SAIChE Hydrogen Interest Group and Western Cape Branch Webinar
“HySA Green Hydrogen Innovation for a Net-Zero Future”
Presenter: Prof Dmitri Bessarabov, Ph.D. Director: DSI National Center of Competence : Hydrogen Infrastructure (HySA Infrastructure). NWU/CSIR Co-Hosted Operational Entity
Date: 10th November 2026 at 18h00.
Prof. Bessarabov is a recognized expert in hydrogen energy and electrochemical technologies with extensive academic and industrial experience in Canada and South Africa. Since 2010, he has been leading the HySA Infrastructure Centre of Competence at NWU and CSIR, focusing on hydrogen storage, water electrolysis technologies and refueling systems: http://www.hysainfrastructure.com/
He received his PhD in membrane technology from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where he was awarded the SASOL Medal for the best PhD in chemistry. His expertise includes PEM water electrolysis, membranes, hydrogen storage, electrochemical compression, fuel cells, and renewable hydrogen production and refueling systems. He previously held leadership roles in hydrogen R&D at Aker Kvaerner Chemetics, Ballard Power Systems and AFCC in Canada. His current H-Scopus index is 52 and he is co-author of more than 220 publications. He is also PI for South Africa – Japan SATREPS research program in the area of green hydrogen and ammonia https://www.jst.go.jp/global//english/kadai/r0304_southafrica.html and a member of jury panels for the Palladium Global Science Award https://www.palladiumaward.com/ and Global Energy Prize: https://globalenergyprize.org/en/ . He also is responsible, along with his colleges at NWU, for Green Hydrogen Centre of Specialisation by MQA https://engineering.nwu.ac.za/green-hydrogen-centre-specialisation/call-applications
He holds B2 NRF rating. He is also one of the founders of the South African Hydrogen Association (SAHA): https://www.h2.org.za/
