He is a South African multi-disciplinary energy systems research engineer at the RLI specializing in the application of data-driven integrated energy system assessment and planning frameworks for developing countries. He has more than a decade of experience in the energy sector and his key focus areas are geospatial energy access provision using distributed energy solutions, as well as national-scale energy sector infrastructure planning and transitions in Africa. He is also the developer of the open-source python Techno-Economic Mini-grid Optimization and Planning Tool (TEMPO). He has been with the RLI in the Off-Grid Systems team since 2020.

Gregory Ireland is an energy systems research engineer specializing in the application of integrated system models for addressing real-world challenges. He holds an MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering, and a BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Cape Town. His primary focus areas are long term national energy sector infrastructure expansion planning in the Republic of South Africa, and decentralized hybrid mini-grids for electrification across Sub-Saharan Africa. His expertise is varied, and advocating for the necessity of interdisciplinary understanding of complex systems interactions within the contexts in an ever-changing world. Past experience includes systems engineering for the South African national integrated power utility, Eskom, at the head-office Generation Plant Engineering, Systems Integration Department. There he worked in various capacities in systems integration and process engineering roles on every type of power plant currently operating in South Africa. He is dedicated to working toward finding solutions to the interconnected challenges of global sustainable development, focusing primarily on the pivotal role of energy.

MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering

Engineer – EskomGeneration Plant Engineering – Systems Integration, System Design • Solar 1 Concentrated Solar Power 100MW plant: Assisting Eskom with plant Performance Guarantee’s and Acceptance Testing internalisation, part of Minimum Functional Spec• Sere Wind Farm 100MW plant: Assisting with internal design and contract audit, raising nonconformities• Eskom Technology Standards Development Committees: Renewables and Independent Power Producers, Solar Technologies, Data Configuration Management • Developed Engineering Training and Development Guideline for System Design Department• Eskom Engineering Business Processes • Engineering Integration Tools – SmartPlant 2D: System server architecture, tools’ integration, tools’ business usage processes, tool capability demonstration to business• SharePoint: Departmental Site Owner, one of Plant Engineering Lead Site Owners• Formal Training: 6 Week Coal Fired Generation Course• Site Vists/Exposure: Koeberg 1800MW Nuclear Power Plant, Kendal 4112MW Coal Fired, Matimba 3990 MW Coal Fired, Komati 1000 MW Coal Fired.