The Electrical Engineering Department of PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh organised the 3rd J K Arora Memorial lecture. Electrical Engineering Department of PEC University of Technology has been hosting this annual lecture series in tribute to the memory of Prof. J K Arora. He was a prominent academician , devoted to research and retired as Professor in 1996 from PEC.
The expert speaker on the occasion was Prof. B G Fernandes, Head of Department, Electrical Engineering Department, IIT Bombay. He delivered an enlightening lecture on Rural Electrification: Challenges and Possible Solutions. Director Dr. Manoj K Arora, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Arun Grover , Head of Departments, graced the occasion with their presence.
After a brief introduction by Dr. Tarlochan Kaur, Prof. Fernandes spoke about the various schemes and technologies for rural electrification including concepts of nano-grid, micro-grid, off-grid and on-grid PV systems and various solar photovoltaic converter systems. He also talked about the National Photo-Voltaic Research and Education Centre (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay which disseminates awareness and undertakes research and education in the field of solar PV . He dwelled on the plight of 47% of the country's population which lives in rural India , who does not have access to electricity and stressed that customized energy solutions for the rural population are the need of the hour.
Talking about the great strides made in the field of rural electrification at IIT Bombay, he spoke of the 5 KW-high performance grid connected solar inverter and a high efficiency (upto 97%) DC-DC converter that students had developed in-house. Prof. Fernandes encouraged the students to undertake research in power electronic interfaces for renewable energy systems.
Prof. Raminder Kaur proposed a vote of thanks. The event saw large participation of students and CRIKC institutions.