trapped as gas in primary or secondary inclusions, the product of deep geological processes. Source: (Grozeva et al., 2020)
Hydrogen trapped in gaseous inclusions within minerals or rocks, generated and retained by deep geological processes.
Dissolved in Groundwater
Types of aquifers according to atmospheric pressure. Source: (Martínez et al., 2006)
Hydrogen in solution within aquifers, commonly associated with geothermal systems.
Bibliographic References
- Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos. (2024). Estudios ANH - Vicepresidencia Técnica Divulgación y Apropiación del Conocimiento - Check this reference here
- Grozeva, N. G., Klein, F., Seewald, J. S., & Sylva, S. P. (2020). Chemical and isotopic analyses of hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions in olivine-rich rocks. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 378(2165), 20180431 - Check this reference here
- Martínez, P., Martínez, P., y Castaño, S. (2006). Fundamento de Hidrogeología. Madrid: Ediciones Mundiprensa. ISBN: 84-8476-239-4 - Check this reference here
- Prinzhofer, A., Deville, E., Pironon, J., Dymant, P., Cabaud, O., Truche, L., & otros. (2023). The place of natural hydrogen in the energy transition: A position paper. Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 355, 101303 - Check this reference here
- Zgonnik, V. (2020). The occurrence and geoscience of natural hydrogen: A comprehensive review. Earth-Science Reviews, 203, 103140 - Check this reference here