BEASFA 2026 Programme
Tutorial programme: 15 September 2026 • Conference programme: 16–17 September 2026
15 September 2026
BEASFA Tutorial Programme
Tutorial 1 — Lithium-ion Battery System Safety
This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of battery system safety, covering battery architecture, hazard identification, thermal runaway mechanisms, Battery Management Systems (BMS), and engineering controls used to prevent and mitigate failures. Participants will also gain insight into international safety standards, testing, and validation methods.
| Time | Duration | Programme item |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30–10:30 | 2 h 00 | Session 1 —Mr. Reuben Mabeo, Senior Battery Energy Storage Testing Technologist; Dr. Xandri van Niekerk; Professor Ernst Ferg — Nelson Mandela University |
| 10:30–10:45 | 15 min | Break |
| 10:45–12:15 | 1 h 30 | Session 2 — Mr. Reuben Mabeo, Senior Battery Energy Storage Testing Technologist; Dr. Xandri van Niekerk; Professor Ernst Ferg — Nelson Mandela University |
| 12:15–13:15 | 60 min | Finger lunch ? |
Tutorial 2 — BESS and EV Fires: Hazards each first responder should consider
This tutorial by Jan Swart, Ph.D., CFEI, CVFI, an expert in lithium-ion battery fires and investigations, prepares first responders for the distinct hazards of BESS and EV incidents. It addresses thermal runaway mechanisms, toxic off-gassing, explosion risks, stranded energy with potential reignition, and suppression challenges, while contrasting battery chemistries and emphasizing indicators of failure, proper PPE use, defensive tactics, and environmental concerns. Attendees gain practical guidance on scene assessments, pre-incident planning, and safe response strategies to enhance safety amid the rising prevalence of battery technologies.
| Time | Duration | Programme item |
|---|---|---|
| 13:15–15:00 | 1 h 45 | Session 1 — Jan Swart, Ph.D., CVFI, CFEI — JCS Failure Analysis PLLC |
| 15:00–15:15 | 15 min | Break |
| 15:15–16:45 | 1 h 30 | Session 2 — BESS and EV Fires |
16 September 2026
Conference Programme
| Time | Duration | Programme item |
|---|---|---|
| Opening programme | ||
| 07:30–08:30 | 60 min | Registration |
| 08:30–08:45 | 15 min | Welcome — Dr. Jan Swart, JCS Failure Analysis, Technical Battery Consultant, Principal |
| 08:45–09:15 | 30 min | Opening keynote — By design, not chance: Intentional investment, collaborative innovation — Zamanzima Mazibuko-Makena, Senior Researcher, Knowledge Economy and Scientific Advancement, MISTRA |
| Policy, Incentives & Financing: Unlocking Investment in South Africa’s Battery Economy | Session Chair: Dr. Jan Swart | ||
| 09:15–09:40 | 25 min | IDC, JET New Energy Vehicle Project Management Office (JET NEV PMO) — Nathan Fredericks |
| 09:40–10:05 | 25 min | Developing a sustainable battery value chain in South Africa: The GIZ battery value chain programme, Carolin Capone, Programme Director, H2.SA II/BVC implemented by GIZ |
| 10:05–10:30 | 25 min | Battery Manufacturing — Louis Serfontein, SAMBA Chair |
| 10:30–10:45 | 15 min | Break Sponsored by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) |
| Lithium-ion Battery System Safety and Battery Standards and Standards Development | Session Chair: Prof. Ernst Ferg | ||
| 10:45–11:10 | 25 min | Making Sense of Battery Standards: A Practical Guide to Battery Performance, Safety and Compliance Testing — Reuben Mabeo, Battery Specialist, uYilo |
| 11:10–11:35 | 25 min | Fire Safety Considerations and Standards — Dr. Marika Du Plessis, MCD Consult |
| 11:35–12:00 | 25 min | Practical Protection for Storage, Transport and OEM Development in Africa — Clyde Becker, PyroBrand |
| 12:00–12:25 | 25 min | Stephina Teffo — NRCS |
| 12:25–13:25 | 60 min | Lunch Break – Sponsored by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) |
| Electric Mobility, Lithium-Ion Battery Demand, Manufacturing, and Local Battery Supply Chain Development | Session Chair: Dr. Dorcas Zide | ||
| 13:25–13:50 | 25 min | DTIC: Policy on EV White Paper — Mr. Mzwakhe Mbatha |
| 13:50–14:15 | 25 min | Mulanga Maphada – Munobattery |
| 14:15–14:40 | 25 min | Balancell’s Journey from Cell Balancing to a Running Business — Mark Britten, Senior Engineer, Balancell |
| 14:40–14:55 | 15 min | Break — Sponsored by PyroBrand |
| Grid-Scale Energy Storage, The Intelligent Grid and Accelerating Renewable Integration | Session Chair: Ms. Rizqah MacGirlley | ||
| 14:55–15:20 | 25 min | Grid-Scale Energy Storage, The Intelligent Grid and Accelerating Renewable Integration — Rizqah MacGirlley, Solar MD |
| 15:20–15:45 | 25 min | Practical Optimization of hybrid BESS-Gas power plants — Kailan Reddy, Senior Bid Manager, JUWIe |
| 15:45–16:10 | 25 min | Beyond Backup: Optimising Commercial Battery Energy Storage for Self-Consumption, Peak Shaving and Energy Arbitrage — Mthulisi Dube, O&M Manager, Forest Energy |
| Closing keynote and networking | ||
| 16:10–16:35 | 25 min | Closing keynote —Investment Risk and Safety — Jan Swart |
| 15:20–15:35 | 15 min | Break — Sponsored by JCS Failure Analysis |
| 17:00–19:00 | 2 h | Evening Networking Event — Sponsored by Solar MD |
17 September 2026
Conference Programme
| Time | Duration | Programme item |
|---|---|---|
| Opening programme | ||
| 08:30–08:45 | 15 min | Welcome — Jan Swart |
| 08:45–09:15 | 30 min | Opening keynote — Beyond Batteries: Storage, Flexibility and the Future of Energy — Grace Olukune, Pr.Eng., Senior Manager – Engineering, Eskom Green |
| South Africa’s Lithium-Ion Battery Value Chain: From Critical Minerals to Local Manufacturing | Session Chair: Dr. Jan Swart | ||
| 09:15–09:40 | 25 min | South Africa’s Lithium-Ion Battery Value Chain: From Critical Minerals to Local Manufacturing — Ben Bladergroen, UWC |
| 09:40–10:05 | 25 min | Making battery-grade manganese outside China – the MMC case study — Mrs. Madelein Todd, Market Development Executive, Manganese Metal Co (MMC) |
| Building a Circular Economy for Lithium-Ion in Africa, Second-Life Batteries and Recycling | Session Chair: Prof. Ben Bladergroen | ||
| 10:05–10:30 | 25 min | Closing the loop: South Africa’s Policy Pathway for Sustainable Management of End-of-Life Batteries — Sharon Mogomotsi, Director: Hazardous Waste Management, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment |
| 10:30–10:45 | 15 min | Tea Break Sponsored by The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) |
| 10:45–11:10 | 25 min | Black mass in Africa: Mapping the opportunity for a circular lithium-ion battery value chain — Xandri van Niekerk, Group Specialist – Materials, uYilo e-Mobility Programme, Nelson Mandela University |
| 11:10–11:35 | 25 min | Second-Life Batteries and Recycling: Building a Circular Economy for Lithium-Ion in Africa — Mercy Olìvia Ntuli, Business Development Manager – Renewable Energy, Barloworld Power |
| Academia and Training | Session Chair: Prof. Ben Bladergroen | ||
| 11:35–12:00 | 25 min | Educating for the Circular Battery Economy: Developing Skills and Employment Pathways for Lithium-Ion Battery Reuse, Second Life and Recycling in South Africa — Tebogo Ndlamini, Managing Director and Founder, Industrial Risk Hedge Corporation |
| 12:00–12:25 | 25 min | DSTI Energy Secretariat — Prof. Sampson Mamphweli |
| 12:25–12:50 | 25 min | Developing Africa’s Battery Workforce: Building Skills from Research Laboratories to Industrial Manufacturing — Dr. Dorcas Zide, Lecturer (CPUT) / Research Affiliate (UWC / SAIAMC) |
| 12:50–13:50 | 60 min | Lunch Break — Sponsored by The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) |
| Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Technologies & Alternatives: Sodium-Ion, LFP, Solid-State and African Innovation | Session Chair: Dr. Xandri van Niekerk | ||
| 13:50–14:15 | 25 min | Where are we today with battery technology and what is next? — Dr. Jan Swart, JCS Failure Analysis, Technical Battery Consultant, Principal |
| 14:15–14:40 | 25 min | Safe and Sustainable Sodium-Ion Battery Development in the EU — Anish Raj Kathribail, PhD, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Norway |
| 14:40–15:05 | 25 min | Next-Generation Energy Storage Materials: Advancing Lithium-Ion, Sodium-Ion, and Solid-State Battery Technologies for Sustainable Energy Systems — Dr. Sajid Hussain Siyal, Associate Professor, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan |
| 15:05–15:30 | 25 min | Closing keynote — A vision for electrification of Africa — Gerhard Swart |
| 15:20–15:35 | 15 min | Break Sponsored by JCS Failure Analysis |
| 15:35–TBC | TBC | Awards and Apple iPad Raffle — Sponsored by JCS Failure Analysis |