Pathways to Activate The WSEFH Nexus In Marginalised Communities Through Renewable Energy Solutions

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Funder: National Research Foundation and the Dutch Research Council

Description

This project, titled “Pathways to Activate the WSEFH Nexus in Marginalised Communities through Renewable Energy Solutions,” is funded by the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Prof. Erika Kraemer-Mbula leads it and Dr. Ralph Lindeboom and. Prof. Kraemer-Mbula is a professor at the University of Johannesburg and Chair of the DSI/NRF/ Fund Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation, 4IR and Sustainable Development (UJ-TRCTI). At the same time, Dr. Lindeboom is affiliated with the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus International Centre for Frugal Innovation and the TU Delft  Global Initiative Energy Access for All program. Dr. Gbenga Apata, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UJ-TRCTI, supports this project.

The WSEFH nexus stands for Water, Sanitation, Energy, Food, and Health. This project addresses the critical issues marginalised communities face, particularly during COVID-19-induced supply chain disruptions and the 2022 energy crisis, which have exacerbated global inequalities. In South Africa, frequent power blackouts severely limit access to essential services, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions. This project acknowledges the interconnected nature of these essential resources by expanding the traditional Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus to include Sanitation and Health. The initiative promotes collaboration between technical experts and policy stakeholders through living labs, ensuring the development of practical and contextually relevant solutions. The project’s goals include creating blueprints for innovative microgrids and developing policy toolkits that enhance resilience and promote equitable access to essential services. Ultimately, the project aims to improve the quality of life for marginalised communities in South Africa, across Africa, and beyond.

Research team