Green Hydrogen
for a Stable Power Supply in Africa

GH-SAFE is developing a solar-to-hydrogen energy storage system for off-grid rural communities in Africa.

About

the challenge

Africa has sunlight. It lacks storage.

LESS THAN 20%

Electrification rate in the rural sub-Saharan African areas, which leaves millions of people without a reliable power supply for health, education and economic activities. 

DIESEL IS COSTLY

It is polluting and logistically difficult to supply in remote areas. Diesel-based generator sets often produce electricity at a very high Levelised Cost of Energy up to $1/kWh. 

BATTERIES FALL SHORT

Solar-driven microgrids use battery-based energy storage, which is high-cost, has a short lifespan, and relies
on critical raw materials that harm the African climate.

HIGH DEPENDANCE ON POWER

Health clinics, vaccine cold chains, food storage, and education are affected by energy insecurity.

SOLAR IS ABUNDANT, BUT 

Africa has abundant solar resources, yet without storage, most of the energy generated is not used to its
full potential. 

Technology

POWER-TO-HYDROGEN-POWER

The GH-SAFE project offers a different path. The P2H2P system captures surplus solar energy and stores it as green hydrogen, which is converted back to electricity safely, cleanly, and at
a sustainable cost for rural communities in Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, and Guinea. 

SOLAR ENERGY

Capture surplus power: Photovoltaic panels generate electricity. Excess power that would otherwise go to waste is redirected to hydrogen production.

ELECTROLYSIS

Produce Green H₂: A Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using surplus solar electricity that will operate with the solar supply.

LOHC STORAGE

Safely store energy in Liquid Carrier: Hydrogen is stored in Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs), which are safe to handle like petrol at room temperature and pressure.

HICE POWER

Generate electricity on demand:
a Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE) converts the energy stored in hydrogen into electricity, producing clean, zero-CO₂ emissions electricity.

Our Partners

An EU-African research partnership 

GH-SAFE unites 12 organisations from 9 countries across Europe and Africa, including research institutions, universities and SMEs, to ensure technological relevance and local adoption.

The project is coordinated by the French National Centre for Scientific Research, CNRS, France, and funded through the LEAP-RE Long-Term Joint EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy.

Countries: France, Germany, Italy, Senegal, Portugal, South Africa, Morocco, Guinea, Nigeria 

The French National Centre for Scientific Research is France's research organisation and a major force in global science. As the only French institution active across all scientific disciplines, CNRS brings together experts from every field to tackle the world's most pressing challenges, such as climate change and digital innovation. They work closely with public institutions and private sector partners to transform cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that benefit society. 

Instituto Superiovr Técnico is Portugal's leading institution for higher education in Architecture, Engineering, Science, and Technology. With over a century of history, Técnico has been instrumental in driving the economic and social development of Portugal through the school’s teaching and strong investment in research and innovation.

Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN)  Founded in 2011 under the Moroccan Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development, IRESEN serves as a national catalyst for applied research in renewable energies and energy efficiency. The institute is committed to bridging the gap between universities and industry through financial support for high-quality research projects through targeted calls for proposals and ensuring resources to shape Morocco's clean energy future. 

BluEnergy Revolution, Italy develops clean energy solutions that is powered by green hydrogen and renewable sources. They tackle climate change through technology that is sustainable, safe, and fossil fuel-free. Their integrated systems deliver zero emissions, silent operation, and extended energy autonomy, using recyclable and critical raw material-free components. 

North-West University, South Africa, is a multi-campus institution committed to equity, academic excellence, and globally competitive teaching and research across its eight faculties. Beyond education, NWU offers students flexibility, choice, and a genuine place in the world that empowers them to reach their potential and build meaningful careers. In this project, the institution will lead the study on dynamic solar energy supplies. 

University of Limpopo, South Africa, actively aligns its programmes with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Internet of Things, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Beyond producing competitive graduates, UL cultivates entrepreneurs through centres of excellence spanning agro-food processing, ideation hubs, and beyond. The school will serve as one of the three African locations where panels are physically installed early in the project.

Univ. La Réunion, France, welcomes thousands of students annually across different facilities spread over multiple campuses in Saint-Denis, Le Tampon, and Saint-Pierre. Through its academic programmes, research activities, and strong international reach, the University serves as a vital bridge between Europe and the Indian Ocean region. They will serve as an energy lap in this project, assessing and mapping the green hydrogen production potential.

Leibniz University Hannover is one of Germany's most prominent public research universities and a member of the association of Germany's leading Institutes of Technology. LUH spans a broad spectrum of disciplines, from engineering and natural sciences to architecture, law, humanities, and social sciences. Its interdisciplinary and internationally oriented approach drives outstanding research that addresses today's most pressing societal challenges. 

EnGreen, Senegal, is a regional hub for sustainable energy innovation, collaboration, and execution, driving a just and inclusive energy transition across Senegal and West Africa. The organisation provides technical assistance in renewable energy and energy access, active participation in EU-funded research and grant programmes, and tailored training and capacity building that creates green jobs and empowers communities. 

Assane Seck University, Senegal (UASZ) is a public institution of higher education and research located in the Casamance region of southern Senegal. Established in 2007 and named in honour of the distinguished Senegalese scholar and politician Assane Seck, the university covers key disciplines spanning Sciences and Technology, Economic and Social Sciences, Letters and Humanities, and Health Sciences. Uniquely positioned at the crossroads of Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea-Conakry, UASZ serves as a vital academic and research hub for the sub-region. 

APODISSI is a knowledge and technology transfer company operating in Nigeria, Namibia and the United Arab Emirates. It focuses on promoting African innovation by partnering with innovation hubs, research centres, and universities to advance digital entrepreneurship, education, and technology in Africa. 

ENSA-École Nationale des Sciences Appliquées d’El Jadida, Morocco (ENSAJ) is a Moroccan public engineering school located in El Jadida. Its core mission encompasses the training of state engineers, continuing education, and scientific research. ENSAJ positions itself as a lever for development that continuously adapts programmes to meet the evolving demands of both national and international labour markets.

The French National Centre for Scientific Research is France's research organisation and a major force in global science. As the only French institution active across all scientific disciplines, CNRS brings together experts from every field to tackle the world's most pressing challenges, such as climate change and digital innovation. They work closely with public institutions and private sector partners to transform cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that benefit society. 

Instituto Superiovr Técnico is Portugal's leading institution for higher education in Architecture, Engineering, Science, and Technology. With over a century of history, Técnico has been instrumental in driving the economic and social development of Portugal through the school’s teaching and strong investment in research and innovation.

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