- Following a soft launch earlier this year, the Standard Bank Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Energy is now open at the Vaal University of Technology.
- The centre is located at VUT’s Science Park in Sebokeng and will serve as a hub for innovation and research.
- VUT’s vice chancellor says this centre will serve as an engine for industrial and community transformation.
The Vaal University of Technology, on Thursday, opened the Standard Bank Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Energy in partnership with none other than Standard Bank.
The centre will serve as a much-needed centre for the university to drive research, innovation, and sustainable practices in South Africa’s hydrogen energy sector. The centre is said to already have attracted the attention of partners in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
The centre is located at VUT’s Science Park in Sebokeng, which is also home to the university’s Advanced Manufacturing
Precinct, Technology Transfer Office, and innovation labs. The centre was soft-launched earlier this year, and since then, the university has been able to procure the equipment it needs and prepare the facility for its purpose.
“By situating the Green Hydrogen Centre here, we anchor it within a space designed for applied research, skills development, and enterprise incubation. This is not just a facility, it is an engine for industrial and community transformation with the potential to create new industries, nurture entrepreneurs, and generate solutions that respond directly to the challenges of our region,” Khehla Ndlovu, vice chancellor and principal at VUT, said at the opening of the centre this week.
“This Centre will deliver on four fronts. It will advance research and innovation in hydrogen and alternative energy systems tailored for South African industry. It will equip the next generation of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs with critical
knowledge for the green economy. It will engage with partners in mobility, steel, and energy sectors to drive green hydrogen adoption. And it will empower communities by creating jobs, nurturing skills, and ensuring that the benefits of innovation are felt beyond the laboratory, in homes and in local enterprises. The ripple effects are profound: reduced carbon emissions, strengthened energy security, new business opportunities, and, above all, hope,” Ndlovu added.
Hydrogen is a major point of interest as regards its use as an energy source. There is potential for green hydrogen production to create jobs and, in so doing, stimulate the economy. However, it’s important to approach this with a clear head, as too much hype can cloud how much work needs to be done to turn the vision into a reality.
Investment is a key part of success, and it’s great that Standard Bank has taken a view to support the sector before it even shows viability.
“Hydrogen energy is one of the most exciting frontiers in South Africa’s journey to a sustainable future. By investing in this Centre of Excellence, Standard Bank is helping unlock the potential of research, academia, and finance working together to solve pressing energy challenges. Our commitment is not only to back innovation but also to ensure that solutions are inclusive, scalable, and capable of driving economic growth across the country and continent,” Simone Cooper, head of Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank South Africa, said in a statement.
