2^ND SOUTHERN AFRICAN HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELL CONFERENCE 2025

Background

The primary purpose of the 2^ND Hydrogen and Fuel Cells conference is the advancement of green hydrogen technologies in Southern Africa and the global community, by highlighting the power of renewable and sustainable technologies and addressing the emerging challenges—through the exploration of hydrogen production, storage and utilization using fuel cells by way of engagement with industry, academia and government.

The conference will provide a platform for high level exchange and networking opportunities with various experts in the field.

The two-day conference will feature high-level scientific talks and posters, complemented with keynote and plenary presentations on country overviews, status of leading and major players in the Southern African and global arena.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Will include inspiring technical talks, poster section as well as social networking events
• Participants will have the opportunity to directly engage with conference attendees to discuss their research
• Engagement opportunities with fellow researchers, potential collaborators, industry, and potential investors.

TOPICS

 

• Hydrogen: Production and storage
• Fuel cell: Technologies, applications, and integration
• Hydrogen mobility - strategies, safety, roadmaps, transitioning to hydrogen refueling stations (HRS)
• Technology status in industry.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

  

The conference presents an attractive programme for researchers, industry players, academic institutions, government, investors, policy makers and potential users of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. The focus is on building collective know-how and fostering engagement between business, government, science and academic institutions. Participants from all countries are invited and welcome to attend the event.

keynote speakers

Professor Lindiwe Khotseng,
University of the Western Cape

Lindiwe Khotseng joined the Chemistry Department at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, in 2015, where she currently holds the position of Professor. Before this role, she served as the Managing Director of the ESKOM Centre for Electrocatalytic Research at the South African Institute for Materials Research, also at the University of the Western Cape, from 2008. Lindiwe earned her PhD in Chemistry from Stellenbosch University in 2004 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from the University of the Western Cape in 2022. Her research focuses on biomass and waste valorisation for sustainable renewable energy applications within the circular economy framework. Lindiwe is an accomplished scholar who has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals and contributed to specialised books. She has presented her work at numerous international conferences. As a mentor and educator, she has successfully supervised multiple MSc and PhD students, fostering the next generation of scientists in her field. Lindiwe has played an active role in academic leadership, serving on various faculty committees and National Research Foundation (NRF) panels in South Africa. Her contributions to the scientific community were recognised in 2013 when she received the Department of Trade and Industry’s Technology Award for Outstanding Black Researcher in her field. Lindiwe is a professional member of several organisations, including the South African Chemical Institute (SACI), the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), and the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE).

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Francois van Schalkwyk
University of Cape Town; HySA Catalysis 

Francois is a Chemical Engineer by profession and has more than 12 years of experience in the hydrogen industry, specialising in electrochemical sub-components (Membrane Electrode Assemblies), material design, product development and process engineering. He is a co-inventor of several catalyst and -MEA technologies emanating from the HySA Catalysis program and HyPlat. His career started at the South African Council for Mineral Technologies (Mintek), where he contributed to HySA Catalysis’ fuel cell objectives as Research Engineer. Thereafter he joined HyPlat, where he directed operations, MEA manufacturing, quality control and product development – making him the lead technical contact for the company. Francois is currently focussing on research and technology development of fuel cell technologies at the University of Cape as Key Technology Specialist and head of the FC group. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt improvement practitioner, holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and is currently working towards his doctorate degree in the same engineering discipline.

 

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Mandy Mlilo
Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
Acting Chief Director: Hydrogen and Energy

Ms Mandy Mlilo currently holds the Acting Chief Director: Hydrogen and Energy position in the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. The purpose of the position is to stimulate, develop and entrench a culture of innovation within the South African energy sector by contributing towards development and implementation of policies and relevant instruments, platforms and programmes that inspire, require and foster interaction and innovation among all the stakeholders in the knowledge value chain within the energy space. Ms Mlilo also has five years’ experience in process control and operations of mineral processing and pyrometallurgical pilot plants as well as five years’ experience in a nuclear environment. One of her recent key achievements include:

Being part of the core team from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation that led to the Cabinet approval of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Hydrogen Economy on 14 February 2024, to be chaired by the Deputy President, aimed at improving coordination and alignment, particularly across the public sector on the implementation of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy and other hydrogen economy-related policies and strategies.

Being part of the core team from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation that led the development of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, which was approved by Cabinet on 14 September 2021. The Cabinet also approved the ten years extension of the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Programme, from 2022/23 financial year (FY) up to 2030/31 FY.

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Submit an Abstract

   

Abstract submissions are now open!

The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Committee is inviting you to submit an abstract for presentation at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell 2025 conference.

Why submit an abstract?

• Enhance your professional image
• Draw attention to the accomplishments of your company.
• Provide the industry with your case studies, knowledge, and experience.
• Inform colleagues, policymakers, and researchers about your progress.
• Provide fresh chances for cooperation for the benefit of the sector.

Submission process

Abstracts will be subject to peer review, the committee will decide whether to accept or decline the submissions. Relevance to the conference theme, accuracy and uniqueness of ideas, contribution significance, and presentation quality are among the selection factors. Download abstract submission template

Accepted abstract authors are then able to submit a full paper. Download paper guidelines

Please note

• All accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings and presented during technical sessions
• All presenting authors are required to register, pay the author registration fee and attend the conference.

Key Dates

• Submission of abstracts deadline 31 January 2025
• Submission of papers deadline: 28 February 2025

 Please email abstracts to Gugu Charlie: Conferences and Events Coordinator, SAIMM at gugu@saimm.co.za

 

abstracts received

   

Download the abstracts received...

REGISTRATION FEES

   

Early bird registration valid until 7 January 2025

Early SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA/ Member	R8 800
Early Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA/ Member	R9 200
SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA/ Member	R9 200
Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA/ Member	R9 800
Author Registration	R4 000
Regional Academics	R4 000
Students	R1 500
Retired Member	R1 500
Mintek Technical Visit	R200

Kindly note, registration closes on 2 April 2025. Please note late registrations will incur a R500 administration fee for registrations received after the closing date.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

   

DOWNLOAD THE SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS...

Technical Visit

   

Cost: R200
Register Here...
Download the Mintek visit brochure...

Programme

  

Download the final programme

CONTACT

   

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Camielah Jardine, Head of Conferences and Events
E-mail: camielah@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 538-0237
Web: www.saimm.co.za