The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, will address a technical workshop of the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE) in Cape Town on 3 May.
The workshop will take place at the International Convention Centre and will cover various topics, including hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in emerging economies, investment opportunities in Africa and the role of collaboration in this field.
The IPHE serves as a mechanism to organise and implement effective and focused international research and development activities related to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. South Africa was granted membership in 2009.
The country's efforts towards a hydrogen economy are informed by its abundant platinum group metal (PGMs) reserves, which constitute more than 75 per cent of global reserves.
As a result, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) developed the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Research, Development and Innovation Strategy, branded HySA, to achieve a hydrogen economy motivated by the need for sustainable energy security and environmental concerns.
The objectives of the strategy are also informed by the need for South Africa to move towards a knowledge-based economy; at the same time extracting more value from its natural resources, specifically the abundant PGMs.
Enquiries:
Tommy Makhode
Cell: 082 379 8268
DST hosts international workshop on hydrogen and fuel cells
