Interest is growing in stimulated geological hydrogen as its long-term potential to compete with natural, green and blue production routes captures the attention of developers and policymakers.

The process aims to engineer favourable subsurface environments to actively generate hydrogen from reactive rock formations, using stimulation techniques such as thermal, electrical, chemical or mechanical methods.

The US Department of Energy has identified the development of subsurface stimulation technologies as a critical pathway for unlocking geological hydrogen as a scalable, low-emission energy resource.

Initiatives are also underway in Europe and Canada, where both public agencies and private firms are beginning to investigate the feasibility of engineered hydrogen production from ophiolitic and ultramafic rock formations, according to Aliaksei Patonia, research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

Laboratory and pilot-scale results suggest that stimulated production could achieve both low carbon intensity and competitive costs, potentially below $1/kg, Patonia wrote in a recent paper titled ‘Stimulated Geologic Hydrogen Production: State of Play, Challenges, and Key Questions to Ask’.

By creating favourable subsurface environments through engineered stimulation, developers can sidestep the rarity and unpredictability of large-scale native hydrogen accumulations.

“These features position stimulated hydrogen as a potentially serious contender to green and blue hydrogen, particularly where geological conditions are favourable and renewable energy or CCS-based alternatives face scalability or cost barriers. However, these advantages remain theoretical until proven at commercial scale,” the paper said.  Any meaningful contribution to hydrogen supply [is] unlikely before the mid-2030s, it added.

Stimulation methods are at varying technology readiness levels, with electrical reservoir stimulation and advanced weathering enhancement leading in maturity and pilot deployment.

Stimulated production must overcome several key hurdles if it is to take off at scale. Public acceptance must be built up through transparent risk assessments and early stakeholder engagement. This is crucial, as the process can alter geological and hydrological systems, potentially triggering seismic events or mobilising harmful substances.

The market could also stall in the absence of clear certification frameworks,  particularly for carbon intensity. “Aligning production with existing infrastructure and international standards will be critical to building buyer confidence,” the paper said.

Competitiveness will depend on economics, policy and strategic positioning.  “If proven viable, stimulated hydrogen could serve as a stable baseload complement to intermittent renewable hydrogen or as a region-specific solution in areas with favourable geology,” it said.

However, its role will be shaped by falling costs of alternative clean hydrogen production technologies, evolving carbon pricing, streamlined permitting and targeted incentives that influence comparative economics with green and blue hydrogen.

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Author: Stuart Penson