Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS)

From waste to clean energy production and equality

Delivering her inaugural lecture, Unisan Prof Yali Yao of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology shared insights on how her research aims to address the current energy crisis and its environmental impact by converting waste materials and carbon dioxide gas to clean energy sources. Read more.

From waste to clean energy production and equality

Strengthening Sino-SA partnerships

Unisan Diane Hildebrandt has received a Yanzhao Friendship award—the highest honorary award given to foreign experts by the Hebei Provincial Government—in recognition of her promotion of extensive exchanges and cooperation between China and South Africa. Read more.

Strengthening Sino-SA partnerships

Top talker about science

Trevor Simbayi, a master's student in Biotechnology at the Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability at Unisa, has made it to the finals of FameLab SA. Read more.

Top talker about science

Trevor Simbayi, a master's student in Biotechnology at the Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability at Unisa, has made it to the finals of FameLab SA. Read more.

Renewable energy from Unisa project will save school many thousands of rands

Unisa’s Institute for Development of Energy for African Sustainability and the Unisa chapter of the student organisation: Engineers without Borders produce biogas to save school thousands of rands. Read more.

Renewable energy from Unisa project will save school many thousands of rands

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Exciting collaboration with China to focus on new energy

In-depth collaboration between Unisa and some of the foremost Chinese energy researchers is set to change the lives of the less privileged through new technologies. Read more.

Exciting collaboration with China to focus on new energy

In-depth collaboration between Unisa and some of the foremost Chinese energy researchers is set to change the lives of the less privileged through new technologies. Read more.

Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS) at the University of South Africa (Unisa) specialises in novel techniques for designing chemical processes with an emphasis on reducing material and energy consumption as well carbon dioxide emissions. IDEAS provides access for industry to the latest cutting edge techniques developed in the academic arena. These solutions range from short term consulting services through to medium or long term outcome focused research and development partnerships. The team has successfully completed projects for over 60 local and international companies and has the skills and resources to provide you with the key to your next process opportunity.

Research Group:

IDEAS is currently in a growth phase and is maintaining the high standard of fundamental and contract research produced by the Unit. The Unit is led by Prof Diane Hildebrandt, assisted by three professors; five full-time senior researchers; six postdoctoral fellows; and close to 40 postgraduate students involved in both fundamental and contract research projects. Apart from the academics involved, the Unit also employs four technicians and two administrative staff. Our team is considered to be the originators of the Attainable Regions (AR) Method for process design. Without this significant contribution to this research area, very little progress would have been made towards new Process Engineering Design Methodologies. This work has been acknowledged internationally by both Industrial and Academic organisations and now appears in most textbooks on the subject.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has recognised and supported this research through both the Competitive Industries (CI) Fund and Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) and by giving B1 and A1 ratings to the Directors. There has also been international financial support for the research from bodies such as the National Science Foundation (USA), for collaborative projects involving this research.

The individuals in the Research Unit have established contract research projects with major industries (Sasol, De Beers, Anglo Platinum, Anglo Coal, Golden Nest International and Linc Energy, Australia) with a focus on applying Process Synthesis Techniques to real problems in order to develop new methodologies.

The ability of IDEAS to engage in commercial consulting and research has given the individuals at IDEAS a unique opportunity to put into practice the theoretical developments in Process Synthesis that were pioneered over the years. The major benefits from this work should be reduction of Carbon Dioxide emissions. The projects also fit in very well with the work on catalysis.

Last modified: 2023/08/07