South Africa and Hydrogen

South Africa is said to be sitting on a gold mine when it comes to hydrogen technologies wherein Africa has the opportunity export its sunshine as Hydrogen. With the vast levels of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) mined in South Africa, there is no denying the excellent source of renewable energy which is eager to be taken advantage of. With Africa as a whole having favourable solar conditions for the production of green hydrogen, South Africa has the unique chance to become an export focal point with their well established ports and trade channels.

South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation (PIC) supports the idea that through the collaboration of investors, the transition towards a greener Hydrogen economy could become a reality in the near future. The PIC has an investment strategy with focus on investing early-stage capital into clearly outlined business plans for the development of the hydrogen value chain. This strategy predicts the leveraging of more than 200 Hydrogen projects on top of those already announced worldwide, making South Africa a powerhouse for this source of energy to thrive globally.

Clean Hydrogen

Green Hydrogen has the unique property to emit only water vapour and leave no residue in the air, unlike oil or coal. With Hydrogen’s clean energy properties and growing value to sustainable practices, the PIC stands by its investment into Hydrogen technology and the sizable value chain applications. Worldwide, an impressive 80 million tonnes of Hydrogen are produced annually. This production albeit impressive,  stems from fossil fuels at the source, resulting in dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide emissions. By taking a look at a newer, greener energy transition the conversation of water conversion to Hydrogen raises its head. With water electrolysis installed to generate Hydrogen, many promising bi-products can also be produced, resulting in extra oxygen linking to renewable energy sources and other profitable and promising results.

Recent Hydrogen insights show just how critical it is for a clean Hydrogen to be developed in order to reach a complete global economy by 2050. Africa must also recognise that this production plays a key role in the industrialisation efforts seen by its individual countries. Now more than ever Africa needs to step up and act on the new age of net zero industrialization and to firmly take action to achieve global climate change targets.

Benefits of Green Hydrogen in Africa

Hydrogen brings many benefits when used for energy creation and is seen to be a more attractive alternative in many industries. These benefits include:

• It is a natural resource which will not be overused or exhausted, allowing for copious return on investment.
• When adopted, it can easily replace fossil fuel usage and prevent several tonnes of emission into the atmosphere every year.
• Although the financial output is sizeable, the continued and sustainable production of unfailing energy has proved to be power electric cars and fleets.

In order for this Hydrogen production plan to reach its full potential, the South African government must make a particular effort to ensure that the regulatory and renewable energy policy is well stipulated and outlined.  Clean hydrogen is considered to be the most promising and money savvy method to decarbonise fuel heavy industries such as transportation and manufacturing.

Hydrogen as a Molecule

Fundamentally, it is important to remember that hydrogen is an element which yields certain properties. When looking at it closely as a molecule, we see the following unique benefits:

• It is storable, it can be compressed an stored in tanks for long periods of time, allowing sustainable collection and use.
• It is transportable as it is very light in nature and can be compressed into Hydrogen tanks allowing simpler facilities for both transport and dispatch.

Africa can export this Green Hydrogen in Africa

Although Africa can benefit from this Hydrogen production boom, it is important to remember from a financial level that once successfully generated, the energy is able to be transported and sent off overseas. This energy trade could benefit the country and become enticingly attractive to producers and investors who are looking at having their stake in global energy creation and entering an African energy market.

 

 

With InterGest South Africa entering into foreign markets is simplified. With our accountants to handle the crucks of staffing, book management and human resources, energypreneurs can turn all of their efforts into brainstorming and discovering new and innovative ways to establish collection and generation methods of Hydrogen in Africa. This allowing them to tap into this opportunity rich pool and bring exciting ideas to the forefront of sustainable living.

Read more about InterGest South Africa at https://intergest.co.za/