Craig McGregor
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View article: Development of a Concentrating Optics System for a Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Reactor
Development of a Concentrating Optics System for a Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Reactor Open
Green hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. By supporting the development of photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production, the technology’s advantages in terms of scalability, low-cost materi…
View article: Design and Optimisation of a Modular PV-CSP Hybrid Plant
Design and Optimisation of a Modular PV-CSP Hybrid Plant Open
This study investigates the design and optimisation of a hybrid plant comprising an array of 30 MWac PV-CSP modules. Each module integrates a PV system, a power tower CSP with thermal energy storage, and a gas-fired generator for backup po…
View article: Design of A Winch-Actuated Heliostat
Design of A Winch-Actuated Heliostat Open
This study addresses the challenge of reducing costs in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems by developing a novel winch-actuated heliostat design. Building upon previous cable-actuated designs, the proposed heliostat utilises steel cabl…
View article: Integrating concentrated solar power with a prototype photoelectrochemical reactor
Integrating concentrated solar power with a prototype photoelectrochemical reactor Open
The direct conversion of solar energy to hydrogen via photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is being researched as a route to decentralised, emissions-free fuel production using only sunlight and water. Despite this, most PEC research…
View article: Selection of Glass Alternative Materials for Manufacturing Heliostat Reflective Facets
Selection of Glass Alternative Materials for Manufacturing Heliostat Reflective Facets Open
Traditional concentrating solar power plants utilize silvered glass reflective facets that account for a significant portion of the total plant cost. Several cost-effective non-glass reflectors have been developed. A majority of these nove…
View article: Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for efficient PEM water electrolysis
Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for efficient PEM water electrolysis Open
View article: Can South Africa Withdraw from Its Addiction to Cheap Coal? A Three-Phase Transition Framework for Industry
Can South Africa Withdraw from Its Addiction to Cheap Coal? A Three-Phase Transition Framework for Industry Open
The industrial sector dominates global energy usage, accounting for approximately 50% of total energy demand, with process heat representing two-thirds of this consumption. Although renewable energy technologies have become increasingly co…
View article: A critical analysis of paradigm shifts from domestic solar cooking to institutional solar cooking technologies
A critical analysis of paradigm shifts from domestic solar cooking to institutional solar cooking technologies Open
View article: Evaluation of solar thermal pretreatment of carbonate-rich manganese ores in high-carbon ferromanganese production through dynamic process modelling
Evaluation of solar thermal pretreatment of carbonate-rich manganese ores in high-carbon ferromanganese production through dynamic process modelling Open
The necessity of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the impact of anthropogenic climate change means that all industrial processes should investigate their options towards decarbonization. Iron, steelmaking, aluminium, and cement p…
View article: Risk assessment framework for green hydrogen megaprojects: Balancing climate goals with project viability
Risk assessment framework for green hydrogen megaprojects: Balancing climate goals with project viability Open
View article: Augmenting a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plant With a Solar PV Plant
Augmenting a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plant With a Solar PV Plant Open
The search for enhanced dispatchability at decreased prices has led to a surge in research on hybrid renewable energy systems. This paper explores the integration of Photovoltaic (PV) technology with Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants …
View article: Multi-objective techno-economic optimisation of a Carnot battery application in a parabolic trough concentrating solar power plant
Multi-objective techno-economic optimisation of a Carnot battery application in a parabolic trough concentrating solar power plant Open
This research focuses on conducting multi-objective optimisation (MOO) for a Carnot battery applied within a conventional parabolic trough concentrating solar power (CSP) plant. The technical model is formulated and validated in previous w…
View article: Techno-Economic Assessment of Electricity Generation From a Medium-Scale CSP-PV Hybrid Plant Using Long-Duration Storage
Techno-Economic Assessment of Electricity Generation From a Medium-Scale CSP-PV Hybrid Plant Using Long-Duration Storage Open
The South African electricity sector is transitioning from a single utility buyer model to an open market model due to increasing utility tariffs, the energy crisis, sustainability goals, and enabling legislation. As a result, the private …
View article: Analysing the Techno-Economic Viability of Different Solar Heating Systems in South African Beverage Plants
Analysing the Techno-Economic Viability of Different Solar Heating Systems in South African Beverage Plants Open
With ongoing real-term reductions in the cost of renewable energy technologies, opportunities to reduce carbon emissions within industry have improved. While the South African industrial sector has been investing in photovoltaics to meet e…
View article: An Outlook on the Adoption of Renewable Energy Solutions at South African Beverage Manufacturers
An Outlook on the Adoption of Renewable Energy Solutions at South African Beverage Manufacturers Open
To decarbonise industry, which accounts for half of the total energy demand, renewable and sustainable energy solutions must be embraced. Not only to meet electricity requirements but, more importantly, to substitute fossil fuels used to g…
View article: Implementation of Firm-Dispatchable Generation in South Africa
Implementation of Firm-Dispatchable Generation in South Africa Open
South Africa is currently facing a critical situation in its power generation landscape, which is plagued by frequent power outages and the need to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This period emphasizes the importance o…
View article: Firm-Dispatchable Power and its Requirement in a Power System based on Variable Generation
Firm-Dispatchable Power and its Requirement in a Power System based on Variable Generation Open
Many countries have commenced a transition from fossil fuel-based electricity generation systems to sustainable systems based on wind and solar generation. It is often noted that the least cost approach would involve a massive scale-up in …
View article: Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis
Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis Open
This study investigates the feasibility of using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) to fabricate porous titanium Porous Transport Layers (PTLs) for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) systems. We ex…
View article: Techno-economic analyses of solar thermal process heat integration at South African beverage producers
Techno-economic analyses of solar thermal process heat integration at South African beverage producers Open
South Africa's industrial sector relies primarily on coal and gas to meet process heat requirements (700-750 petajoules per annum). Much of this energy is used to fire steam boilers operated at less than 200°C. This study determines the vi…
View article: The effect of HelioPod™ mobility on concentrated solar thermal project economics
The effect of HelioPod™ mobility on concentrated solar thermal project economics Open
The production of heat for industrial processes is one of the significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, with the mining and minerals processing industry in South Africa as a substantial user of high-temperature process heat. So…
View article: Long-Term Forecasting Framework for Renewable Energy Technologies’ Installed Capacity and Costs for 2050
Long-Term Forecasting Framework for Renewable Energy Technologies’ Installed Capacity and Costs for 2050 Open
Published forecasts underestimate renewable energy capacity growth and potential cost reductions, creating uncertainty around investment decisions and slowing progress. Scenario-based projections diverge widely, driven by variations in mod…
View article: Liquified petroleum gas provides a technically viable and financially feasible means to reduce Eskom’s diesel cost burden by 30% to 40%
Liquified petroleum gas provides a technically viable and financially feasible means to reduce Eskom’s diesel cost burden by 30% to 40% Open
In early 2022, we analysed the benefits of switching the fuel for the Ankerlig peaking plant from diesel to LPG (liquified petroleum gas or 'bottled' gas) to reduce cost, improve greenhouse gas emissions and provide for the long-term needs…
View article: Towards a Transparent and Dynamic Forecasting of Renewable Energy Technologies Capacity and Cost to 2050
Towards a Transparent and Dynamic Forecasting of Renewable Energy Technologies Capacity and Cost to 2050 Open
View article: Techno-Economic Assessment of Electricity Generation from a Medium-Scale CSP-PV Hybrid Plant Using Long-Duration Storage
Techno-Economic Assessment of Electricity Generation from a Medium-Scale CSP-PV Hybrid Plant Using Long-Duration Storage Open
View article: The role of natural gas in facilitating the transition to renewable electricity generation in South Africa
The role of natural gas in facilitating the transition to renewable electricity generation in South Africa Open
As is being done in most of the world, South Africa has commenced the transition from a fossil fuel-based electricity generation system to one based on renewable sources to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. This paper explores …
View article: Development and testing of solar thermal drier technologies for the treatment of faecal sludge from onsite sanitation facilities
Development and testing of solar thermal drier technologies for the treatment of faecal sludge from onsite sanitation facilities Open
Solar thermal energy could be a cost-effective solution to supply the heat required for thermal drying.However, this type of technology has not been enough deployed for the treatment of faecal sludge from onsite sanitation facilities.The c…
View article: Using liquefied petroleum gas to reduce the operating cost of the Ankerlig peaking power plant in South Africa
Using liquefied petroleum gas to reduce the operating cost of the Ankerlig peaking power plant in South Africa Open
Along with the load-shedding problem that Eskom is having with the current generation system, the operator is forced to use its peaking plants at Ankerlig and Gourikwa in the Western Cape much more than planned. The two plants are set up f…
View article: A Comparison of Direct Concentrating Solar Thermal Treatment of Manganese Ores to Fossil Fuel Based Thermal Treatments
A Comparison of Direct Concentrating Solar Thermal Treatment of Manganese Ores to Fossil Fuel Based Thermal Treatments Open