Good news for the planet! France may hold the key to a sustainable energy revolution. This is an exceptional discovery that could propel France to the forefront of clean energy. 46 million tonnes of white hydrogen have recently been discovered under the town of Folschviller in the Moselle region. A rare and precious natural resource, valued at €92 billion, which could revolutionise our energy independence and accelerate the ecological transition.

White hydrogen, long considered a geological myth, is now proving to be much more than just a legend. Naturally formed by chemical reactions deep in the earth, it has so far been difficult to locate and exploit. But this discovery is a game changer! It proves that exploitable deposits really do exist in France. These reserves could not only reduce our dependence on foreign hydrocarbons, but also propel France as a major stakeholder in the field of clean energy. A real revolution for our energy future. We explain everything!

A strategic lever for energy sovereignty

France, which currently imports 99% of its natural gas, is heavily dependent on foreign energy sources, with repercussions for the economy and energy stability. The discovery of white hydrogen deposits in Lorraine could change this situation radically.

This deposit would offer increased energy independence thanks to local, stable, and sustainable production. This would reduce our dependence on imports and provide a real shield against fluctuations in gas and oil prices, which affect households and businesses. By becoming a key stakeholder in hydrogen, France could also position itself as a strategic supplier for Europe, a rapidly growing sector in the global energy transition.

This project would also bring considerable local benefits, with thousands of jobs created in the extraction, processing, and distribution of this resource. This industrial revival would stimulate the regional economy and attract investment, placing France at the forefront of clean and sustainable energy.

A revolution for industries and transport

Hydrogen is an essential solution for decarbonising many strategic sectors. This deposit could trigger a true industrial revolution. By replacing gray hydrogen, which is primarily used in the chemical industry, steel production, and refineries, with white hydrogen, we could significantly reduce CO₂ emissions associated with these processes. This transition would contribute to a major reduction in the industry’s carbon footprint.

Even better, white hydrogen could fuel the massive development of clean transportation. With an abundant resource available, it would become possible to democratize the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles, ranging from cars to trucks, trains, and even planes, thus offering an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

Hydrogen would also offer a key solution for storing renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power. This storage would balance the intermittent production of these energies and ensure a stable and continuous supply to the electricity grid, thereby strengthening the country’s energy safety while supporting the energy transition.

A technological and environmental challenge

While this discovery offers fascinating opportunities, it also poses significant challenges. The extraction of white hydrogen will need to be carefully regulated in order to protect groundwater and soil. At the same time, it will be necessary to develop suitable, secure transport and storage infrastructure to manage this new resource. To make this sector competitive with fossil fuels, considerable investment, both public and private, will be required.

While countries like the USA and Australia are already exploring similar deposits, France needs to react quickly. To gain a lasting advantage, it is crucial to quickly structure the sector, stimulate innovation, and support research to meet the energy challenges of tomorrow.

A historic turning point for France’s energy future

This discovery marks a real turning point! White hydrogen offers a promising avenue for accelerating our energy transition, strengthening our independence, and positioning France at the forefront of the clean energy race.

Now, the ball is in the court of public authorities and industry leaders: to turn this opportunity into success by creating modern infrastructure and sustainable economic models.

If this resource is exploited with vision and ambition, it could reinvent the energy future of France, or even Europe. The potential is immense, the energy of the future is now!

At Dav, we know all about hydrogen!

At Davidson, we don’t just talk about it: we take action. Our teams are involved across the entire hydrogen value chain, with specific missions in the industrial, energy, and mobility sectors, such as:

• Technological development: Contribution to R&D on essential components for hydrogen engines, such as turbochargers.

• Analysis and laboratory tests: Conducting physicochemical tests and trials to guarantee the quality and performance of hydrogen solutions.

• Eco-design and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Environmental impact studies to optimise hydrogen integration in industrial processes.

• Engineering and infrastructure: Civil engineering expertise for the development and adaptation of hydrogen infrastructure.

• Safety and compliance: HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) engineering support to ensure high standards in hydrogen production and use.

We are therefore involved in the entire hydrogen value chain, from research to industrialisation, integrating performance, safety, and environmental impact issues.