Energy Research Programme

Energy Research Programme Brief Overview 1. Background and Introduction One of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) funded research initiatives in renewable energy is the Energy research Programme (ERP). This is a collaborative model that recognises and supports the distribution of research capacity and expertise for a defined focus area, across more than one institution and/or divisions of an institution.

The various institutions are assigned areas of focus and responsibility within the broader defined focus area, preferably within their individual areas of pre-existing competencies, capacities, expertise and specialisation. One institution is selected as the coordinating point (the Hub) and the rest are the Spokes. A hub-and-spokes cluster may have any number of spokes and these may be added as the need arises, for example if new sub- focus areas not yet catered for are realized. These hub-and-spokes are mainly expected to focus on applied research with a goal of ensuring that South Africa stays abreast with regard to the latest technologies and research in a specific focus area. The hub-and- spokes are also critical to realising the objectives of human capital development.

The first hub-and-spokes cluster has been established to contribute to the key strategic area of Energy Security with the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at the University of Stellenbosch serving as the hub with three spokes focussing on wind, Solar thermal and solar photo-voltaic renewable energy respectively, located at five paired universities which includes Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Fort Hare and University of Pretoria. Additional spokes may be added or an entire cluster may be developed depending on the need of the sector.

These research instruments will strengthen South African technological capability, improve the coordination of energy research areas, international linkages, and provide human capital development in the field of renewable energy.

Initial funding of a minimum grant of R1 million per annum to the spoke and R1.5 million for the remainder of an initial contract period of 5 years will be made available to Institutions within South Africa to establish the spoke. The grant may be renewable for a further period, depending on funding availability and performance. Individuals based at qualifying institutions in South Africa were invited to bid for the afore-mentioned spoke according to the guidelines and criteria captured in the ERP guide.

The call in 2014 was therefore aimed at establishing one additional spoke within the current cluster which will focus on ocean energy. The establishment of ONLY one Spoke is determined by the limitation of available funding.

2. Objectives of the Hub and Spokes Model (ERP) The broad objectives of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy (RSE) hub and spokes are:  human capital development;  deepening knowledge;  stimulating innovation and enterprise in the field of renewable energy; and  coordination of national and international linkages and interactions in the field of renewable and sustainable energy.

A.1 RSE Hub The National Hub for the Postgraduate Programme in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, now called the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) and referred to in this document as the RSE Hub, is located at the Stellenbosch University. Its main objectives are:  to develop and enhance national capacity in renewable and sustainable energy by building human capital, and  creating and disseminating knowledge; and  stimulating innovation and enterprise in the field of Renewable and Sustainable Energy (RSE).

A.2 RSE Spokes Whilst the RSE Hub focusses on particular areas of research aligned to national priorities, complementary areas of specialisation, together with the associated postgraduate research students, are distributed to research bases called spokes, which themselves will generally be located at other identified universities. The Centre and the Spokes are intended to work collaboratively and synergistically towards the overall objectives of research and human capital development for the renewable energy sector and focus.

The overall aim of the Spokes is to accelerate the delivery of knowledge capacity and appropriate human resources in strategic focus areas of renewable and sustainable energy in support of accelerated and shared economic growth within the bounds of environmental sustainability. The specific objectives are threefold:  firstly to deepen knowledge through research,  secondly to develop appropriate human capital; and  third, technology transfer in the targeted field of renewable and sustainable energy.

3. Contact details Mr Nathan Sassman - Programme Director (012) 481-4193 [email protected] Ms Tsibiso Mohlomi - Professional Officer (012) 481-415 [email protected] Ms Etresia Diedericks – Marketing and Communication (012) 481-4040 [email protected]