Prof Olawale Popoola Awarded SASOL/DSI-NRF Tier 2 Research Chair

In the Electrical Engineering Department at TUT, Prof Olawale Popoola Awarded SASOL/DSI-NRF Tier 2 Research Chair “Energy Solutions for Inclusive and Sustainable Societies” – Professor in the Centre for Energy and Electric Power (CEED). 

Prof Olawale Popoola Awarded SASOL/DSI-NRF Tier 2 Research Chair

A research chair focused on Energy and Power Systems Modelling will develop expertise in the field of energy management in order to address a variety of challenges facing the industry and sector around energy production and utilization. According to the expectations of the National Research Foundation (NRF), this will contribute to the development of modelling competencies in Energy and Power Systems, which will contribute to a national shift to a varied, decentralized, and dynamic energy supply and demand system.

He said, “This must be God”, when he heard the news. As expected, I simply performed my duties as required by the institution and continued with other activities, such as my daily routine and expectations. God never forgets his own”.

Further, Prof Popoola said the chair would focus on developments in energy management (e.g. energy efficiency and demand-side management), energy optimization in process systems, energy economics, alternative energy sources, and conversion systems with an emphasis on mini-grids, smart grids, and distributed generation systems.

A nation’s economic development and environmental sustainability depend on affordable and sustainable electricity. Using energy management has been proven to alleviate the imbalance between energy demand and energy production (supply), especially for improving energy availability and reliability, by reducing the gap between energy demand and energy production. A similarly high energy demand is faced by electric power generation system, especially during time-of-use (TOU), especially during peak demand times.”

The professor concluded that he has always believed that if the problem is properly articulated and feasible solutions are devised, “energy poverty” can be reduced considerably or eliminated entirely.

Every individual has a right to access electricity, which is the basis of a nation’s economy. To achieve this, there must be quality capacity developed, and what better way to provide students (undergraduates, postgraduates, and postdoctoral fellows) the opportunity to enter such a journey – the next generation of modelers – than by providing them with the opportunity to do so? For future generations, earth sustainability must be achieved. The Web of Knowledge and South Africa’s drive for Energy for All are important, and I am honored to continue contributing to them,” he said.