German material research institute, the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), has announced a partnership with research agency the Namibia Green Hydrogen Institute (NGHRI) to conduct research on a hydrogen pilot plant and filling station, located near Walvis Bay in Namibia.
The objective is to acquire the knowledge necessary to safely and efficiently scale up green hydrogen production at the project while advancing the development of a hydrogen economy in Germany and Namibia.
BAM and the NGHRI will carry out research on green hydrogen production and material handling at a 5 MW green hydrogen production pilot plant currently being developed by Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, a joint venture between the Namibian company Ohlthaver & List Group and the Belgian cleantech company CMB.TECH. Once complete, the facility will produce 200 tons of green hydrogen per annum which will be used to power Namibia’s port, mining and transport sectors near Walvis Bay.
BAM will also provide its hydrogen testing and training facility in Germany to train Namibians over three years, enabling the exchange of ideas, best practices, and technological innovations essential to understand and expand the green hydrogen industry while facilitating the country’s local content development.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Böllinghaus, Head of the Component Safety Department at BAM, stated that, “Through our joint research program, we will identify innovative materials for welded transport pipelines, piping systems and storage tanks, thereby helping to improve the safety and sustainability of green hydrogen technologies.”
Commenting on the role of the pilot on sustainable development in Namibia, Eike Krafft, Group Leader at Olthaver & List, said “Our mission is to drive the green energy transition in Namibia by becoming the leading producer of green hydrogen, reducing carbon emissions and stimulating economic growth.”