2023-07-22 05:25:48
Geologists this week probed the rock of the Val d’Hérens and the Val d’Anniviers, in Valais, in the hope of finding natural hydrogen. This renewable energy might replace more polluting gases such as kerosene. This is a first in French-speaking Switzerland.
After the natural hydrogen found in Graubünden this spring, geologists hope to find it in Valais rock. “There, under these rocks, we have serpentine. These rocks have produced hydrogen in the past. Can they produce it today? This is the question we will try to solve”, explained this week to RTS Eric Gaucher, geologist and general manager of Lavoisier H2, a start-up specializing in the search for natural hydrogen.
Along with other scientists, he is searching for what might be the new clean, renewable energy source that many have been waiting for to replace polluting gases like kerosene.
>> Read also: Switzerland embarks on the search for natural hydrogen in alpine rock
New source of energy
Tracking down this resource is of interest to more and more geologists. “Natural hydrogen has the potential to become an important new source of energy for the whole world”, rejoices Geoffrey S.Ellis, geochemist and member of the US Geological Survey.
“It’s true that with hydrogen, we can do a lot of things. We can burn it to produce energy, we can use it to make fertilizers, we can use it in the chemical industry, and we can also use it in mobility”, abounds Eric Gaucher.
It only discharges water
For 15 years, Jean-François Weber’s engineering company has been focusing on hydrogen. “You use it in a fuel cell and it helps to propel the trucks. We generate electricity which then goes into the electric motors,” he explains. Before continuing: “We can do a lot of things with hydrogen. And this, without polluting, because it only releases water.”
Natural hydrogen therefore brings hope to the world of industry. “Now, you have to know if it’s in sufficiently high volumes so that we can use it profitably”, underlines Jean-François Weber.
The polls conducted in recent days are promising. The scientists will therefore continue their research, but it will be necessary to wait several years before being able to exploit the natural hydrogen of Valais.
Camille Lanci/fgn
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