Project Status:
Ongoing
As part of a responsive coordinated and efficient national research and development agenda, the Hub and Spokes Programme seeks to respond to priorities through renewable and sustainable energy research and innovation, human capital development, awareness and advocacy, and policy advice. The Hub, which is located within the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch, provides overall programme oversight and coordination of specialized research activities that take place in the Spokes that are located at other universities. In addition, it is the aim of the Hub to develop and research integrated solutions cutting across the Spokes.
The spokes are as follows:
The following innovative activities stem from the Hub and Spokes Programme:
SU Wind Spoke
This spoke is doing research using a small-scale wind generator for off-grid battery charging, and the investigating the development of synchronous condenser technology for grid stabilization in Renewable Energy high penetration areas of solar and wind energy generation.
Small-scale wind generator
Small-scale wind generator
UCT Wind Spoke
Entails a Microgrid Test Rig to support groundbreaking research and development and innovation around grid integration of renewable energy.
NMU Solar PV Spoke
Research regarding Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) technology that promises higher PV generation efficiencies and yields than conventional PV modules.
UP Solar Thermal Spoke
The Solar Dish Brayton Cycle technology is an innovation capable of generating electrical energy as well providing surplus heat for various domestic, commercial and industrial applications.
SU Solar Thermal Spoke
The development of drones that can provide useful services to Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants, such as measuring the optical quality of heliostats in the field.
Hub
A collection of research and development and social programmes. This includes:
A PV Health Monitoring System has the potential to reduce operating and maintenance cost for large Independent Power Producers by offering real-time PV health monitoring and fault detection.
The PV Marketplace is e-commerce platform which seeks to bring about transformation and inclusivity within the residential & commercial solar PV market.
Media and Science Laboratories offer numerous opportunities for responding to Science, Trade and Industry priorities especially in areas of smart communities, IoT, coding and robotics, and future-proof education and skills.
