Affordable and Clean Energy

100+ Minigrid Projects Designed/Consultation by Centre for Energy Research (CER), UIU in Bangladesh.

Like many others UIU is fully aware and convinced that energy is central to sustainable development, which is the major challenge of the moment. Our University follows the directives from the “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan” of the government. In order to reduce energy consumption for air cooling, our university building is designed keeping large percentage of areas open to allow enough natural light and natural air flow to keep the campus naturally bright and cool. We ensure reduction of energy consumption through replacing the less efficient appliances by more efficient ones, e.g., replacing the non-LED lights or computer monitors by LED based appliances. Second is by conservation of energy by reducing pilferage. Bulk of our energy consumption (~75%) comes from air conditioners and attendants are assigned to make sure that the air conditioners are switched off when the rooms are not in use. We are already using automated switching off mechanism using IoT in some place. Our university is one of the leading institutions involved in the research and promotion of renewable energy in the country. Our Centre for Energy Research offer courses on renewable energy technologies and provide consultancy services to the public and private sector. We are also involved in energy auditing of interested industrial or commercial installations and in design and implementation of large scale roof top solar etc.. We have designed more than 70% of the solar minigrid facilities established in Bangladesh. We have already implemented the 128KW solar panel in University roof top to generate electricity for us.

Policy and Actions

Our University is following the directives from the “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan” of Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh. As such there is no National standard for energy efficiency.
All buildings and renovation areas of UIU are established as per the requirements of the national regulatory authoritries which are Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan guideline from Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
The university has an official Divestment and Sustainable Investment Policy that commits to phasing out investments in carbon-intensive sectors, including coal, oil, and other fossil fuels, and prioritizing renewable and low-carbon energy investments. University already have 128kWp roof top solar and took initiative to implement 100kWh energy Storage System to reduce the carbon-intensive energy such as coal and oil.
Reduction in energy consumption is done in two ways. First is the replacement of less efficient appliances by more efficient ones like replacing the non-LED lights or computer monitors by LED based appliances. Second is by conservation of energy by reducing pilferage. Bulk of our energy consumption (~75%) comes from air conditioners, and attendants are assigned to make sure that the air conditioners, lights, fans are switched off when the rooms are not in use. We are already using automated switching off mechanisms using IoT in some places. Additionally, as per the government energy preservation policy of the country, we ensure that all the air conditioners are kept at a temperature not less than 25 degree Celsius.
Smart systems have been implemented to monitor energy. The Smart system constantly monitors the electricity and can identify areas where energy consumption is excessive. We have also implemented submeters in some of the floors to identify which floor is consuming excessive power. Monthly billing and usage monitoring is done by the operation department.
Our university is one of the leading institutions involved in the research and promotion of renewable energy. Our Centre for Energy Research offer courses on renewable energy technologies and provide consulting services to the public and private sector. We are also involved in energy auditing of interested industrial or commercial installations and in design and implementation of large scale roof top solar etc.. We have designed more than 50% of the solar minigrid established in Bangladesh.
Our faculty members are coopted in different govt. policy making bodies and we provide our expert services in formulating Renewable energy friendly policy and regulations like net metering, smart grid, efficient clean cooking etc.
We provide advisory services to low carbon renewable energy based start ups. Many of our students are involved in low carbon renewable energy based businesses.
As country's leading renewable energy consultants, we are committed to divest from fossil fuels, and continue working with and supporting the energy industry through our education, research and consultation.