UCT students are leading the research on green hydrogen, which is used to make cleaner fuels for cooking and aviation.
Green hydrogen is produced through a process called electrolysis using renewable energy sources and releases no emissions during its production, making it a clean fuel.
Carla Mathyse and Candace Eslick are working on a project called Green-QUEST, which aims to create a green cooking fuel for low-income households in sub-Saharan Africa.
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The project seeks to use green hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce a green version of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which could replace coal, wood and waste as an energy source for domestic households.
Replacing solid fuels with LFG for indoor cooking and heating would improve the quality of life for many and address the productive time lost in collecting wood and other sources of fuel.
On a larger scale, if LFG replaces fossil fuel-based LPG, it could assist in lowering carbon emissions, thereby supporting South Africa’s objective of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050.
‘Energy insecurity is a huge problem in Africa, and climate change is a huge problem globally. This research is important because it addresses both issues,’ says Mathyse.
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Green-QUEST is funded by the German government and valued at €4.6 million (R90.60 million). The project will develop small enterprises that will distribute LFG in communities to create jobs, and industrialisation plans to create jobs in line with South Africa’s Just Energy Transition plans.
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A second project, the Care-O-Sene project, seeks to create sustainable aviation fuel. The project is valued at €40 million (R790 million) and seeks to use green hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce a sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel-based kerosene.
Germany’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which was announced at COP26 in the UK two years ago, partially funds these projects.
The JETP includes partner countries such as the UK, US, France and Germany, which initially pledged $8.5 billion to support South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The partnership aims to achieve decarbonisation in the energy sector, develop electric vehicles, and promote green hydrogen.
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Picture: Jenine May