The Energy Landscape in the Republic of South Africa

Professor Pollet has recentlyjoined industry to head up an R&D Centre in a young, dynamic andforward-thinking High Tech company in the United Kingdom. He is also aVisiting Professor at the University of Ulster (UK) and the University of Yamanashi(Japan). Professor Pollet was a (full) Professor of Energy Materials andSystems at the University of the Western Cape (RSA), R&D Director of theNational DST Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Systems Competence Centre (anindustry oriented and led RD&D Centre with a strong emphasis ondemonstrator/prototype development and Energy Materials manufacturing), SAIAMCProgramme Director and Member of the RSA Department of Trade & IndustryElectric Vehicle Industry Steering Committee. Professor Pollet is knownboth in academia and industry to be a dynamic, energetic, enthusiastic,positive and visionary individual with expertise and experience in the researchfields of Hydrogen Energy, PEMFC, Fuel Cell Electrocatalysis, ElectrochemicalEngineering and Power Ultrasound/Sonochemistry. He has excellent businessdevelopment, networking, leadership and communication skills. ProfessorPollet has published many scientific publications, articles and book chapters(inc. two books) in the field of Fuel Cells, Electrocatalysis, ElectrochemicalEngineering and Sonochemistry (over 180 publications so far).Professor Pollet is member of SAHA, IAHE, ECS, ISE, RSC, IChemE, SAIChE, SCIand member of editorial board journals (the International Journal of HydrogenEnergy/Electrocatalysis/Journal of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells/Journal of NanoEnergy and Power Research/Journal of Technology Innovations in RenewableEnergy/Journal of Fuels). He is also fluent in French and Spanish.

A timely overview of the energy landscape in South Africa (RSA) is presented in this Springerbrief. The background and context to the current situation, and analysis of the policies being put forward by the government for the near future are described. Four broad areas are covered: reserves and production of fossil fuels, the electricity sector, the rapidly growing exploitation of renewable energy, and the recent push towards developing an industry around hydrogen and fuel cells. This Springerbrief presents a methodical review of the energy landscape in RSA, covering the general situation, the supply and demand for energy, and the structure of the energy sector (Chapters 1&2). Chapter 3 presents data and analysis of the country's fossil fuels, electricity generation, and the chemistry of green, future sources of energy, production and the role of industry. Chapter 4 discusses recent developments, including the impact on green jobs and green funds, and Chapter 5 reflects on the policies that have been proposed and their potential implications.

A detailed review of the Energy Sector in South Africa

Introduction.- The Current Energy Situation in the Republic of South Africa.- Energy Generation and Usage in South Africa.- Structure of the Energy Sector in South Africa.- Past, Current and Future Energy Generation.- Conclusions and Recommendations.