Dr. Mpho Sam Nkambule, an electrical engineer hailing from Pretoria, has been honored with the prestigious title of Engineer of the Year for 2023. His remarkable achievements and pioneering research in the realm of renewable energy have earned him this distinction, notably for his innovative technologies designed to optimize renewable energy production. This recognition was bestowed upon him at the recent South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) Annual Awards ceremony, which celebrates the accomplishments of electrical engineers within the industry.

A key member of Erudite’s engineering team, a prominent Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) company operating across Africa, Dr. Nkambule’s nomination for this esteemed award came from his colleague Hercu Smit, head of Erudite’s EC&I department. Smit himself is a past recipient of the SAIEE’s Young Achievers Award, highlighting the caliber of talent within the organization.

Expressing his gratitude for the honor, Dr. Nkambule remarked, “I’m deeply honored to have received this award, and I’m truly grateful to the SAIEE, as well as to Erudite and Hercu for their unwavering support and confidence in my work. It’s a privilege to be recognized in this manner, and I am committed to furthering the advancement of renewable energy technology.”

Dr. Nkambule’s focus lies in leveraging hybrid machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions to optimize the performance of photovoltaic (PV) energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS). His extensive research, spanning various renewable energy projects, has been disseminated in esteemed international journals and conference papers. He emphasizes the challenges posed by inconsistency in renewable energy sources, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced energy monitoring, management systems, and battery storage solutions.

In his doctoral research at the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Nkambule conducted in-depth analyses of optimal hybrid renewable energy systems, incorporating diverse battery energy storage technologies. He developed intelligent energy management systems aimed at cost reduction and alignment with sustainability objectives, aligning closely with Erudite’s strategic emphasis on battery commodities and storage solutions.

Dr. Nkambule also emphasizes the importance of young minds in shaping the future of the electrical engineering industry in South Africa. Encouraging aspiring engineers, he states, “The opportunities within the electrical engineering field are vast, and innovation is crucial for driving forward our industry and the country as a whole.”

Through his groundbreaking research and unwavering commitment to advancing renewable energy technology, Dr. Nkambule stands as a beacon of inspiration for engineers and researchers alike, paving the way for a cleaner, sustainable energy future.