Transforming today’s energy needs for tomorrow

Green Hydrogen

There is a global push towards green hydrogen, because it is seen as a viable fuel of the future to replace hydrocarbons. The added advantage of green hydrogen also manifests itself in its versatility, in that it can be used as a fuel in combustion engines as well as an energy source for fuel cells, which requires a quick to up, opposed to Lithium Ion batteries, which needs a lengthy recharge on a regular basis.

Background

SA has the potential to become an exporter of green hydrogen and cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% - were it to take advantage of opportunities available in the hydrogen economy - due to abundant sun and wind. Natural gasis currently the primary source of grey hydrogen production, accounting for around three quarters of the annual global dedicated hydrogen production,through steam reforming, of around 70 million tonnes. This accounts for about 6% of global natural gas use. (IHS Markit, 9 June 2021) 

SA is the 12th largest emitter in the world with close to 80% of electricity produced by coal and with several exceptionally large energy-intensive industrial companies. If SA was to stick to its current path of gradually adopting cleaner electrification by introducing renewable energy and retiring coal plants, if it is to achieve targeted reducutions of total emissions by 40%-45% by 2050. However, if green hydrogen were to replace other energy sources in industrial processes, SA could lower carbon emissions by 70%.

Sectors that would be the biggest user of green hydrogen and save the most in reduced emissions would be the synthetic fuels industry, steel and chemicals.

Our objective at Harvard Green Energy (‘HGE’) is to become a major player in green hydrogen and related downstream products, e.g., ammonia production such that we are well positioned for product uptake and upscaling to commercial viability with offtakes and global technology partners.

Changing the world is possible. We’ve done it before.

The first hydrogen fueled car was invented in 1806. Since then, several manufacturers dabbled in hydrogen as a fuel source. The latest being BMW and Toyota, who for example, both introduced hydrogen fuel internal combustion (IC) vehicles in their line-up.

Hydrogen Economy - An Overview

The first hydrogen fueled car was invented in 1806. Since then, several manufacturers dabbled in hydrogen as a fuel source - the latest being BMW and Toyota who introduced hydrogen fuel internal combustion (IC) vehicles, in their line-up.

It is interesting to note that from a chemical composition perspective, hydrogen forms part of all fossil fuels and plastics as well as other compounds such as ammonia. The last of which has show significant potential, as a hydrogen fuel carrier or to be used as a fuel source, in itself.

Ammonia is becoming extremely attractive as a fossil fuel alternative for ships. With a chemical composition of NH4, the emissions should only be water and nitrogen. Excess ammonia production could be sold to the fertilizer industry.

Australia is one of a number of countries heavily investing into the Hydrogen Economy with the goal of using solar to manufacture ammonia and then ship it to China and Europe.

Hydrogen is classified in how much its production impacts on the environment:

  • Brown and black hydrogen is produced from brown or black coal respectively via gasification.

  • Grey hydrogen is hydrogen produced from natural gas through steam reforming with emissions higher than 36.4 g CO2/MJ

  • Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas, usually via steam-reforming, with carbon capture storage (CCS), resulting in emissions below36.4 g CO2/MJ

  • Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced through electrolysis by means of a renewable energy source such as wind and solar

Hydrogen Economy

THE BENEFITS

Fuel cells are friendly to the environment and more reliable than diesel. 

When the grid fails, the HGE solution can deliver an immediate injection of power without the noise or smell of diesel generators. Zero emissions and no noise mean that this is suitable for rooftops, urban and rural areas, and even indoors.

 And with no moving parts, it is always ready to provide power, without frequent oil changes or time-consuming servicing and maintenance schedules.

 Better than batteries. Battery-based solutions usually provide from a few minutes in a UPS type arrangement but has to be significantly upscale at cost to provide backup power byond a hour. Many power failures last longer, especially during extreme weather. Our fuel cell solution can provide power as long as hydrogen fuel is available, independent for the grid, without the disadvantages of a generator. 

Our power solutions are all-weather sources of clean energy. Unlike solar or wind systems, rainy days, long nights, or calm, windless days are not a challenge because hydrogen takes care of it all.

THE POTENTIAL

Fuel cells for niche applications 

Gensets and turbines for applications up to 103MW. 

The hydrogen can be also function as an energy store to converted to electricity during peak times to supplement the grid or perform a load shifting. 

With our onsite fit for purpose custom designed, renewable energy supplied, hydrogen production plant, doing away with logistical issues, you never run out of fuel. 

The plants can be a mix of “portable” and permanent and/or standalone 

Installed wherever supplemental capacity is needed, incorporating into the mix the benefits of distributed supply scalable and replicable across the country.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Mining vehicles are ideal candidates for fuel cells because of the advantages they offer with regards to the following:

  • Carbon footprint reduction

  • On-site fuel production, eliminating logistical issues

  • High torque and power associated with electric motors

  • Much reduced maintenance and repair costs reducing down time

  • Reduced lifecycle costs

An in-house initiative, to develop niche market hydrogen/fuel cell, vehicles for a variety of industries, including the mining and financial industries including game watching is in the process of getting off the ground.

Our business model based on ropoff containerised hydrogen production units, supplied from solar energy, can produce green hydrogen on site and short travel distances would allow for compressed hydrogen to be feasible. The size of plant and equipment would be determined on a site basis and costed accordingly.

Long Haul Transport

Discussions have already been initiated with truck manufacturers towards the possible coordination of the supply of hydrogen on South Africa’s national roads. Batteries are not feasible for long haul road transport in several countries. However, a realisation is taking place that fuel cells have an important role to play in this arena.

A similar approach would be followed other than that the fuel would be either pure hydrogen or ammonia depending on requirements of the manufacturer and that refuel points would follow the same approach as the current petrol/diesel suppliers. In this regard either compressed hydrogen or ammonia (NH3) could be used as a source of fuel for fuel cells. Ammonia to hydrogen catalysers have already been developed and the advantage of ammonia regarding low pressure storage and higher energy density as compared to hydrogen, combined with more efficient fuel cells willbe a game changer.

For the long-haul industry, the need for green hydrogen and hydrogen would allow for a similar approach the the mining industry, except that self-contained filling stations can be placed at strategic points along highways where fuel would be produced on site using renewable energy. A fuel tank, hydrogen or ammonia, exchange would be even faster that refilling a diesel tank.

Hydrogen as compared to other fuels

HGE has a focus on mining vehicles and equipment and long-haul transport and in these scenarios the following scenarios are important:

· Fuel cells, including hydrogen and tank is 3.5 to 4 times more energy dense per kg than lithium-Ion batteries.

· A fuel cell vehicle weight is not a function of its range whereas a Lithium-Ion battery vehicle’s, such as a 5-passenger car, weight increases by aproximately 150kg for every 80km range added.

· The increase in volume for Lithium Ion bateries, in relation to range increase is 2.4 times that of fuel cells for the same range extention.

· Hydrogen can be produced at filling stations along roads or at mines.

Meet the Team

“I don't believe that a hydrogen economy depends on a carbon economy at all.”

— Larry Burns (General Motors)