The Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering (DEECE) proudly celebrates the successful completion of the IEC 61850 Substation Automation Training, a remarkable achievement at the Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management Systems (CSAEMS) Laboratory.

Under the leadership of Prof Senthil Krishnamurthy, Dr Carl Kriger, and Dr Mkhululi Mnguni, an expert in power systems and substation automation, the programme provided participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in IEC 61850-based protection, control, monitoring, and communication systems. Participants included members from the Techno Serve Protection and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Engineers Team, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) Engineers Team, the National Research Foundation (NRF)-iThemba Team, as well as academics and postgraduate teams from DEECE.

Krishnamurthy said the primary aim of the programme is to develop technical expertise in IEC 61850-based substation automation, protection, and control systems, in alignment with international standards and modern power system needs. “The training aims to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world engineering practice by combining academic insights with hands-on laboratory exercises that utilise multi-vendor equipment and industry-standard tools.”

He said the objectives of the programme include the following:

• Introduction to IEC 61850 fundamentals: data models, logical nodes, Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) messaging, Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) communication, and interoperability principles.
• Practical training with an ABB Global Technology company with Restricted Earth Fault protection (REF615) relays, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)- Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC)-3555 controllers, and Omicron Universal relay test set and commissioning tool (CMC 356), Test Universe for real-world validation.
• Substation Automation, Data Acquisition, and Control using SEL Architect & RTAC
• Substation to SCADA Control Center Via Distributed Network Protocol version 3 (DNP3) and Modbus Communication protocols.
• Competence in engineering workflows: project creation in Protection, Control and Monitoring (PCM600), GOOSE configuration in SEL Architect, SCADA/Remote terminal units (RTU) mapping, and disturbance recording.
• Applied skills in designing, configuring, validating, and troubleshooting multi-vendor substation automation systems.

Meanwhile, the outcomes include the following:

• Introduction to IEC 61850 fundamentals: data models, logical nodes, Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) messaging, Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) communication, and interoperability principles.
• Practical training with an ABB Global Technology company with Restricted Earth Fault protection (REF615) relays, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)- Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC)-3555 controllers, and Omicron Universal relay test set and commissioning tool (CMC 356), Test Universe for real-world validation.
• Substation Automation, Data Acquisition, and Control using SEL Architect & RTAC
• Substation to SCADA Control Center Via Distributed Network Protocol version 3 (DNP3) and Modbus Communication protocols.
• Competence in engineering workflows: project creation in Protection, Control, and Monitoring (PCM600), GOOSE configuration in SEL Architect, SCADA/Remote terminal units (RTU) mapping, and disturbance recording.
• Applied skills in designing, configuring, validating, and troubleshooting multi-vendor substation automation systems.

He said that the training emphasised industry-grade, lab-based exercises, ensuring participants are ready to implement advanced substation automation solutions that enhance reliability, efficiency, and interoperability in modern power systems.

Krishnamurthy added: “Within the African continent, CPUT’s CSAEMS lab is a hub for cutting-edge training and research in smart grids, substation automation, and energy management systems.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Dr Wilfred Fritz has secured a coveted Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is one of the world’s most prestigious funding institutions, and over the years has funded more than 26 000 researchers in 130 countries of which 50 are Nobel laureates.

"Only a few Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowships are granted annually and it would be an immense honour to represent CPUT as a beneficiary of this prestigious fellowship and to eventually succeed in graduating as a Humboldtian,” says Fritz, who is based in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering.

Selection for participation in the fellowship is tough, with applicants having to prove that they have an above average, independent academic research record.

The fellowship is also granted in recognition of a researcher's entire achievements to date, whose research and insights have had a significant impact on their own discipline, and who will continue developing research-based solutions.

Fritz has an impressive research record and over the years has won several awards and secured funding for research and student projects.

In 2012 he received the African-German Network of Excellence in Science award for junior researchers, which recognises outstanding achievements of researchers on the African continent.

His work in the energy sector has also been recognised by government, when in 2013 he was seconded to the Department of Energy as Chief Technical Advisor and tasked to determine the energy efficiency level of all sectors in South Africa.

As part of the fellowship, Fritz, who specializes in energy consumption reduction, will spend more than two years at the University of Stuttgart in Germany, where he will work closely with experts in his field.

“The main aim of my postdoc proposal is to improve the grid stability that is being degraded by the influence of upcoming grid-tied systems based on renewable energies in South Africa, through simulation and optimization” he says.

Fritz says participation in the fellowship will also benefit CPUT.

“Additional spin-offs to CPUT being an alumni of the fellowship would be lifelong guaranteed annual grants for the acquisition of scientific equipment, printing subsidies to publish research results, sponsoring guest visits by academics from Germany and funding of long-term research collaborations between academics in Germany and CPUT and an amount of 1 000 EUR per annum towards academic material.”

*Dr Fritz would like to thank CPUT Vice-Chancellor, Dr Prins Nevhutalu and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo for their mentorship and support.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering lecturer, Rory Pentz is delighted to be one of the recipients of the Thuthuka Grant Awards for 2021.

The recipients were announced by the National Research Foundation and the Department of Science and Innovation, recently. The new Thuthuka awards are for applicants who responded to the 2021 call for applications and have been made according to the strategic objectives of the Thuthuka Funding Instrument and the available budget.

The aspiring researcher in the field of Quantum Communication and Quantum Technologies, who has been part of the Quantum Physics Research group at CPUT (led by Dr Kessie Govender), says: “It was very difficult to find funding for my research project and I was struggling since 2018. With this grant, I can buy most of the equipment required to construct an experiment to start studying Quantum Key Distribution Systems.”

These types of systems will be used in the future to distribute encryption keys to protect valuable information over communication channels like computer networks. With the increasing transfer of data across the internet,  Pentz says the need for data security is becoming more important.

Classically, data is encrypted using one-way mathematical functions that depend on the difficulty level to safeguard information. “With the increasing computing power and the development of quantum computers, these one-way mathematical functions will be solved very fast. Current encryption techniques will not be able to protect information and therefore it is important to develop new methods to protect the information,” says the PhD Candidate in Electrical Engineering,

He adds that the secondary function of this experiment is to develop the bases for other students doing similar research in this field and that this will be done in a lab dedicated to research in Quantum Communication.  “This will be the second lab focusing on investigating and develop expertise in quantum-based technologies in the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering at CPUT,” Pentz explains.

Reflecting on the grant, Pentz says: “As a lecturer, developing students, it gives me great pleasure. Unfortunately, technology is constantly changing, and being able to research cutting edge technology makes it possible to keep on improving myself. This will also allow me to complete my studies and support my aspirations to become a researcher,” he continues.

“I was very frustrated as I could not get funding to do the planned project. Now it is possible and I am very grateful and excited. Our research team is still young, yet we made news previously, by making a cloud of cold Rubidium atoms, and I don’t think this will be the last time this happens. CPUT is visible in the Quantum Physics community and our colleagues have come to know our work. This makes collaboration easier.”

Pentz who attributes his achievements to an understanding family and a good supervisor reveals that he was involved in a project where they developed an electric car in his department between 2011 and 2013.  When he is not at work, Pentz enjoys cycling on his mountain bike, camping, building projects in his garage, building his own lego technic sets, and doing sound for live bands.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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CPUT is going off the grid.

In a bid to become energy efficient, the Center for Distributed Power and Electronics Systems (CDPES) has installed an off-grid solar PV system with battery backup.

The system is a first for CPUT and has the capacity to run five of the center’s laboratories, which are located in the Bellville-based facility housing the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering.

Dr Marco Adonis, deputy head of operations at the CDPES says the new installation will help cut the department’s electricity bill, with potential cost savings expected to be R25000 per annum. It will also contribute towards teaching and learning activities, and complement several of the center’s core research areas, which include energy efficiency, renewable and alternative energy technologies, microgrids and smart grids.

Installed by Solar MD, the system consists of 18 solar PV panels that have been installed on the roof of the new building, as well as a lithium-ion battery bank. The battery bank stores electricity for use on days when there are low solar insolation levels as well as during periods of utility load shedding. The electricity stored will also be put to use during the evening, when lectures on the new Masters in Energy Programme are held and the CDPES postgraduate laboratories are in use.

The installation features a state-of-the-art battery monitoring system and a smart system controller that assists with load management and protection. The system also includes a versatile web-based monitoring system.

“This feature allows the remote monitoring of the system parameters, analysis of the system performance and enables generation of real-time or historical comprehensive reports on site’s energy production, energy savings and technical status,” says Adonis.

Kaloyan Dimnov, Director of Solar MD, says the solar PV panels are easy to maintain and has a lifespan of more than 25 years.

Click here for more information on the CDPES.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

CPUT recently hosted a high-level delegation from two German Higher Education Institutions – DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe.

The aim of the visit, which was held at the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering (DEECE), was to strengthen relationships between CPUT, DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe and to engage in further collaboration between the institutions. The visit centred around the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE).

The German delegation consisted of Prof Dr-Ing. Herbert Dreher, President DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr-Ing Stephan Schenkel, President DHBW Karlsruhe, Ingela Lundin, International Relations Officer, DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr Stephan Sauter, Industrial Engineering, DHBW Ravensburg and Prof Dr Thomas Dobbelstein, International Business, DHBW Ravensburg.

“For us it’s very important that we learn from each other,” said Dreher.

The CPUT delegation consisted of Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, Prof Judy Peter, Director Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, FEBE and several other representatives from the Faculty and from Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.

Phaho welcomed the delegation and said the university wanted to ensure that it built on already great relationships.

Dobbelstein said his institution already has long-standing ties with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, which includes, among other things, staff and student exchanges.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre

Earlier in the month a delegation from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and KU Leuven in Belgium visited CPUT and was also welcomed to DEECE.

The objective of the meeting was to renew the partnership agreement with CPUT in the areas of research, staff, and student exchange, amongst others.

The Dutch and Belgium delegation, which consisted of Sabine Amft (THUAS) Pepijn van Willigenburg, (THUAS) Prof.ir Annick Dexters (KU Leuven) and Albert van Oudheusden (UNSA) were welcomed by Prof Bingwen Yan (Acting) Assistant Dean: Teaching and Learning.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT recently hosted a high-level delegation from two German Higher Education Institutions – DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe.

The aim of the visit, which was held at the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering (DEECE), was to strengthen relationships between CPUT, DHBW Ravensburg and DHBW Karlsruhe and to engage in further collaboration between the institutions. The visit centred around the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE).

The German delegation consisted of Prof Dr-Ing. Herbert Dreher, President DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr-Ing Stephan Schenkel, President DHBW Karlsruhe, Ingela Lundin, International Relations Officer, DHBW Ravensburg, Prof Dr Stephan Sauter, Industrial Engineering, DHBW Ravensburg and Prof Dr Thomas Dobbelstein, International Business, DHBW Ravensburg.

“For us it’s very important that we learn from each other,” said Dreher.

The CPUT delegation consisted of Dr David Phaho, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, Prof Judy Peter, Director Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Prof Veruscha Fester, Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, FEBE and several other representatives from the Faculty and from Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.

Phaho welcomed the delegation and said the university wanted to ensure that it built on already great relationships.

Dobbelstein said his institution already has long-standing ties with the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, which includes, among other things, staff and student exchanges.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre

Earlier in the month a delegation from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and KU Leuven in Belgium visited CPUT and was also welcomed to DEECE.

The objective of the meeting was to renew the partnership agreement with CPUT in the areas of research, staff, and student exchange, amongst others.

The Dutch and Belgium delegation, which consisted of Sabine Amft (THUAS) Pepijn van Willigenburg, (THUAS) Prof.ir Annick Dexters (KU Leuven) and Albert van Oudheusden (UNSA) were welcomed by Prof Bingwen Yan (Acting) Assistant Dean: Teaching and Learning.

Written by CPUT News

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