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.
2.1 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).
2.2 RSE Spokes
Whilst the RSE Hub focusses on particular areas of research aligned to national priorities,
complementary areas of specialisation, together with the associated post-graduate 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]