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Clusters

Value chain analysis for identification of opportunities in solar PV and battery storage in South Africa

Speaking at the workshop, CSIR Energy Research Centre Manager, Dr Thabo Hlalele, emphasised the critical role of the partnership between the CSIR and AFD in supporting South Africa’s energy transition.

“As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, South Africa has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment will lead to an expanded deployment of renewable energy technologies, creating opportunities for South African enterprises to participate in the renewable energy industry and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. This collaboration between the CSIR and AFD represents a significant step towards understanding the challenges and opportunities South African enterprises face in the rapidly growing renewable energy industry,” says Dr Hlalele.

CSIR releases statistics on power generation in South Africa for 2024

The report provides a detailed analysis of loadshedding statistics and the energy availability factor (EAF) during this timeframe.

The study compared Eskom's aggregated generation resources for 2024, including coal, nuclear, hydro, pumped storage, open cycle gas turbine, renewable energy independent power producer procurement programme, solar photovoltaic, wind and concentrated solar power with their installed capacities and energy production outputs from January to December 2024 to assess their impact on loadshedding.

This iteration also examined national average electricity tariff increases and compared it to the tariff in other countries.

News
Events

African Biomanufacturing Workforce Training and Skills Development Programme

24/03/2025

The CSIR is pleased to announce the commencement of its Vaccine Production Technologies course (CSIR-VP-1A), scheduled to start on Monday, 21 July 2025, as part of its African Biomanufacturing Workforce Training and Skills Development Programme.

The deadline for applications is 05 May 2025.

Tools to assist South Africa transition to a green hydrogen economy

20/03/2025

CSIR researchers collaborated with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and GFA Consulting Group to develop two planning tools to support South Africa’s transition to a green hydrogen economy.

Can we turn prawn shells into firefighter gear?

18/03/2025

Green materials expert Prof. Suprakas Sinha Ray says one of the most promising applications for chitin derivatives is in fireproof fibres and plastics, which could be incorporated into firefighter gear and building materials.

Chitin is a hardy biological molecule that fortifies the exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects.

“South Africa’s seafood industry processes tons of shellfish every year, producing mounds of chitinous waste that could be absorbed into our circular economy and repurposed,” says Ray.

Through chemical engineering, chitin can be converted into chitosan, a polymer that can be woven into other common synthetic polymers, such as those used to produce fabrics or PVC pipes. Read more...

Foundational digital capabilities

07/15/2025 - 08:00 to 07/18/2025 - 16:45

CSIR Biocatalysis Roadshow

10/28/2024 - 07:45 to 11/26/2024 - 17:45

Multimedia Gallery

Mines and manufacturers rely on CSIR testing for safe, quality products

The CSIR ensures that products in the mining industry and beyond are safe and of high quality. Our rope testing laboratory, self-contained self-rescuer testing laboratory and mechanical testing laboratory are national assets in terms of the facilities and expertise we have available to support South African businesses.

Mines and manufacturers rely on CSIR testing for safe, quality products

A new generation of ocean experts to tackle climate change

Reading for meaning in Sepedi, isiZulu, English and Afrikaans

Reading for meaning in Sepedi, isiZulu, English and Afrikaans: We are piloting the Ngiyaqonda! literacy app to help South African children read for meaning in their home language.

Reading for meaning in Sepedi, isiZulu, English and Afrikaans

Reading for meaning in Sepedi, isiZulu, English and Afrikaans: We are piloting the Ngiyaqonda! literacy app to help South African children read for meaning in their home language.

Satellite ocean colour maps warn abalone farmers of harmful algae

Scientists from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) developed ocean colour and temperature data from satellites that is easy to access as an online tool. The work forms part of the country’s ocean economy plan to boost aquaculture jobs.

Satellite ocean colour maps warn abalone farmers of harmful algae

Scientific support for South African cannabis products

Local cannabis cosmetic business Green House Village is one of 23 SMMEs that the CSIR has supported with the development of high-quality, regulatory-compliant, safe, efficacious and affordable cannabis products for local and international markets.

Scientific support for South African cannabis products

CSIR and CapeBio co-develop Covid-19 Test Kit

A CSIR private-public partnership shows how funding through the national research and development system helped create South Africa’s own, locally developed PCR test kits and reagents to test Covid-19.

CSIR and CapeBio co-develop Covid-19 Test Kit

Converting food waste into high-value materials

CSIR experts in advanced agriculture and food research have partnered with the United Nations Development Programme to create a solution that maximises the value of waste created at fresh fruit markets across the country.

Converting food waste into high-value materials

Research shows storms drive outgassing of carbon dioxide in the subpolar Southern Ocean

CSIR scientists from the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observatory and a team of international scientists have published research findings on how storms drive the outgassing of carbon dioxide in the subpolar Southern Ocean.

Research shows storms drive outgassing of carbon dioxide in the subpolar Southern Ocean

Western Cape firefighter drones to use CSIR sensors

Table Mountain authorities in the Western Cape may soon call on firefighter drones to detect and extinguish small fires in hard-to-reach places before they spread to the City of Cape Town.

Western Cape firefighter drones to use CSIR sensors

Table Mountain authorities in the Western Cape may soon call on firefighter drones to detect and extinguish small fires in hard-to-reach places before they spread to the City of Cape Town.

CSIR women in Earth observation

Hearing about the work of Karen Steenkamp, Dr Nobuhle Majozi and Dr Cecilia Masemola and how they, by relying on data gleaned from way up there, are able to help farmers and other decision-makers way down here, makes one wonder if Big Brother knows that the sisters are stealing the show.