From instrument mechanic to EIT master’s graduate and soon a Doctor of Engineering, an EIT student shares insights on artificial intelligence, smart grids, and sustainable infrastructure. Blending real-world experience with academic research, his journey shows how emerging technologies can transform industries in Namibia and beyond. Discover his vision for a smarter future.
A Passion Beyond Promotion: The Unfolding of an Automation Journey
For this master’s graduate, engineering was never just a job, it was a calling grounded in curiosity. Beginning his career in 2005 as an instrument mechanic artisan, he immersed himself in the practical world of sensors, control loops, and troubleshooting.
“I found genuine joy in the hands-on nature of my work,” he says. But over time, that joy turned into a hunger for deeper knowledge. He wanted to move beyond maintenance and into design, beyond reacting to problems and toward anticipating them.
In 2017, he enrolled in the 52708WA Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation at the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT), igniting a formal academic journey that would eventually include a Bachelor of Science (Industrial Automation Engineering) by 2022.
Balancing full-time work, study, and family life, he demonstrated that continuous learning is possible at any stage. Today, as a postgraduate alumni, he is exploring how emerging technologies like machine intelligence and learning can reshape the heavy industries that built his career.
“My motivation has always been knowledge-driven,” he says. “Promotions came, yes, but what really fueled me was the desire to make systems smarter and more sustainable.”
Making AI Practical: Forecasting Demand and Reducing Emissions
His Master of Engineering (Industrial Automation) thesis is more than an academic exercise; it is a blueprint for real-world industrial innovation.
Focused on supervised machine learning regression, his research tackled the challenge of steam demand forecasting in an industrial setting. Using historical process data, he developed a predictive model that could anticipate steam demand up to four hours in advance.
The result: a model with a 96.7% R² score, capable of real-time adjustment to control system setpoints.
His thesis, titled Improving Boiler Performance Using Machine Learning: A Predictive Approach to Steam Demand Optimization, made it all the way to a well-regarded journal where it will soon be published.
“Even a 2% improvement makes a massive difference when scaled across months or entire operations,” he notes.
What set his project apart was its ability to move beyond prediction and into active control. By integrating artificial intelligence into the control loop, the model became part of the system’s logic, automatically adjusting setpoints based on anticipated conditions.
This is where he sees the true potential of artificial intelligence in industry, not as a passive observer, but as an active participant in optimization, safety, and sustainability.
Mining Smarter: AI and Machine Learning in Heavy Industry
With his roots in Namibia’s industrial sectors, Hermanus is now focused on one of the country’s most crucial economic engines: mining.
He sees artificial intelligence and machine learning as essential tools for improving both efficiency and safety in this traditionally manual, resource-intensive field.
“It is already being used to guide autonomous vehicles, manage predictive maintenance, and optimize ore processing; these are changes we can and should bring to Namibia.”
Namibia is beginning to show interest in smart mining applications, but he believes that faster adoption is necessary. From real-time environmental monitoring to predictive energy consumption, he argues that it can enhance every stage of mining operations.
Not only can it improve safety by identifying hazards before they escalate, but it can also reduce energy waste, water usage, and emissions.
Internationally, industries are already integrating artificial intelligence into every aspect of their operations. His experience and research suggest that these practices are not limited to developed economies.
“What’s important is mindset and readiness,” he explains. “We need to invest in education and data infrastructure, and equip engineers with the tools to drive these changes locally.”
Smart Grids, Sustainable Infrastructure, and Scalable Innovation
While mining is a primary focus, Hermanus is equally passionate about the broader possibilities of smart infrastructure.
His work demonstrates how machine learning can be used to forecast and optimize energy consumption, techniques that are both scalable and adaptable to a variety of sectors, especially in developing nations.
“What I achieved with steam demand forecasting could just as easily be applied to water, electricity, or fuel systems,” he says.
The concept of smart grids – electrical networks enhanced by artificial intelligence, IoT, and data-driven control – is gaining global attention. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where energy reliability remains a challenge, these systems offer a solution that is both efficient and sustainable.
He believes that by using existing SCADA systems and layering machine learning capabilities on top, developing countries can upgrade their infrastructure without massive capital investment.
He emphasizes that small efficiency gains, like the 2% fuel reduction from his thesis, can translate into massive cost and environmental savings over time. “With the right approach, smart grids and sustainable infrastructure aren’t just possible, they’re essential. And we already have the tools to start building them.”
The Future of Learning, Leading, and Giving Back
His passion for innovation is matched by his dedication to mentorship and lifelong learning.
As a long-time EIT student and ambassador, he understands the barriers that many professionals face when returning to study, especially in developing contexts.
“I remember the fear I had when I first started again, the fear of failure, of not belonging. But I’ve seen what’s possible when you push through it,” he says.
Looking ahead, he is preparing to pursue a Doctor of Engineering with a focus on creating adaptable machine learning frameworks for various industries.
He also plans to start a consulting firm focused on artificial intelligence-driven industrial solutions and hopes to stay active in academia through part-time lecturing.
“It’s not just about implementing systems; it’s about empowering others to do the same.”
His advice to aspiring engineers is grounded and inspiring: start now, even if the path seems uncertain.
“You’re not just paying for content when you study, you’re paying for transformation,” he says. “Education gives structure to your curiosity, and that structure is what drives innovation.”
Through his work, he is proving that the future of this field lies not just in technology, but in the passion to apply it wisely, or people, for the planet, and for progress that truly lasts.
