For over 15 years, the DSTI-funded Renewable and Sustainable Energy Hub and Spokes Flagship Programme has delivered hundreds of postgraduates and journal articles on renewable energy while developing hands-on experience through solar and wind energy technology deployment and demonstration.

Overview

The Hub and Spokes model is a collaborative model that recognises and supports research capacity and expertise in the renewable and sustainable energy sector, across a number of institutions in South Africa. The Hub is the central institution through which funding, reporting and general activities are coordinated. The Spokes are paired institutions which focus on specific areas of research in wind and solar energy. The project is funded by the Department of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI), through the DSTI Energy Secretariat in SANEDI as the implementing agency.

DSI_CRSES Wall banner Proof

The Hub

For over 15 years, the Hub has been critical in coordinating and leading the DSTI-funded Renewable and Sustainable Energy Hub and Spokes flagship programme.

The Hub actively works with Spokes leaders and students to develop and commercialise technological innovations. These have included several demonstration projects over the years, notably the Heliostat 100 and the Brayton Cycle Solar Dish system implemented in Masia Village. The solar dish technology showcased three functional applications, energy generation, water heating, and metal melting. The small-scale wind turbine deployed at the Komati Power Station is integrated with their PV mini grid, forming part of a hybrid renewable energy system designed to demonstrate the hybrid technology and improve overall system reliability.

Furthermore, the Hub is the sponsor and incubator for multi-disciplinary research to bring renewable and sustainable energy solutions to the market with the support of the DSTI. These have included the Masia Village in Limpopo, the Media and Science Labs, and the PV Market Place.

More recently, the Hub has started to develop a body of work around industrial decarbonisation,  namely around the food and beverage, medical, and hospitality sectors. Other important sectors include the mining sector.

Our Core Activities

Research

Advisory Services

Technology Development

Training

Awareness

Solar Thermal Spokes

  • UP Solar Thermal Spoke

    The UP Solar Thermal Spoke is dedicated to the research and development of novel technologies related to solar thermal energy and specifically small-scale concentrated solar power (CSP) systems.

  • SU Solar Thermal Spoke

    Research, technology and services development for the broad requirements of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants and Industrial Decarbonisation.

Wind Energy Spokes

  • UCT Wind Spoke

    Entails a Microgrid Test Rig to support groundbreaking research and development and innovation around grid integration of renewable energy.

  • SU Wind Spoke

    This spoke is researching a small-scale wind generator for off-grid battery charging and exploring synchronous condenser technologies to stabilize grids with high solar and wind penetration.

Solar Photovoltaic Spokes

  • FH Solar PV Spoke

    Programme advances photovoltaic materials and high-efficiency solar cell development while also pursuing broader PV integration research—including building-integrated systems, agrivoltaics, community energy trading, grid-scale PV-BESS integration, and innovative material reuse—in partnership with national stakeholders.

  • NMU Solar PV Spoke

    Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) technology promises higher PV generation efficiencies and yields than conventional PV modules.

Advisory Committee

Prof Sibusiso Moyo

Stellenbosch University
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies

Prof Corné Schutte

Stellenbosch University
Vice-Dean: Research and Industry Liaison at the Engineering faculty

Prof Cristina Trois

Stellenbosch University
Director: Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies

Prof Sampson Mamphweli

SANEDI
Head of Energy Secretariat

Mr Michel DePaepe

External
Industry Representative

Mandy Mlilo

DSTI
Acting Chief Director:
Hydrogen and Energy

Dr Khavharendwe Rambau

DSTI
Deputy Director:
Hydrogen and Energy

Prof Prathieka Naidoo

Stellenbosch University
SARChI Chair in Green Hydrogen Integration & Transition

Prof Azeem Khan

University of Cape Town
Head of Department:
Machines and Drives

Hub Core Group

*Supported by the Elmien Lovell and rest of the CRSES team

Spoke Leaders