News

Gold Hydrogen as a Fossil Fuel Substitute

28 September 2024 | CIC

Gold Hydrogen as a Fossil Fuel Substitute

Hello chemical engineering and food engineering students!

Do you know about energy independence and gold hydrogen as a fossil fuel substitute? For those who are not familiar with gold hydrogen as a fossil fuel substitute, you can read this article to enhance your knowledge about gold hydrogen as a fossil fuel substitute. Is it really important? Of course,The important matter of this is we must consistently improve our knowledge of chemical engineering.


We know that hydrogen has an important role in our lives, because it can replace fossil fuels that harm the environment, hydrogen is known as an environmentally friendly fuel that can be found everywhere, this hydrogen has several types such as gray hydrogen, pink hydrogen, blue hydrogen, green hydrogen, and the latest is golden hydrogen or also known as white hydrogen. These are some types of hydrogen that are processed and obtained in various ways. 


Hydrogen is categorized into several types, primarily based on its production process, function and occurrence of Each Type. First is gray hydrogen made from natural gas, releases CO₂. These hydrogen are widely used in industrial processes but harmful due to high carbon emissions. Next is blue hydrogen similar to gray but captures CO₂ emissions. Functions as a bridge between fossil fuels and green energy by reducing emissions, often found in countries investing in carbon capture technology. Green Hydrogen produced from water using renewable energy, with zero emissions. Green hydrogen is the most environmentally friendly, commonly used in transportation, energy storage, and industry, found wherever renewable energy sources like wind or solar are abundant. Then pink hydrogen that was made using nuclear energy. Pink hydrogen is used where nuclear energy is available and offers steady production capacity. Last but not least is gold hydrogen. Let me introduce you to gold hydrogen, also known as white hydrogen, refers to naturally occurring hydrogen found in underground deposits. Unlike other hydrogen types that are produced industrially, gold hydrogen is discovered in nature, potentially providing a cleaner, more efficient source of energy. Gold hydrogen can be used as a clean energy source directly from nature, found in specific geological formations worldwide.


If you wonder if gold hydrogen is environmentally friendly or not, let me explain to you. Gold hydrogen is considered environmentally friendly since it doesn't require energy-intensive production processes and doesn’t produce CO₂ emissions. Its potential as a clean energy source could support global energy transition goals, though the extraction methods must be carefully managed to avoid environmental disruption.


How to Extract Gold Hydrogen? Gold hydrogen is extracted through drilling, similar to how natural gas or oil is harvested. However, new methods may be developed to ensure minimal environmental impact and efficient capture of naturally occurring hydrogen without damaging ecosystems.

Discovery of Gold Hydrogen Potential in The World

In October 2023, researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research identified a vast natural hydrogen reservoir in the Lorraine coal basin of northeastern France. This significant discovery is estimated to contain about 250 million tonnes of hydrogen, potentially providing nearly as much energy as the UK's largest oil field, the Claire field located west of Shetland. Smaller hydrogen reservoirs have been found in Spain and across Europe, as well as in Mali, Namibia, Brazil, the US and many other countries. So far there’s nothing in the UK, but geologists are starting to think about where to look.

In Indonesia, efforts to explore natural hydrogen, including gold hydrogen, are gaining momentum. Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), in collaboration with the Geological Survey Center and Universitas Pertamina, has initiated studies to explore the potential of geological hydrogen, particularly in regions like East Sulawesi. Initial studies in the Sulawesi Ophiolite and gas seepages in the Tanjung Api, Ampana region have shown promising hydrogen concentrations. The presence of hydrogen in these areas is believed to be linked to geological processes like serpentinization. This exploration aligns with Indonesia's broader efforts to transition towards clean energy sources as part of its Net Zero Emission 2060 target

Pros and Cons of Gold Hydrogen

Pros

  • Produce Clean and Environmentally Friendly Energy

Gold hydrogen is a highly sustainable energy source because its use results in water as the only byproduct, making it one of the cleanest fuels available. Unlike fossil fuels, which release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere during combustion, hydrogen produces no harmful emissions. Its environmental benefits make it a strong candidate for replacing traditional fossil fuels in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and energy production.

  •  Lower Production Costs

Because gold hydrogen is naturally found in underground reservoirs, it can be extracted directly without requiring the complicated and costly industrial methods, such as electrolysis, which is used to produce green hydrogen. This makes gold hydrogen a potentially more affordable option compared to other hydrogen production methods.

  • Support Net Zero Emissions

Gold hydrogen can play a key role in the global shift toward cleaner energy sources, aligning with long-term goals like net-zero emissions and decarbonization efforts being adopted by countries like Indonesia and the European Union

Cons

  • Technological Challenges in Exploration

Extracting hydrogen from deep underground presents significant technological challenges. The current drilling and extraction techniques are still in their initial phases, and advancing these technologies may require substantial investment and innovation.


  • Lack of Knowledge About Gold Hydrogen

The natural processes that create and store hydrogen underground are not yet fully understood. There is still a lack of comprehensive data on the formation, migration, and concentration of natural hydrogen, making exploration efforts risky and uncertain

  • Make an Environmental Problems of Exploration

Although hydrogen itself is clean, the process of drilling and extracting it from underground reservoirs could present environmental problems, such as potential harm to delicate ecosystems or the possibility of inducing seismic activity.

Conclusion

Gold hydrogen presents an exciting potential for the clean energy transition, offering a naturally occurring, low-emission energy source. While its extraction and use require careful consideration to avoid ecological harm, it could significantly contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and advancing toward greener energy solutions.


It is crucial for chemical engineering and food engineering students to stay informed and up-to-date on topics such as gold hydrogen as a fossil fuel substitute, as this knowledge is vital for their understanding of the chemical industry. By doing so, they can expand their knowledge base and satiate their thirst for learning, ultimately enhancing their professional prospects. In conclusion, the importance of gold hydrogen as a fossil fuel substitute cannot be overstated, and it is essential for students to stay informed about this crucial aspect of chemical engineering.


Sumber

‘Gold’ hydrogen: natural deposits are turning up all over the world – but how useful is it in our move away from fossil fuels? (theconversation.com)


USGS Sparks 'Gold Rush' with 'Gold Hydrogen' Report: A Potential Energy Source for Millennia (youtube.com)

https://www.pertamina.com/en/news-room/news-release/commitment-to-net-zero-emission-phe-explores-the-geological-hydrogen-exploration-potential-in-indonesia

https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240206160915-4-512356/negara-negara-ini-mulai-gali-gold-hydrogen-sebagai-bahan-bakar-baru