Dr. Greg Landwehr (PPRE 2011-13) from South Africa successfully finished his PhD-research titled „The Wind Energy Potential of South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province in a Changing Climate” at University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa after 6 years and was awarded Doctor of Philosophy in October 2024.
Greg’s PhD thesis develops methodologies to assess the impact of climate change on South Africa's wind energy production potential. By analyzing synoptic drivers and projecting changes in circulation patterns, the research highlights the global importance of risk assessment and mitigation strategies for renewable energy projects. His work reveals fluctuations in the Eastern Cape’s wind energy potential due to circulation shifts linked to the long-term expansion of the Hadley cell. This in turn underscores the need for resilient, climate-adaptive renewable systems worldwide. For those interested in the technical background, Greg’s research is available in this published paper.