Hydrogen South Africa: A National
I n i t i a t i v e To w a r d s a K n o w l e d g e D r i v e nEconomy

Presenter: Mandy Mtyelwa
Occasion: The 7th FC International Meeting
Date : 26 February 2019

Presentation Outline• Policy Framework• HySA Programme Implementation• Examples of Technology Deployments• Way forward & Opportunities for Partnerships

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Guiding Policy Frameworks

National Development Plan•

Investments in energy infrastructure•

Affordable tariffs for needy households•

Diversify energy resources and supply options

National Climate Change Response Strategy•Long Term Mitigation Scenarios (Peak, Plateau and Decline)

Industrial Policy Action Plan•

Re-industrialisation•

Support for local beneficiation of SA resource base•Local manufacturing

Energy Act (IEP and IRP)
•Universal access to modern forms of energy services•Energy security through guaranteed supply•

Optimal usage of economically viable energy resources•

Addressing constraints on the development of the renewable industry.

Minerals Beneficiation Strategy•

Local value addition to SA’s mineral resources.

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Guiding Policy Frameworks, cont.
Policy Initiatives:oDraft White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation released in October 2018oGreen Transport Strategy approved by Cabinet

DST role•
To provide leadership, an enabling environment, and resources for science, technology
and innovation in support of South Africa’s development.
•The DST supports a number of Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiatives
implemented through Universities and Science Councils•
Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies focused beneficiation of platinum group metals(PGMs) is one such initiative.

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HySA Structure

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HySA Implementation Phases

2008 ‐ 20132014 ‐ 2018

Establish
R&D Capability

Demonstrate
and Validate
Technology Recruit mission‐

 Establish criticalcritical staff
 Identify initialmarkets
 Develop first‐precommercialtechnologies

supply chain capability
 Deliver first products

to market
 Demonstratecapabilities in pilotmarkets

62019 ‐ 2023

Commercialise South
African Innovation

 Contribute tointernationalinnovation
 Compete successfully

on world market
 Capture 25% of

global catalysis value
chain in hydrogenand fuel cells

HySA Value Proposition
World Platinum Reserves

HySA Strategy

STACK
BENEFICIATION VALUE CHAIN

Zimbabwe
Finland
RussiaNorth AmericaSouth Africa

7MEA•Wealth creation throughvalue added manufacturingof PGM catalysis with a goalof supplying 25% of PGM
catalysts demand by 2020
•Promote equity andinclusion in the economic
benefits of South Africa’sresources•Develop local costcompetitive hydrogengeneration solutions basedon renewable resources

CATALYSTSouth Africa
possesses 75% ofglobal Pt reserves

Export $1090/ounce

PGM$14 400/ounce$9 500/ounce$2 200/ounce

HySA Funding

Fuel Cell Funding for 2018/19 financial year (1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019) is as follows:ParisGovernment: R108 million (USD 8.00 million);
R43 million for technology demonstration and deployment (MTSF target of 25 HySA units by 31March 2020);
R19 million additional funding from Private Sector.

8Technology Deployment Update: Completed Projects
Name of Prototype

Brief Description

HySA IP or know‐how used

Date installed

Number of Units

Project Partners

1. 2kW Hydrogen fuelcell system

The fuel cell system uses
bottled hydrogen
supplied from gas
companies.

HySA Systems
integration expertise.

October 2014

1

HySA Systems and Hot
Platinum

2. Solar PV to hydrogensystem

System demonstrating
renewable hydrogenproduction from waterelectrolysis using solar
PV.

HySA Infrastructure
integration expertise.

December 2014

1

HySA Infrastructure

3. Hydrogen fuel cell
powered forklift

Battery electric forklift
coverted to hydrogen fuelcell power.

HySA Systems
integration expertise.

August 2015

1

HySA Systems and
Impala Platinum

4. Metal hydridecompressor and refuelingstation

Metal hydridecompressor and refuelingstationHySA Systems
integration expertise.

August 2015

1

HySA Systems and
Impala Platinum

5. Liquid organichydrogen carrier (LOHC)unit

An LOHC unit used to
produce LOHCcarryhydrogen, which wassold to a local privatecompany during the2017/18 FY.

The HySA contribution
was in the form of knowhow on putting together
the LOHC reactor.

April 2017

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HySA Infratructure

6. 2.5 kW Hydrogen fuelcell system for off-gridrural applications

The fuel cell comprises,
17kW of solar PV,
28.8kW battery storage
with onsite hydrogenproduction from waterelectrolysis and onsitehydrogen storage

HySA catalyst, MEA,stack, HySA Systemsand Infrastructure
integration expertise.

April 2018

1

Joint HySA CoC project

9Fuel Cell Deployment in Material Handling EquipmentHydrogen Fuel Cell powered forklift

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Hydrogen Refuelling Station (200bar) ~ R2m• Locally developed IP on metal hydride hydrogen storage material• Metal Hydride material enables low pressure (200 bar) refuelling• Refuelling of the forklift takes 15mins and enables 2-3 days of operation• System costs are far below typical commercial products.

Fuel Cell Deployment to Power Social Infrastructure

17kW Solar PV System

Power Management System
including 28.8 kWh Battery Storage

On‐site hydrogen production and storage system

2.5 kW Hydrogen Fuel Cell System11

Development of Educational Material

12Fuel Cell Powered Forklift••

The integration of a fuel cell unit in a battery electric scooter as a range extender has been
completed.
A canister based refueling system incorporating the new metal hydride recipe has beendeveloped and is being deployed to support the electric scooter.

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Off-grid Rural Electrification Project• DST and Department of Energy (DoE) are collaborating in fuel cell field trials for rural
electrification• The goal is to supply electricity to 5 communities, i.e. ~540 households, including rural clinics
and schools and high mast lighting, for 36 months (or longer, subject to agreements andEskom electrification plans for the area/s)• Partners are currently reviewing 5 proposed sites in KwaZulu Natal Province• CHEM’s fuel cell DC Charging stations will be deployed in each community• HyPlat to supply MEAs for the fuel cells upon qualification of the MEAs by CHEM
• Bambili Group (local BEE partner) will coordinate the project• DST will fund the Fuel Cell component while DoE will fund the reticulation and high mast lights
through their Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management Programme.

14Off-grid Rural Electrification ProjectSome of the proposed sites for deployment

15Off-grid Rural Electrification Project, cont.

House Hold Starter Kit•••

Compact, high powerdensity
Smart ID, theft deterrent
Single battery can powersystem for a day•••Bright LED lighting
Phone charging
Radio / MP3 player•••

19” color TV
12VDC, high efficiency
Potential need for theft
deterrent, Smart ID

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Way forward & Opportunities for Partnerships
Way forward:

Paris

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2nd HySA Five-Year Review•

Establishment of the Fuel Cell Task TeamPartnerships are being sought in:•Taking technology to the market in collaboration with local companies, particularly SOEs•

Supporting skills development through internships (universities & TVETs) to support technology
deployment•

Facilitating the development of infrastructure that enables the regional deployment of emerging
technologies•

Developing material value chains to ensure security of supply•

Stimulating local demand for emerging technologies to power social and economic infrastructure•

Facilitate the establishment of manufacturing facilities in the country based on locally developed IP
where appropriate•

Leverage international developments through global forums to increase public awareness ofhydrogen and fuel cell technology

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Thank you
Mandy Mtyelwa
Deputy Director: Hydrogen and Energy
Department of Science and Technology
Telephone: +27 12 843 6461
Email: Mandy.Mtyelwa@dst.gov.za