Empowering Sub-Saharan Africa with Green Hydrogen: SFC Energy's Pilot Project in Ghana
Key Ideas
- SFC Energy is collaborating on the GH2GH project to implement an off-grid energy solution in Ghana using green hydrogen, aiming to enhance energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- The project at the Don Bosco Campus integrates fuel cell technology, photovoltaics, and green hydrogen to create a self-sufficient mini-grid, addressing the region's low electrification rates.
- The intelligent energy network includes an electrolysis system, EFOY Hydrogen 2.5 fuel cells, and battery storage units, significantly increasing the energy storage capacity and economic efficiency.
- The initiative not only provides sustainable energy for the campus but also serves as a learning platform for local specialists, fostering knowledge exchange and promoting 'Made in Germany' technologies in the region.
SFC Energy AG, based in Brunnthal/Munich, Germany, is actively engaged in an international research project called GH2GH (Green Hydrogen for decentralised energy systems in Sub-Saharan Africa). The project, conducted in Tema, Ghana, aims to establish an off-grid energy supply solution using green hydrogen to address the significant lack of reliable electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in rural areas. The initiative involves setting up a pilot installation at the Don Bosco Solar & Renewable Energy Centre in Tema in collaboration with Bochum University of Applied Sciences and Green Power Brains.
The project focuses on the integration of intelligent energy control to operate a self-sufficient mini-grid that combines photovoltaics, green hydrogen production, and battery storage. Excess solar energy generated during the day is used for electrolysis to produce green hydrogen, which is then stored for use during periods of low sunlight or high energy demand. The technology includes a 20 kW electrolysis system and four EFOY Hydrogen 2.5 fuel cells with a total output of 10 kW, significantly boosting energy storage capacity.
The deployment of this green energy solution not only benefits the energy supply for the campus but also serves as an educational platform for teaching about mini-grids and renewable energy systems. The project aims to enhance local expertise in sustainable energy technologies and create future opportunities for the region. Through the collaboration with BMUV and other project partners, SFC Energy is contributing to the global energy transition and promoting clean power solutions in challenging environmental conditions.
The involvement of SFC Energy in the GH2GH project aligns with the Export Initiative Environmental Protection, focusing on green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for decentralised energy supply. The initiative receives funding from BMUV and is managed by Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH, with support from NOW GmbH as the program partner organization. By leveraging German technology and expertise, the project not only addresses energy challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa but also fosters knowledge exchange and capacity building for sustainable energy solutions in the region.
Topics
Africa
Renewable Energy
Education
Sustainable Energy
International Cooperation
Off-grid Solutions
Decentralised Power
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