Pakistan needs to diversify its means of energy and relying on alternative and renewable sources and conserving natural gas for domestic use to meet the mounting energy crisis. These views were expressed by two energy experts in a talk held at the School of Chemical and Material Engineering of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Monday. The technical talk on ‘Energy crisis and NUST Solutions’ was organised by the NUST Science Society (NSS), said a press release issued by the society.
Dr Mohammad Bilal Khan and Prof Ahmed Sohail spoke on the current energy crisis and the possible solutions to counter this crisis.
Dr Khan, currently serving as the Director/Principal at the Centre for Energy Systems (CES), an institute launched by NUST earlier this year, in his address to the students belonging to various disciplines of engineering, stressed the need for diversifying Pakistan’s means of energy generation.
He attributed the current crisis to mismanagement, mishandling and lack of exploitation of resources over the years.
Dr Khan, who has vast experience in the field of research, has to his credit over 80 publications, three books and six patents, also stressed on the need for reducing the burden on non-renewable sources, especially fossil fuel, and move towards the ‘cleaner renewable sources of energy’.
The presidential award winner professor, who is currently heading a sizable biofuels projects in collaboration with NRG Biofuels Canada, discussed alternatives in the form of wind, solar, clean coal, micro-hydel, run of the river hydel and even nano and thin film technologies.
Prof Sohail, who is serving as the Director at the National Solar Labs, Rawalpindi, stressed on the need for conserving gas reserves for domestic use. The professor is currently engaged as consultant for various projects regarding the viability of using renewable energy sources, especially solar energy. He highlighted the need for making household appliances more efficient and developing alternatives, like solar water heating systems for industrial use.
Both the speakers underlined the importance of changing the mindset of the people to move towards sustainability and energy efficiency.
At the end, the audience was engaged in a rapid fire round. They were asked questions regarding the talks, and the winners were rewarded gift hampers.
TechTalk is a regular feature of NUST Science Society, which provides a platform for discussion on new developments in science and technology. It provides a unique opportunity for the attendees to interact with scientists and engineers who have excelled in their respective fields.
The centre is dedicated to supporting and strengthening energy-related programmes and projects at the national level. The centre envisions to commission, set up and run pilot plants to demonstrate the feasibility of specific programmes. While maintaining close networking with relevant organisations, CES is also collaborating with its counterparts in other parts of the world including USA and universities in Canada and South Africa.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2011.
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