Renewable Hydrogen Webinar

Renewable hydrogen and green powerfuel opportunities for South Africa

A Zoom webinar hosted by EE Business Intelligence and the EU Delegation to South Africa.

EE Business Intelligence and the European Union Delegation to South Africa are co-hosting a high-level webinar in association with the Department of Science and Innovation, European Commission, CSIR, Port of Rotterdam, Air Liquide, Enertrag and Nedbank.

The European Union Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Riina Kionka, will open the webinar and introduce the South African Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Hon. Blade Nzimande, who will make the opening keynote address. This will then be followed by high-level presentations from the European Commission, Department of Science and Innovation, CSIR Energy Centre, Port of Rotterdam, Air Liquide, Enertrag and Nedbank.

The webinar will also be used to launch a detailed study on green powerfuels and the opportunities arising for South Africa, commissioned by EU-SA Partners for Growth Programme, and written by Thomas Roos and Dr. Jarrad Wright of the CSIR Energy Centre in Pretoria, South Africa.

Green powerfuels are synthetic gaseous or liquid fuels based on renewable hydrogen, which is hydrogen obtained by the electrolysis of water using renewable electricity. Green powerfuels are therefore a renewable alternative to fossil fuels as their use avoids net emissions of CO2. Green powerfuels are used in sectors which may be difficult to decarbonise and not easily driven directly by renewables-based electricity, including road and rail transportation, shipping, and production of steel, cement and fertiliser, amongst others.

South Africa has exceptional wind and solar natural resources, which together with abundant, low-cost land, 50 years of experience in the commercial production of synthetic fuels using the Fischer-Tropsch process, and good shipping access to the rapidly growing international markets of the European Union and Japan, provide a unique competitive advantage for the country in the production of green powerfuels. The webinar will explore the technologies, business case and opportunities for South Africa by renewable hydrogen and green powerfuels, both locally and internationally.

Programme

14h00 – 14h02: Welcome and housekeeping by Chris Yelland, managing director at EE Business Intelligence.
14h02 – 14h10: Opening by the European Union Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Riina Kionka, and introduction of Minister Blade Nzimande.
14h10 – 14h25: Opening keynote address by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Hon. Blade Nzimande.
14h25 – 14h45: Presentation by Tudor Constantinescu, Principal Adviser to the Director General for Energy, at the European Commission.
14h45 – 14h50: Introduction to the CSIR report by Dr Rebecca Maserumule, Chief Director: Hydrogen and Energy, at the Department of Science and Innovation.
14h50 – 15h15: Presentation by Thomas Roos and Dr Jarrad Wright, CSIR Energy Centre, on the CSIR report on green powerfuels commissioned by the EU-SA Partners for Growth Programme.
15h15 – 15h35: Presentation by Monica Swanson, International Business Manager: Hydrogen Projects, and Marc Aartsen, International Programme Manager: Ports Projects, at the Port of Rotterdam.
15h35 – 15h45: Comfort break.
15h45 – 16h05: Presentation by Peter Mackey, VP Strategy & Policy Support for the Hydrogen Energy Business Line, at Air Liquide.
16h05 – 16h25: Presentation by Dr Tobias Bischof-Niemz, Head of Division: New Energy Solutions, at Enertrag AG, Germany, and CEO of Enertrag South Africa.
16h25 – 16h55: Q & A session facilitated by Chris Yelland, managing director at EE Business Intelligence.
16h55 – 17h00: Wrap-up and closure by Thiago Almeida, Sector Lead: Power and Infrastructure, at Nedbank CIB.

EE Business Intelligence strives to be a positive formative influence on policy, economic, social, regulatory, standardisation, training and business development in the energy, electricity and ICT sectors of Africa. Its activities and services include thought leadership, analysis, research, consulting, special assignments, business intelligence, strategic event facilitation and management, and public, corporate and media speaking engagements and commentary.

• Register to attend the webinar free-of-charge.