The Role of SABS regarding the Green Economy in South Africa's Hydrogen Strategy.
South African Bureau of Standards
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The green economy has emerged as a fundamental aspect of development, modernization, and industrialization, serving as a pillar for global competitiveness and human progress in the coming decades.
Recognizing its importance, the South African government has crafted a comprehensive Green Hydrogen Commercialization Strategy, developed under the guidance of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and Technology (DSI) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) (Department of Science and Innovation, 2023). This strategy is an integral part of the broader #Hydrogen Society Roadmap, which was approved by the Cabinet in 2023, positioning South Africa to capture a significant share of the burgeoning global hydrogen market (Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, 2023).
Establishment of Technical Framework
In response to this strategic direction, the SABS South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has established a technical committee on Hydrogen Technologies, known as SABS TC 197. This committee reflects the activities of the ISO - International Organization for Standardization (ISO) TC 197 on Hydrogen Technologies, ensuring alignment with international standards and practices (ISO, 2023). A notable development is the introduction of SATS 19870:2024, a technical specification outlining methodologies for determining the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production, conditioning, and transport of hydrogen. This document provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the carbon footprint of hydrogen technologies from well to delivery gate, covering all stages of life-cycle analysis.
SATS 19870:2024 specifies methodologies that align with SANS 14067:2020 for determining the carbon footprint of a product (CFP) or partial CFP of a hydrogen product. These methodologies correspond to the approaches outlined in SANS 14040:2006, A.2, which presents two possible approaches to life-cycle analysis (LCA).
Stakeholder Engagement and Standardization
South African Bureau of Standards plays a key role in facilitating discussions around the standardization of hydrogen technology, engaging stakeholders to gauge interest and gather insights. the dti (Department of Trade and Industry: Republic of South Africa) [RP2] has been instrumental in these discussions, highlighting the necessity of standardization to enhance competitiveness and foster innovation in the hydrogen sector (the dti (Department of Trade and Industry: Republic of South Africa) [RP3] 2023). This collaborative approach is essential for nurturing a robust hydrogen economy in South Africa, where diverse perspectives can drive efficiency and effectiveness.
Unique to South African Bureau of Standards developments regarding these standards is the context of South Africa as an internationally integrated, yet carbon-intensive, economy. As one of the top ten emitters of greenhouse gases worldwide and a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)[RP4], South Africa has committed to decarbonization, developing a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to achieve full decarbonization by 2050. While this presents challenges, it also creates significant opportunities, particularly in the realm of green hydrogen.
Currently, global production of green hydrogen is set to increase from 0.7 million tonnes per annum to 8.7 million tonnes by 2030. The estimated export market could range between 14 and 27 million tonnes per annum by 2050, with South Africa contributing between 2 million and 6 million tonnes. For local consumption, South Africa could produce between 2 million and 3 million tonnes. Indirectly, sectors such as industry, mobility, and power and heat stand to benefit, contributing to both economic growth and decarbonization. South Africa has an international advantage due to its renewable energy resources, availability of platinum, and access to export harbours.
Environmental Impact and Economic Opportunities
Climate change is the driving force behind green hydrogen projects, and standards like ISO 19870 are developed to quantify the carbon footprint of these initiatives. This standard is a critical first step that will ultimately enable the estimation of abatement impact. By establishing credibility in the international market, South Africa can leverage the estimated economic impact of R390 billion in GDP and the creation of 367,912 jobs, alongside a reduction of 493 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2050.
More than 50% of this impact could materialize by 2030, should South Africa successfully engage in the international green hydrogen market. The approval and application of standards like SATS 19870:2024 are crucial to this process. This standard also aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) for 2030, including:
These UNSDGs correspond with South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, addressing issues such as resource-intensive economies, crumbling infrastructure, poor public services, and corruption. The adoption of these standards will improve the safety, consistency, and regulatory compliance of hydrogen production, storage, and use.
SABS TC 197 Hydrogen technology – Published Standards
SATS 19870 Hydrogen technologies – methodology for determining the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, conditioning, and transport of hydrogen to consumption gate.
SANS under development
The SABS TC 197 Hydrogen technology also initiated the adoption of the following standards which are currently on public enquiry until 29 October 2024. These draft standard [RP7] can be accessed through SABS’ website (Click here) or through the government gazette.
SABS TC Chairperson
The interim chairperson at SABS is Mr. Mmakgabo Maheya
SABS TC 197 Members (Organizations)
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·??????? Transnet SOC Ltd ,
·??????? Freeport Saldanha
·??????? Proconics
·??????? Sasol
·??????? 安赛乐米塔尔集团
·??????? University of KwaZulu-Natal
·??????? ENERTRAG
·??????? Nelson Mandela University
. Mitochon-C,
.? Weno Ventures,
Conclusion
As the global economy increasingly shifts towards sustainable practices, South Africa's commitment to a green economy through the development of hydrogen technologies exemplifies a proactive approach to environmental and economic challenges. The establishment of SABS TC 197, along with the collaborative efforts involving the [RP8] the dti (Department of Trade and Industry: Republic of South Africa) and various stakeholders, underscores the importance of standardization in fostering innovation and ensuring the successful implementation of hydrogen technologies. With these efforts, South Africa is not only contributing to the fight against climate change but is also positioning itself as a key player in the emerging global hydrogen economy.
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References: SABS Standards, Mr. Mmakgabo Maheya (2024) [RP9]. Department of Science and Innovation. (2023). Green Hydrogen Commercialization Strategy. Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. (2023). Hydrogen Society Roadmap. International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (2023). ISO TC 197 Hydrogen Technologies. South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). (2024). SATS 19870:2024 - Technical Specification for Determining GHG Emissions. United Nations Environment Programme. (2023). Hydrogen: The Future of Clean Energy.