Keynote Speakers
Shri Arun Mahesh Babu M.S., IAS
Managing Director, Gujarat Power Corporation Limited
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IAS Shri Arun Mahesh Babu is currently the Managing Director of Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL) and Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL) With about 15 years of experience in the government sector and a few years of international experience in project strategy consultancy, he intends to be a social entrepreneur for life.
Hailing from the scenic hills of Munnar and being educated with values provided by the Tata group, the journey began with humble backgrounds and having moved beyond the vast plains of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Delhi and finally Gujarat, he looks forward for a longer and fruitful journey ahead.
He has served as District Development Officer (DDO), Collector and District Magistrate with govt. of Gujarat, Managing director UGVCL and Having gained experience in project management/ strategic planning and international exposure to implementation of development programmes, the hope to roll them on ground for the benefit of poor and the society at large is the mission of his life.
Shri Arun Mahesh has also received several awards from the Govt. of India & Govt of Gujarat apart from awards from other recognized institutions for excellent work in skills, programme implementation, education, health and digital governance, the zeal to contribute more to the society continues in this journey called life.
In the present assignment, he leads the green energy transition of Gujarat’s by establishing large scale solar/wind/hybrid parks and green hydrogen ecosystems.
Towards a Net-Zero India: Advancing Green Energy through Innovation​
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India is on a transformative journey towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, driven by the need to combat climate change, ensure energy security, and foster sustainable economic growth. The country's green energy landscape is rapidly evolving, with significant investments in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. The government has set ambitious targets to achieve 50% of its total energy capacity from renewables by 2030.
India's energy transition is characterized by a dynamic and evolving landscape shaped by rapid economic growth, urbanization, and increasing energy demands. The country relies heavily on coal, which dominates its energy mix, alongside oil, natural gas, and growing contributions from renewable energy sources like solar and wind. By 2030, India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity, with solar power playing a significant role due to supportive policies and declining costs. From which Gujarat will be contributing with 100 GW of RE. The anticipated energy mix towards 2047 envisions a substantial reduction in fossil fuel dependence, with a greater emphasis on renewable energy sources and advanced technologies such as energy storage and green hydrogen.
Gujarat, a leading state in India's renewable energy efforts, has implemented innovative pathways to a sustainable future. The Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL) has spearheaded several renewable energy projects, including the development of large-scale solar parks, onshore and offshore wind projects, and green hydrogen initiatives. The state's distribution companies (DISCOMs) have also played a crucial role in advancing green energy through initiatives such as smart grids and the PM KUSUM scheme. These efforts not only contribute to Gujarat's energy transition but also serve as a model for other states to follow.
India's journey towards net-zero is driven by green energy innovations and strategic investments, paving the way for a sustainable future. Gujarat's proactive renewable energy projects highlight its leadership, setting an example for the country and the world.
Dr. Ragavan K.
Professor, IIT Gandhinagar
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Dr Ragavan K received PhD degree from Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. After the completion of PhD, he was working in GE India Technology Centre Private Limited, Bangalore as Research IP Professional and Research Engineer. He joined Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Gandhinagar in the year 2009 and he is presently Professor. His research interests are design of electrical machines, drives for electric vehicle applications and condition monitoring of transformers.
He received the Excellence Award in Teaching for the year 2013-14 at IIT Gandhinagar. Under his supervision, 8 PhD students and 12 MTech students have graduated. Presently 7 PhD students and 3 MTech students are working with him. The works are primarily on machine design for EV applications, design and development of power electronic converters for drives and power system applications.
Role of Power Electronic Converters for Sustainable Development​
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In power electronic converters (PECs), semiconductor devices are operated as switches. PECs have led to the development of a new class of motors namely Electronically Commutated Motors that are more efficient and compact compared to traditional motors. These motors are widely used in applications requiring precise control of speed and torque, such as robotics, electric vehicles, and home appliances. PECs play a critical role in integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy with the grid. In wind energy conversion systems, PECs enable variable-speed operation of wind turbines, which optimizes power extraction over a wide range of wind speed. Similarly, in photovoltaic systems, PECs regulate the conversion of DC power generated by solar panels. The supremacy of PECs can be very well understood by classical applications such as steel melting furnaces, rolling mills, and paper manufacturing. They ensure efficient energy conversion and allow precise control over voltage, current, and frequency, enhancing process quality and productivity. Despite their benefits, PECs pose challenges to power quality, primarily due to their inherent switching nature. It affects the operation of other equipment connected at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) which reduces the overall efficiency, deteriorates the power factor and may cause voltage distortion at PCC. This talk will cover advanced PEC-based solutions include Active Power Filters (Shunt and Series) which can compensate for reactive power, harmonics and unbalancing.
Mr. Aditya Naik
Director, APA Environment and Energy Pvt. Ltd., UK
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With a Master of Engineering in Project Management from Coventry University and MS in Sustainability Studies from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Mr. Aditya is an internationally recognised Sustainable and Environmental Business Portfolio Technologist, passionately exemplified the potential for tangible action in sustainability. Through his proactive and dynamic approach, he has demonstrated that driving strategic projects, underpinned by meticulous engineering and collaborative change, can pave the way towards a greener and more sustainable world.
His professional expertise lies at the intersection of corporate sustainability and renewable energy generation, where he excels in developing comprehensive roadmaps and performance metrics. He is an active and influential force across various sustainability domains, including Hydrogen, Solar energy, and BESS. Aditya possesses a rare blend of skills encompassing Technical Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Management, Contract Management, EPC negotiations and detailed project delivery.
He has also played pivotal roles in Research and Development initiatives, government-backed projects, and securing funding for sustainability endeavours. His wealth of experience spans startup ventures and large corporations. His unwavering commitment to sustainability and demonstrated ability to bridge gaps between diverse departments and leverage technology for positive change exemplifies his transformative leadership in pursuing a more sustainable future. He was also a distinguished speaker and panelist at the 2021 Glasgow COP26 World Leader's Summit.
BESS as Ancillary services: EU Electricity Market Potential
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The EU electricity market is undergoing a major transformation with the rise of renewable energy sources. This shift brings challenges to grid stability, creating a growing need for ancillary services that BESS are well-suited to provide. Key Ancillary Services Provided by BESS in the EU are Frequency Containment Reserve (FCR), Automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve (aFRR), Manual Frequency Restoration Reserve (mFRR) and Voltage Control. BESS can help stabilize voltage by injecting or absorbing reactive power, improving grid stability and power quality. This talk will explore ongoing research transformation towards renewable energy integration with grids.
Tutorial Speakers
Dr. Pallavi Bharadwaj
IIT Gandhinagar
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Dr. Pallavi Bharadwaj is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar. She has previously served as a Faculty in Aalborg University, Denmark. She completed her Postdoctoral Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA in 2021 after receiving her Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, India in 2019. She is a Gold Medalist for her industrial training and has received several awards including POSOCO Power System Award, Bhaskara Advanced Solar Energy Indo-US fellowship and serves in several National and International Technical Committees since 2017. She is very passionate about sustainability and strives towards engineering optimized solutions for global energy needs. Her research interests broadly include design and control of renewable power conversion systems; modelling and optimization of energy storage solutions; physics inspired AI for smart power electronics towards net zero transition.
Battery Digital Twin for EV Performance Optimization
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Battery digital twin can be used for optimizing the battery pack performance, increase its lifetime and ensure operational safety by using data driven modelling and control algorithms. This talk will cover Battery modelling from simplicity to precision, Uncertainty aware battery temperature prediction, Battery degradation and aging mechanisms, Lifetime extension charging algorithms, Battery management system’s role in performance optimization.
Ms. Amee Daiya
APA Environment and Energy Pvt. Ltd., UK
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Ms. Amee Daiya is associated as a Data Scientist with APA Environment and Energy Pvt. Ltd. London, United Kingdom for UK Power network which includes the multiple projects of hybrid renewable energy system, wind power, solar PV and battery energy storage system. She has 14 years of academic experience as an assistant professor. She did her bachelor’s in computer engineering branch in 2007 and Masters in in Computer engineering (MTech) in 2021. She has published several research papers, posters and book chapters on reputed national and international platforms. She has been nominated as a panelist during one of the premiere events organized at Mumbai at one of the engineering institutes in the field of AI and ML. She has guided 100+ UG and PG students till date. She is also a lifetime member of IETE and treasurer for IETE Rajkot center. She holds a joint secretary position in IEEE CIS Gujarat Chapter, from March 2024 onwards. She had lot many international industrial exposures and collaboration with reputed industrial personnel.
Revolutionizing Engineering and Industry: Renewable Power Engineering Using AI and ML
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Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are important in the renewable energy sector. Day by day installed capacities of renewable energy sources are increased. So, their application spans various stages of the energy production and distribution process, leading to more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective energy systems. The adoption of smart technologies—such as IoT, AI, and predictions is integrating renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hybrid renewable energy systems, etc to create more sustainable, efficient operations. This collaboration not only drives cost savings but also aligns with global sustainability goals, positioning businesses as leaders in a rapidly evolving market. This talk aims to cover energy generation predictions with the help of AI and ML algorithms. The simulation analysis will be performed and it will be demonstrated on solar PV systems, wind energy systems, hybrid renewable energy systems etc. for various locations across the globe or specific locations.
Mr. Rohit Ranjan Bhattacharjee
Customer Success Engineering – Education Team, MathWorks
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Mr. Rohit is a Customer Success Engineer with the Education Team at MathWorks. He is completing his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, where he investigated flows in gas turbine engines using advanced image processing techniques. He has over 7 years of experience in academic research and has published several papers in reputed journals, including one that received the Distinguished Paper Award from the Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. Previously, Rohit earned a Master’s degree by research at the University of Ottawa, where he studied supersonic flows, and a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University, Canada.
Deep Learning with Image Processing using MATLAB
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Image processing and computer vision are widely used today, from self-driving vehicles to detecting manufacturing defects. These techniques are used to perform a variety of tasks such as information extraction for analyses, image segmentation, image classification, object detection, and tracking. Deep Learning uses a neural network architecture that learns key features to help classify an image directly from the images themselves. This tutorial will explore several demonstrative examples of how MATLAB’s toolboxes, including the Deep Learning Toolbox, are used for image processing and computer vision applications. Additional resources from MathWorks, such as hardware support, interoperability, teaching content for educators, and learning content for students, will also be discussed.
Panel Discussion
Prof. Anirbid Sircar
​Director SoET, PDEU (Moderator)
Dr. Praghnesh Bhatt
​Dean SoET, PDEU
Shri Nihar Raj
​Senior Vice President,
Adani Transmission Ltd.
Dr. Manish Kumar Srivastava
​Addl. General Manager, NTPC
Shaping the Future: Academia and Industry 4.0 Synergies
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The rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 technologies is reshaping industries, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry. This panel discussion is planned to explore how academic institutions can align research, curriculum, and talent development with the evolving needs of the industry to foster innovation and sustainable growth. The discussion will focus on bridging the gap between academia and industry by addressing skill gaps, designing industry-relevant curricula, and strengthening university-industry partnerships. It will also highlight the role of projects and research initiatives in Industry 4.0, including smart energy solutions, AI-driven industrial automation, and cybersecurity. A key aspect will be the encouragement of startups and innovation in academia through university incubation centers, industry-sponsored research, and policy support for student-led ventures. Additionally, the panelists will delve into sustainable technological innovations, interdisciplinary research, and future trends in automation, electric mobility, and renewable energy. This session will provide valuable insights into how academia and industry can co-create solutions, drive technological progress, and nurture entrepreneurial ecosystems to shape a sustainable and technology-driven future.