South Africa and Japan team to advance hydrogen fuel cell technology

Countries will be working together to make fuel cells more capable

South Africa and Japan will be working together in order to advance the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology. South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology believes that fuel cells could be a major boon for the country. South Africa has been working to distance itself from fossil-fuels and establish a domestic fuel cell industry and Japan may be able to help with this endeavor, as the country is a leader when it comes to hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Japan has been investing heavily in fuel cell technology

Fuel cells are at different stages of development in both South Africa and Japan. The Japanese government has invested aggressively in fuel cell technology, hoping that these energy systems will allow the country to break away from fossil-fuels and become more environmentally friendly. South Africa is home to one of the world’s largest deposits of platinum, which is needed for fuel cell development, but the country has invested relatively little in the development of fuel cell technologies. Together, the two countries may be able to bring more advances to the fuel cell industry.

Japan has an abundance of skills when it comes to clean technology

According to Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s technology minister, the country is currently lacking the skills needed for a domestic fuel cell industry to take form. By comparison, Pandor suggests that Japan’s abundance of skills concerning fuel cells and clean technology is the reason why fuel cells have become so popular in the country. Both countries see the benefit in working with one another when it comes to hydrogen fuel cell technology and this partnership may lead to new opportunities for both countries.

South Africa continues work to establish a domestic fuel cell industry

While South Africa may have an edge when it comes to fuel cell technology due to its access to platinum material, it will still need help to establish a domestic fuel cell industry. Japan may be able to provide technical assistance and help South Africa accomplish this goal. Details concerning how the two countries will be working together have not yet been released.