The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Department of Business Management, in collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), is spearheading the TSP Clean Energy Project, a transformative initiative aimed at reducing reliance on coal-generated power. The project, funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE-UK), focuses on empowering communities through sustainable energy solutions.
Transforming communities through clean energy
TSP—Transforming Systems through Partnership—is a funding initiative of RAE-UK that works through universities to empower communities. Through this initiative, UJ and GCU have partnered with Clothes to Good (CTG), a social enterprise that addresses both environmental and social challenges by recycling textiles. The project aims to implement an eco-friendly hybrid solar and battery system at CTG’s sorting facility, reducing reliance on South Africa’s coal-powered grid.
CTG’s founder and managing director, Jesse Naidoo, emphasised the importance of the collaboration:
“The clothes we collect are either recycled for resale, upcycled into new products, or downcycled into fibres for further use. Many countries are moving towards clean energy in production, but in South Africa, almost all production relies on coal. This partnership enables us to recycle using clean energy.”
Multi-disciplinary solutions for sustainability
The TSP Clean Energy Project brings together various disciplines from both universities, including business management, electrical engineering, and fashion design. Project Lead, Dr Adelaide Sheik, highlighted the need to reduce coal usage and carbon emissions, particularly as South Africa is one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases.
“South Africa is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, but the shift to clean energy must not disadvantage marginalised communities or exacerbate socio-economic inequalities,” she said.
UJ’s Professor Pitshou Bokoro from the Department of Electrical Engineering added that the project is essential to move away from ‘dirty’ energy sources. Dr Sheik also explained that solar power would help businesses like CTG continue operating during load shedding, benefiting communities in Alexandra, Orange Farm, Diepsloot, Sunshine, and Johannesburg Central.
Fashion design and circular economy focus
In addition to energy sustainability, UJ’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) played a significant role in the project, with fashion design students and faculty members collaborating with GCU. Their focus was on designing adaptive wear, aligned with CTG’s circular economy model and the sustainable strategy of Zero-Waste.
“This collaboration encouraged students to integrate the concept of Design-as-Service, broadening the scope of art and design outcomes,” noted Prof Desiree Smal, Vice-Dean of FADA.
In September, a Fashion Symposium was held to align the project’s various programmes. GCU’s Dr Lindsey Carey added that the project will foster creativity and innovation in sustainability while strengthening exchanges between the two universities.
Collaboration for Impact
Dr Sheik concluded by emphasising the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainability goals:
“UJ has a strategic focus on sustainability and societal impact, but we must move away from working in silos. The support of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Clothes to Good has made this Clean Energy Project possible, benefiting multiple local communities.”
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