JSE-listed energy and chemicals group Sasol has, in collaboration with its public-sector and academic partners, commissioned a 2 kW proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser system at the company's Research and Technology (R&T) campus, in Sasolburg, in the Free State.
Over and above Sasol’s contribution, the electrolyser was developed with contributions from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation's (DSTI's) Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) programme in partnership with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and the North-West University.
Each of the stakeholders were unanimous in stating that this system will provide a platform for testing hydrogen production technologies, evaluating locally developed electrolyser technology under variable renewable energy conditions and supporting local skills development.
Addressing delegates at a launch event on July 31, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Professor Blade Nzimande said the project underscored the strategic relationship between South Africa's critical minerals and the country’s clean energy ambitions.
"The relationship between critical minerals, beneficiation and green hydrogen in the context of the DSTI's Renewable Energy agenda is key.
