ResearchSpace

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Welcome to ResearchSpace, the institutional repository of the CSIR. ResearchSpace is an open access electronic archive collecting, preserving and distributing scholarly digital materials created by the CSIR.

Recent Submissions

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Refining binned aggregation of unevenly spaced, real-time data for visualisation and control

(2015-11) Du Toit, Kirsten; Fogwill, Thomas; Maiwashe, T; Van der Westhuizen, M

The resource constrained environment in South Africa has led to an increased interest in the monitoring and control of electricity demand. The associated proliferation of smart meters/sensors and the collection of their data allows for monitoring and control of demand on a much wider scale than previously possible. A homeowner, business or utility may now make use of real-time data to track and control their electricity demand with potentially widespread economic effect. We examine the characteristics that a system must exhibit to excel at high volume, low latency real-time data stream processing to support such applications. A robust, scalable and fast method for real-time processing of streamed electricity demand data is suggested. This method also addresses the problems associated with developing countries in that the data received are sometimes inconsistent, unevenly spaced and interrupted. Processing these unevenly spaced data for visualisation is an important requirement in order for users to more easily understand and analyse their usage trends. Binned aggregation is explored as an effective strategy for minimizing the negative effects of inconsistent data of different frequencies. It is also used to reduce the data to manageable dimension, while real-time processing determines where and how to use the data. A sensor's data are stored in several rolling arrays of differing size that represent different time-frames. We keep the most detailed information for the current time-frame. The format chosen allows for data reduction yet allows redundant data to contribute to the model and refine the aggregation. The reduced amount of data stored allows fast retrieval of those data for visual display and analysis and improved scalability.

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A research agenda for studying evidence-informed practice in urban planning

(2026-07) Du Toit, J; Pieterse, Amy

This article reviews empirical studies of evidence-based policy and proposes an agenda for studying evidence-informed practice in planning along three directions and overarching questions: What does ‘evidence’ mean to practitioners in different contexts and how do practitioners prioritize and use different forms of evidence? What is the effect of individual, institutional, systemic and political factors on evidence use? How can pragmatic evidence use be facilitated for deliberative practice, what is the efficacy of different approaches, and what are the procedural outcomes of cases of evidence use? This agenda could contribute towards a more systematic and integrated understanding of evidence-informed practice.

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Proposed amendments to SACAA part 101 regulations progress and future outlook

(2026-07) Chirwa, Mary

Part 101 of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations governs unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations and was introduced early to ensure aviation safety. However, the framework was largely adapted from manned aviation regulations and applies a uniform, certification-driven approach to operations with very different risk profiles. As the UAS sector has evolved, concerns have emerged regarding whether the current regulatory structure continues to support innovation, accessibility, and compliance, particularly for low-risk operations, research activities, and emerging manufacturers. This paper presents a structured review of Part 101 and a proposal for targeted amendments developed through stakeholder consultation, expert engagement, and comparative benchmarking against international regulations and standards. The proposed framework introduces a proportionate, risk-based regulatory architecture, differentiated operational categories, and dedicated provisions for institutional and research operations whilst managing safety and security risks associated with unsecured airspace. The analysis demonstrates that a risk-based approach can reduce regulatory barriers and improve compliance while maintaining core aviation safety objectives.

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Digital governance in the generative AI era: A qualitative analysis of privacy and trust in South African organizations

(2026-07) Mlambo, Tlangelani P; Zuva, T; Brown, A; Moletsane, R

South African organizations are experiencing rapid digital transformation as digital technologies increasingly shape service delivery, data management, and interactions between the state and citizens. In this time where machines such as Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) can generate answers from the user prompt, there’s a need to control their use in order not to harm others. This study examines digital governance in the generative AI era, focusing on how privacy and trust are managed within organizations in South Africa. The study adapts a qualitative research approach utilizing the traditional literature review and secondary data analysis. There’s a disconnect between the initiated policies and the implementation or regulation of these policies, therefore, there is a need to develop a comprehensive digital governance framework for South African organizations to help minimize any harm that can be caused by use of Generative Artificial Intelligence. The research shows that in the generative AI era, is necessary for digital governance to move from only technologycentric strategies to a comprehensive framework that will combine institutional, ethical and operational aspects. The study contributes theoretically and practically to a deeper understanding of governance challenges and opportunities in South Africa. The study is limited to South African organizations and on secondary data from existing literature. Future work can extend the scope of the study beyond South Africa and conduct empirical and longitudinal studies to gain more insights on digital governance in the generative AI era.

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Performance evaluation of NFPP-Type Sodium-Ion batteries

(2026-05) Grobler, Inus; Banderker, Muhammad H; Govindsamy, Reesen; Van der Kolf, Gideon

This paper presents a performance evaluation of next-generation sodium-ion cells employing Sodium Iron Pyrophosphate (NFPP) chemistry, which is now commercially available. Building on prior research into early-generation SiB technologies, the study investigates NFPP cells under varied operating conditions, including high and low temperatures, extreme C-rate discharge, and zero-volt storage. Results indicate that NFPP cells deliver exceptional high-power capability, sustaining continuous discharge rates up to 30C without degradation, and they exhibit strong thermal stability at elevated temperatures. While safety features such as zero-volt tolerance remain intact, low-temperature operation continues to pose challenges, particularly for charging, with irreversible capacity loss observed when exceeding manufacturer specifications. Despite a relatively low energy density (~79.75 Wh/kg), NFPP cells demonstrate significant potential for high-power applications requiring reliability and safety in harsh environments. These findings position NFPP chemistry as a critical step toward advancing sodium-ion technology for specialised energy storage solutions.