Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems to Power Field Hospital and Rural Areas

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) on Wednesday, 19 August 2020, unveiled seven hydrogen fuel cell systems as the primary power source which will be used at Pretoria’s 1 Military Hospital as a primary source of power for the field hospital facilities established as part of Government’s response to COVID-19.

The project is a public-private partnership between the DSI, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Department of Defence, local companies Bambili Energy and HyPlat, and international companies PowerCell Sweden, Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies and Element 1 Corporation. Further contributions, in the form of methanol and hydrogen fuel for the fuel cell units, were also received from Protea Chemicals, Air Products South Africa and Sasol.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is globally recognised for its potential to decarbonise the energy and transport sectors. Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by means of a chemical reaction, using hydrogen as the basic fuel together with platinum-based catalysts. They are efficient, reliable, safe and quiet, ensuring a non-intrusive standby and primary power solution. Being modular in nature, they can be deployed rapidly and scaled up easily as the need arises, and their maintenance cost is relatively low.

Protea Chemicals is proud of this partnership and will blend and supply Hydro Energy fuel to Bambili Group.

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