Hydrogen fuel cells for schools
COFIMVABA – Three schools, Arthur Mfebe Senior Secondary, St Marks Junior Secondary and Mvuzo Junior Secondary, are set to benefit from hydrogen fuel cell technology which is being used successfully to provide standby power to some schools in the Eastern Cape.
The power generated by fuel cells is used to support basic energy requirements, such as charging stations for tablets, fax machines and computers.
The technology is part of a pilot project led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) which has partnered with the private sector.
Anglo American Platinum sponsored three platinum-based fuel cell systems, including installation and ongoing maintenance and operations. Air Products is supplying the hydrogen fuel and Clean Energy Investments (a South African company co-owned by the DST and Anglo American Platinum) commissioned the fuel cells to bring standby power to the schools.
At the launch, Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, said the Cofimvaba initiative demonstrated that collaboration between the public and private sectors was essential to improve living conditions in society.
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“The knowledge and experience gained from the Cofimvaba project and others throughout the country will not only promote awareness of the technology, but will assist in creating a market for technologies that
- Julie Miller had a miraculous escape from a serious accident when on her way to East London last week and only had a few bruises to show for it. She stopped in the yellow line area to answer her cell phone when her vehicle was hit by a big articulated lorry travelling in the same direction before it overturned, pinning the driver in the cab. Regrettably the driver of the vehicle had to be cut from the vehicle before being airlifted to hospital in East London where it is believed his legs were amputated.
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are being developed through the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Programme.”
HySA focuses on the development of high-value hydrogen fuel cell technology products that promote the beneficiation
and Margaret Evens will be leaving Cathcart shortly to retire to their house at St Francis Bay after spending most of their lives living on farms in the district before retiring to Callie Evens Lodge.
As a way of saying goodbye to the community, Margaret organised a musical farewell at the Lodge on Wednesday night for many friends and residents and a great evening was enjoyed by everyone. The evening started with Margaret playing the very first piece of music she had played as a 10-year-old in of the platinum group metals and has three centres of competence focusing on catalysis, infrastructure and systems integration.
Anglo Platinum, together with the Young Engineers and the Cathcart town hall some 70 years ago and the classical pieces of music were interspersed with light music favourites which included Roger Nash and Martin Richardson on
, each singing a solo. The community will be sad to see the Evenses leaving, especially as their ties with Callie Evens Lodge, named after Chappie’s dad, are of great sentiment to the family.
A REMINDER
that the blood clinic takes place today at the Round Table club house from11am.
THE
Scientists of Africa (YESA) group and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), have developed an educational programme that has been rolled out to schools in the area, teaching learners about the science of fuel cells. To date, 3 500 pupils from grade R to grade 12 at 26 schools in the region have benefited.
Executive head of marketing of Anglo American Platinum Andrew Hinkly said, “This collaboration provides the opportunity to demonstrate not only the technical ability of platinum-based fuel cells to power rural schools, but also contributes to the improvement of the quality of teaching and learning in a rural context.”
Clean Energy investments CEO Gavin Coetzer said power stability in schools was essential.
“Fuel cell standby power solutions are efficient, reliable, safe and, most importantly, quiet, ensuring a non-intrusive standby and – potentially – primary power solution.”
The DST, through the TECH4RED (Technology for Rural Education Development) project will, during this year, install two solar systems and a biogas system, and provide portable rechargeable batteries to learners with no electricity in their homes in the area.
ONMonday
the murder trial for the murder of Barry Armstrong starts in Cathcart. Our thoughts are with the family at this stressful time.
individual Stableford golf competition last week was won by Mike Galloway on 38 points from Cheryl Galloway on 36 and Robert Hart on 34. Both Barrie Wardle and Cheryl had 2 clubs.
The African Rand American scramble betterball event takes place next Thursday, June 25, and entries may be given to Mark Wardle.