ISLAMABAD: Minister for Science and Technology Senator Shibli Faraz on Monday said the government intends to harness power from renewable resources with the participation of the private sector.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day international seminar on “Sustainable technologies in modern energy: a roadmap towards green economy” at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences.

Mr Faraz was of the view that small conservations from energy efficient appliances translated into savings on large energy projects.

He called on adopting the approach of Japan with regard to conservation of energy and modernising domestic appliances.

The seminar has been organised by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (Comsats) with funding from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), Comsats Centre of Excellence and the Comstats University Islamabad (CUI).

ICU Rector Prof Dr Mohammad T. Afzal offered his institution’s support in setting up Pakistan’s first fuel cell research institute to spearhead development of fuel cell technology under the government’s knowledge economy initiative.

He said more research and development was needed in smart grid technology to cut line losses and potentially draw investors and modern distribution companies to invest in Pakistan.

A smart grid, he said, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 211 million metric tons and is more reliable than a traditional grid.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Junaid Akhlaq, Secretary General PNCU, communicated Unesco’s gratitude to the partner organisations.

Irfan Hayee, deputy director programme Comsats Secretariat, urged participants to deliberate on policy recommendations resulting from focused discussion.

Prof Dr Ashraf Shalaan, chairperson Comsats Coordinating Council, lauded Comsats and Unesco for partnering on a highly relevant area of sustainable technologies in energy in the developing world.

The event is catering to major themes of emerging green technologies for sustainable energy, green ICTs for sustainable development, energy policy implications for sustainable energy growth and development and balance in energy mix.

The topics discussed at the seminar pertained to digital engineering in Pakistan, lithium-ion batteries as energy storage device, indigenous development of hydropower, renewable energy-based distributed generation, multifunctional electrode materials for lithium-ion battery and super-capacitors, sustainable technologies in modern energy and solar thermal air conditioning technologies.

The seminar is expected to come up with recommendations regarding consumption and distribution of sustainable energy technologies.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2022