Research activities in this focus area consider:

• Development and evaluation of sustainable and energy-efficient technologies and processes for conversion of waste materials (liquid, solid, gas, biomass) to energy. Strategies such as thermo-chemical, biochemical, biological and combination of these methods will be investigated
• Development and techno-economic feasibility assessment of technologies, materials, processes in the context of clean coal technologies with the main focus on carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCSU) to encourage sustainable use of coal resources for energy generation using coal-fired power plants;
• Application of concepts of process integration, process synthesis, process intensification, and process control and optimisation in developing sustainable and efficient-energy processes towards reducing energy consumption in industrial and domestic applications.

Leader:   Prof Mike Heydenrych; Assistant Leader:   Prof Willie Nicol

Team Members:  Dr Brink, Dr Mercel, Prof Daramola, Mr Sonnendecker, Prof de Vaal, Dr S. Mokwatlo, Mrs du Toit, Mr Barend du Plessis, Dr Shatish Ramjee, and Dr Samuel Iwarere.