Energy and the Environment
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Energy and the Environment
The world needs cleaner and better energy so that industrial and human development can proceed with minimal damage to the environment.
Stellenbosch University (SU) has for some time been a leader in this field through the work of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, in collaboration with by the South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI) and the Central Energy Fund. Now, the University’s Faculty of Engineering is adding new impetus to the search for sustainable solutions through its Energy and the Environment project.
This involves a range of research contributions – from renewable and sustainable energy projects and the removal of waste by-products, to water quality and the more efficient use of business resources.
In the field of energy efficiency research is being conducted into making the electrical network and electrical load systems more efficient; into better technologies for minerals processing and separation, and energy-efficient building materials. Educating children about safety and energy efficiency forms part of research into long-distance power supply to remote and rural communities.
SU has established research and teaching expertise across a wide spectrum of renewable energy fields, from wind, ocean wave and solar energy to the conversion of biomass into liquid fuel. Projects include the installation of an experimental wind power generator at South Africa’s SANAE IV base in Antarctica.
Research on waste by-products include developing cost-effective technologies for the removal of dust from electric arc furnaces and CO2 sequestration, the control of incineration emissions, as well as water-based paints to reduce the use of chemical solvents. To minimise the negative effects of mining on the environment, research is being conducted into acid drainage.
Water is in scarce supply in Southern Africa and other parts of the continent. Civil Engineering research is being conducted into improving the management of water resources through hydrological, hydraulic, mathematical and physical modelling. Researchers are also concentrating on the impact of climate change on rainfall, runoff and catchment erosion.
Industrial Engineering researchers aim to make the utilisation of business resources in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise more efficient as this sector plays an important role in economic empowerment.