Experts from Germany have embarked on a two-year study to analyse the establishment of a hydrogen economy in Namibia and explore the potential for exporting its by-products to Germany.
Scientists and consultants from Germany’s DECHEMA and ISOE institutions’ study aims to assess the viability of a green hydrogen industry and its derivatives, such as ammonia, as well as innovative seawater desalination technologies.
With a focus on the production, conversion, and transport of green hydrogen, the project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of its strategy to expand international hydrogen partnerships.
Daniel Frank, coordinator of the project at DECHEMA said Namibia is one of the most promising countries for the low-cost production of green hydrogen, even though according to many experts, it is also the driest country in the sub-Saharan region.
“Sufficient renewable energy alone is not enough for hydrogen production. Water, which is also needed, must therefore be obtained locally from seawater desalination plants or water re-use concepts, as groundwater alone will not be sustainable nor sufficient to meet the increasing demand in the future,” Frank said.
He said in terms of examining social and ecological impacts alongside the potential benefits of green hydrogen production, the study will also evaluate the social and ecological risks associated with water and land use conflicts.
“The ISOE cooperation partner will conduct this assessment, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of the project.”
“If the study demonstrates the feasibility of hydrogen production and export, the concept can be replicated in other regions, establishing a foundation for the global development of the hydrogen economy. Green Hydrogen’s contribution to climate neutrality and socio-economic development, particularly in the Global South, would be significant,” he said, focusing on the global implications of the study.
This comes as in a bid to strengthen the German-Namibian Hydrogen partnership, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, the German Federal Minister of Education and Research, recently visited Namibia in March 2023.
Accompanied by Frank, Minister Stark-Watzinger handed over grants worth almost €30 million for four pilot projects funded by the BMBF.
These projects focus on the production and use of green hydrogen and are expected to present initial results by the end of 2023.
“During her visit, Minister Stark-Watzinger officially launched the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship Program, allowing young Namibians to combine education and studies with stays at German universities. The program awarded 64 master scholarships and an additional 34 scholarships for training in its first round,” added Frank.
Furthermore, the partnership aims to facilitate knowledge transfer and publication as the project team GreeN-H2 Namibia of DECHEMA and ISOE regularly visits Namibia to monitor the progress of the pilot projects and facilitate knowledge transfer across the green hydrogen value chain.
“Selective studies will be published, with the first planned for summer 2023, focusing on the impact of brine from seawater desalination on maritime life and possible measures for sustainable desalination.”
The continuous collaboration between Germany and Namibia holds promise for advancing the green hydrogen industry and addressing global climate challenges as the project team’s next trip to Namibia is scheduled for 26 June to 7 July 2023.
