CONFERENCES

2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017

The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies hosted its annual national symposium to provide masters and doctoral students across South African institutions with the opportunity to present their research.

The 8th symposium took place from 12 to 13 July 2017 in the Knowledge Centre building of the Faculty of Engineering. This symposium incorporated the Solar Thermal Energy Research Group (STERG) symposium on 13 and 14 July, which focused on solar thermal energy topics. The wind, ocean, bio-energy and solar photovoltaic (PV) technology platforms were the focus of the first day of the symposium.

Download the 2017 symposium programme here

Wednesday 12 July 2017 SESSION 1 RM Dix-Peek: Application of Genetic Algorithm Parameter Optimisation on Current-Voltage data of poly-crystalline Silicon solar cells S Zinya: Confocal Raman characterization of sputter coated TiO2 nanotubes on functional substrate N Takata: Synthesis and characterization of C-TIO2 nanotubes using a template-assisted sol-gel technique S Makinana: Morphological, Structural and Optical Characterization of CdSe quantum dots G Osayemwenre: Mono-crystalline silicon cell degradion analysis SESSION 2 C Buma: Correlative data Acquisition System for a building integrated Photovoltaic system O Overen: Opaque Components Solar Heat Gain Analysis of a Passive Solar House N Joel: Analytical Evaluation of the Energy Losses at High Ambient Temperatures during the Duty Cycle of a Residential Heat Pump Water Heater B Glory: Simple payback period evaluation upon replacement of a domestic traditional with a domestic renewable space conditioning device SESSION 3 N du Plooy: Fostering Sustainable Energy Transitions for South Africa’s Electricity Sector: A Set of Criteria O KeChrist: Design and fabrication of a biogas fermentation system M Hamann: Steam pretreatment and fermentation scenarios for a sugarcane biorefinery P Maumel: Bio-refineries as a sustainable tool to simultaneously address energy and food security: A Jerusalem artichoke perspective SESSION 4 L Swart:Sustainability assessment of technology systems that addresses the energy-water nexus; with specific emphasis on desalination M Mabaso: A systematic literature review of hybrid renewable energy micro-grids in South Africa and neighbouring countries O Obafemi: A radio frequency identification (RFID) energy efficiency model for residential buildings

Thursday 13 July 2017 SESSION 2 J Pitot: An Update on Research Activities at the Group for Solar Energy Thermodynamics SESSION 3A L Heller: Performance of a SUNDISC cycle CSP plant for off-grid baseload applications JL Janse van Vuuren: Simulations showing how the SUNSPOT system cycle improves on conventional combined cycle technology L Karsten: An Organic Rankine Cycle as technology for Smaller Concentrated Solar Powered Systems R Barnes: Simulation, Verification and Optimisation of a Parabolic Trough Power Plant R Temlett: Dynamic Modelling of the HPS2 CSP molten salt trough test facility C Pan: Identification of optimum molten salts for use as heat transfer fluids in parabolic trough plants. A techno-economic comparative optimization SESSION 3B JR Wolmarans: Preliminary investigation into two-way fluid structure interaction of heliostat wind loads A Lotter: Investigation, evaluation and selection of optimal bearings to be employed in a newly designed heliostat M Claassen: An Investigation into the use of light diffraction for the closed-loop control of heliostats E Niit: Adaptive Control for a Quadcopter M Haller: An Investigation into Gimbal Pose Accuracy: The Accuracy of the Gimbal Model in the Frequency Domain SESSION 4A M Lubkoll: Performance prediction of the SCRAP receiver M Slootweg: Preliminary investigation into central receiver design for optimal optical and thermal performance M Mathew: Computational fluid dynamics modelling of a recessed open volumetric receiver configuration JC Nel: Development of an open volumetric air receiver for a rock-bed thermal energy storage system T Wolff: Receiver testing for an open solar-thermal Brayton cycle SESSION 4B J Swart: One-dimensional transient filling simulation of a molten salt central receiver panel H Laubscher: Commissioning of an Experimental Test Facility for Thermal Energy Storage in a Packed Bed of Rocks JG de la Bat: Design and manufacture of a testable 100We dual generator free piston Stirling engine B da Silva: The development of a reciprocating steam engine for use in small scale CSP plants SESSION 5A R Laurie: Review: State of the art parabolic trough technology and the way moving forward W Krog: Solar live steam generation and solar bagasse drying for South African sugar mills L Hockaday: Solar thermal treatment of manganese ore fines SESSION 5B F Duvenhage: Future CSP in South Africa – a review of electricity (generation) mix models and their results G Prentice: A strategic management framework for the commercialisation of concentrating solar power technologies in South Africa

Download the 2015 REPS programme here

Monday 13 July 2015 G Mutezo: Waste-to-energy Technologies: Bottlenecks Impeding Adoption in South African Local Municipalities N Nwokolo: The Design of a Waste Heat System Capable of Harnessing Energy from the Surface of a Cyclone Dust Collector attached to a Downdraft Biomass Gasifier P Maumela: Integrated Jerusalem Artichoke Biorefinery for the Production of Bioethanol and High Value Products G Diederichs: Techno-Economic Assessment of Processes that Produce Jet Fuel from Plant-Derived Sources G Erfort: Numerical Optimisation of Small Scale Wind Turbine through the use of Surrogate Modeling G Oosthuizen Design of an Ironless Double-Rotor Radial Flux Permanent Magnet Machine P van Wyk: Simplified Analysis Technique for Double Layer Non-overlap Multiphase Slip Permanent Magnet Couplings in Wind Energy Applications N Zietsman: Optimal Design Methodology of a three phase Rotary Transformer for a Doubly Fed Induction Generator Application C Chukwuka: An Economic Assessment of the Concentrated Solar Power with National Energy Regulator of South African Feed-in Tariff Scheme E Fouche: Structured Participatory Decision Processes to Promote Energy Sustainability at a City Level: A Systematic Review R Padi: Economic Impacts of Mechanisation and In-House Renewable Energy Generation and Integration in African CPO Mills N Korsten: An Investigation into the Financial Impact of Embedded Generation at Household Level on Local Governments in South Africa: The Case of Stellenbosch Municipality I Meyer: Characterisation of the Agulhas Current as a Resource for Marine Energy Extraction L Braby: Observed Eddy Dissipation in the Agulhas Current J Fairhurst: Design and Modelling of a Single SWEC Chamber

Tuesday 14 July 2015 O de Meyer: Thermal Resistance Model for CSP Central Receivers Plant J Rudman: Sun, Sand and Solar Power: An Overview of the Environmental Impact of Concentrating Solar Power in the Northern Cape, South Africa H Beukes: Feasibility of Solar Thermal Process Heat for the Sugarcane Industry in South Africa Dr K Allen: Packet Bed Thermal Energy Storage: Concepts and Costs J Lock: Determining the Pose Accuracy of a Drone in a CSP Plant Setting C van der Merwe: Annular Solar Receiving Tube L Heller: Development of a Dual-pressure Air Receiver for the SUNDISC Cycle: Initial finding on the HPAR Concept B Ssebabi: System Layout and Performance Prediction for a Solar-hybrid Micro-gas Turbine C Homann: Simulating the Effect of Solarisation on the Performance of a Gas Turbine J Larmuth: A Top Down Approach to Heliostat Cost Reduction S Bode: Heliostat Field and Pod Placement W Landman: Using Single Variable Decomposition to Obtain Multi-dimensional Gaussian Flux Distributions for Optical Modelling of Heliostats Images Dr S Hess: Stationary Booster Reflectors for Solar Thermal Process Heat Generation

The 2014 papers presented by the students in the renewable energy stream are listed below.

Thursday 17 July 2014 The 2nd Annual STERG SolarPACES Symposium
Friday 18 July 2014 N Kwarikunda: Effect of spectral changes on device and performance parameters of a mc-Si solar cell under spot illumination J Crozier: Spectrally Defined Electroluminescence Imaging of Photovoltaic Module RD Schultz: The influence of optical materials on the performance of Concentrated Triple junction cells used in HCPV modules S Pool: Optimisation of a mini HAWT to increase energy yield during short duration wind variations O Ogidi: Predictive Maintenance of Permanent Magnet (PM) Wind Generator Dr S Hameer: A Review of Large Scale Energy Storage M Tshivhase: The study of xylose fermenting yeasts isolated in the Limpopo Province, South Africa L Mande: Evaluation of six Saccharomyces cerevisiae promoters during growth on xylose	TL Khomo: Spatial assessment of optimum growing areas for selected biofuel feedstocks in South Africa J Crimes: Multi-objective Optimisation of Pretreatment of Sugarcane Bagasse for Bioethanol Production M Mutenure: Optimisation of biomass to bioethanol supply chain M Short: Multi-objective MINLP optimisation of bio-ethanol from sugarcane bagasse combining rigorous and shortcut models in a novel process synthesis framework N Ghods: Modelling & Optimization of Fermentation of sugarcane for Bioethanol Production G Diederichs: Techno-Economic Assessment of Processes that produce Jet Fuel from Plant-Derived Sources M Hamann: Sugarcane biorefinery for the production of biofuels and chemicals RK Padi: Potential and Economic Impact of Renewable Energy in Improving African Rural Food Processing

Papers presented at the EPC held 12 - 14 August 2013

Monday 12 August 2013 TRACK 1 Ms. Mande, Livhuwani: Evaluations of six Saccharomuyces cerevisiae promot-ers during growth on xylose. Mr. Nkadimeng, Lefa: Intensification of methane production at SABMiller New-lands Brewery (SABNB) anaerobic Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) Ms. Mulaudzi, Sophie: Evaluation of the solar irradiance in the selected lo-cation in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province of South Africa using different theoretical models. Mr. Landman, Willem: Influence of Cant- ing Mechanism and Facet Profile on Heliostat Field Performance Ms. Mathevula, Langutani: Thermo-chromic nano-coatings for solar radia-tions heat regulation in small satellites Mr. Apollo, Seth: Simultaneous biogas production and Ms. Piyo, Nontembiso: Liquefaction of sunflower husks for biochar production Mr. Bode, Sebastian-James: A novel approach to reduce ray tracing simula-tion times by reducing statistical noise Mr. ZONGO, Sidiki: Gratzel dye solar cells with bixa orellana natural dye extract	Tuesday 13 August 2013 TRACK 1 Ms. Crozier, Jacqui: Photovoltaic mod-ule chariacterisation using Electrolumi-nescence Mr. Allen, Kenneth: Thermal storage in packed beds: pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics Mr. Kotzé, Johannes: High temperature thermal energy stor- age and heat transfer using eutectic metals in con-centrating solar power Ms. Thabezhe, Nokwethemba: Ther-modynamic stability of VO2 in contact with thin metal films Ms. Thoresen, Mariska: An investiga-tion into the synergistic action of exo-type and endo- type cellulases on the hydrolysis of complex substrates Mr. Deetlefs, Ivan: Building of a free piston Stirling demon- strator engine Mrs. Nuru, Zebib Yenus: Pt-Al2O3 ce-ramic nano-compos-ites for high tem-perature solar absorbers applications Mr. Mhlongo, Sizwe: Impact of inhibi-tors associated with ligno-cellulose hydrolysateson the expression level and activity of recom-binant cellulolytic enzymes Mr. Thema, Force Tefo: Chemical syn-thesis of graphene for dye solar cells electrodes Mr. Owen, Michael: A hybrid dephlegma- tor for incorporation into an air-cooled steam condenser. Mr. Meyer, Rohan: Design, optimisa-tion and construction of a solar re-flecter dish. Mr. Prinsloo, Gerro: Design & construc- tion of a self-tracking solar concentra-tor for power generation in rural Africa	Wednesday 14 Augustus 2013 TRACK 1 Mr.Sekoai, Patrick Thabang: Potential of using Organic Fraction of Solid Mu-nicipal Waste (OFSMW) for biohydro-gen production in South Africa. Mr. Ozemoya, Augustine: Factors in-fluenc- ing the conversion efficiency of a PV module. Mr. Adams, Abdulghaaliq: Low tem-perature deposition of silicon nitride thin films by hot-wire CVD. Mr. Silinga, Cebo: Scenarios for a South African peaking CSP system in the short term. Ms. Sibanda, Ntsako: Evaluating yeast hybridization to improve hydrolytic enzyme secretion for second genera-tion bio-fuel production. Ms. Nefdt, Taryn: The evaluation of macro-algae as a feedstock for bio-energy produc- tion within the South African context. Mr. Muller, Christopher: The bio-energy po- tential of the South African sugarcane industry and its ex- pected influence on sustainable development. Mr. Smith, Michael Trevor: Exploring a systems approach for the economic assessment of small-scale anaerobic biodigesters for rural areas. Ms. Kayofa, Lelo: Feasibility and busi-ness plan for manufacturing a 3 kw electrical solar Stirling engine and dish, for a stand-alone power supply unit. Mr. Schultz, Ross: Concentrator photo- voltaic module Design Mr. Malan, Daniel: Integral solar water heating using heat pipes and phase change material (pcm) thermal storage Ms. Brandt, Bianca: Yeast hardening for cellulosic ethanol production. Dr. Kotsedi, Lebogang: Metal to metal-oxide transformation using ultra-fast laser on thin films for electro- magnetic spetrum selection
TRACK 2 Mr. Tshehla, Maloba: A literature analysis of barriers and policy opportu-nities for the growth of renewable energy technologies at the Mr. Swiegers, Cobus: Inlet and outlet shape-optimization of natural circulation building ventilation system Mr. Thomas, Nathan: Development of a range of heat pipe heat recovery heat exchangers for the drying industry Mr. Kopano, Mokhalodi: Development of a universal bidirection- al galvanic isolated switch module for power converter applications Mrs. Simo, Aline: VO2 nanostructures based chemiresis-tors for low power energy consumption hydro- gen sensing Mr. Jeggels, Dawood: Theoretical and experimental Mr. Solomon, Ramzi: Scaling Machines for Renewable Energy IPP Applications Mr. Loubser, Karl: Geothermal heat recovery and utilisa- tion using heat pipes Ms. Van Der Bank, Marjone: A Legal analysis on the regulation of renewable resources to promote ener-gy efficiency in sustainable building	TRACK 2 Mr. Du Preez, Jacques: Theoretical modelling and experimental verifica-tion of a passive downdraught eve-porative cooling tower. Ms. Philander, Ghouwaa: Thermo-chromic doped vanadium dioxide coat-ings for smart windows Mr. Tadadjeu Sokeng, Ifriky: Nano-satellites as energy efficiency facilita-tors in Africa Ms. Fourie, Marna: Design of a subcrit-ical and transcritical car- bon dioxide refrigera- tion system Mr. Manabile, Segaula Isaac: Produc-tion of na- nofibers for techno- logical application by electrospinning of poly-mer-graphene solution. Mr. Barnard, Francois: Hybrid position sensorless control of a RSM in the en-tire speed range. Mr. Stander, Johan: Split permanent magnet wind turbine generator topol-ogy comparison using optimisation Mr. Craig, Rob: Thermodynamically driven gravity assisted water pump based on novelty dipping bird Mr. Ndlangaman- Dla, Cebo: Synthesis of hematite nanorods for the study of its optical properties for the possible use in hydrogen production. Ms. Meyer, Imke: Resource Assess-ment of the Agulhas Current to deter-mine Feasibility for Marine Energy Ex-traction. Mr. Lilla, Daleel: Comparison of Differ-ential Evolution and Genetic Algo- rithm in the design of permanent mag-net Generators. Ms. Herbst, Lynette: The effect of cli-mate change on wind resources in South Africa.	TRACK 2 Mr. Van Der Walt, James: Micro-utilities using battery based distribu-tion for rural electrification in South Africa Mr. Poole, Sean: The development of a segmented variable pitch small-scale horizontal axis wind turbine with active pitch control. Ms. DOBSON, Rose- Mary: The devel-opment of recombinant fungal enzyme cocktails for the hydrolysis of cellulosic waste products. Mr. Stander, Johan: Pressure rigidised wind turbine blades - a novelty. Mr. Kusakana, Kanzumba: Techno-economic analysis of an off-grid micro-hydrokinetic river system for remote rural electrification. Mrs. Mayedwa, Noluthando: Devel-opment of platino-iridium/ ruthenium telluride nanoalloy electrode systems for high per- formance ammonia fuel cell. Mr. Hobbs, Kyle: Thermally driven natural circulation water pump Mr. Kusakana, Kanzumba: Design and performance analysis of renewable energy powered electric TUK-TUK bat-tery charging stations inSouth Africa Mr. Stander, Johan: Mechanical design of a dual permanent magnet rotor gen-erator Mr. Gerber, Stiaan: Evaluation and design aspects of magneti- cally geared electrical machines. Mrs. Thwaits, Tiffany: Bats (Chirop-tera) and wind energy - can bat activity patterns make them vulner- able to wind turbine impacts? Mr. Kuyula, Christian: Design of a high efficiency converter for fuel cell appli-cations. Mr. Fraser, Justin: Surface Tension Driven Water pumping Mr. Kusakana, Kanzumba: Perfor-mance mode- ling of a hybrid diesel generator-Battery hybrid system

Papers presented at the Third Annual CRSES Student Conference held 22 and 23 November 2012

Thursday, 22 November 2012 Johannes Potgieter: Evaluation and Application of a Slip-Synchronous Permanent Magnet Wind Generator Kerryn Newey: Optimising Performance of small HAWT's through improved rotor/alternator matching Bavesh Kooverji: Pneumatic power measurement of an oscillating water converter model Peni Yekoladio: Thermodynamic analysis and performance optimisation of organic Rankine Cycles for the conversion of low-to-moderate grade geothermal heat Thapelo Mokomele: Ethanol production from Xylose and Glucose in a membrane bioreactor with Zymomonas Lloyd Ngo: Exergetic analysis and optimisation of a Parabolic Dish collector or low power application Willem le Roux: Solar tracking for a parabolic dish used in a solar thermal Brayton cycle Ross Schultz: The design of a High Concentrator Photovoltaic Module (HCPV).

Friday 23 November 2012 Holger Kretzschmar: Development of a Flat-Plate calorimeter for a small-scale heliostat field Gregg Walker: A method of increasing collector aperture in linear Fresnel solar concentrators at high zenith angles Andre Louw: A DEM-CFD approach to predict the pressure drop through an air-rock bed thermal energy storage system Sebastiaan Bode: The design and testing of a small scale solar flux measurement system for central receiver plants. Johan Kotze: Evaluation of a latent heat thermal energy storage system using AlSi12 as a phase change material Willem Landman: Sensitivity analysis of a curved heliostat facet profile Gerhard Hartwig: Grey water reclamation using solar thermal power Primrose Njingana: Growth and characterisation of spray pyrolytic doped zinc and aluminium oxides spectral selective thin films. Brendon MacLeod: Proposed test procedure for the laboratory characterisation of grid-connected micro-inverters Lucian Bezuidenhout: On the characterisation of solar cells using light beam induced current measurements Jacqui Crozier: High resolution spatial electroluminescence (EL) imaging of photovoltaic (PV) modules Mario Benecke: The design and analysis of a vertical receiver LCPV system

Papers presented at the Second Annual CRSES Student Conference held 17 and 18 November 2011:

Thursday 17 November 2011 Jessica Hosking: Generating guidance on public preferences for the location of wind turbine farms in the Eastern Cape Chantelle Clohessy: Evaluation of Noise Levels of Micro-Wind Turbines using a Randomised Experiment James Joubert: Designing the ShoreSWEC as a breakwater and wave energy converter Jacqueline Crozier: Investigation of cell mismatch in the three crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules using Electroluminescence as a diagnosistic Mario Benecke: Optical design of a low concentrator photovoltaic module Jacques Gerber: Investigation of thermal management in a low concentrator photovoltaic module Justin Beukes: An economic analysis of the production, distribution and use of concentrator photovoltaic technology in South Africa: a Case Study Dawood Jeggels: Theoretical and Experimental Evaluation of a Low Temperature Lithium-Bromide/Water Absorption System Marna Fourie: Theoretical simulation and experimental validation of a critical and transcritical CO2 refrigeration system using a dual capillary tube expansion device

Friday 18 November 2011 Lanrewaju Obayopo: Performance enhancement of PEM fuel cell through reactant gas channel and gas diffusion layer optimisation Willem le Roux: Optimisation of the receiver and recuprator of the small-scale open and direct solar thermal Brayton cycle for Pretoria Sven du Clou: Design of a solar-driven ejector cooling system Matti Lubkoll: A pre-feasibility study of a Concentrating Solar Power System to offset electricity consumption at the Spier Estate Johan Kotze: A combined latent thermal energy storage and steam generator concept using metallic phase change materials and metallic heat transfer fluids for concentrated solar power Marnie Meintjes: Fermentation coupled with pervaporation : a Kinetic Study Gerhard Nel: Metathesis of biodiesel with Grubbs catalysts Hope Baloyi: Algae liquefaction Jan-Erns Joubert: Fast pyrolysis of Eucalyptus Grandis Lesego Malla: Greenhouse gas mitigation cost of energy form waste via biogas: A techno-economic analysis of co-digestion of three types of waste in Cape Town Yuda Benjamin: The influence of variety type on dilute acid pre-treatment-hydrolysis responses of sugarcane bagasse

Papers presented at the First Annual CRSES Student Conference held 11 and 12 November 2010:

Thursday 11 November 2010 Frank Nsaful: Process modelling of sugar mill biomass to energy conversion processes and energy integration of pyrolysis Yuda Benjamin: Characterisation of sugarcane cultivars for bioethanol production Daphney Mutepe: Ethanol production from sweet sorghum Polycarp Mabizela: Thermal characterisation of various biomass materials for co-gasification with coal Sewis van Zyl: Bioethanol production: from wood to fuel Stephen Danje: Fast pyrolysis of the South African corn residues for fuel production Akinwale Aboyade: Investigating the yield and distribution of volatile products obtained from the co-pyrolysis of coal-biomass blends Marna Fourie: Theoretical simulation and experimental validation of a critical and transcritical CO2 refrigeration system using a dual capillary tube expansion device Sumetee Pahwa: Advancing the application of tools and concepts from industrial ecology and sustainability science towards corporate sustainability based on a study of Spier’s search for a sustainable, lower carbon future

Friday 12 November 2010 Willem le Roux: Minimisation and optimum distribution of entropy generation for maximum network output of the small-scale open and direct solar thermal brayton cycle Karin Kritzinger: Exploring the possibility of the insurance industry as a solar water heater driver Nicolas Thantsha: Characterisation of defects in multicrystalline silicon solar cell mesa diodes Sven du Clou: Solar-driven thermal management research at UKZN Michael Mouzouris: Heat transfer analysis for high solar concentration measurements using a flat plate calorimeter Wilhelm Botha: Solar chimney augmented passive downdraught evaporative cooling system Greig Menzies: An economic evaluation of a wind power electricity generating farm in South Africa Lanrewaju Obayopo: Thermodynamic optimisation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell system James Joubert: Wave resource assessment and site selection for the ShoreSWEC Josh Reinecke: Effect of a diffuser on the power production of ocean current turbines Izak du Toit: Theoretical simulation and experimental validation of a closed loop natural circulating cooling system for a tank containing internally heat generating material. Stiaan Gerber: A finite element based optimisation tool for electrical machines