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Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier whose adoption would represent a radical change in which energy is produced, distributed and consumed. As an energy carrier, hydrogen can also significantly reduce the problem of greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollution, especially if it is produced using renewable energy. The potential demand for new products and services in a hydrogen economy suggests that one can benefit significantly in economic and social terms. The benefit can come not only from a transition within a country, but also through the establishment of new industries, thereby creating new jobs and income from exporting hydrogen energy related technology and services to the rest of the world. South Africa is ideally placed to benefit hugely from the impending hydrogen economy, thanks to its vast resources, especially platinum group metals, because platinum as a catalyst is an integral part of the hydrogen technology.
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Andries Kruger, an MSc student in the DST Hydrogen Infrastructure Centre of Competence at the North-West University, replacing the membrane of an electrolyser used in a hydrogen production process. |
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Nonhlanhla Mphahlele doing performance testing of a fuel cell at the CSIR.
(Photo: Courtesy CSIR) |
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