JSE-listed power and chemical substances group Sasol has, in collaboration with its public-sector and tutorial companions, commissioned a 2 kW proton trade membrane (PEM) electrolyser system on the firm’s Analysis and Know-how (R&T) campus, in Sasolburg, within the Free State.
Over and above Sasol’s contribution, the electrolyser was developed with contributions from the Division of Science, Know-how and Innovation’s (DSTI’s) Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) programme in partnership with the South African Nationwide Power Growth Institute (SANEDI) and the North-West College.
Every of the stakeholders had been unanimous in stating that this method will present a platform for testing hydrogen manufacturing applied sciences, evaluating domestically developed electrolyser know-how underneath variable renewable power circumstances and supporting native expertise growth.
Addressing delegates at a launch occasion on July 31, Science, Know-how and Innovation Minister Professor Blade Nzimande mentioned the venture underscored the strategic relationship between South Africa’s vital minerals and the nation’s clear power ambitions.
“The connection between vital minerals, beneficiation and inexperienced hydrogen within the context of the DSTI’s Renewable Power agenda is vital.
“Central to the deployment of this 2 kW PEM electrolyser system is the beneficiation of vital minerals, significantly platinum group metals. These minerals are key to fuelling industries of the longer term and our goal is to make sure South Africa turns into a serious participant in key upstream, midstream and downstream elements of those future industries,” he mentioned.
The Minister added that the venture would generate the data required to assist the commercialisation and wider deployment of inexperienced hydrogen applied sciences in South Africa.
“We’re assured that the data and insights generated by this method will assist us transfer nearer to extra environment friendly, commercially aggressive, scaled manufacturing of inexperienced hydrogen, increase our export portfolio and stimulate [the] home [use] of inexperienced hydrogen in assist of a net-zero financial future,” Nzimande mentioned.
In his handle, the Minister additionally harassed that science, know-how and innovation needs to be positioned on the centre of industrialisation and financial growth, arguing that South Africa ought to leverage its vital mineral endowment to construct home manufacturing functionality and transfer additional up international worth chains as a substitute of remaining largely an exporter of uncooked supplies.
He additional emphasised the significance of collaboration between authorities, {industry} and analysis establishments in translating scientific analysis into commercially viable applied sciences.
In the meantime, Sasol Enterprise Constructing, Technique and Know-how EVP Dr Sarushen Pillay mentioned the commissioning of the electrolyser demonstrated the progress that may be achieved by collaboration between the private and non-private sectors.
“This commissioning is a robust instance of what might be achieved when authorities, academia and {industry} work collectively to advance South Africa’s future power safety.
“As Sasol, we’re excited to associate with the DSTI, SANEDI and the North-West College in turning South Africa’s inexperienced hydrogen ambitions into sensible functionality.”
He famous that hydrogen would play an more and more necessary position in producing lower-carbon fuels and chemical substances and that the brand new facility would offer an industrial platform for advancing domestically developed hydrogen applied sciences.
“Hydrogen is a vital constructing block for producing sustainable fuels and chemical substances, and this programme gives a singular industrial platform to advance domestically developed electrolyser know-how.
“The truth that this electrolyser was constructed by HySA right here in South Africa and can be examined at Sasol’s industry-leading R&T campus in Sasolburg is a major milestone for South Africa’s hydrogen panorama,” he mentioned.
Throughout his handle, Pillay additionally highlighted South Africa’s aggressive benefits within the hydrogen financial system, together with its renewable power sources, industrial capabilities and Sasol’s long-standing expertise in hydrogen manufacturing.
He argued {that a} continued collaboration between authorities, {industry} and academia could be important to growing native applied sciences, constructing expertise and creating an ecosystem able to supporting future hydrogen worth chains.
The commissioning varieties a part of the DSTI’s Hydrogen South Africa programme, which goals to strengthen native analysis, innovation and mental property growth whereas accelerating the commercialisation of hydrogen applied sciences to assist South Africa’s power transition and industrial development.
