Monzón sits in the shadows of both the Alps and the Himalayas and has recently experienced a major energy development breakthrough as the first White Hydrogen Field in Europe in the Spanish Pyrenees region. The new energy generation model that Monzón will provide could revolutionize how all of the European Continent generates its energy. Scientists drilled a well called Monzón-1 in the 1960’s and became the first well to document a unique geological phenomenon with pure hydrogen found to have become trapped within sandstone at approximately 3,600 meters below ground level; however, the sandstone was covered by a large body of salt. The discovery was considered a geological anomaly, leading to the eventual abandonment of the area.
The Monzón field gained notoriety in reference to the geological formation
Due to the current global climate, more scientists and companies’ interests in the Monzón field are growing. Helenos Aragon is one of these companies.
Around May 2023, Monzón gained even more attention with recognition as a “project of regional significance.” With that recognition comes attention and funding, with prep work commenced in Monzón-2 with a €12 million investment set to be evaluated in 2025.
As for the first geological evaluations within Monzón, the results indicate about 1.1 million tons of hydrogen and up to 5-10 million tons of hydrogen in the surrounding structures, and estimates put the Aragon region with the potential of over 100 million tons of hydrogen in total.
A 2029 production date
If the expected time of production to be in 2029 is correct, the Monzón field production is estimated to be 55,000-70,000 tons of hydrogen, which accounts for over 10% of the total hydrogen used in Spain. This hydrogen is used within the chemicals, refining, and fertilizer industries, and the excess amounts will be distributed to the surrounding European countries.
White hydrogen VS Green hydrogen: Who comes out on top?
When compared to green hydrogen, which is produced by electrolysis, this technology does not need renewable resources or water, nor does it have interruptions due to intermittent infrastructure.
Being native hydrogen is a significant plus
In fact, this fuel is 50 times less CO2-emitting than grey hydrogen and cleaner than green hydrogen produced through electrolysis, from a lifecycle perspective. It can also support, unlike intermittent renewable energy, 24/7 operation, providing reliable capacity.
Near Monzón, there will only be four production wells and a small processing hub. Its overall land footprint is very small. It is equivalent to around 650 wind turbines. However, this makes the output consistent and does not use water.
The field of Monzón and the impact it will have on the economy
The field of Monzón is going to cost an estimated €800 million and will positively impact the economy and the job market. The construction and operation will produce an estimated 300 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs.
The world is also interested
Other countries are also interested in natural hydrogen resources; Spain is not the only one.
As of 2023, France is the only other EU petrostate, and the only other country in the EU to legislate the extraction of Natural Hydrogen, updating its mining law in April of 2022. Other countries, including the U.S., Australia, and Mali, are also starting to explore similar resources, signaling a global shift to the extraction of the clean energy source now referred to as “white hydrogen.”
Under the modest Pyrenean peaks, which are less voluminous than their Alpine counterparts, a prospective continent‑powering source of low‑carbon energy is located in Monzón. Thanks to the combination of frugal engineering and geological good fortune, Monzón Field could be Europe’s first commercially viable white hydrogen project – provided the country doesn’t impose a cash grab of bureaucracy. With simple wells, a minimal onsite footprint, and the ability to generate ultra-cheap clean energy (€1/kg) 24/7, this mine could soon be energizing entire countries.
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