The JET Group draws on a broad network of specialised laboratories across the University of Pretoria. These facilities provide the experimental and computational infrastructure for our work in smart grids, hydrogen systems, solar energy, power electronics, and more.
In partnership with SANEDI, the Smart Grids Labs advance the design, testing, and implementation of intelligent grid systems. These labs simulate complex grid environments, enabling technologies that optimise energy distribution, enable demand response, and facilitate renewable integration into national power systems. The lab also supports training and capacity building for utility personnel and postgraduate researchers.
The Just Energy Transition (JET) Lab is a multidisciplinary facility addressing the shift to low-carbon energy systems. It investigates green and turquoise hydrogen, fuel cells, and carbon capture with emphasis on South African industrial and municipal application. The lab aligns technical innovation with policy, social equity, and environmental stewardship, and collaborates with the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Supports cutting-edge research in converters, power conditioning, inverters, and control systems for renewable energy integration, electric vehicles, and industrial automation. Students and researchers develop new topologies and test control algorithms for efficient energy conversion in modern infrastructure.
Focuses on the dynamics and control of large-scale electromechanical systems — transformers, motors, and generators. Equipped with industrial-grade machines, the lab enables experimentation and performance analysis under real-world conditions, contributing to equipment reliability, diagnostics, and energy efficiency in utilities.
Explores energy-efficient lighting solutions, photometric testing, and human-centric lighting design. The facility evaluates LED and smart lighting technologies under various conditions, supporting standards development and guiding municipalities and industries in deploying sustainable lighting systems.
Active in microelectronics research and specialist training since 1981. CEFIM's energy research focuses on the design and application of sensors to energy systems, enabling the granular monitoring essential for smart grid and IoT-based energy management.
Dedicated to concentrating solar power (CSP) research. The centrepiece is a solar dish collector that concentrates the sun's rays to test technologies across energy generation and metallurgy. The lab hosts a Solar Radiometric Station under the Southern African Universities Radiometric Network (SAURAN), logging irradiance and climate data publicly available for research.
Focuses on thermal systems and energy conversion processes. Research includes improving heat exchangers, solar thermal collectors, and thermal storage systems — a key contributor to sustainable energy innovation and industrial heat recovery.
Provides aerodynamic testing for energy systems including wind turbines and energy-efficient vehicles. Engine test benches support research into combustion efficiency and alternative fuels, contributing to low-emission technology development.
Specialises in dynamic systems, noise control, and precision engineering. Applications in energy systems include monitoring and improving the operational stability of turbines, compressors, and rotating machinery such as generators.
Studies the mechanical behaviour of structural components under loading conditions, supporting energy research through structural integrity analysis of renewable energy systems such as wind turbines and solar panel mounting structures.
Originated from VR adoption in 2013 and evolved into the Virtual Reality and Interaction (VRI) Lab by 2018. Supports energy-related mining research — including optimised resource extraction and renewable integration in mining operations — through realistic simulation and advanced VR training environments.