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The CSIR established a self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) laboratory and an industry-wide monitoring programme to detect any unacceptable deterioration in the functional performance of the SCSRs us
Strengthening capabilities in defence, civil security and cybersecurity through advanced technologies.
Biocatalysis entails the use of enzymes and microorganisms in manufacturing processes to produce products such as industrial biologics, biopharmaceuticals and bio-veterinary compounds, flavours and
CSIR Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory
Detonics Ballistics and Explosives Laboratory
The CSIR’s Low speed wind tunnel
With over 50 years’ experience, the CSIR’s wind tunnel infrastructure plays a pivotal role in aeronautical development in South Africa.
Magnesite softening reverse osmosis and valorisation technology
The subpolar sector of the Southern Ocean plays an important role in the global carbon budget. However, while, researchers have linked the occurrence of widespread outgassing of CO2 in this region to the large-scale upwelling of old CO2-rich deep waters, the mechanisms that explain their transport into the surface mixed-layer, where it can then be outgassed into the atmosphere, remain poorly understood.
In the study, the researchers highlight the importance of the frequent strong storms in modulating the mean seasonal transport of CO2 within and across the mixed-layer and surface ocean boundary interfaces.
The CSIR assumed its role as host of South Africa’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR South Africa) in 2021.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Quality and Reliability Testing Facility
The CSIR photovoltaic module quality and reliability lab
The CSIR’s photovoltaic (PV) module quality and reliability testing laboratory – a first of its kind for Africa – includes world-class equipment for localising accelerated reliability stress testing on PV modules. This ensures that only high-quality modules that are suitable to the unique South African climate are developed and installed.
The CSIR’s accelerated stress tests provide quantitative metrics for evaluating the performance and reliability of solar PV modules over time. “The tests accelerate the failures in poorly constructed modules that can otherwise take years to occur naturally in the field, thereby helping to ensure reliable solar PV plant performance. Like a referee on the field, the lab tests ensure that the suppliers play fair and provide only high-quality and reliable modules”, says CSIR solar PV expert, Lawrence Pratt.
The environmental and mechanical stress testing forms the foundation for the pre-qualification of new concepts, certification of new PV modules and reliability testing of existing PV technology. “We have the equipment, experience and expertise to conduct testing on most of the common PV technologies, including crystalline, thin film, high capacitance and bifacial modules,” explains Pratt.
The PV module quality and reliability testing services are designed around specialised equipment for PV module extended reliability. The specialised equipment includes environmental chambers to simulate the real-world environmental conditions listed below:
- Thermal cycling of modules from -40 C to 85 C for 200, 400, and 600 cycles to simulate stress from thermal expansion and contraction.
- Humidity freeze testing: 85 C / 85% RH for 20 hours and a -40 C freeze for 10, 20, and 30 cycles to stress the lamination and adhesion strength of the PV module.
- Damp heat testing: 85 C / 85% RH for 1 000 hours, 2 000 hours, with and without electrical bias to stress the adhesion and insulation of the PV module.
- Mechanical load testing: static and dynamic load for simulating transportation, installation, and wind loads that may lead to broken cells and weakened interconnections.
The lab also operates specialised characterisation equipment to measure the electrical performance and safety aspects of the PV module. Pratt points out that the sun simulator outputs an equivalent dose of energy nearly identical to the sun’s energy and spectrum, but only for a fraction of a second. “This is just enough time to accurately and precisely record the current, voltage and power output of the PV module across various temperatures (15 °C and 75 °C) and light intensities (200 W/m2 to 1100 W/m2)”, he says.
The sun simulator is used to compare the output of the PV module as measured at the factory against an independent standard. The sun simulator is also critical to quantify the impact of the accelerated stress tests described above. Finally, the high potential electrical tester helps to identify failures in the insulation resulting from accelerated stresses. Failures in electrical insulation indicate a potential risk to the safe and reliable performance of PV modules over time.
The PV team at the CSIR also offers outdoor test services for module-level performance testing, soiling studies, degradation studies and small-scale string inverter system testing in a real-world environment.