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Fuel Cells

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy from a fuel, typically hydrogen, directly into electrical energy through a reaction with oxygen or another oxidising agent. Unlike batteries, which store energy, fuel cells generate electricity continuously as long as fuel is supplied. The technology operates without combustion, producing water and heat as the primary by-products when hydrogen is used, making it a clean energy solution. Fuel cells are used across a range of applications, including stationary power generation, backup power systems, portable electronics and transportation, particularly in electric vehicles and buses. The automotive sector has seen growing interest in fuel-cell electric vehicles as an alternative to battery-electric vehicles, especially for heavy-duty and long-range applications. Platinum-group metals, particularly platinum and palladium, are critical components in most fuel-cell designs, serving as catalysts to facilitate the electrochemical reactions. South Africa's significant platinum reserves position the country as a key supplier of materials essential to fuel-cell manufacturing. The technology is regarded as a cornerstone of the energy transition, offering a pathway to decarbonise sectors where electrification through batteries alone is challenging. Fuel cells have been deployed in industrial, commercial and residential settings, and their adoption is supported by policy frameworks promoting hydrogen economies and renewable energy integration. Ongoing research focuses on reducing costs, improving durability and decreasing reliance on scarce platinum-group metals.

Fuel Cells News


Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (24/07/2026)
24th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer discusses China’s platinum-focused Five-Year Plan, AI-driven efficiencies for lower-grade operations, and DRDGold’s R10-billion regional tailings storage expansion. 


Magazine cover image
AI could unlock discoveries if geologists stay in control
24th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The increasing uptake of AI in many spheres of life has also extended to geology, where it has found several applications with varying degrees of success, although there are myriad ethical, safety... 


UJ’s JENano Group advances green hydrogen and energy-storage technologies
UJ’s JENano Group advances green hydrogen and energy-storage technologies
23rd July 2026

Researchers from the JENano Group at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) are advancing South Africa’s green hydrogen ambitions through integrated research spanning computational materials design,... 


Caibai GM Caigang Ning, WPIC CEO Trevor Raymond, and WPIC Asia Pacific regional head Weibin Deng.
Platinum metals fundamentally key to China’s Five-Year Plan, WPIC reports
17th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Shanghai Platinum Week 2026 has served to highlight that platinum group metals (PGMs) are fundamentally key to the delivery of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan to 2030. China has earmarked close to... 


Sibanye-Stillwater sales & marketing executive VP Kleantha Pillay.
New longer-term platinum metal applications needed, Sibanye-Stillwater headlines
10th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

To replace declining demand for the autocatalysis that curbs emissions from vehicle exhausts, new longer-term platinum group metal (PGM) applications are required, Sibanye-Stillwater headlined at... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (26/06/2026)
26th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer talks about South Africa's platinum assets, hydrogen fuel cell technology and a project underway in KZN to add value to the titanium in mineral sands. 


SA's platinum assets, hydrogen fuel cell tech, green molecules make headlines
SA's platinum assets, hydrogen fuel cell tech, green molecules make headlines
26th June 2026

Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer notes that Sibanye-Stillwater’s CEO has declares the company’s South African platinum assets the ‘world’s best’; he discusses Deputy President Paul Mashatile's... 


Stuart Heather-Clark, SLR Consulting Power Sector Lead Middle East and Africa
Exciting gigawatt-scale projects across Africa, SLR reports
26th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

To combat climate change, the world needs green molecules in addition to green electrons. “If we look how the economy is carbonised, an electron can only decarbonise between 60% to 70% of the... 


Sibanye-Stillwater sales & marketing executive VP Kleantha Pillay.
New longer-term platinum metal applications needed, Sibanye-Stillwater headlines
25th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

To replace declining demand for the autocatalysis that curbs emissions from vehicle exhausts, new longer-term platinum group metal (PGM) applications are required, Sibanye-Stillwater headlined at... 


Wang Ju and Paul Mashatile.
South Africa’s Deputy President in hydrogen fuel cell working visit to China
22nd June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

As part of a working visit to China, South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile has met with a key industry organisation that promotes the development and adoption of hydrogen energy and fuel... 


Grid infrastructure requirements reshape base metals demand outlook to 2040 – WoodMac
Grid infrastructure requirements reshape base metals demand outlook to 2040 – WoodMac
17th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Research from consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) finds that the base metals required to power the global data centre boom extend far beyond the servers, cooling units and enclosures inside these... 


Shanghai Week poised to boost platinum still further.
July’s Shanghai Week set to firm up platinum’s already solid status
15th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer

In a year where change is proving to be rapid and consequential, the major upcoming Shanghai Platinum Week is bound to connect key trends across the platinum group metals (PGMs) value chain as it... 


Toyota launches its first fully electric vehicle in the South African market
12th June 2026 By: Irma Venter

South Africa’s long-running market leader has finally launched its first fully electric vehicle in the domestic market – the Toyota bZ4X. Priced rather steeply at R1.18-million, this battery... 


Heavy-hitters sign deal to develop hydrogen supply chain from Japan to Europe
5th June 2026 By: Irma Venter

Daimler Truck, MB Energy and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to establish a liquefied hydrogen supply chain to Europe via the Port of Hamburg. Under this... 


Toyota, govt hand over locally developed hydrogen refuelling station
29th May 2026 By: Irma Venter

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), together with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and Hydrogen South Africa (HySA), have handed over a locally developed mobile hydrogen... 


Platinum crucibles.
Platinum’s the gift that just keeps on giving as global value-chain prospects resurface
25th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Platinum‑based equipment is critical for producing large, flawless crystals for electronics and optics applications, says the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) in its 60 Seconds feature.... 


Lhyfe taxi refuelling.
As costs drop, hydrogen energy sovereignty is being grasped
22nd May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Following South Africa’s Northam Platinum reporting earlier this year that thousands of hydrogen-powered trucks are doing the rounds in China, France’s Lhyfe added on Monday, May 4 that by the end... 


African Rainbow Minerals CEO Phillip Tobias.
Hydrogen mobility, platinum group metals highlighted in North West
22nd May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Hydrogen mobility and platinum group metals (PGMs) have been highlighted at North-West University (NWU) by the handing over of the mobile hydrogen refuelling and hydrogen generation system to... 


An image of Fred Arendse
Further investment needed to lift sector
15th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

Because junior mining companies are the principal drivers of mineral exploration in South Africa, junior mining lobby association the Junior Mining Council (JMC) is calling for increased investment... 


Volker Ebeling, Kei Nomura and Dr Manfred Schuckert are at the front, and at the back is Senator Dr Melanie Leonhard, president of the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Innovation in Hamburg
Heavy-hitters sign agreement to develop hydrogen supply chain from Japan to Europe
11th May 2026 By: Irma Venter

Daimler Truck, MB Energy and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to establish a liquefied hydrogen supply chain to Europe via the Port of Hamburg. Under this... 


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pqt: 0.104s - ct: 0.171s - 277pq - 2rq
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