GeoKiln produces zero‑emission hydrogen by heating iron‑rich rock formations deep underground, triggering natural serpentinization reactions that generate hydrogen in situ. Their patented Manufactured Subsurface Hydrogen (MSSH) process uses off‑the‑shelf drilling and thermal stimulation equipment, delivering hydrogen at a target cost of $1.50 per kilogram with 75 % lower energy use than green hydrogen. This approach offers a scalable, cost‑competitive alternative to traditional grey and green hydrogen production.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Current hydrogen production methods are either carbon-intensive, such as grey hydrogen from fossil fuels, or require large amounts of renewable electricity, making green hydrogen costly and energy‑inefficient. This limits the scalability and economic viability of a clean hydrogen economy.
Solution
GeoKiln’s patented Manufactured Subsurface Hydrogen (MSSH) technology creates hydrogen directly within iron‑rich rock formations deep underground. Electric heaters are inserted into the rock, triggering natural serpentinization reactions that generate hydrogen in situ. The gas migrates to a surface well where it is collected without the need for fracking or added water. By leveraging existing oil‑and‑gas drilling and thermal stimulation infrastructure, the process aims to produce hydrogen at approximately $1.50 per kilogram while using about 15 kWh per kilogram—roughly 75 % less energy than conventional green hydrogen production. The approach delivers a controllable, emissions‑free hydrogen source that can be scaled using proven subsurface engineering techniques.
Target Audience
Primary customers are industrial energy users, utility companies, and large‑scale hydrogen distributors seeking low‑cost, carbon‑free hydrogen, as well as developers of hydrogen‑based transportation and chemical processes.
Features
- Electric heating elements deployed in deep iron‑rich formations to initiate serpentinization reactions
- Subsurface generation of hydrogen eliminates surface processing, water use, and fracking
- Utilizes off‑the‑shelf drilling and thermal stimulation hardware common in the oil and gas industry
- Patented MSSH process provides a controllable, repeatable production cycle with real‑time monitoring
- Targeted production cost of $1.50 /kg and energy consumption of 15 kWh/kg, significantly lower than green hydrogen benchmarks
- Integrated surface collection system that captures hydrogen directly from the producer well for immediate use or storage