- SESI’s Webinar series Solar Energy: An Agent of Change discusses Renewable Energy in Indian Universities
- Institutions can set an example by creating renewable energy models and promoting its usage at campuses
- Payback scheme can be lucrative for companies to adapt to solar energy usage
- Panelists appeal to embrace Solar Energy: A clean source of Power
The government sought to achieve a target of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022 and 100 GW of the target is expected to be achieved through solar energy projects across the country. However, when it comes to awareness level in the country about this hugely potential alternative energy source, it is far from satisfactory. Solar Energy Society of India (SESI) has been promoting and popularising solar energy in India, and as part of their webinar series on Solar Energy: An Agent of Change, organized the second webinar titled ‘Renewable Energy in Indian Universities’ on 6th September 2020.
In this webinar, India’s apex body for Solar, SESI dwelt on how to prioritize the research and application of renewable sources in the curriculum to how can academic and industry work together to develop a better ecosystem for solar energy in India. In his introductory speech, Dr. Syed M Ali, Director (Membership), The Institution of Engineers (India) also the Vice President of SESI, opined that promotion and implementation of renewable energy through research and academia will drive major change in the institutions as well as the industry. Echoing his voice, Prafulla Pathak, President of SESI, threw light upon how the solar energy sector can push the youth towards entrepreneurship. “There is a lot of scope in the solar energy sector. Today interaction and sharing of ideas will help in better development of industry and encourage the students to become entrepreneurs,” he said.
The keynote speaker and the chief guest of the event Dr. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), showed his optimism about the growth of the industry. He believes that converting India into a solar rich country will help realize the prime minister’s drive of establishing 175 GW worth of renewable energy by 2022. “It is a hard vision but not impossible. Many innovations like rooftop installations, creating water heaters, and channelizing multi-purpose ideas will make this drive feasible and possible,” assured Dr. Sahasrabudhe.
Dr. Sahasrabhudhe also reminded the participants about the fact that solar energy was known as non-conventional energy until the innovation of solar cells and was used to generate electricity. Dr. Shasrabudhe inspired the attendees by telling about the various awards that AICTE gives and a payback plan that many companies follow to enforce the establishment of solar panels. He appealed the attendees to create models and smart campuses that will significantly use waste as well as renewable energy efficiently and effectively. He suggested installing sensors that will analyze the use of energy and help layout better plans for adopting the right kind of resources.
Agreeing to Dr. Sahasrabudhe, Dr. Sunil Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) highlighted how usage of renewable energy resources has been introduced in many institutions. He has been ensuring to make new courses in UPES that are solar energy-oriented. Now, UPES, runs short term courses, diplomas, online courses, and distance learning. They have 12 programs running that focus on renewable energy and its implementation. He is also trying to get these courses NSDC certified. Dr. Rai’s other initiatives include disciplinary research in the field and large scale production and smart usage of these resources. Along with the Uttarakhand Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (UIE) and Incubation Center, he has promised to try and produce at least 10% entrepreneurs among the students.
Along with the NEP provisions Dr. Sunil Rai of UPES envisions creating courses that will include vocational skills, creativity, sustainability, innovation, etc. Dr. Rai has started a project in five villages where the students are sent for social internships to understand people’s energy needs and collaborate with the industry to fulfill them
In his address to the participants, Dr. Biswajit Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor of The Neotia University, emphasized on how cleaner and safer resources can be adopted to curb pollution. He enlightened everyone about how renewable resources have been used since the ancient civilization and it’s time to go back to the core values. “The difference between the power generated by conventional energy resources and non-conventional energy resources needs to be evaluated. Nonconventional energy resources do not contaminate lands as compared to conventional ones. Thus solar energy is a clean source of power,” he said.
Citing the example of Jadavpur University which has introduced M-Tech and B-Tech programs focusing on Energy, Science, and Technology, Dr. Ghosh said that he is also trying to create a green university, where they are integrating solar energy with electrical energy courses to spread better knowledge and awareness. According to him, the NEP should also focus on skill development and universities should create programs that are oriented towards bio-energy, mini hydel power plants, and solar power plants.
For more details, visit www.sesi.in
