Collaboration with leading local and global research entities
The CRSES hosts several key research platforms that facilitate collaboration between local and international research entities, positioning it as a gateway to advancing renewable and sustainable energy research. Aligned with the centre’s mission and scope outlined in the research portfolio, these efforts cover a range of topics within the portfolios of technology development in solar and wind energy, energy and grid modelling, green hydrogen and P-to-X, and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. If you would like to work with us, please get in touch.
DSI ERP
Department of Science and Innovation Energy Research Programme
This programme seeks to develop renewable energy research capacity and expertise within the national system of innovation using a hub-and-spokes model. It focuses on key strategic areas within the renewable energy value chain such as
- Deepening knowledge: undertaking research projects for knowledge creation and better understanding of renewable and sustainable energy;
- Technology development and deployment: encompassing all the necessary processes involved in developing renewable energy technologies;
- Human capital development: developing the required skills set to service the dynamic energy sector at postgraduate level;
- Market transformation – initiatives with government, industry and academia to assist the energy sector with innovative products and services.
EPPEI
Eskom Power Plant Engineering Institute
EPPEI provides world-class training and research to drive engineering efficiency plants at eight University Specialisation Centres around South Africa – including Stellenbosch University. It fosters a dynamic relationship between industry and academia, including universities, universities of technology and the postgraduate student. This ensures a balance between applied, industry-relevant research and research with academic merit. Industrial partners are encouraged to get involved with this research and innovation to improve the power plant industry.
ARUA
African Research Universities Alliance
ARUA brings together sixteen of Africa’s leading universities with a common vision: to enhance research and graduate training through a number of channels, including the setting up of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to be hosted by member universities. Stellenbosch University hosts the Centre of Excellence in Energy, which investigates how to best integrate renewable energy into African food systems and value chains in order to address the large climate impact of agriculture, and to increase yields and reduce post-harvest losses of agricultural produce.
FIP-WEF@SU
Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for the Water-Energy-Food Nexus at Stellenbosch University
This platform is a strategic partnership between Stellenbosch University (SU) and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft – Europe’s largest application-oriented research organisation. It involves SU’s Faculties of Engineering, Science and AgriSciences, under the auspices of the SU Water Institute and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, as well as four Fraunhofer Institutes. The Fraunhofer Innovation Platform (FIP) will address the entire spectrum of water and energy security challenges in the region, from academic research to technology development, transfer and implementation. The objective of this long-term cooperation is to jointly develop tailored technological and cross-sectoral solutions for water, energy and food security – for the benefit of people and the environment.
