- Prof. Craig McGregor, professor at the department for mechanical and mechatronic engineering at the Stellenbosch University (SU), was appointed the first ACWA power chair for the concentration of solar energy at the Stellenbosch University.
- McGregor also serves as the head of the solar thermal engineering group (Sterg).
The prestigious chairman was founded in collaboration with ACWA Power, a leading Saudi -Arab developer, investor and operator of power generation and desalculated water systems with considerable CSP operations in South Africa, including the operational Bokpoort plant and the recently commissioned Redstone facility.
The appointment of McGregor in solar thermal energy research and his strong success story in the bridging of academic excellence with industry-relevant innovations recognizes.
McGregor says of his appointment: “I look forward to working with ACWA Power in order to build on the operational experience from the South African Bokpoort- and Redstone -CSP plants and to drive our research into a reliable around the clock renewable solar energy.”
This appointment is a considerable step forward in strengthening the capacity of South Africa in relation to renewable energies, especially in the area of concentrated solar energy (CSP) – a technology that is of crucial importance for the country's energy requirements due to the ability to store thermal energy and also deliver electricity after sunset.
McGregor has headed Sterg since 2019 and built up on the inheritance of solar research and industry partnerships at the university. Su, as a global participant for solar thermal innovation, has positioned cooperation with cooperation such as the DLR (Germany), Fraunhofer ISE, Sandia National Laboratories (USA), CNRS (France) and others.
The ACWA Power Chair receives annual financing to support highly effective research, postgraduate student financing and regional capacity formation. The most important focus areas include CSP system modeling and optimization, high-temperature heat storage, dry air cooling and medium systems for industrial use.
In order to ensure a strong regional effect, postgraduate scholarships from the North Cape are given primary, a full scholarship for engineering in the Bachelorium is awarded to a student from the province every year, and the chairman will offer the North Cape government with regard to energy policy and economic development.
Van Niekerk emphasized the broader regional advantages and added: “When promoting a qualified workforce and promoting the innovation, the ACWA chairman becomes a decisive strength for economic growth, employment and technological management of the province of North Cape.
“CSP is still clearly suitable for the solar profile and the energy challenges in South Africa,” he continued. “This chairman ensures that the right research, people and partnerships are available to exploit their full potential and to support South Africa's transition to a more sustainable future.”
Author: Bryan Groenendaal