- SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL SOLAR SHOW IN NORTH AMERICA
Imran Ali shah – Manager Research and Aqeel Muhammad Babar Manager Procurement & Admin from CERAD UET were recruited in a delegation of 14 representatives, by U.S. Commercial Service a department of US Embassy in Pakistan, to attend Solar Power International (SPI) the largest Solar show in North America. SPI features multi track conference sessions and a large curriculum of conference workshops including business & market trends, solar & storage, utility and grid integration. The event hosted about 19,000 attendees and 700 exhibiting companies targeting advanced and highly regarded technologies of solar and energy storage domain. The exhibitors showcased PV products included PV module, solar thermal collector, Energy storage technologies etc.
2. SEMINAR ON RENEWABLE ENERGY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
A technical seminar on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE) held at bfz,gGmbh, one of the leading International training and development Centre in Germany. The program aimed to improve quality, efficiency and sustainability in the Industrial sector by providing knowledge and technical tools for solving urgent problems. There were 18 participants shortlisted from Pakistan for the training. Syed Imran Ali Shah Manager Alternate Energy Research and Innovation Lab CERAD UET also participated as shortlisted candidate in the technical seminar and study tour. The study tour was an exchange and training program for managers and specialists.
3. RESEARCH SCHOLARS MAKING THEIR WAY TO GERMANY
The bfz gGmbh, is one of the leading international training and development center in Germany. Every fall of the year, Bavarian Government Germany, invites delegates from Pakistan as exchange opportunity between two countries in the domain of Renewable Energy and Efficiency. This fall September, 2019, a technical seminar on Energy Efficiency was arranged for participants from Pakistan on same basis. This study tour was an exchange and training program for managers and specialists. Total of 15 participants were invited for this program from Pakistan. Two Research Officers (Mr. Waqas Khalid, & Miss Qurat-ul-ain) from CERAD UET were shortlisted among delegates. It was a quite diverse and fulfilling experience to observe and learn the technological advances, innovative ideas, workmanship and explore the technical collaborations between Pakistan and Germany.
4. Regensburg University
The tour started with a visit to the Electrical Engineering Faculty of Regensburg University (OTH Regensburg). The University’s graduate and post graduate study projects were shared with the participants. Various R&D labs at the campus were visited and it was exciting for the participants to see the well-developed and well-equipped labs for targeted research areas such as Mechanical workshops working on different storage and vehicle technologies. A novel project was demonstrated based on the conversion of electricity as primary source to methane for storage purposes, through a process called Methanation. The idea is to store electric power in hydrogen and methane to meet demand from the public grid for future use.
C.A.R.M.E.N .e.V
Second visit was conducted to the C.A.R.M.E.N .e.V that is the energy efficiency network working in Germany, to promote and market the Renewable Energies. The group has been working as platform to coordinate between interested stakeholders to exchange information and resources regarding energy efficiency and alternate energy means. At the center, the representative provided over view of the network and briefed some of the projects conducted by the organization.
Technical University of Munich
Next morning, the study group was led to Technical University Munich and visited the Institute of Energy Systems. The institute is under the Mechanical Engineering department of University and is dedicated to mission of producing efficient and low emission power generation.Majorly their focus of research is on thermodynamics, fuel conversions, thermal and thermochemical storages and reversible fuel cells (Power to X). The institute has produced studies by simulating different energy scenarios and their techno-economic boundaries. The delegation was briefed about the on-going projects under different domains and a visit was also conducted to the mechanical labs of the institute.
Zentrum Digitalisierung .Bayern
The day continued with another site visit to the Zentrum Digitalisierung, Bayern (Digitalization in Energy Systems). The Center (ZD.B) conducts country wide research, coordination and start-ups, by associating industry, academia and public. The vision is to transform the society into an interdisciplinary knowledge platform for various initiatives in economy, science and technology. To bring together industry and academic research, center works as coordinator to promote thematic projects linking science and business. Furthermore, network of ICT companies allows the mutual knowledge transfer as well as international growth prospects of these companies. ZD.B also engages in academia by initiating digitization based subjects in applied sciences in universities, research groups for innovative projects and also supporting doctoral graduate programs.
Orcan Energy Ag
The following day, Pakistan delegate were given a tour to Orcan Energy Ag, it is the company that manufactures the waste heat recovery units. They briefed about the unique waste heat recovery design “Efficiency Pack” of the company, shared their product’s catalogue, salient features, working principle, flexibility of use, and techno-economic features. Their modular design of heat recovery units and output with as low as 80-100 degree centigrade temperature is really an achievement. The company explained their case studies in various industry applications. Pakistani delegates, being from textile industries and power plants showed great interest in their product.
Akademie für Politische Bildung Tutzing
The second visit of the day was planned for solar system of Akademie fur politische Bildung Tutzing. Here the presenters from Energy Efficiency Network Munchen-Oberbayern and GIZ respectively provided the insight on their respective organizations. WildpoldsriedOn 19th September, They had a tour to the most advanced village Wildpoldsried which has been recognized for its exceptional achievements in renewable energy production and in reducing its carbon footprint. The village is capable in producing renewable energy enough for its own energy demand as well as selling to utility grid. They have solar, wind, biogas and battery storage system at the same time and member of Sonnen Community. In addition the delegation was taken to the micro grid of the community, and explained different scenarios of grid operation under islanding and On-Grid mode. Meeting with Bavarian Ministry of Economic AffairsA meeting with the Bavarian Ministry for Pakistan delegates was arranged on 20th September. The delegates were warmly welcomed at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy where Mr. Ulrich Konstantin Rieger along with Pakistan Embassy officials had conversation with visitors.The Pakistani delegates shared their amazing experience, learning and future collaboration possibilities with the Ministry and assured a close relationship of Pakistan and Germany in this booming RE and Energy Efficiency Technology. In this meeting, each participant gave views about study tour and opportunities in Pakistan and how to improve the business relationship between Pakistan and Germany. The Ministry officials assured that Germany will work hand in hand with Pakistan in every way possible so that benefits can be shared and our learning can help Pakistan to start ahead.
Messages from the visitors
Tour was quite enlightening as I witnessed technology advancement, efforts for Green future and society, all in harmony with each other. Germany is a pioneer in Renewable Energy and they came a long way to “Go Green”. People are nice, cooperative, supportive and believe that everyone has to join hands for a greater cause of sustainable future for All. Pakistan has a lot to learn and Germany has a lot to offer and joining hands will bring opportunities for both countries.Qurat-ul-Ain Mehfooz
It was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. It was a lifetime opportunity to go to a place and learn something new where people are not only moving towards modernity but also in an eco-friendly way. Most impressive was the village of a real world where modern ways of alternative energy use and sense of collective responsibility to solve the problem. This village not only meet their energy needs indigenously but also provides energy to the national grid.Waqas Khalid