Page 11 - AfrElec Week 13 2021

AfrElec HYDROGEN AfrElec

Anglo American leads South African

hydrogen valley scheme

SOUTH AFRICA ANGLO American and Engie are to work with a an important role both in Polymer Electrolyte
group of South African organisations to develop Membrane (PEM) electrolysis used to produce
a hydrogen valley in the metals-rich Bushveld hydrogen at scale and in fuel cells themselves.
geological area in South Africa. Anglo American is already investing in
The two are to work with South Africa’s renewable hydrogen production technology at
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), its Mogalakwena PGMs mine and in the devel-
the South African National Development Insti- opment of hydrogen-powered fuel cell mine haul
tute (SANEDI) and clean energy solutions pro- trucks – the world’s largest to run on hydrogen.
vider Bambili Energy (Bambili). Sebastien Arbola, Engie executive vice-presi-
The proposed hydrogen valley will stretch dent in charge of thermal generation and energy
835 kilometres from Anglo American’s Mogalak- supply activities, said: “Engie is delighted to be
wena platinum group metals (PGMs) mine near part of the hydrogen valley study. We are keen to
Mokopane in Limpopo Province, along the share our knowledge and expertise encompass-
industrial and commercial corridor to Johan- ing the entire hydrogen value chain to accelerate
nesburg and to the east coast at Durban. hydrogen solutions’ deployment in South Africa
This collaboration follows the launch in 2020 and beyond. We already have a demonstration
of the government’s South African Hydrogen project under way to supply the hydrogen for the
Society Roadmap, which aims to find a way to world’s first hydrogen mining truck being devel-
harness the country’s hydrogen potential. oped by Anglo American at the Mogalakwena
The study will be conducted by ENGIE PGMs mine.”
Impact and will identify tangible opportunities Electric vehicles (EVs) powered by hydrogen
to build hydrogen hubs and explore the poten- fuel cells offer many benefits to the transport
tial for green hydrogen production and supply sector, including comparable refuelling times to
at scale. internal combustion engine vehicles, long ranges
Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American’s and space and weight efficiency.
PGMs business, commented: “The transition to Anglo American is leading initiatives to
a low-carbon world is an opportunity to drive promote the adoption of fuel cell electric vehi-
the development of cleaner technologies, create cles (FCEVs) for commercial uses in particular,
new industries and employment, and improve facilitating the creation of consortia to promote
people’s lives. Anglo American was an early the development of hydrogen freight corridors
supporter of the global potential for a hydrogen in a number of geographies, including the UK,
economy, recognising its role in enabling the South Africa and China.
shift to greener energy and cleaner transport. Anglo American is involved in a number
Our integrated approach includes investing in of global platforms that aim to find hydrogen
new technologies, supporting entrepreneurial solutions.
projects and advocating for policy frameworks These include the Hydrogen Council; the UK
that enable a supportive long-term invest- H2Mobility consortium and the International
ment environment for hydrogen to deliver that Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association, which was
potential.” created under the guidance of China’s Society of
The regional PGMs industry will be central Automotive Engineers to advance fuel cell scala-
to such a hydrogen valley, with PGMs playing ble applications.™

Week 13 01•April•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P11