Anglo American Platinum Limited (“Anglo American Platinum” or the “Company”) through the power of platinum-based fuel cells, and in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is helping to bring power to three schools in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape. This demonstration project aims to illustrate the use of platinum-based, hydrogen fuel cell technology in rural education.

The power generated by these fuel cells is used as back-up power and at certain times, primary power for the Information Communications and Technology equipment as well as charging of electronic devices at the Arthur Mfebe Senior Secondary School, St Marks and Mvuzo Junior Secondary Schools.

Although some rural areas are connected to the national power grid, many schools remain unconnected and are forced to function on a day-to-day basis without lights and other conveniences offered by a regular supply of electricity.

Fuel cell power

Anglo American Platinum believes that technology plays an increasingly important role in education, therefore in support of the Cofimvaba Schools District Technology Project, the Company sponsored the three fuel cell systems which have been supplied and commissioned and will be operated and maintained by Clean Energy Investments - (a South African company co-owned by the DST and Anglo American Platinum). Air Products is supplying the hydrogen fuel requirements.

This project is part of the energy working group of the Technology for Rural Education and Development (TECH4RED) that the DST is piloting in the Nciba Circuit in Cofimvaba as a research initiative to assess how technology can contribute to the improvement of education in the area.

Fuel cell education initiative

In addition to sponsoring the fuel cells, Anglo American Platinum together with the Young Engineers and Scientists of Africa (YESA) and South African Agency for Science & Technology Advancement (SAASTA) implemented an education initiative aimed at raising awareness of the science and technology of fuels cells and renewable energy. By combining theory with practical demonstrations, learners have the opportunity to observe the fuel cell process in action using the education kits procured Anglo American Platinum from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies.

The education initiative highlighted the role and importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) in society and inspired learners to aspire towards vocations in these fields, creating the path for a new fuel cell knowledge base in South Africa. The education initiative involved classroom lessons to approximately 3500 learners from Grade R to Grade 12 at 26 schools in the region.

Speaking at the launch in the Eastern Cape, the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, noted that the Cofimvaba initiative demonstrated that collaboration between the public and private sectors was essential to improving living conditions in society.

"Success stories from other countries, like Japan, indicate that active public-private partnerships are critical in supporting the uptake of emerging technologies. The knowledge and experience gained from the Cofimvaba pilot project and others taking place throughout the country will not only promote awareness of the technology, but will assist in creating a market for technologies that are being developed through the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Programme," said Minister Pandor.

Andrew Hinkly, Anglo American Platinum’s Executive Head of Marketing said, “We firmly believe that there is a case to establish a new high-tech fuel cell industry in South Africa. We fully support government’s National Development Plan (NDP) and always seek to partner by aligning our global experience in business infrastructure development with those of the NDP. This way we can improve productivity and the quality of life of communities in and around our operations and in Labour Sending Areas (LSA). In particular, we believe that, through these partnerships, we can make a significant contribution to South Africa’s development through job creation, education and training, healthcare provision and infrastructure development. The Cofimvaba initiative demonstrates that collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential in improving living conditions in society and the lives of South Africans.“ 

The fuel cell project started in 2014 and will run for three years.