Two of the world’s foremost experts on solar energy will share their ideas and research at the 2nd Southern African Solar Energy Conference (Sasec 2014) in Port Elizabeth next week. Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom will deliver the opening address.
The two-day conference at the Pine Lodge Conference Centre, adjacent to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University from 27 to 29 January, will focus on photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technology, systems and applications and provide an opportunity for solar energy researchers, engineers, technologists and individuals to share and discuss recent developments in their field.
They will also have the opportunity to hear from international authorities including Germany’s Prof Eicke Weber, founding president of the German Energy Storage Association and winner of the SolarWorld Einstein Award and Dr Michael Geyer, Director for International Business Development of Abengoa Solar SA, the solar division of the Spanish company. Both are recognised as world leaders within their particular fields.
According to NMMU’s Prof Ernest van Dyk, chair of the local organising committee and head of the university’s Centre for Energy Research, the conference will provide a wonderful opportunity for the South African solar energy community to share with other specialists from around the world.
Dr Weber, a leader in the field of solar cell materials, studied Physics at the University of Cologne, Germany, where he obtained his doctorate in 1976. In 1994 he received an Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Award. From 2004-2006 he served as the chair of the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Graduate Group in Berkeley. He was president of the Alexander von Humboldt Association of America (AvHAA) from 2001-2003 and in 2003 he was elected founding president of the German Scholars Organization (GSO).
In 2006 he received the Award of Merit of the German President. He was appointed Managing Director to the Centre for Renewable Energy of the University of Freiburg in May 2013. Furthermore, he is a fellow of the American Physical Society.
Dr Geyer was Executive Secretary of the IEA SolarPACES Implementing Agreement, which represents the international Solar Thermal Community of R&D institutions, from 2000 till 2008. He is now also the vice-president of the European Solar Thermal Electricity Association ESTELA and has authored or co-authored more than 60 publications in the mentioned fields, including technical books, journals, conference papers, studies and reports.
He obtained his Physics Diploma at the University of Tübingen in 1981 and holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Essen. Since 1981 his professional activities have been dedicated to the development of renewable energy systems with special emphasis on solar power plant technologies.
The keynote speaker on the final day of the conference is Barry MacColl, Eskom’s research, testing and development general manager.
Furthermore; the programme will include an industrial session with discussions by representatives from Eskom, Abengoa Solar, SolAfrica and Africoast.
A visit to the outdoor solar facility of the Centre for Energy Research on NMMU’s South Campus is also part of the conference programme. In addition, the university’s solar car will be displayed.
Alan Straton
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