South Africa is on track to introduce Hydrogen as a possible fuel source in parts of the economy, says minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande.<\/p>\n
Presenting his departmental budget speech on Tuesday (9 July), Nzimande said that the country’s dedicated Hydrogen research programme – HySA – has resulted in the establishment of spin-out companies whose products are attracting market interest.<\/p>\n
He added that some of the new technology will soon undergo a trial-run in South Africa, including the powering of over 200 homes in KZN.<\/p>\n
“We have started rolling out demonstrations for the provision of electricity and mobility using platinum-based hydrogen fuel cells,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Later this year, through the HySA programme, we will be collaborating with the Department of Energy, iLembe District Municipality, global fuel cell manufacturers, and local black-owned companies to power over 200 households in a rural community in KwaZulu-Natal using HySA-generated intellectual property.”<\/p>\n
Green technology<\/strong><\/p>\n Nzimande said that his department was also investigating and investing in a number of other ‘green’ technologies.<\/p>\n “South Africa needs green chemistry technologies to produce value-added products, in particular chemically complex pharmaceutical intermediates,” he said.<\/p>\n “We are therefore supporting other green manufacturing solutions such Biocatalysis can be used in the manufacturing of value-added products, the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, and the development of biorefineries that can yield renewable chemicals and liquid fuels.”<\/p>\n Nzimande said his department has also established an ‘Indigenous Knowledge-Based Bioinnovation unit’, with six platforms covering African natural medicines, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, health infusions, technology transfer, and commercialisation.<\/p>\n
\n