Page 15 - Energize September 2022

NEWS

Academia to outline renewable energy

advancement and response to the

energy crisis

frica’s premier academic renewable energy projects, to influence energy policy, and provide a framework to
exchange platform, WindAc aid strategic decision-making.
AAfrica 2022, is inviting renewable “This conference presents the perfect opportunity for researchers to showcase
energy researchers to showcase their their work and reflect on the current state of the energy landscape and the industry’s
work. The platform recognises the readiness to transform and move towards a just energy transition,” said Niveshen
pivotal role that wind energy research Govender, CEO of SAWEA.
and technology development plays WindAc Africa will be hosted by SAWEA, over two days, 11 – 13 October 2022,
in the sector, as it leads the way for at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. As a collaborative networking
advancement and progress, which is environment, dialogue is stimulated between experienced researchers, motivated
especially essential at a time that the students and members of the wind industry. Historically, attendees from South
country pins its hopes on renewables Africa, USA, Denmark, Germany, UK and France and students from leading South
to meet the growing demand for clean African universities have participated. Speakers and presenters are judiciously
energy supply. selected to ensure the best content will drive the conversation, whilst the
It needs to be recognised that programme will be based on papers selected through rigorous peer review and final
the renewable energy sector looks to selection by a scientific advisory panel. The 2022 programme will cover technical,
the academic community to unpack socioeconomic, policy and environmental aspects of the wind industry, emphasising
and analyse investment capital, skills academic interaction across disciplines.
availability, land availability, grid access,
operational excellence and investment Click here to submit your abstract
in local supply chain development, all of
which play a critical role in ensuring that The proposed topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
the industry will successfully deliver. • The wind resource
Hence, the conference works • Wind turbine operation (operation and maintenance)
to clearly establish a road towards • Grid integration
facilitating an integrated approach to • Wind power and environment (environmental planning and management)
research in achieving a successful power • Wind turbine technology (embedded and utility)
transition towards a greater share of • Wind energy economics and finance
renewables, as outlined in the country’s • Energy policy
energy roadmap, and prioritised by the • Wind for communities
President and the Ministers who serve • Renewable energy independent power producer
on the Energy Crisis Committee. • Battery storage
Hosted by the South African Wind • Hydrogen economy
Energy Association (SAWEA), this fifth • New emerging markets in an African context
international academic wind energy
conference offers a special programme About WindAc Africa
for high-potential young people from WindAc Africa Conference is the flagship industry academic conference of SAWEA. It
universities across the country and hopes has the vision to become the pre-eminent academic wind conference in Africa, while
to welcome 40 sponsored students at simultaneously becoming the pre-eminent sponsorship opportunity for excellent
this year’s event. wind energy students from Southern African research institutions. It sets out to
The conference brings together key achieve this status by elevating knowledge of wind power supply through Africa
stakeholders including professionals, and the world while also strengthening the cooperation between South African
policymakers, academics, government universities and the wind industry.
representatives and civil society. It aims
to facilitate strengthened partnerships Contact SAWEA, Phone 010 007-5655, admin@sawea.co.za,
for the on-the-ground implementation of https://sawea.org.za

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