What’s the Big Deal About Hydrogen?

20th Sep 2022

We use energy for so many things – from the bus ride to school or work to cooking popcorn in the microwave, we use energy every day, all the time. In Australia, we predominantly use traditional sources of energy but are increasingly looking to more sustainable sources to add into the energy mix.

Enter hydrogen!

Power generation in Australia today largely uses thermal coal and gas, along with renewable resources like wind and solar. Sometimes, renewable energy sources are not able to meet the electricity demand when and where it is required. Hydrogen has the potential to solve this problem.

Hydrogen comes in a range of different colour classifications but in Australia three are used: grey, blue, and green.

Grey – produced through steam methane reforming. This involves a two-step process that combines steam and natural gas to produce hydrogen. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced in this process.

Blue – similar to grey hydrogen, is made from natural gas using steam methane reforming but instead of releasing the carbon dioxide produced, some of it is captured and stored. It is not possible to capture all the carbon dioxide produced but the carbon footprint is lowered.

Green – the most sustainable form of hydrogen production is the electrolysis of water. Renewable electricity is used to power an electrolyser. This splits water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. Hydrogen produced this way is classified as green hydrogen as no CO2 emissions are produced, leaving only oxygen behind.

Australia’s resources industry is working hard to make energy production more sustainable and hydrogen is just one way they are doing it.

Learn more about hydrogen in the video below, or take a look at all of our hydrogen resources.

UQ Scientists discover a new way to date rocks

18th Dec 2020

According to scientists at the University of Queensland there’s a new way to date ticks which involves using a state-of-the-art instrument. A silicate mineral known as ‘garnet’ lead to the understanding of accumulation of precious metals such as gold, copper, lead zinc, silver, and uranium.

Read the full article here.

Ever Wondered How Much Gold is Left in the World?

12th Oct 2020

Recently due to the world-wide pandemic, gold prices hit a record high of $2,000 per ounce (28 Grams). Gold is in demand as an investment item, symbol of wealth, and its more practical application within a range of electrical equipment. But like most commodities that are mined, gold will eventually run out.

A new article from the BBC covers the current state of the gold mining industry, how much is left and other unlikely places that we may need to begin mining such as the moon. Read the full article here.