Enhanced Geothermal and Hydrogen Energy Production  

To understand better the environmental challenges facing Louisiana requires some knowledge of existing and proposed energy sources. Media coverage recently has explored particular cleaner energy sources that could help meet national and global goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  

Research and development continue to focus on solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy or waste options. Added to the list of emerging cleaner energy sources have been enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and forms of hydrogen fuel production. These two energy alternatives will have significant economic and environmental impacts for the future of Louisiana, and I’ll try to summarize these potentials for those who might not be that aware of these alternatives.     

Traditional geothermal energy sources lie at or close to the earth’s surface. EGS techniques involve the injection of fluids deep underground, causing pre-existing fractures there to expand and geothermal reservoirs to be created. EGS has attracted significant attention from both the scientific community and major corporate players. Despite geothermal energy now representing less than 1% of U.S. electricity production, the Biden Administration and key industry leaders such as Chevron are making substantial investments in EGS and envisioning it as a linchpin of our energy future. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Program is supported by the DOE’s national laboratories and conducts developmental projects throughout the country.   

The further development of EGS is an opportunity for the often-criticized oil and gas industry to contribute its drilling technology and expertise. With the knowledge and skills of many past and current industry employees, the industry is well positioned to pursue cleaner geothermal resources. EGS employs many of the same drilling technologies as oil and gas, but geothermal wells are completed differently. 

The possibility for profitable extraction of rare minerals from geothermal wells offers an additional economic impact for this technology. EGS can facilitate more integration with other energy technologies, such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) as well as hydrogen fuel production. 

There remain obstacles for ERG potentials, including its production costs. Further technology advancements will be needed to increase EGS efficiency. Concerns have also been raised about the seismic risks of earthquakes associated with these techniques, like those occasionally experienced with hydraulic fracking for oil and gas. 

The development of hydrogen fuel production offers some similar and some different potentials as EGS. Various initiatives worldwide are showcasing hydrogen's potential and renewing interest in what can be a low- or zero-emission fuel. Hydrogen reserves have been found hundreds of feet below the Earth's surface in specific locations in the USA, France, Eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, Oman, and Mali. These "white” or natural hydrogen reserves can be contrasted to other forms of hydrogen production.  

Hydrogen fuel can be produced in various ways, and colors have been associated with specific hydrogen production approaches. More common types of hydrogen production are gray, blue, and green. Green hydrogen does not result in greenhouse gas emissions and uses renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. This process uses an electrolyzer to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Gray hydrogen is produced from natural gas through a process called steam methane reforming, but this emits a significant amount of carbon dioxide. Blue hydrogen is also produced from natural gas, but it uses carbon dioxide capture and storage techniques to try to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.  

The Biden-Harris Administration announced in 2023 a substantial investment of $7 billion to establish seven regional clean hydrogen hubs across the United States. One of these is the Gulf States Hub, based in Houston. The seven hubs are supposed to accelerate the adoption of low-cost, cleaner hydrogen, bolster domestic manufacturing, and create a sustainable and thriving economy while ensuring a healthier environment. 

Air Products is building a $4.5 billion blue hydrogen plant in Ascension Parish which will produce low-carbon hydrogen for the Gulf Coast region and beyond. The facility is expected to capture and sequester 95% of its carbon dioxide emissions.  

Plans are also underway for green hydrogen production in Louisiana. Called H2theFuture, a coalition of many companies has already secured a $50 million grant from the federal government towards research and development, workforce training, and business development to accelerate hydrogen projects in the state.   

Challenges exist for hydrogen fuel usage related to its distribution and storage. H2MOF, a pioneering California startup, is making strides in the field of hydrogen storage with the development of new types of tanks constructed from cutting-edge nanomaterials. With a focus on affordability and safety, the company aims to provide an efficient storage solution for heavy-duty vehicle makers looking to incorporate zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell technology. 

Active research and commercial testing of various cleaner energy sources, including EGS and hydrogen potentials, are vitally important. Over time, we must find mixes of different energy options that better satisfy changing environmental, energy, and economic demands.  

For those of you who might like to learn more about cleaner energy sources, as well as technological advances in coping with climate change and environmental degradation, there are many useful online media resources. Perhaps the one that I’ve followed the most lately has been The Cool Down (https://www.thecooldown.com/