Punjab Study

LAHORE, Sept 16: In order to evolve efficient, innovative and cost effective solutions to energy problems in Punjab, a Centre for Energy Research and Development is being set up at Kala Shah Kaku Campus of the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore.

The Punjab government has approved PC-I of the proposed centre at a total cost of Rs292 million in a span of two years.

UET Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Akram Khan told media persons on Saturday the centre would carry out research on various types of renewable energies. He said exploration of coal energy for development of oil and gas for power generation would also be focused.

He said the centre would provide a platform for technical evaluation of various energy systems compatible with the local environment, besides validation of various technologies currently in vogue. It would act as conduit for consolidating on-going disjointed and fragmented research development work on energy. It would also act as technical backstopping entity and a key source for facilitating other partners and stakeholders for human resource development and procurement of required equipments and materials.

It would contribute to the training of postgraduate and PhD students to augment research activities. MSc, MPhil and PhD scholars would in turn help develop cost-effective innovations for helping out the masses for improving their lives, he said.

The vice chancellor said the centre would develop a linkage with research centres of other institutions like NUST, GIK Institute, UET Taxila and PCSIR for sharing technical knowledge and innovations for their betterment and refinement besides avoiding duplicity of efforts.

He said the centre would establish a linkage between UET’s energy centre and the industry. It would undertake research on various policy issues concerning the energy sectors. It would also develop a communication strategy for dissemination of
knowledge and technical advancements.

Akram Khan said the centre would use different sources, including photovoltaic energy, solar thermal energy, wind energy, bio-energy, coal energy and hydel energy. It would carry out research work on various renewable energy sources.Dawn.