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[Event Report] “Natural Hydrogen Workshop in Japan”
~ The potential of Natural hydrogen as a new energy source~
[Event Report] “Natural Hydrogen Workshop in Japan”
~ The potential of Natural hydrogen as a new energy source~
February 20, 2025
Revised on February 25, 2025
Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security （JOGMEC）held a "Natural Hydrogen Workshop" on Friday, February 14, 2025, jointly with the Japanese Association for Petroleum Technology and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), with the support of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Through looking at the research results in Japan as well as analyzing leading initiatives in the United States, we discussed the potential of Natural Hydrogen in Japan as a new energy source.
Through looking at the research results in Japan as well as analyzing leading initiatives in the United States, we discussed the potential of Natural Hydrogen in Japan as a new energy source.
Panel discussion
This workshop was held at the University of Tokyo's Haseko-Kuma Hall (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo), and was a hybrid format, both in-person and online. The aim of workshop was to deepen the understanding of natural hydrogen (Note1) , emerging as a promising clean energy source, among stakeholders, by providing a forum for discussion, and promoting collaboration between industry, government, and academia. A total of 475 people from 12 countries participated, including officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, private companies related to energy, universities, and research institutes.
In Part 1, following a guest greeting from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Dr. Geoffrey Ellis, who led the research on the U.S. natural hydrogen potential map released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, Note 2) in January 2025, and Dr. Doug Wicks, who led US$24 million natural hydrogen technology development project in the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E, Note 3) , illustrated the initiatives around natural hydrogen in the United States.
In Part 2, researchers from domestic universities and research institutes introduced the latest research results on the generation and migration mechanisms of natural hydrogen using a variety of approaches, including Japan's unique geological setting, exprimental petrology, oil and natural gas exploration methods, and field survey.
Finally, the panel discussion took place where speakers developed a comprehensive discussion on the potential of natural hydrogen of Japan.
JOGMEC continues to collect and disseminate the latest trends in natural hydrogen and pursue its potential as a new energy source with energy-related companies and universities.
In Part 1, following a guest greeting from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Dr. Geoffrey Ellis, who led the research on the U.S. natural hydrogen potential map released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, Note 2) in January 2025, and Dr. Doug Wicks, who led US$24 million natural hydrogen technology development project in the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E, Note 3) , illustrated the initiatives around natural hydrogen in the United States.
In Part 2, researchers from domestic universities and research institutes introduced the latest research results on the generation and migration mechanisms of natural hydrogen using a variety of approaches, including Japan's unique geological setting, exprimental petrology, oil and natural gas exploration methods, and field survey.
Finally, the panel discussion took place where speakers developed a comprehensive discussion on the potential of natural hydrogen of Japan.
JOGMEC continues to collect and disseminate the latest trends in natural hydrogen and pursue its potential as a new energy source with energy-related companies and universities.
Program of Natural Hydrogen Workshop in JapanPresentation Materials
(Note 1) Natural hydrogen
Natural hydrogen is naturally produced underground. It is also called white hydrogen or gold hydrogen. Compared to artificially produced hydrogen, it is cheaper, less carbon intensive, and less unevenly distributed than fossil fuels. Hydrogen gas with a purity of 97% has been produced from a well in Mali in West Africa and has been in production for more than 10 years as a fuel for power generation, which has become a hot topic, and research and exploration efforts have begun in various countries. Natural hydrogen with a purity of over 90% has already been found in the United States, Australia, France, and other countries.
(Note 2) USGS
USGS is established in 1879 as a scientific research organization under the U.S. Department of the Interior. USGS conduct surveys and researches targeting landscapes, natural resources, and natural hazards in the United States in four major fields: hydrology, biology, geology, and geography. It is also responsible for creating topographic and geological maps of the United States.
(Note 3) ARPA-E
ARPA-E is one of the departments established in 2009 that handles energy technology innovation under the U.S. Department of Energy. Its financial support is focused on projects that are high risks thus difficult to obtain support from other departments within the ministry or investors . ARPA-E Signed an MOU on cooperative exchange with NEDO in October 2023.
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