New center for the energy transition in South Africa: ENERGISE launches with symposium and first living lab
Global South, TUM.Africa, TUM Global, News |
The symposium brought together representatives from academia, government, and funding organizations from both countries. Discussions focused on developing joint research activities, creating new formats for education and exchange, and exploring how the energy transition can be shaped in an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable way.
Long-term partnership for global challenges
The event was opened by Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Wits University, and Professor Juliane Winkelmann, Executive Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni at TUM. Among the guests were Erik Hansalek, Head of the Africa and Middle East Division at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), as well as representatives of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Embassy in South Africa.
In her remarks, Professor Winkelmann emphasized the special importance of cooperation with South Africa:
“South Africa is one of TUM’s strongest and most dynamic partners in Africa. Together, we are advancing solutions in sustainability, energy, innovation, and higher education. ENERGISE builds on many years of successful collaboration and creates a strong foundation for the next chapter of African-German cooperation.”
At a time of geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, trusted international partnerships are more important than ever. Under the leadership of Professor Frank-Martin Belz, the center was established together with its South African partner universities and builds on long-standing collaborations between TUM and higher education institutions in South Africa. ENERGISE creates a new framework for knowledge exchange and innovation.
New opportunities for research, education, and practice
In addition to its research agenda, ENERGISE creates new opportunities for students and early-career researchers. Planned activities include joint teaching initiatives, interdisciplinary research projects, academic exchange programs, and international summer schools.
How research, education, and societal engagement are intended to work together within the ENERGISE Center became evident the day after the symposium: Participants traveled to Ermelo in the province of Mpumalanga, where the first ENERGISE Living Lab at Wits University was officially opened. Through site visits and conversations with local stakeholders, they gained insights into both the opportunities and challenges of a just energy transition in the region.
A highlight of the visit was the official opening of the living lab by Professor Belz. the living lab serves as a platform for collaboration and co-creation, bringing together researchers, students, communities, policymakers, and practitioners to develop, test, and scale innovative solutions for the energy transition under real-world conditions.
The experiences in Ermelo highlighted the ENERGISE approach: research, education, and innovation are closely linked to the needs and experiences of local communities in order to develop practical solutions for the energy transition.
What Is ENERGISE?
ENERGISE (ENabling a Just Energy Transition through Renewable Energy, Governance, and Innovative Sustainable Entrepreneurship) is a DAAD-funded center that focuses on advancing the energy transition in South Africa.
Coordination: Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Partner Universities:
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Johannesburg
- Tshwane University of Technology
- University of Venda
Funding Period: 2026–2030
Research for a just energy transition
The center’s activities are built around three pillars: capacity building, research, and transfer. Its goal is to translate academic knowledge into tangible societal impact while strengthening collaboration between academia, government, industry, and society.