Hydrogen technology in Sub-Saharan Africa: Prospects for Power Plants

Abstract

Hydrogen as an energy vector could be one of the solutions to the crucial energy crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. A technological review is done in this paper as a first attempt to foster research and development on the subject. It shows the hydrogen technology disadvantages and difficulties regarding its usage in Africa, and explores ways to better tackle them. Concepts are also discussed by showing the benefits of hydrogen introduction in sub-Saharan African countries on their economy through the increase of their electrification coverage and the reduction of electricity shortages witnessed in these countries. Ideas of systems hybridization including hydrogen fuel cells are presented, discussed and adapted to the sub-Saharan context. Methods of overcoming possible risks, technologies that could be adopted now and on-going research on the subject are finally performed.