About us
naturalhy is a financial and strategic advisory company in the field of natural hydrogen.
We support the players in this emerging industry in their fundraising efforts and their financial structuring.
naturalhy is a member of earth2, the competitiveness cluster who brings together all the natural hydrogen experts in France and Europe.
Four words characterize our philosophy : boots on the ground !
We strictly believe in the truth of the field and we are convinced that grassroots initiatives are what allows an industry to flourish, not the other way around. Bottom-up is our mantra. Therefore, we position ourselves at the heart of the natural hydrogen ecosystem by meeting, discussing and dealing with those who shape the sector.
We are at the forefront, alongside the pioneers of natural hydrogen, these agile and dynamic players who work every day to make this energy revolution a reality.
Christophe HECKER is a claimed autodidact. He began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 22, in the financial sector, where he worked for over 15 years. He then embraced the role of Head of Communication and Development at M&A firm CAIRUS, helping to expand its operations throughout France.
Alongside his professional activities, Christophe has been passionate about energy since 2014 when he published the book “Shale gas and oil: global revolution and French denial” in which he anticipated the energy revolution induced of the unconventional hydrocarbons in the United States, making this country the leading oil producer in the world and a leading gas exporter. In 2015, the book won the special jury prize of the “Turgot-Les Echos” Prize, which rewards the best economic essay each year.
Fascinated by the strategic dimension of the energy sector on economic, geopolitical and environmental levels, Christophe is convinced, from the early stage of natural hydrogen, that this resource will constitute the next energy revolution and that it will be the keystone of an energy transition that has become essential.
NATURAL HYDROGEN
I believe that water will one day be used as fuel, that hydrogen and oxygenwhich constitute it, used alone or together, will provide an inexhaustible source of heat and light, of an intensity of which coal is not capable.”
What is hydrogen?
An odorless
and colorless gas
The lightest chemical element in the Universe, present in abundance
A higher energy density (by mass) than fossil fuels
A fuel used for rockets due to its high energy power
As part of the energy transition and the net zero target in 2050, hydrogen is identified as a strategic energy to partially replace fossil fuels.
83 countries around the world have adopted national plans for hydrogen. This represents 91% of the world population, 98% of world GDP, 94% of CO2 emissions.
An imperfect production yet
Currently, the hydrogen consumed around the world is a “manufactured” product, resulting from industrial processes that emit a lot of CO2 (gray and blue hydrogen) or are very expensive (green hydrogen).
Hydrogen production therefore has a cost:
both economically and environmentally.
1,75 € / kg
3 € / kg
Natural hydrogen :
the game changer
Until very recently, hydrogen had to be produced (gray, blue, green), it was commonly believed that it was not possible to find it in its natural state.
This certainty is undermined by the recent discovery, in different places around the world, of hydrogen in its molecular form. Just as our subsoil contains fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil, it is now known that it also contains hydrogen in its natural state and potentially in substantial quantities.
Natural hydrogen is therefore not only innovative but also clean and economically viable with a cost 8 times lower than for green hydrogen.
By radyolysis of water
By emitting radiation, certain radioactive elements naturally present in the earth's crust – such as uranuim or thorium – would cause radiolysis of water (H2O), which would then separate into dihydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2).
By cracking
Under particular temperature and pressure conditions, the long molecules of organic matter could decompose to generate molecules of dihydrogen in particular.
By serpentization
Contained in certain minerals – such as olivine, pyroxene, etc. – of the earth's mantle, ferrous iron (Fe2+) could oxidize on contact with rain or sea water. This reaction would produce, among other things, ferric iron (Fe3+) and dihydrogen (H2).
By diffusion
“Primordial” hydrogen could have been stored in the Earth’s core since its formation, in a stable form called “hydride”, linked to other elements! It would slowly degas its way to the surface.
A global quest
- - United States,
- – Australia,
- - France
- - Spain.
- – South America,
- – West Africa,
- – Southern Africa.
The discovery of natural hydrogen as a new energy source has triggered exploration campaigns in various places around the world.
These projects are led by innovative and pioneering companies wishing to play a major role in the energy transition.
The barriers to entry to becoming a player in this industry are considerable. They require expertise and resources similar to the oil and gas industry.
CURRENT EXPLORATION PROJECTS
