Dr Coneth Richards.
The THENSA/Irish partnership, a game-changer in the higher education space will focus on research collaboration, curriculum development, innovation and commercialisation, representing priority thematic areas to be addressed through the following strategic research clusters:
- The circular economy research innovation cluster
- Curriculum for the 4IR research cluster
Furthermore, TUT’s role as a lead institution in the partnership will involve research and curriculum development for biohydrogen technologists and upskilling of current employees in the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and Tshwane municipality in the area of hydrogen to energy.
Sharing insight on the project, Dr Coneth Richards, the Project leader and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Electrical Engineering said: "This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with international partners. We will initially develop a platform for the hydrogen value chain to research aspects ranging from hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, Fuel Cell technologies, system optimization, energy integration as well as the decarbonization of the value chain to produce Green Hydrogen,” he explained.
Both, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Engagement, as well as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching, Learning & Technology are elated about the grant. The award of this grant is so timely as the university is intensifying its response to both national & global priorities. “The time to vigorously invest in alternative energies is now,” they concluded.