Center for Energy Studies
Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan UniversityPulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal
Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal
Introduction:
Since the beginning, energy has been the basic need of humanity. Human life can hardly subsist without the use of energy. From flora and fauna to the environment, from agriculture to industry, and from transportation to communication, every activity on earth depends on energy. The global energy need is increasing rapidly with the expansion of population and industrialization, while the conventional sources of energy are depleting at an alarming rate. Moreover, the recent environmental issues have put forward a question mark on the use of these conventional sources. Issues related to energy conservation measures, global warming, and climatic change are becoming hot topics of discussion, hence, there is a demand for an alternate energy source that is abundant, renewable, and environmentally clean. In this regard, the National Planning Commission (NPC)/Government of Nepal conveys the following in connection to the application of renewable energy: "The Objective of the alternative energies sub-sector will be to develop a rural energy system which is directed towards poverty alleviation and oriented to rural development; to gradually substitute the use of traditional energy sources by modern and affordable energy, keeping in mind the impact of such energy use on the environment; the dependency on external sources by developing, extending and commercializing the technology of using locally available energy sources to the maximum." The planning document further elaborated on this policy, "technical educational institutions (like the Institute of Engineering) will be encouraged to conduct training to produce low-level, middle-level and high-level personnel as per needs."
Also, the International Conference on "Role of Renewable Energy Technology for Rural Development (RETRUD-98), held in Kathmandu from 12 to 14 October 1998 and attended by more than 200 participants from 22 countries of the world, has recommended establishing the Center for Energy Studies (CES) at the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University. Based on this recommendation and to keep pace with global energy research, development, and education in renewable energy engineering, the Executive Council of Tribhuvan University established the Center for Energy Studies (CES) on 21 January 1999. RETRUD-98 was followed by 2nd (RETRUD-03) and 3rd (RETRUD-11) in 2003 and 2011 respectively. Between the 2nd and 3rd International Conferences, a National Conference (RETRUD-06) was organized followed by another international conference in 2009 on Renewable Energy Technology for Sustainable Development (RETSUD) organized by Nepal Solar Energy Society in close co-operation with CES. Renewable Energy Technology for Rural and Urban Development (RETRUD-18) conference was successfully organized in Kathmandu, Nepal between 29th and 31st October 2018. The conference provided a platform for disseminating the latest knowledge in RET, climate change, gender mainstreaming, power trade and grid interactive systems from professionals, academicians and practitioners alike. A total of 11 keynote addresses, 65 technical paper presentations, 3 special presentation and 4 panel discussions among 22 panelists were managed in the conference which was attended by more than 400 people including participants and guests from more than dozen countries. It concluded with the resolution of the necessity of continuous investment in R&D and human resource development for addressing local and global issues related to deep relationship between continuous developments of RET, energy security, environmental sustainability and overall socio-economic transition for sustainable development.
Since the establishment of CES, it has been on record for giving 42 pieces of training, 50 research and policy study activities, 73 awareness programs, 40 workshops and seminars, 1 national conference, and 4 international conferences. As an institution within IOE/TU, capacity building of local manpower is the main focused activity of CES. CES has supported and provided assistance to the development and implementation of academic courses on M.Sc. Engineering in Renewable Energy Engineering (MSREE), M.Sc. Engineering in Energy Systems Planning and Management (MSESPM), M.Sc. in Technology &Innovation Management (MSTIM), and M.Sc. in Energy Efficient Building (MSEEB). It has established the Energy Systems Planning and Analysis Unit under the APPEAR program to establish CES as the think tank for the government during the formulation, development, implementation, and review of energy and climate change-related strategies, plans, and policies. Center for Energy Studies and its working team have been actively involved in the development of major energy and low carbon development strategies and policies like Renewable Energy Perspective Plan of Nepal 2000-2020, Renewable Energy Subsidy Policies, Nepal’s Long Term Strategy for Net-Zero Emission 2021, Implementation Plan of second nationally Determined Contribution, Water Resources and Energy Vision 2050 for Nepal, National Biomass Energy Strategy 2017, National Energy Efficiency Strategy 2018, etc.
It has established the National Energy Efficiency Training and Demonstration laboratory with the support of GIZ/NEEP and Erasmus+ for developing qualified human resources in the field of clean and efficient technology development and management. Zero Energy House and Energy Park are also parts of CES for research students and also demonstration sites for all concerned in the application and development of Clean and Renewable energy technologies. It has also developed problem based learning and e-learning platform with the support from Erasmus+ (ALEAN and ICT-INOV projects) and REEEP/GIZ (POSTED project).
Objectives
The main objectives of the Center are to: