South African energy and chemicals company Sasol has selected China’s Envision Energy to conduct a design study into the development of a green hydrogen system at its Sasolburg operations.
The partnership was highlighted during South African Minister of Electricity and Energy, Hon. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s visit to Envision Energy’s Chifeng Hydrogen Net Zero Industrial Park in Inner Mongolia, held as part of the South Africa-China Energy Investment Conference.
The study will examine how renewable power generation, battery energy storage and electrolyser technologies can be integrated to produce green hydrogen at Sasolburg.
Depending on the findings of the assessment and subsequent investment decisions, the hydrogen could eventually be used in the production of e-methanol and potentially sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF).
Sasol said the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to assess technologies and opportunities that can support its energy transition while making use of existing industrial infrastructure at Sasolburg.
Sasol Senior Vice Presiden, Mr. Danie Cronje said the study would help the company determine whether combining renewable energy, energy storage and electrolysers could enable commercially competitive green hydrogen production.
He said the assessment would also provide insight into how the technologies could support future lower-carbon fuel and chemical value chains while leveraging Sasol’s existing industrial capabilities.
Envision Energy Senior Vice President and President of the International Product Line, Mr. Kane Xu said green hydrogen could become an important tool for reducing emissions in industries that are difficult to decarbonise.
Envision Energy said its proposed system would integrate renewable generation, battery storage and electrolysers to optimise hydrogen production based on expected power availability and electricity prices.
The design study is scheduled for completion later this year and is expected to provide the technical and commercial information required to determine whether the project should proceed to its next phase.
The collaboration also highlights increasing energy cooperation between South Africa and China, particularly in exploring technologies that can support industrial decarbonisation and the development of lower-carbon energy solutions.