CRSES has a team of competent engineers and project managers who can assist clients with on- and off-grid renewable energy solutions.
The dynamic group offers mechanical, mechatronic, electrical, process and civil engineering expertise. We are also well positioned to assemble expertise from the broader University community and private industry to participate in multidisciplinary projects.
| Department | Name and surname | Field of expertise | Linkages | Keywords | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRSES | Prof. Sampson Mamphweli | Renewable energy systems analysis, renewable energy technology designs, feasibility studies, waste to energy technology analysis, waste to energy technology designs | CSIR, University of Venda, University of Fort Hare | Biomass gasification, Biogas digesters, Solar energy technologies, Waste to energy technologies | mamphweli@sun.ac.za | |
| CRSES | Dr Bernard Bekker | Photovoltaic systems, modelling and control of minigrids and distributed energy storage, short- and long-term load and intermittent generation forecasting, tariff design | University of Cape Town | Photovoltaic, Minigrid Microgrid, Energy storage, Forecasting, Tariff, Simulation | bbekker@sun.ac.za | |
| CRSES | Ndamulelo Mararakanye | Renewable energy grid, integration studies | Steady state and dynamic analysis | damulelo@sun.ac.za | ||
| CRSES | Karin Kritzinger | Solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, renewable energy resources, energy modelling, policy and finance | SESSA, Sapvia, Sarebi, WWF-SA, UCT, CPUT, CUT, Eskom, City of Cape Town, Stellenbosch Municipality | Solar thermal,Solar photovoltaic, Biomass, Solar resource, Policy, Finance, Demand | karink@sun.ac.za | |
| CRSES | Angelo Buckley | Solar energy resource and technology assessment, feasibility studies for photovoltaic and solar thermal systems | Photovoltaic systems, Solar thermal systems | buckley@sun.ac.za | ||
| CRSES | Prof. Nawaz Mahomed | Capacity building in renewable energy education (Project DAMOC, Project AIR, Project NICHE), hydropower systems – feasibility analysis, penstock and surge tank design, turbine selection and characterisation | University Eduardo Mondlane (Mozambique), Botswana International University of Science and Technology, University of Malawi, University of Zambia, University of Zimbabwe | Hydropower | nawaz@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Prof. TW von Backström | Turbomachinery (15 master's degrees, 24 journal papers), solar chimney turbines (2 PhDs, 4 journal papers), wind turbines (2 master's degrees, 1 journal paper), solar chimneys (2 master's degrees, 9 journal papers) | Solar energy, Thermal energy storage, Turbo-machinery, Small gas turbines, Cooling system fans | twvb@sun.ac.za | ||
| Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Prof. AB Sebitosi | PV and solar water heating applications, grid connected distributed resources, energy resource assessment and energy policy (13 journal papers, 13 conference proceedings, 1 book chapter, 3 contract reports) | Makerere University, Clarkson University, University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town | Energy efficiency, Solar thermal, Photovoltaic energy policy | sebitosi@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Mr Gareth Erfort | Computational fluid dynamics (open source), wind energy, vertical axis wind turbines | Open source Wind energy | erfort@sun.ac.za | ||
| Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Prof. Thomas Harms | Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with applications in the renewable energy field (10 relevant master's degrees and related journal papers, 1 MSc, 2 PhDs, 2 post-doctoral studies ongoing) | CSIR, PSA (Spain), DLR (Germany), NREL (USA), Polytechnique - UST (Namibia) | Solar thermal energy, Wind energy, Biofuels | tmh@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Stellenbosch University | Prof. MJ Kamper | Electrical machine design and control, electrical drives, energy efficiency, wind and wave generator design and control, grid-connected power converters | JSM-Power, Adventure Power, Otto Solar, Eskom, University of Cape Town | Wave energy, Wind energy, Hydro energy | kamper@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Dr Jaap Hoffman | Solar thermal energy | hoffmaj@sun.ac.za | |||
| Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Dr JM Strauss | Short stroke linear electric generators applied to Stirling engines for solar thermal energy conversion and improvement of energy efficiency through waste heat recovery (1 journal paper, currently 2 MScEng students) | Prof. TM Harms, US, Mr RT Dobson, US | Solar thermal energy, Energy efficiency, Energy conversion , Energy management | jstrauss@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Dr Nkosinathi Gule | Renewable energy | Wind energy | nathie@sun.ac.za | ||
| Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Dr Arnold Rix | Photovoltaic systems | Photovoltaics, SactecSolar Chair | Photovoltaic, Sustainable energy, Energy metabolism, System dynamics modelling | rix@sun.ac.za | |
| Business School (USB), Stellenbosch University | Jako Volschenk | Renewable energy finance | CRSES | Renewable energy finance | jakov@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Prof. JF Görgens | Pre-treatment, hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulose biomass. Industrial fermentation of sugar and starch to biofuels. Thermal processing of biomass by pyrolysis and gasification. Biorefinery modelling for the integrated production of fuels and chemicals. Techno-economics of renewable energy production. | Sugar industry, Paper and pulp industry, Grain processing industries, Fermentation industries | Lignocellulose, Biorefinery, Biofuels,Renewable chemicals | jgorgens@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Forest and Wood Science, Stellenbosch University | Dr Martina Meincken | Physical properties of biomass, thermal biomass conversion | Various, CRSES, Dr L Tichagwa, Fort Hare/Alice | Wood conversion, Analysis of physical properties | mmein@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University | Mr TG Dirkse van Schalkwyk | Sustainable manufacturing using renewable energy sources, economic and logistic issues regarding biofuel, solar water heating, sustainable manufacturing using renewable energy sources (MSc completed), economic and logistic issues regarding biofuel (MSc completed), solar water heating (skripsie completed), Stirling engine and electrical generator economics (1 MSc currently) | Prof. Theo Kleynhans, SU, Dr W van Zyl, Solek, Dr Harro von Blottnitz, Associate Professor Environmental and Process Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Cape Town, Prof. R Dobson, US | Energy efficiency,Solar water, Heaters biofuels, Electricity, Generation | theuns@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University | Prof. WH (Emile) van Zyl | Fungal biotechnology (35 master's degrees, 20 PhDs, 113 journal papers, 23 international patents), NRF Senior Chair of Energy Research: Biofuels and alternative clean fuels (July 2007-June 2102), SEARCH Tier 1 Chair (July 2012-June 2022) | www.sun.ac.za/microbiology | Biofuels, Cellulosic ethanol, Yeast biotechnology | whvz@sun.ac.za | |
| Department of Physics | Dr Eric N Maluta | Solar radiation, solar water heaters, energy material modelling for application in energy technologies, PV design, organic solar cell simulation and hematite for water spilling | Photovoltaic, Dye sensitised, Amorphous, Polymer efficiency | eric.maluta@univen.ac.za | ||
| Department of Physics, Foundation, University of Pretoria | Mr VM Nekhubvi | Photovoltaic monitoring, thermal properties of biogas digester, application of bio-slurry, environmental assessment of biogas technology | vhutshilo.nekhubvi@univen.ac.za | |||
| Department of Physics, University of Venda | Ms Sophie T Mulaudzi | Analysis of solar radiation data, calibration of solar radiometers, photovoltaic systems, modelling solar radiation data | Calibration | sophie.mulaudzi@univen.ac.za | ||
| Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of Pretoria | Prof. JP Meyer | Convective heat transfer, enhanced heat transfer, condensation and evaporation, heat exchangers, cooling of microelectronics, microchannels, heat pumps, energy efficiency (11 PhDs, 38 master's degrees, 160 journal papers) | EPFL Lausanne, University of Ghent, University of Kyushu Duke, University MIT | Energy efficiency, Solar thermal energy, Solar water heaters | jmeyer@up.ac.za | |
| Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal | Mr. MJ Brooks | Concentrating solar power systems, solar radiometry, thermal management systems | Stellenbosch University, NREL, University of Florida, University of Reunion Mangosuthu, University of Technology, NMMU | Radiometry, Solar thermal energy, Thermal management | brooks@ukzn.ac.za | |
| Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town | Prof. H Winkler | Post-2012 climate change - architecture of the international negotiations, equity and climate change, sustainable energy paths for South Africa, clean development mechanism, energy efficiency in low-cost housing, analysis of energy-economy-environment interactions | Various | Climate change, Carbon emissions | harald.winkler@uct.ac.za | |
| Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town | Dr Andrew Marquard | Post-2012 climate change - architecture of the international negotiations, energy-related climate change mitigation, South African energy policy and governance, energy analysis and modelling, renewable energy policy analysis, analysis of energy-economy-environment interactions | Various | Climate change, Carbon emissions | andrew.marquard@uct.ac.za | |
| Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town | Mr Max Edkins | Requirements for large-scale rollout of concentrating solar thermal power, renewable energy policy instruments, energy-economic-environment interactions, technology and finance transfer at the international climate negotiations | Various | Climate change, Carbon emissions | mt.edkins@uct.ac.za | |
| Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town | Mr Thapelo Letete | National greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, energy and transport analysis, bio-energy supply chain modelling and analysis, energy-economic-environment interactions, international climate change negotiations | Various | Climate change, Carbon emissions | t.letete@uct.ac.za | |
| Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town | Dr Amos Madhlopa | Solar radiation measurement and analysis, energy system development, energy-water nexus, rural community energy provision | Various | Sustainable energy | amos.madhlopa@uct.ac.za | |
| Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town | Prof. Azeem Khan | Wind energy, electrical machines, electric drives | Various | Wind energy | azeem.khan@uct.ac.za | |
| Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town | Prof. Paul Barendse | Wind energy, electrical machines, electric drives | Various | Photovoltaic systems, Fuel cells | paul.barendse@uct.ac.za | |
| University of Cape Town | Prof. Komla Folly | Renewable energy integration, power system stability | Various | Renewable energy integration | komla.folly@uct.ac.za | |
| Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare | Prof. Edson L Meyer | Photovoltaic modules and systems and photochemical solar cells (PhD: 1 completed, 3 current. MSc: 2 completed, 1 current), energy efficiency, energy efficient buildings and building integrated photovoltaics (PhD: 1 completed, 2 current), biomass gasification and co-gasification of coal and biomass (PhD: 1 completed, 1 current. MSc: 1 current) | Prof. EE van Dyk, NMMU, Dr DK Irurah, WITS, Prof. TK Hillie, CSIR, Dr J Jörgens, SU, Prof. OD Dintchev, TUT, Prof. LJ Grobbelaar, NWU | Photovoltaic systems,Energy efficient buildings, Biomass | emeyer@ufh.ac.za | |
| CER, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | Prof. Ernest van Dyk | Photovoltaics research interest and activities, photovoltaic materials characterisation, solar cell and PV module characterisation, performance monitoring, system performance evaluation and monitoring | ernest.vanDyk@nmmu.ac.za | |||
| CER Photovoltaics Research Group, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | Dr Freddie Vorster | Photovoltaics characterisation research and testing, concentrator photovoltaics development, research and characterisation, resource and energy yield assessment, small wind turbine technology | CER (NMMU), CRSES (SUN), PPRE (Oldenburg University) | Photovoltaics research,Characterisation,Testing,Teaching | frederik.vorster@nmmu.ac.za | |
| Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | Dr Deon Raubenheimer | Sustainable energy system specification and design, engineering forensic science | deon.raubenheimer@nmmu.ac.za | |||
| Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | Prof. Russell Phillips | Small wind turbines and kW size CSP, RE short learning programmes | RERG (NMU), CER (NMU) | Wind energy, Solar thermal | russell.phillips@nmmu.ac.za | |
| Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand | Prof. Alan Brent | Sustainable development, technology management, renewable energy policy and financing | SPL (SU), GSTM (UP), ERC (UCT), USB (SU), IE (SU) | Solar thermal energy,Carbon emissions,Biofuels | alan.brent@ecs.vuw.ac.nz | |
| CSP Department and NSTTF, Sandia National Laboratories | Paul Gauche | Concentrating solar power (CSP), energy systems analysis and planning, systems engineering, renewable energy grid integration | Industrial Engineering (Extraordinary associate professor, SU), NREL, DLR, SolarPaces (IEA), UP, ETH Zurich, Stuttgart University, CSIR | Solar thermal renewable energy,Concentrating solar power,Systems engineering,Grid integration,Technology development,Strategic planning | pgauche@sandia.gov | |
| Desarrollo Estrategico, Fraunhofer Chile Research Centre for Solar Energy Technologies (CSET), Centre de Innovacion UC Anacleto Angelini | Prof. Frank Dinter | Concentrated solar power | Concentrated solar power, Solar thermal renewable energy | frankdinter@sun.ac.za | ||
