Green hydrogen has been touted as South Africa’s “next gold rush” – but ox wagons will need to be replaced by sophisticated logistics pipelines to make it happen.There is a growing number of projects in the pipeline, with the latest being the signing of an agreement between Sasol and ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals.Other projects already announced include the Platinum Valley Initiative consisting of nine hydrogen-related projects, COALCO2-X project in Mpumalanga, and the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Development Project.“South Africa has world-class renewable potential that can be leveraged to supply clean energy to the world and transform the domestic economy,” says James Mackay, PwC Africa South Market Lead for Energy.On May 18, South Africa joined Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritania and Namibia in the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance, which aims to ensure the continent is a major supplier of green hydrogen.One of the most efficient ways to transport hydrogen is as liquid ammonia.Liquid hydrogen must be kept at -253°C, which requires a new generation of specialised tank containers and vessels.While ammonia can be transported using some existing equipment and infrastructure, there will not be enough of it to go around.Although safer than liquid hydrogen, ammonia is both corrosive and toxic. One of the first logistics companies to invest heavily in hydrogen is Trafigura, with interests throughout the value chain.In September it announced that it had signed an agreement with US company Amogy to study the use of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier.“Ammonia will require cracking at destination to cater to different end uses,” said Margaux Moore, head of energy transition research at Trafigura. “Our work with Amogy will help us understand the economics of this supply chain.”
