Talks to discuss fuel cells
THE Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement say the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) presents an excellent platform for the country to form and strengthen collaborations that will drive the local development of the fuel-cell market.
IPHE will be held at the University of Pretoria and the Capital Menlyn Maine Hotel and Apartments in Pretoria from tomorrow until Friday.
The IPHE is an international intergovernmental partnership that aims to accelerate the progress of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies worldwide.
It also aims to inform the public about the benefits of establishing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in the economy and the current challenges that this process is facing.
The partnership consists of 18 member countries and the European Commission. South Africa has been a member of the partnership since 2010 and is the only African country represented.
Scientists from Japan, Germany and the US will present research on the best international practices and new research in the field of clean energy.
An IPHE delegation will visit hydrogen and fuel cell technology research facilities, infrastructure and pilot projects and will meet the Minister of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, to discuss the progress of this technology and the role that South Africa will play in its development.
Master’s students and PhD candidates will present posters on renewable energy research in South Africa with the aim of facilitating discussion and forming collaborations with local and international experts.
South Africa plays a key role in the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies as it contains 75% of the world’s platinum, which is an integral component of fuel cell technology.
DST director of Alternative Energy and chairperson of the local organising committee of the 30th IPHE steering committee meeting, Dr Cosmas Chiteme, said he looked forward to an excellent conference with a group of great scientists.