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Vema Hydrogen Taps Earth's Core for Clean Fuel
3 Feb
Summary
- Vema Hydrogen drills wells to produce hydrogen from iron-rich rocks.
- The company expects to produce hydrogen for under $1 per kilogram.
- This method promises a cleaner and potentially cheaper hydrogen source.
Vema Hydrogen has completed a pilot project in Quebec, demonstrating a novel method for producing hydrogen deep underground. The startup drills wells into regions containing iron-rich rocks, which release hydrogen when treated with water, heat, pressure, and catalysts.
Vema aims to supply industrial users and data centers with this 'engineered mineral hydrogen.' The company projects production costs below $1 per kilogram, potentially becoming cheaper than existing sources like steam reformation of methane, which releases carbon dioxide.
This stimulated geologic hydrogen is considered one of the cleanest sources. Vema plans to drill its first commercial well next year, with projections of future costs falling below 50 cents per kilogram. Their strategy includes drilling near major energy consumers like data centers, with California identified as a key market due to its geological suitability and high demand for decarbonized electricity.
