An international conference on energy system technology, organized by the Power and Energy Society (PES) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), has begun in Kathmandu from Monday.

o-organized by the Nepal Chapter, this conference includes around 100 representatives from 15 countries, as informed by Dr. Sujan Adhikari, co-chair of the technical committee of the conference. Known as Powercon, this conference is considered one of the world’s largest events related to energy systems.

he organizers have stated that 77 papers related to energy systems will be presented during the three-day conference.

Addressing the program, Jessica Bian, former president of the IEEE Power and Energy Society, mentioned that this conference will guide how the current and future changes in the energy sector can benefit future generations. She added that this is an important event connecting electrical engineers worldwide.

Dean Sharafi, strategic advisor to the Australian Energy Market Operator, stated that the world is currently at a crossroads in energy transition. “The modern energy system is continuously integrating renewable energy at a high level, and this development is also facing various challenges,” he said. “We have moved forward from centralized energy sources to consumer-based energy sources.”

He noted that this conference is important for understanding such changes and discussing what to do in the future.

Nirmal Nair, Vice President of IEEE-PES, mentioned that IEEE is providing scholarships to engineers to train students in challenging areas of the energy sector.

Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, former secretary of the Ministry of Energy, stated that reliable and quality energy is a current necessity. “Biomass (such as firewood and agricultural residues) accounts for 61% of Nepal’s energy consumption. 10% comes from renewable energy, and this is on the rise,” he said. “The development of a sustainable energy system will be crucial for everyone in the future.

During the event, Professor Navaraj Karki, president of the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Nepal Chapter, stated that it is a matter of pride for Nepal to host such an important conference in Kathmandu.

The conference, initiated by the Chinese Society of Electrical Engineering and the IEEE Power and Energy Society, has been held since 1998, primarily in Asia-Pacific countries. The 16th edition of this conference is currently taking place in Kathmandu.

Source: Online Khabar