L to R: Dr Hoffie Maree (CSIR), Ms Berenice Lue Marais (CSIR), Ms Wendy Poulton (Eskom), Dr Steve Lennon (Eskom)
The CSIR and Eskom Holdings (Pty) Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to collaborate on research and development (R&D) in areas of mutual interest, in alignment with their respective mandates, and in the national interest.
CSIR Group Manager: Strategic Contract R&D, Berenice Lue Marais, and Eskom General Manager: Corporate sustainability, Wendy Poulton stated that the interaction towards the development of the partnership has been constructive and cooperative. Stimulated by the CSIR/ Eskom Steering Committee “Eskom were requested to identify problem areas and the CSIR in turn, indicate how it could respond. This culminated in the identification of the key areas of cooperation, and the prioritisation of areas where capabilities and could be harnessed to address key areas”.
This MoA provides an institutional framework for cooperation and the context within which Eskom and the CSIR interaction will take place; it is not a substitute for specific agreements on individual projects. The partnership also allows both parties to pool resources to build national capabilities as well as approach funders.”
The CSIR areas of cooperation will be guided by the Research Impact Area (RIA) strategies, with areas of energy being championed by Thomas Roos from Defence, Peace, Safety and Security (DPSS), Mkhulu Mathe from Materials, Science and Manufacturing (MSM), and environmental issues will be championed by Monga Mehlwana from Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE).
Eskom, as a state-owned enterprise, has a greater role to play in addition to the supply of electricity. They also support South Africa’s growth and development aspirations. Eskom’s value proposition to the country can be summarised as follows:
Providing electricity to all South Africans
Supporting other industries
Driving transformation
Creating jobs and new industries
Providing a reliable electricity infrastructure
According to
the MoA, collaboration can occur collaboratively on topics of mutual interest across the policy strategy and operation spheres of both organisations. It is also recognised that either party may also contract the other to do specific contract research in defined areas of expertise. Where opportunities present themselves, Eskom and the CSIR – collectively or separately – will identify, source and obtain funding from external sources which can be utilised in pursuit of the stated objectives.
Eskom and the CSIR will, in their areas of cooperation, consider the skills requirement of both organisations and support relevant objectives where possible. This could include the setting up of separate or joint centres of competence.
In addition, where applicable, the two parties could cooperate in contributing results and findings into policy discussions in the public domain and with various applicable government departments.
The joint relationship will cover cooperation in the following areas:
Storage of energy
Demand management
Renewable supply side options
Solar thermal energy technology roadmaps and foresight:Climate change
Smart grids
Water
According to Berenice Lue Marais, the key contributors to a successful partnership include championship, leadership, and like-minded parties that share similar objectives. She adds, “The CSIR / Eskom Steering Committee will drive further engagement with quarterly reporting and strategic guidance. There is a strong willingness to move quickly to research collaborations along the value chain.”
Group Manager: CSIR Strategic Contract & International Development Funding
Tel: 012 841-2200begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 012 841-2200
E-mail: blue@csir.co.za
