Our research programme spans the full energy transition stack — from hardware and grid infrastructure to policy and economics. Each theme addresses a critical barrier to South Africa's transition to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, and is conducted in active partnership with industry, government, and civil society.
Partners: SANEDI, ESKOM, DMRE
We develop AI-driven demand response systems that dynamically balance supply and load across South Africa's constrained grid. Research covers real-time monitoring via IoT sensors, automated load-shedding mitigation strategies, and virtual power plant architectures that aggregate distributed resources.
Partners: SANEDI, Rand Water
Our microgrid research focuses on designing resilient, self-healing local energy networks that integrate renewable sources with storage and controllable loads. Projects target rural municipalities and remote industrial sites where grid reliability is critical to economic development.
Partners: SANEDI, DMRE
Through the AssetCloud platform (asset-check.com), we enable small municipalities to digitally assess the health of their electrical infrastructure. Research outputs directly inform maintenance prioritisation, tariff determination, and capital expenditure planning for over 20 municipalities.
Partners: Bambili Energy, DSI, EWSETA
We investigate electrolysis, methane pyrolysis, and biomass-based production routes for clean hydrogen, evaluating their techno-economic viability within the South African energy and industrial context. Research includes catalyst development, system integration, and lifecycle emissions assessment.
Partners: Bambili Energy, EWSETA
Advanced sensor networks and machine learning models are deployed to monitor the real-time performance and degradation of fuel cell stacks. This research underpins the reliability and commercialisation of hydrogen technologies in transport, backup power, and distributed generation.
Partners: Bambili Energy, DSI, EWSETA
In collaboration with Bambili Energy, the DSI, and EWSETA, we lead a national training programme for TVET college graduates on hydrogen fuel cell installation, operation, and maintenance — building the skilled workforce South Africa needs for its hydrogen economy.
Partners: ESKOM, SANEDI
We apply deep learning and statistical models to forecast short- and long-term electricity demand at municipal, utility, and national scale. Accurate forecasting reduces reserve margin costs, improves dispatch decisions, and enables better renewable energy integration planning.
Partners: ESKOM
Working with ESKOM through the EPEP programme, we create high-fidelity digital replicas of electrical network components. These virtual models enable predictive maintenance scheduling, failure analysis, and upgrade planning without disrupting live infrastructure.
Partners: SANEDI, CEFIM
We design and deploy low-cost IoT sensor networks for granular energy monitoring in buildings, industrial plants, and distribution networks. Research includes edge computing architectures, data compression, and anomaly detection algorithms tailored to low-bandwidth environments.
Partners: SANEDI, DMRE
This research investigates the drivers of rooftop solar PV adoption in residential and commercial sectors and models the formation of virtual power plant ecosystems. Outputs include policy recommendations and technical frameworks for grid operators managing high penetrations of distributed generation.
Partners: ESKOM, SANEDI
We evaluate battery, thermal, and pumped hydro storage technologies for their role in stabilising grids with high renewable penetration. Research covers sizing methodologies, control strategies, and economic dispatch models that optimise storage operation across different grid contexts.
Partners: SAURAN Network
The UP Solar Lab investigates concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies, including dish-Brayton cycle systems and solar thermal collectors. Research spans system thermodynamics, materials performance, and integration with industrial heat processes — supported by the SAURAN solar radiometric station on campus.
Partners: DMRE, SANEDI
Our policy research analyses South Africa's evolving electricity market structure, tariff design, and regulatory frameworks. We provide evidence-based recommendations to government and regulators on policies that accelerate the energy transition while protecting vulnerable consumers.
Partners: Rand Water, EXXARO
Working with Rand Water — one of South Africa's largest electricity consumers — we develop energy efficiency strategies for water treatment and pumping systems. Research covers pump optimisation, energy recovery, and demand management programmes that reduce both cost and carbon emissions.
Partners: DSI, DMRE
We examine the social dimensions of South Africa's energy transition — ensuring that the shift to clean energy does not deepen existing inequalities. Research covers energy poverty, community benefit-sharing models, and just transition frameworks for coal-dependent communities and workers.