Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES)

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Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES)

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Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies The hub will be supplemented by a number of research chairs forming the spokes of a hub and spoke model.

Stellenbosch University has been awarded the responsibility to act as the hub of a Postgraduate Programme in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies by the newly formed South African National Energy Research Institute (SANERI), a division of the Central Energy Fund (CEF). The overall objective of this initiative is to develop and enhance national capacity in renewable and sustainable energy in support of accelerated and shared economic growth within the area of sustainable energy. This will be achieved by building the human resource capacity, create and disseminate knowledge, and lastly to stimulate innovation and enterprise in the field of renewable and sustainable energy. The primary objective of the Postgraduate Programme in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University will be to train scientists and engineers with the required technical expertise to unlock the country’s renewable energy resources on the one hand and implement appropriate technology for sustainable energy utilisation on the other.

02/11/2026

FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY | HYBRID LARGE-SCALE SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS

The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with AEE INTEC, invites experts and professionals to register for a Specialized Course on Hybrid Large-Scale Solar Thermal Systems.

The sponsored training course will be presented by Rene Baumann, an energy and environmental engineering specialist with extensive experience in renewable energy technologies and training across the SADC region through the SOLTRAIN+ project.

Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/3GVp1mQuRn

Don't miss this opportunity to expand your expertise in renewable energy technologies!

02/11/2026

CRSES Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Etian Ngobeni Receives International Recognition!

Congratulations to Dr. Etian Ngobeni, a postdoctoral researcher at Stellenbosch University's Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES), on receiving an award for the Most Outstanding Scientific Presentation in the Energy Justice session at the 4th International Conference on Circular Economy, Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen in Africa (ICERA 2026).

The conference took place from 27–29 October 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Read more about his achievement and research on our website: https://www.crses.sun.ac.za/crses-postdoctoral-researcher-recognised-for-outstanding-scientific-presentation-at-icera-2026/

30/10/2026

Last week (19–23 October 2026), the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) proudly exhibited at the 8th RD20 Conference, at the CSIR International Convention Centre, in Pretoria.

It was an incredible opportunity to connect with global researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders around our DSTI Renewable Energy Hub & Spokes programmes, including our Solar Thermal Spoke.

Thank you to the CSIR team for a brilliant event, and to everyone who visited our stand to discuss South Africa's clean energy transition!

30/10/2026

The African Energy Week 2026, held from 12 to 16 October at the CTICC, was a massive success!

The CRSES was proud to have an exhibition stand on the floor, and we are deeply grateful to our leadership team, Prof. Cristina Trois, Associate Director, Dr. Francois Rozon, and Short Courses Manager, Dr. Armand A. Du Plessis was part of the judging panel for the AEW Student Challenge. who stepped up on short notice.

Despite their demanding academic schedules, they selflessly dedicated their time to serving as official judges for the AEW Student Challenge, bringing strict academic thoroughness to ensure student proposals met the highest global standards.

Between their thorough judging sessions, they even stopped by to support our separate exhibition team on the floor!

01/10/2026

Join us for the next CRSES Webinar Series!

We are pleased to invite you to an upcoming webinar exploring the: “Demonstration of a Mobile Hybrid Solar Gas Turbine at Masia Village, Limpopo, South Africa.”

The session will take place on 09 October 2026, from 12:00–13:00 and will be presented by Evan Humphries from the Solar Thermal Energy and Power Systems (STEPS) group at the University of Pretoria.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/ddPATHbZ

We look forward to welcoming you to the session!

01/10/2026

Our Wind Energy Short Course is now open for registration!

Register here:https://www.crses.sun.ac.za/downloads/Wind_Energy_brochure.pdf

31/07/2026

The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) was honoured to host a delegation from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), our primary funding partner, for a strategic engagement at Stellenbosch University.

The visit brought together representatives from DSTI, the Stellenbosch University - Faculty of Engineering of Engineering, and CRSES leadership to showcase the impact of collaborative investment in renewable energy research, innovation and skills development. The delegation included Dr Kenny Tenza (Acting Deputy Director General: Department of Science, Technology and Innovation of Science Technology Innovation, DSTI), Prof Sampson Mamphweli, Head of DSTI's Energy Secretariat at SANEDI, and Ms Humna Malik, Deputy Director: Alternative Energy at DSTI.

Hosted by Prof Wikus Van Niekerk, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, alongside CRSES Director Prof. Cristina Trois, the programme highlighted cutting-edge research and infrastructure across the Faculty of Engineering, including renewable energy laboratories, the Renewable Energy Hub and Spokes Programme, and innovation initiatives at the Stellenbosch University LaunchLab and Innovus Technology Transfer Office at Stellenbosch University.

As a centre hosted within the Faculty of Engineering and supported by DSTI, CRSES values these engagements, which strengthen partnerships, showcase the impact of public investment in research, and help shape South Africa's renewable energy future.

We thank the DSTI delegation, our Faculty leadership, researchers, colleagues, and partners for a productive and insightful visit.

22/06/2026

We are excited to introduce the distinguished speakers joining us for the SASEC 2026 Conference.

These experts bring valuable insight and experience that will contribute to meaningful discussions on sustainable energy, innovation, and collaboration across the sector.

-SASEC Pre-Conference: 23 June 2026

-Main Conference: 24-26 June 2026

To learn more about our speakers and their work, visit:

https://sasec.org.za/

We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an engaging and impactful programme.

18/06/2026

The countdown to the Southern African Sustainable Energy Conference (SASEC) 2026 has begun!

Find out more here: https://sasec.org.za/

Address

Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch
7600

Telephone

+27218084069

Website

http://www.crses.sun.ac.za/

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