Alaska geologist Mark Myers believes the state’s untapped natural hydrogen reserves could be the key to a sustainable energy future. Supported by discoveries in Mali and South Australia, Myers hopes to uncover significant hydrogen deposits in Alaska’s unique geology. This article explores the potential of this carbon-free energy source and the efforts to map and explore these hidden reserves. Hydrogen economy and geothermal energy could transform Alaska’s energy landscape.
Uncovering Alaska’s Untapped Hydrogen Potential
Mark Myers, a veteran of Alaska’s oil industry and former U.S. Geological Survey director, has set his sights on a new energy source that could revolutionize the state’s future: natural, underground hydrogen reservoirs. Inspired by the discovery of hydrogen-rich wells in Mali and South Australia, Myers is determined to explore whether similar deposits exist in Alaska’s unique geologic landscape.
Alaska’s location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, with its active tectonic subduction zones, has created a unique geology that could be a prime candidate for natural hydrogen formation. Myers believes the state’s serpentinite rock formations, which are often found in these subduction zones, could harbor significant hydrogen reserves that could potentially fuel a new clean energy industry.
Mapping Alaska’s Hydrogen Potential
To uncover these potential hydrogen reserves, Myers is working closely with the U.S. Geological Survey to develop a comprehensive model that can guide future exploration efforts. This model will build on the findings from other regions, such as the hydrogen-rich wells in Mali that have been powering a village’s electricity since 2012.
The team is also looking to the Great Plains and Atlantic coastal plain regions of the continental U.S. as promising areas for natural hydrogen deposits. By replicating this mapping process for Alaska, Myers hopes to pinpoint the most promising locations for further geologic fieldwork and drilling tests to determine the extent and viability of the state’s hydrogen resources.
Transitioning Alaska to a Post-Fossil Fuel Future
Myers’ pursuit of natural hydrogen is driven by his deep concern for the impact of fossil fuels on the global climate. As someone who has spent decades in Alaska’s oil and gas industry, he recognizes the critical need to transition the state away from its reliance on coal, oil, and gas.
“How is Alaska going to make the energy transition? What is it going to look like in the post-fossil fuel world?” These questions have become the driving force behind Myers’ work, as he seeks to find a sustainable energy solution that can power Alaska’s future. If successful, the tapping of natural hydrogen reserves could provide a clean, abundant, and locally-sourced energy source to fuel the state’s electricity, transportation, and industry, helping it lead the way in the transition to a carbon-free future.
