THE SOUTH AFRICAN HYDROGEN VALLEY

What is the Hydrogen Valley?

The Hydrogen Valley (HV) project/program is an initiative by the South African government’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in partnership with Anglo American , Bambili Energy and ENGIE Africa to initiate experimental trial ‘#greenhydrogen Projects’.

HV is divided into three (3) catalytic green hydrogen hubs in Johannesburg, Mogalakwena and Durban that will host pilot subprojects. The main objective of the HV subprojects, will be to help the above-mentioned developers learn how the transition from our country’s main stationary power source being coal to green hydrogen (i.e, fuel cell power) might work in practice. Should the results be favourable the pilot subprojects will contribute to the genesis of the South African Hydrogen Economy.

How are the hubs Identified?

The hubs were identified based on the following:

• The locations having potential for a high concentration of future hydrogen demand.
• An abundance of renewable energy resources (wind, solar, and water) and,
• The existing gas distribution pipelines and storage facilities in these regions making them suitable for hydrogen.

Proposed Pilot Projects:

There are 15 catalytic subprojects with 9 being promising across the mobility, industrial and buildings sectors that have been identified as the initial focus for the Valley developers.

Pilot Subproject

1. Buses Conversion in Johannesburg, Pretoria & Durban

Replacing the current diesel fleet to hydrogen fuel cell buses.

2. Mining Trucks in Open Pit Copper / PGM / Diamond Mines

Fuel cell battery powered mining trucks of a payload bigger than 200 tons for open pit copper / PGM / diamond mines (Rhyno Project)

3. Retrofitted Port Logistics in Durban and Richards Bay Ports

Retrofitting current port logistic diesel machinery (yard tractors, reachstackers, etc.) to hydrogendiesel dual combustion, decarbonizing current assets.

4. Forklifts in Logistics Centers in the Rustenburg and Johannesburg Area

Hydrogen fuel cell powered forklifts for operations within major logistic centers being operated 24/7.

5. Heavy Duty Trucks on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban

Hydrogen road trucks at South frica’s biggest freight corridor N3 between Johannesburg and Durban by 2025

6. Ethylene Production with Green Hydrogen for Heat in Sasolburg

Green ethylene created in a power-to-liquids process using naptha from Sasol’s novel Fishcer Tropp process.

7. Green Ammonia Production in Sasolburg

Producing ammonia from green hydrogen instead of grey hydrogen from steam methane reforming.

8. Data Center in Limpopo Science & Technology Park Power Supply

Powering Limpopo Science and Technology Park using fuel cell stationary power for buildings. Power to be used as primary power or as back up to data centres and provide additional source of power to certify data centres.

9. Office Building Power Delivery

Using a hydrogen fuel cell as permanent/back-up power supply for an office building.

Concluding, hydrogen fuels cells in 2021 were declared a national priority as an alternative energy source. Hence the realization of the Hydrogen Valley Program is aimed to catalyze the fulfillment of the governments near-term strategy of creating a local demand for green hydrogen and hydrogen-related products.