Hydrogen Energy

Platform Leader:
Dr Mathaba Machodi

Hydrogen Energy Platform is a multidisciplinary research platform focused on material development and characterisation for hydrogen production, storage and utilization connected with safety standards and guidelines. The hydrogen production area places its focus on investigating fundamental synthesis strategies and technologies for developing cost-effective materials for hydrogen production via water splitting by water-electrolysis, photo-electrolysis, thermolysis, and photo-biological production. One of the main challenges confronting widespread use of hydrogen energy in various applications is the need for efficient hydrogen storage systems using current existing infrastructure. It is in this context that the hydrogen storage area focuses on investigating hydrogen storage forms such as gas, liquid and solid with a special focus on technology gaps and R&D priorities. 

The South African Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM) seeks to position South Africa in playing a leading role in the green economy space through green ammonia exports and applications in hard-to-abate industries such as steel, chemicals and aviation. The hydrogen utilization area is dedicated to investigating technologies such as hydrogen use in fuel cells, syngas conversion to value added products, hydrocarbon fuel upgrades and its direct use for heat and power. This platform will play a strategic role to aid and strengthen SA’s competitiveness in terms of the technology and production of PEM and AEM electrolysis stacks and their components. Additionally, this platform aligns with the global ambition of reaching net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050 through the transition from fossil fuel to clean hydrogen energy.