South Africa
Techno-economic Optimization of Renewable Hydrogen Infrastructure via AI-based Dynamic Pricing
Aug 2025
Publication
This study presents a techno-economic optimization of hydrogen production using hybrid wind-solar systems across six Australian cities highlighting Australia’s green hydrogen potential. A hybrid PVwind-electrolyzer-hydrogen tank (PV-WT-EL-HT) system demonstrated superior performance with Perth achieving the lowest Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) at $0.582/kg Net Present Cost (NPC) of $27.5k and Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of $0.0166/kWh. Perth also showed the highest return on investment present worth and annual worth making it the preferred project site. All locations maintained a 100% renewable fraction proving the viability of fully decarbonized hydrogen production. Metaheuristic validation using nine algorithms showed the Mayfly Algorithm improved techno-economic metrics by 3–8% over HOMER Pro models. The Gray Wolf and Whale Optimization Algorithms enhanced system stability under wind-dominant conditions. Sensitivity analysis revealed that blockchain-based dynamic pricing and reinforcement learning-driven demand response yielded 8–10% cost savings under ±15% demand variability. Nevertheless regional disparities persist; southern cities such as Hobart and Melbourne exhibited 20–30% higher LCOH due to reduced renewable resource availability while densely urbanized cities like Sydney presented optimization ceilings with minimal LCOH improvements despite algorithmic refinements. Investment in advanced materials (e.g. perovskite-VAWTs) and offshore platforms targeting hydrogen export markets is essential. Perth emerged as the optimal hub with hybrid PV/WT/B systems producing 200–250 MWh/ month of electricity and 200–250 kg/month of hydrogen supported by policy incentives. This work offers a blueprint for region-specific AI-augmented hydrogen systems to drive Australia’s hydrogen economy toward $2.10/kg by 2030.
Aluminium-based Electrode Materials for Green Hydrogen Production through Electrolysis and Hydrolysis: A Review
Sep 2025
Publication
In recent years the utilization of aluminium (Al) Al alloys and their composite powder and anode encourages the generation of green hydrogen through hydrolysis and water splitting electrolysis with zero emissions. As such in this study the development and characterization of Al Al alloys and Al-based composite powder and compacted Al composites for clean hydrogen production using hydrolysis and water splitting processes were reviewed. Herein based on the available literature it is worth mentioning that the incorporation of active additives such as h-BN Bi@C g-C3N4 MoS2 Ni In Fe and BiOCl@CNTs in the Al-based composites using ball milling melting smelting casting and spark plasma sintering technique remarkably improved the rate of hydrogen evolution and hydrogen gas conversion yield particularly during hydrolysis of Al-water reaction. Again Al-based electrodes with improved electrical conductivity notably results in better water splitting electrolysis as well as fast chemical reaction in achieving hydrogen gas production at low energy consumption with efficiency. Though notwithstanding the significance of Al Al alloy and Al-based composite hydrogen generation performances there are still some challenges associated with the Al-based materials for hydrogen production via hydrolysis and water electrolysis. For example the low current density and poor electrochemical properties of Al which on the other hand results in long induction time high overpotential and cost remains a gap to bridge. Hence the authors concluded the review study with recommendations for future improvement of Al-based composite electrodes on hydrogen production and sustainability via hydrolysis and water electrolysis. Thus the study will pave the way for further research on clean hydrogen energy generation.
Synergies Between Green Hydrogen and Renewable Energy in South Africa
Aug 2025
Publication
South Africa has excellent conditions for renewable energy generation making it well placed to produce green hydrogen for both domestic use and export. In building a green hydrogen economy around export markets it will face competition from countries with equivalent or better resources and/or that are located closer to export markets (e.g. in North Africa and the Middle East) or have lower capital costs (developed markets like Australia and Canada). South Africa however has an extensive energy system with unserved electricity demand. The ability to trade electricity with the national grid (feeding into the grid during times of peak dedicated renewable energy supply and extracting from the grid during times of low dedicated renewable energy availability) could reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen by as much as 10–25 %. This paper explores the opportunity for South African green hydrogen producers presented by the electricity supply crisis that has been ongoing since 2007. It highlights the potential for a mutually reinforcing growth cycle between renewable energy and green hydrogen to be established which will contribute not only to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions but to the local economy and broader society.
A Comparative Study of Alternative Polymer Binders for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Aug 2025
Publication
Given the economic industrial and environmental value of green dihydrogen (H2) optimization of water electrolysis as a means of producing H2 is essential. Binders are a crucial component of electrocatalysts yet they remain largely underdeveloped with a significant lack of standardization in the field. Therefore targeted research into the development of alternative binder systems is essential for advancing performance and consistency. Binders essentially act as the key to regulating the electrode (support)–catalyst–electrolyte interfacial junctions and contribute to the overall reactivity of the electrocatalyst assembly. Therefore alternative binders were explored with a focus on cost efficiency and environmental compatibility striving to achieve desirable activity and stability. Herein the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was investigated and the sluggish water dissociation step was targeted. Controlled hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hydrogel binders were designed for this application. Three hydrogel binders were evaluated without incorporated electrocatalysts namely PVA145 PVA145-blend-bPEI1.8 and PVA145-blend-PPy. Interestingly the study revealed that the hydrophilicity of the binders exhibited an enhancing effect on the observed activity resulting in improved performance compared to the commercial binder Nafion™. Notably the PVA145 system stands out with an overpotential of 224 mV at−10 mA·cm−2 (geometric) in 1.0 M KOH compared to the 238 mV exhibited by Nafion™. Inclusion of Pt as active material in PVA145 as binder exhibited a synergistic increase in performance achieving a mass activity of 1.174 A.cm−2.mg−1 Pt in comparison to Nafion™’s 0.344 A.cm−2.mg−1 Pt measured at−150 mV vs RHE. Our research aimed to contribute to the development of cost-effective and efficient binder systems stressing the necessity to challenge the dominance of the commercially available binders.
A Review of Green Hydrogen Technologies and Their Role in Enabling Sustainable Energy Access in Remote and Off-Grid Areas Within Sub-Saharan Africa
Sep 2025
Publication
Electricity access deficits remain acute in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where more than 600 million people lack reliable supply. Green hydrogen produced through renewablepowered electrolysis is increasingly recognized as a transformative energy carrier for decentralized systems due to its capacity for long-duration storage sector coupling and near-zero carbon emissions. This review adheres strictly to the PRISMA 2020 methodology examining 190 records and synthesizing 80 peer-reviewed articles and industry reports released from 2010 to 2025. The review covers hydrogen production processes hybrid renewable integration techno-economic analysis environmental compromises global feasibility and enabling policy incentives. The findings show that Alkaline (AEL) and PEM electrolyzers are immediately suitable for off-grid scenarios whereas Solid Oxide (SOEC) and Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzers present high potential for future deployment. For Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) the levelized costs of hydrogen (LCOH) are in the range of EUR5.0–7.7/kg. Nonetheless estimates from the learning curve indicate that these costs could fall to between EUR1.0 and EUR1.5 per kg by 2050 assuming there is (i) continued public support for the technology innovation (ii) appropriate flexible and predictable regulation (iii) increased demand for hydrogen and (iv) a stable and long-term policy framework. Environmental life-cycle assessments indicate that emissions are nearly zero but they also highlight serious concerns regarding freshwater usage land occupation and dependence on platinum group metals. Namibia South Africa and Kenya exhibit considerable promise in the early stages of development while Niger demonstrates the feasibility of deploying modular community-scale systems in challenging conditions. The study concludes that green hydrogen cannot be treated as an integrated solution but needs to be regarded as part of blended off-grid systems. To improve its role targeted material innovation blended finance and policies bridging export-oriented applications to community-scale access must be established. It will then be feasible to ensure that hydrogen
Recent Advances in MXene-based Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Wastewater Treatment, Carbon Dioxide Reduction, and Hydrogen Production: A Comprehensive Review
Oct 2025
Publication
This review critically examines recent advancements in MXene-based nanocomposites and their roles in photocatalytic applications for environmental remediation and renewable energy. MXenes two-dimensional transition metal carbides nitrides and carbonitrides (Mn+1XnTx where M = transition metal X = C/N Tx = surface terminations such as –O –OH –F) exhibit high electrical conductivity tunable band structures hydrophilic surfaces and large specific surface areas. These properties make them highly effective in enhancing photocatalytic activity when incorporated into composite systems. The review summarizes synthesis methods structural modifications and the mechanisms underlying photocatalytic performance highlighting their efficiency in degrading organic inorganic and microbial pollutants converting CO₂ into value-added chemicals and generating H₂ via water splitting. Key challenges including stability oxidation and scalability are analyzed along with strategies such as surface passivation heterojunction formation and hybridization with antioxidant materials to improve performance. Future research should focus on developing green synthesis methods improving long-term stability and exploring scalable production to facilitate practical deployment. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of MXene nanocomposites supporting their advancement as multifunctional photocatalysts for a clean and sustainable energy future.
Evaluating the Role of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Supporting South Africa’s Energy Transition
Oct 2025
Publication
This report evaluates the role of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) in supporting South Africa’s energy transition amidst persistent power shortages coal dependency and growing decarbonisation imperatives. Drawing on national policy frameworks including the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019) the Just Energy Transition (JET) strategy and Net Zero 2050 targets this study analyses five major HRES configurations: PV–Battery PV–Diesel–Battery PV–Wind–Battery PV–Hydrogen and Multi-Source EMS. Through technical modelling lifecycle cost estimation and trade-off analysis the report demonstrates how hybrid systems can decentralise energy supply improve grid resilience and align with socio-economic development goals. Geographic application cost-performance metrics and policy alignment are assessed to inform region-specific deployment strategies. Despite enabling technologies and proven field performance the scale-up of HRESs is constrained by financial regulatory and institutional barriers. The report concludes with targeted policy recommendations to support inclusive and regionally adaptive HRES investment in South Africa.
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