Sustainability management of fuel cell technology with hydrogen from water electrolysis: A South-African approach

Hydrogen and fuel cell technology is important for the sustainable development of energy generation. It can use renewable feedstock resources such as water and solar or wind energy. The application of platinum nanophase in the production of composite electrode enables efficient synthesis of hydrogen from water and this is a promising new technology. However there are few known studies that examine the sustainability of such hydrogen technologies. There is therefore a need to study the social, economic and ecological impacts of the future hydrogen economy. There is less carbon dioxide emissions associated with the process. This paper presents work that has been done to conduct an environmental assessment of platinum nanophase composite electrode use in the production of hydrogen from water electrolysis. The hydrogen can then be used in fuel cells.