South Africans need to keep an ear out for the acronym PEM – proton exchange membrane – when it comes to hydrogen. We want PEM electrolysers and we want PEM fuel cells because PEM technology translates into additional demand for platinum group metals, which we host in greatest abundance.
Well done to countries outside of South Africa opting for PEM because one of the first electrolysers in South Africa went to the alkaline competitors. Last week Australia thankfully embarked on a PEM route by ordering what will be the biggest electrolyser PEM Down Under.
Viva Energy Australia, a Sydney-listed company, which owns the Geelong refinery and supplies a service station network of around 1 350 Shell and Liberty service stations across Australia, has placed the PEM order on Nel Hydrogen US to provide green hydrogen for heavy haul. The Nel announcement coincided with a report by Energy Rethink that declared hydrogen as the ‘slam dunk’ of heavy-haul transport in a decarbonising world.