The South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and Dutch Research Council (NWO) have funded four projects in the South Africa-Netherlands collaboration research programme.
The four funded projects focus on exploring the interlinkages between water, energy, food, the wider socio-ecological environment and human health, with a view to improving responses to pandemics, health risks and crises.
One of the funded projects is led by Dr Ralph Lindeboom and Prof. Dr Erika Kraemer-Mbula. Kraemer-Mbula is a professor at the University of Johannesburg. Lindeboom is part of the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus International Centre for Frugal Innovation and is also affiliated with the TU Delft | Global Initiative Energy Access for All program.
Water, Sanitation, Energy, Food, Health
The title of the project is "Pathways to activate the WSEFH nexus in marginalised communities through renewable energy solutions," where WSEFH stands for: Water, Sanitation, Energy, Food, Health.
The COVID pandemic caused supply chain disruption and exacerbated inequalities in access to basic needs such as fresh food, water, energy and health for marginalised communities worldwide. Moreover, the 2022 energy crisis highlighted the close interaction between access to energy and access to food, water and health. This project develops concrete innovation and policy pathways with a renewable energy solution to address food, water, sanitation and health risks for marginalised communities in South Africa and offers lessons for other countries in Africa and beyond. In addition, the project aims to broaden the discussion on the connection between WEF and WSEFH.
Smart local energy grids
The goal of this project is to develop blueprints for policy and technology interventions for marginalized communities in South Africa. In addition, this project is working to develop smart local energy grids, some of which can be powered with waste via a biogas fuel cell.
