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21/09/2022 | Story

Rheinmetall in South Africa – More energy

Electricity from wind, hydropower and solar energy as well as green, i.e. CO₂-neutral produced hydrogen: these are the resources that will make the world independent of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. So much for the theory. In South Africa, the Rheinmetall joint venture RDM (Rheinmetall Denel Munition) is using its expertise in chemistry and industrial plant engineering to turn theory into reality in order to support the energy transition in South Africa and achieve Rheinmetall's own climate targets. Beyond the core business of large-calibre ammunition, a lot of new work is being done on renewable energies at the five sites in South Africa.

Energy-hungry South Africa still generates 90 percent of its electricity from mostly outdated coal-fired power plants. Most of them are technically outdated, poorly maintained and dilapidated. The power utility Eskom regularly shuts off the power completely. Whole districts and regions are then cut off from the power supply for hours. By 2050, however, renewable energies are to replace these fossil fuels in South Africa. This is one of the reasons why RDM is working on generating green energy for more than just its own needs. Driven by the innovation gene typical of Rheinmetall, the 2550 employees are using their know-how to find new ways of generating energy.

RDM CEO Jan-Patrick Helmsen, 42, describes how all this works and how new business areas are emerging from the goal of achieving CO₂ neutrality by 2035. He leaves no doubt that he thinks nothing of fine announcements and all the more of intelligent solutions: Don't talk - do!

Thinking in solutions

RDM's strategy in terms of energy and CO₂ footprint is initially explained by the need to supplement and ultimately replace a chronically unreliable power supply fed from external sources with its own resources. Less CO₂ is produced at RDM through many different measures. These include the conversion of the entire vehicle fleet for the internal transport of goods - 350 vehicles - to electric drive and their supply with specially designed charging stations from in-house solar farms. Two new electric buses for internal passenger transport, other small vehicles and an eScooter system similar to those that are part of urban mobility concepts in Europe are the first step and complement the RDM fleet. The company's own kindergarten "Bundle Of Joy" also produces its own electricity via solar panels and is already CO₂-neutral. This kindergarten prepares not only Rheinmetall's offspring, but also the children of the neighboring neighborhoods and especially the children of the adjacent township for an educational future. What fits better than an independent and green energy supply of the future - today.

Using existing knowledge in a new way

But all these measures are only part of the RDM strategy, because they mostly use already available, environmentally friendly technology. Things get exciting with the utilization of the extensive knowledge and experience in chemistry and industrial plant engineering to create new technical solutions. One result of this unique combination is an in-house development for independent and decentralized power generation that fits into four 20-foot containers and thus onto trucks. Such a cloverleaf can supply a settlement of 30 houses with electricity on a permanent and environmentally friendly basis.

Container 1 contains solar panels, container 2 the electrolysis system for producing hydrogen, container 3 serves as storage, and number 4 houses the fuel cell that supplies electricity even when the sun is not shining.

Due to the possibility of utilizing the oxygen that is also produced during this process, this system is also suitable for the medical sector, for hospitals that are mobile or located in regions that are difficult to access and have a poor supply.

Green energy from the sky

Solar plants in South Africa can generate about four times as much electricity as in Germany because of the more intense solar radiation. This is an advantage in the direction of "green hydrogen," which can be produced CO₂-neutrally with electricity from large solar farms. Cooperation agreements on this subject were already concluded between Germany and South Africa under Chancellor Angela Merkel. They are intended to contribute to solving the energy problems of both countries and also contribute to the goal of CO₂ neutrality. At the end of May 2022, the topic was further advanced by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his visit to South Africa in talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Similar talks on the German side are taking place with Australia, among others.

Rheinmetall Denel Munition as Energy Partner

Full in-house solar capacity
Global Green H2 supplier
Complete turnkey solutions
Permanently installed large-scale Green H2 factories
Mobile, modular and scalable Green H2 factories

Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd

South Office / Head Office
Reg No 2007/032918/07
Reeb Road, Firgrove
Somerset West (Kapstadt) 7130
Südafrika

Company profile

The future is happening now

How does the topic of green hydrogen fit in with RDM's core business? As a company in the chemical industry, RDM works on the development, production and sale of large-caliber ammunition for artillery, warheads and propulsion systems for rockets, and also on the production of explosives for the mining industry, as well as in the production of aluminum sulfate for drinking water treatment in the Western Cape region. In addition, there is the design and construction of industrial plants (plant engineering).

Vertical integration at RDM is almost 100 percent. In other words, RDM does practically everything itself and is not dependent on outside know-how in almost any area. Of course there are suppliers - in South Africa alone there are around 1,500 - but in no case is it a question of buying in knowledge. The Plant Engineering division therefore combines chemical expertise with comprehensive knowledge of plant engineering. These are the perfect prerequisites for green hydrogen projects.

Rheinmetall Green H2 system - example of a mobile application

The math works out

RDM owns 5500 hectares of company-owned land, or 55 million square meters. Enough space to build solar farms. Even with conservative calculations, the production of several gigawatt hours of electricity per year is possible.

If RDM makes full use of these capacities, the company will not only be able to meet its electricity needs in a CO₂-neutral way, but will also be able to sell environmentally friendly electricity and the hydrogen produced in its own plants on a large scale. And the oxygen that is also produced during electrolysis is a sought-after commodity in hospitals.

"We are at the beginning of a large and rapidly advancing energy industry that is being redefined. We want to be part of this development from the very beginning and establish Rheinmetall as a green energy supplier in South Africa!"

Jan-Patrick Helmsen

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Boksburg site

21 Skew Road

Anderbolt

Boksburg

1460

South Africa

Reg No 2007/032918/07