(Virtual Showroom ) By: Dr Darija Susac, 2nd Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Conference Committee Member and Acting Director of HySA Catalysis Centre of Competence

Economic growth and socioeconomic development in any country is undeniably linked to its ability to produce energy, maintain energy independence, and achieve energy sustainability. To date, the world remains highly dependent on affordable fossil fuel resources, to meet ever increasing energy demand. However, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere which adds to naturally occurring processes. Consequently, as the total concentration of CO2 continues to rise, the atmosphere’s ability to trap heat increases, inducing a greenhouse effect for the planet. Measurements from the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii, USA, suggest that in the past 60 years, the concentration of CO2 increased by 30%. Such an increase is even larger when comparing current values to those from the pre-industrial era. The data correlate with the global temperature augmentation of 1.5 degrees Celsius in the last 200 years. Hence, the questions currently being posed include (i) are these changes irreversible and (ii) how to combat the negative effects of global warming which include rising sea levels and extended periods of droughts affecting food production and access to drinking water.

In 2015, 196 countries signed a treaty known as the Paris Agreement that became a principal international regulatory instrument governing the global response to climate change. Parties agreed to undertake ambitious efforts to accelerate and intensify actions and investments towards achieving a balance between anthropogenic greenhouse gas emitting sources and natural sinks by the second half of the twenty-first century. Since then, reductions in CO2 emissions were documented but the overall progress to date remains globally considered insufficient.

Diversification of energy resources is a strategy that offers a promising path towards net zero carbon future. However, a major challenge that countries are facing, especially in developing parts of the world, is how to allow for continuity in industrialisation and socioeconomic development while simultaneously developing and implementing technologies and systems for sustainable energy generation. In addition, there is a need to accomplish energy sovereignty and affordability.

Recent studies have indicated that increasing electrification and energy generation, transport, and storage via hydrogen are two key strategies to reach carbon neutrality while utilising renewable energy sources. Electrification implies increasing capability for electricity production and usage in key areas such as industry, transport, and homes. It has been recognised that some critical aspects of this process include increase in battery storage capabilities and development of smart grids to optimise energy management and efficiency.

Due to its high energy density, hydrogen is considered as an ideal energy carrier and a sustainable fuel for the future. The spectrum of hydrogen “colours” has been invented to easily and understandably communicate variations in hydrogen production technologies. Today, the cost of green hydrogen which is produced via water electrolysis coupled with renewable solar and/or wind power, is still 3-6 times higher compared to equivalent for grey hydrogen. The latter is produced by steam reforming of natural gas or methane, and without subsequent application of carbon capture technologies.

Despite the declining costs of renewable energy, the high cost of green hydrogen is driven by several factors. Those include the renewable energy market price fluctuations, which arise due to changes on availability and demand as well as high maintenance cost especially for wind turbines. Green hydrogen is still a niche market with significant upfront capital costs including the need for expensive precious metals. Energy losses occurring during the conversion of electrical energy into hydrogen can result in green hydrogen becoming economically less favourable compared to direct use of renewable energy. Furthermore, it is necessary to concurrently establish infrastructure for hydrogen storage and distribution which at present in many countries is either underdeveloped or non-existent.

Regarding the downstream segments of hydrogen value chain, application of fuel cells is essential. From a technical standpoint, fuel cells convert chemical energy stored in hydrogen and other fuels to electricity with an efficiency up to 60%. The only byproducts of the fuel cell’s electrochemical processes are heat and water, making them known as zero emission devices. Fuel cells have been developed for stationary applications to provide power for buildings in industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. A considerable increase in efficiency of the process can be achieved by simultaneously harvesting a generated heat via combined heat and power system innovative solutions.  Fuel cell applications in mobility sector include maritime, aviation, rail, busses, trucks, material handling equipment, and passenger cars. Although fuel cell technology has been present on the market for more than 30 years depending on the application, it has not yet achieved its full commercial potential. Continuous research and technology development efforts are carried by industry and academia to reduce the cost of fuel cell stacks and balance of plant and to improve the durability and robustness of the system to meet the demands of dynamic operating conditions.

In 2021, South Africa released a hydrogen society road map that establishes national ambitions and prioritises key actions for the deployment of hydrogen technologies to achieve net zero by 2050. By facilitating adoption and integration of hydrogen technologies in various sectors of the South African economy, the country’s objectives are to stimulate just energy transition and enable economic growth and prosperity. Hydrogen technologies would also aid in resolving issues related to unemployment and inequality in access to energy. Employment opportunities would be generated throughout the entire hydrogen value chain encompassing the construction and continued management of electrolyser and fuel cell production facilities, power plants, hydrogen utilisation in stationary and mobility sectors, extending even to the production of decarbonised steel and concrete, green chemicals, green fuels and fertilisers.

Over the last fifteen years demonstration projects featuring fuel cells in mobility and stationary applications, innovative hydrogen storage technologies and most recently mobile hydrogen generation and storage system have been demonstrated in South Africa. The projects are the result of successful government, academia, private sector, and international partnerships. Several of those demonstrations used locally produced components including the catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies, confirming the maturity of the technology and a potential of locally developed knowledge and resources. These demonstrations were realised due to the long-term support from the Department of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI), who initiated the national hydrogen program and invested in research, technology and human capital development. Current South African technological innovations are focusing on engineering precious metal based catalysts with increased activity and durability for application in fuel cells and electrolysers, design and engineering of local stacks and systems, and development of innovative and effective hydrogen storage and distribution capabilities.

As efforts to keep advancing all aspects of hydrogen value chain continue worldwide, the timeliness for achieving market maturity still greatly differs. For South Africa, finding strategies to successfully balance the immediate energy requirements and long-term energy developments and commitments is essential. For advancing the hydrogen sector, significant potential lies in diversifying funding sources, creating innovative mechanisms that support sustainable public and private partnerships, and exploring opportunities in establishing intergovernmental partnerships. By committing to innovation and human capital development, South Africa will position itself to make a major shift from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy.

The Second Southern African Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Conference is supporting South Africa’s transition to hydrogen society by providing a platform for stakeholders from the mining, academia, industry, and energy sectors, along with the government to exchange knowledge, communicate the progress in hydrogen technologies, promote ideas, and inspire partnerships for an emerging hydrogen-powered economy.