The potential role of green hydrogen production in the South Africa energy mix

Abstract

The energy sector in South Africa is highly driven by coal, making the country one of the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters in the world. As one of the signatories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the country is determined to reduce its carbon footprint. In this paper, the role of green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources to the South African energy sector is presented with the objective of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix. First, an overview of the South African energy sector is presented with the aim of pointing out the energy inputs and the usage patterns. Thereafter, the potential of renewable energy resources that could support green hydrogen production is highlighted. Some of the key findings show that 67% of total primary energy sources in South Africa is coal. Industrial and residential sectors account for the bulk of energy usage with 53% and 19%, respectively. It is also revealed that industrial and transportation sectors account for 51% and 38%, respectively, of GHG emission with the residential sector contributing only 2%. The renewable energy resources in South Africa are encouraging for green hydrogen production. Solar has an average 2500 h of sunshine per year with daily total solar irradiation between 4 and 6.5 kWh/m2 day. The annual average wind speed ranges from 5.6 to 8.7 m/s with power density between 218 and 693 W/m2 at 10 m anemometer height in the coastal region of the country. The biomass potential is estimated as 83.91 Teragram per annum with hydropotential of 4.851 GW. This paper is important as it will serve as a firsthand scientific information for optimal development and investment in green hydrogen production in South Africa.