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Advancing a JET Sustainable Transport: The Role of Biofuels and Green Hydrogen
Office
UNDP-ZAF - SOUTH AFRICA
Deadline
21-Oct-25 @ 10:00 AM (New York time)
Published on
08-Oct-25 @ 12:00 AM (New York time)
Reference Number
UNDP-ZAF-00172
Contact
Procurement Unit - procurement.enquiries.za@undp.org
Introduction
[SCOPE OF TENDER......]
The consulting firm will assess the potential of biofuels and green hydrogen across the transport sector through the following components:
Component 1: Technology Shifts and Choices
o Identify key technologies:
o Conduct a comprehensive review of existing and emerging green hydrogen technologies relevant to the transport sector, including fuel cells, electrolysers and hydrogen storage systems.
o Conduct a comprehensive review of existing and emerging biofuels relevant to the transport sector, including but not limited to; ethanol for petrol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and biomethane.
o Value chain analysis:
o Analyse the full value chain of green hydrogen production, storage, distribution and utilization in the transport sector.
o Analyse the full value chain of biofuels, feedstocks, biofuel refineries, blending infrastructure, transport and logistics
o Context-specific technologies: Identify existing technologies and feedstocks that are most suitable for application in the South African context.
Component 2: Impact on GHG Emissions and Air Quality
o GHG Emissions Assessment: Quantify the potential carbon reduction benefits of green hydrogen and biofuels in the transport sector compared to conventional fossil fuels. Due consideration should be given to lifecycle emissions and address potential “greenwashing” in the value chains in determining the potential GHG reductions for both biofuels and green hydrogen
o Air Quality Analysis: Assess the impact of green hydrogen on air quality, particularly in urban areas, and compare this with emissions from conventional vehicles.
o Policy Implications: Analyse how the adoption of green hydrogen aligns with South Africa’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Climate Change Act, and potential pathways to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
o Biofuels Impact Assessment: Identify and quantify the positive impacts of biofuels, including environmental and health benefits, reductions in GHG emissions, and improvements in air quality, drawing on international experiences (e.g., USA, Brazil, Germany).
Component 3: Infrastructure Requirements, Cost and Economic Analysis
o Infrastructure Needs: Identify the specific infrastructure requirements for green hydrogen transportation, including:
- Hydrogen production facilities;
- Hydrogen storage and distribution networks; and
- Refuelling stations.
o Cost Analysis: Estimate the capital and operational costs associated with building and maintaining the required infrastructure for both green hydrogen and biofuels.
o Economic Feasibility: Assess the economic viability of green hydrogen and biofuels infrastructure investments, considering factors such as return on investment, job creation, and energy security.
o Biofuels Infrastructure Requirements: Identify the infrastructure requirements for biofuels, including blending facilities, storage facilities, and distribution networks, as well as conduct a cost analysis for building and maintaining these facilities.
Component 4: Regulatory Requirements
o Explore the science behind blending biofuels with petroleum products.
o Assess the regulatory requirements of biofuels and identify any gaps, including in the regulatory framework, existing regulations, and minimum specification standards.
o Assess the regulatory requirements for green hydrogen for the transportation sector and identify any gaps, including in the regulatory framework, existing regulations, and minimum specification standards.
Component 5: Environmental, Health, and Socio-Economic Benefits
o Identify and assess the environmental and health benefits associated with introducing biofuels and/or green hydrogen into the transportation fuel mix.
o Identify the socio-economic benefits of biofuels, including their role in economic growth, job creation, address concerns about competition with food production, land availability, and environmental damage if biofuel feedstocks are expanded irresponsibly and opportunities for collaboration such as public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Component 6: Workshop on Biofuels and Green Hydrogen
· To create an awareness on the role of biofuels and green hydrogen in the transport sector.
· To discuss the latest technologies, opportunities, challenges, transportation and storage of alternative fuels.
· To explore financing options, regulatory and policy frameworks and industry applications from countries using alternative fuels.
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[UNDP OFFICE SOUTH AFRICA
PROCUREMENT UNIT]