Geophysics Research Assistant Professor Mengli Zhang is the lead researcher on a $1.5 M hydrogen project recently funded by the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
The grant was awarded as part of a $20 M DOE initiative to fund the exploration of geologic hydrogen. According to the research proposal:
“Addressing the dual challenge of reducing carbon emissions and ensuring energy security is crucial. A promising solution is enhancing net-zero energy supplies, notably through geologic hydrogen. Earth’s subsurface harbors vast hydrogen reserves, both natural and artificially stimulated, especially in ultramafic rocks. This research focuses on creating innovative, cost-effective technologies to identify these rocks and manage hydrogen production processes. By advancing high-performance geophysical techniques, we aim to make hydrogen production more economical, thereby supporting energy security and contributing to a clean energy future.”
Zhang led a team from seven institutions to put together the proposal and secured the entire cost share of over $100k from an aerospace company.
Read more about this hydrogen initiative at the following sources: DOE Press Release; Financial Times article, Mines News Room.
You can also learn more about a USGS-Mines Initiative to explore the potential for hydrogen at this Mines Newsroom story.