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The paper provides brief introduction to the National South African Program, branded HySA (Hydrogen South Africa) as well as discusses potential business cases for deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technology in South Africa. This paper also describes some key activities in the area of hydrogen production and storage within HySA Infrastructure Center of Competence in South Africa. The content of this paper is based on the presentation given during the recent WHEC 2016 Congress in Zaragoza, Spain. More specifically, the discussion of activities at HySA Infrastructure Center of Competence in the paper includes hydrogen production and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The CSIR undertakes research in the Electrocatalysis of fuel cells and for hydrogen production. The Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) strategy supports research on electrocatalysts due to their importance to the national beneficiation strategy. The work reported here presents choice methods for the production of Platinum Group Metals (PGM) electrocatalysts, which are characterized for their performance. Investigations on the commercial feasibility of such electrocatalysts in the fuel cells including hydrogen production continue to be subject of global interest, to ensure energy security of supply. The paper aims to present possible synthesis routes for PGM electrocatalysts for commercial gains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Department of Science and Technology of South Africa developed the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technologies (HFCT) Research, Development and Innovation Strategy. The National Strategy was branded Hydrogen South Africa (HySA). HySA has been established consisting of three Competency Centres - HySA Infrastructure, HySA Catalyst and HySA Systems. The scope of the Hydrogen Infrastructure Competency Centre (HySA Infrastructure CC) is to develop applications and solutions for small- and medium-scale hydrogen production through innovative research and development to promote beneficiation of Platinum-Group Metals (PGM). The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the HySA Infrastructure CC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Global concern for increased energy demand, increased cost of natural gas and petroleum, energy security and environmental degradation are leading to heightened interest in using nuclear energy and hydrogen to leverage existing hydrocarbon reserves. The wasteful use of hydrocarbons can be minimised by using nuclear as a source of energy and water as a source of hydrogen. Virtually all hydrogen today is produced from fossil fuels, which give rise to CO2 emissions. Hydrogen can be cleanly produced from water (without CO2 pollution) by using nuclear energy to generate the required electricity and/or process heat to split the water molecule. Once the clean hydrogen has been produced, it can be used as feedstock to fuel cell technologies, or in the nearer term as feedstock to a coal-to-liquids process to produce cleaner synthetic liquid fuels. Clean liquid fuels from coal – using hydrogen generated from nuclear energy – is an intermediate step for using hydrogen to reduce pollution in the transport sector; simultaneously addressing energy security concerns. Several promising water-splitting technologies have been identified. Thermo-chemical water-splitting and high-temperature steam electrolysis technologies require process temperatures in the range of 850°C and higher for the efficient production of hydrogen. The pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR), under development in South Africa, is ideally suited to generate both high-temperature process heat and electricity for the production of hydrogen. This paper will discuss South Africa''s opportunity to maximise the use of its nuclear technology and national resources in a global hydrogen economy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]