Kathmandu University-School of Engineering and Chilime Engineering and Services Company Ltd. (ChesCo) signed an MoU on 18th January, 2018. In the agreement signing program, ChesCo was represented by the CEO of this company, Dr. Prashant Mandal and KU-SOE, by the Dean, Prof. Bhupendra Bimal Chhetri. The program was attended by the representatives from Department of Mechanical Engineering, Turbine Testing Lab and Technical Training Center.
The MoU is aimed towards collaboration for services related to electro-mechanical and hydro-mechanical issues of hydro power sector.
The post MoU discussion focused on planning of activities under the scope of the MoU. It is agreed to conduct an interaction program between work groups representing both institutions, identity and execute a pilot project on repair and maintenance of a hydro power plant in Nepal, and develop relevant training packages. Both intuitions agreed to carry a long term vision to develop a consulting unit to provide professional services on operation and maintenance of hydro power sector. The program was co-ordinated by Dr. Biraj Singh Thapa, Assis. Prof., DoME, KU.
MoU signing program at Mini- Auditorium, KU
Prof. Chhetri and Dr. Mandal signing the MoU documents
Prof. Chhetri and Dr. Mandal exchanging the MoU document files
Dr. Mandal visiting TTL floor along with his associate facilitated by Dr. Thapa
Mr. Nirmal Acharya, Research Associate at TTL/Visiting faculty at DoME completed his Staff Mobility Program funded by Erasmus+ Merging Voices project from 20-25th November at University of Algarve, Penha & Gambelas Campus, Faro, Portugal. During his stay at University of Algarve, Mr. Acharya presented about “Current researches and future prospects at Turbine Testing Lab- Kathmandu University, Nepal” and tried to explore research projects collaboration between the two universities. He visited the several labs in the university for institutional linkage for future collboration and facilities & resources exchange.
Mr. Acharya with the faculities and students from University of Algarve after his presentation
Turbine Testing Lab [TTL] marked its sixth anniversary on November 23, 2017, by organizing a program at TTL Auditorium. The program was attended by Mr. Kulman Ghising and Mr. Hridaya Dev Shakya, from Nepal Electricity Authority. Similarly, Norwegian guests, Prof. Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug from Norwegian University of Science and Technology and his team showed their valuable presence in the program. The program started with the welcome speech of Associate Prof. Hari Prasad Neopane which was followed by the presentation on ongoing and recent activities of TTL by Mr. Sailesh Chitrakar. Then, the 6th Anniversary issue of TTL was released by Prof. Bhola Thapa and Mr. Ghising. The program was followed by the remarks from Prof. Dahlhaug, Mr. Ghising, Prof. Dr. Makaju and Prof. Thapa. The magazine is also available inonline version.Some Glimpses of the TTL- 6th Anniversary program
Dr. Hari Pd. Neopane, Member Secretary, TTL delivered the keynote speech on “Turbine Testing Lab, Nepal- Achievements, Challenges and Opportunities” in 7th Asia- Pacific Forum on Renewable Energy (AFORE 2017) organized from 15-18 November 2017 at Busan, Republic of Korea which was selected as the excellent paper for its outstanding contribution to the AFORE forum. In the same conference, Mr. Sailesh Chitrakar, Phd candidate from TTL presented his research works titled “Recent findings related to sediment erosion in Francis Turbine“.
Turbine Testing Lab (TTL), KU signed an agreement with Flow Informatics Lab, Korea Maritime & Ocean University(KMOU) as partners for the project “CFD performance prediction & structure analysis of 50 MW Francis turbine project system” on 22nd August 2017 at Kathmandu University. The funding of the project is from Shinhan Precision Co., Ltd., Republic of Korea.
The contract period will be 12 months from the date of signing the contract and the total cost of the project approved by both the partners is 12,000,000 Won (approx. 10,500 USD) for Turbine Testing Lab.
Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Registrar- KU and Prof. Dr. Young- Ho Lee, Division of Mechanical Engineering- KMOU signed the document during the program for their respective institutions. Prof. Dr. Bhupendra Bimal Chettri, Dean, SoE-KU and Dr. Hari Pd. Neopane, Member Secretary-TTL & HoD-DoME along with other members from TTL and faculties from DoME were also present during the program.
Turbine Testing Lab (TTL), Kathmandu University organized a workshop on “Need and Prospects of Center of Excellence (CoE) at TTL for hydro-turbine development in Nepal” with the support from EnergizeNepal Project on August 7, 2017. The workshop was organized as a kickoff of discussions and partnership building for achieving short-term and long-term goals of the CoE at TTL. The workshop also aimed to ensure visibility and impact of KU in bringing knowledge to the development of society. The program was attended by Mr. Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, Honorary Energy Minister, Government of Nepal, Mr. Kul Man Ghising, Managing Director, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA); Mr. Kumar Pandey, Vice-President Independant Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN); Mr. Gyanendra Lal Pradhan,Treasurer, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (IPPAN), and representatives from organizations and industries of Nepal [Institue of Engineering (IoE), Hydroelectricity Investment & Development Company Limited (HIDCL), Vidyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL), Sanima Hydro, HydroLab, Nepal Microhydropower Development Association (NMHDA), Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA) and Himal Power Ltd.]. The program was divided into two sessions. The inaugural session was started by the welcome speech by Prof. Dr. Bhupendra Bimal Chhetri, Dean of School of Engineering which was followed by the video on TTL journey for last 5 years and its achievements & milestones. Prof. Dr. Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU) gave a brief video remarks on the workshop highligting the co-operation between Water Power Laboratory and TTL. The program continued with the opening remarks from Prof. Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju, Vice Chancellor-KU, Mr. Shahi (GoN) Mr. Ghising (NEA), Mr. Pandey (IPPAN), Mr. Pradhan (FNCCI) and Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Registrar- KU. All the speakers presented their ideas and suggestions about the future role of TTL for hydropower development in Nepal. The second session was conducted within a closed group, where participants from NEA, IPPAN, IoE, Sanima Hydro, Himal Power Ltd. and members from KU presented their views regarding the prospects of CoE at TTL. Dr. Biraj Singh Thapa, Asst. Prof., Department of Mechanical Engineering (DoME) presented the recent activities of TTL and overview of the workshop. The session was chaired by Dr. Hari Prasad Neopane, Head of Department, DoME. The event was co-ordinated by Mr. Nirmal Acharya, Research Associate at TTL. Mr. Sailesh Chitrakar, Phd Student, TTL and Ms.Kritika Bhandari, UNG Mechanical student emceed the program.
Followings were the major conclusions drawn based on the discussions and feedback from the participants in the workshop.
Lack of cooperation between the hydropower industry and academic institutions like KU/TTL. Many hydropower developers in Nepal are not aware of the roles TTL and KU can play to find the feasible solutions to the technical problems being faced.
Scope of work of CoE should be clarified and should be achievable in the realistic time frame.
Need of a turbine manufacturer in Nepal, particularly a company that can supply a complete ‘water-to-wire’ or ‘electro-mechanical’ package to the developers.
CoE should have a rigid organizational structure and flexibility to operate in a business model.
NEA and Members of IPPAN are ready to cooperate with TTL to develop the proposed CoE. Both organizations expect realistic plans and proposals to clarify how such CoE will benefit the hydropower development in Nepal, in short-term, medium-term and long-term basis.
KU/TTL should have rigorous internal discussions and come up with a clear road map to develop the proposed CoE.
International symposium on “Current Research in Hydraulic Turbines” was held for the seventh time on 4th April, 2017 as CRHT-VII after the successful completion of the previous six events in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Other renewable energy source was included as additional topics for the symposium.
It was a one-day program which was held at CV Raman Auditorium, Senate Hall and Mini Auditorium. The event was scheduled under two parallel sessions led by respective chairs. Topic of the papers/presentations was divided into 2 broad thematic areas:
1) Development of test rig, tool and system (9 presentations) 2) Modeling, simulation and experimental techniques (8 presentations)
The event began with the welcome speech by Dr. Hari Prasad Neopane, Member Secretary at TTL and HOD at DOME, and followed by the presentation on recent activities and future directions of TTL by Dr. Biraj Singh Thapa, Assistant Prof., DoME. Tom Solberg, Managing Director from International Centre for Hydropower (ICH) presented remarks and keynote speech on the symposium. Prof. Tri Ratna Bajracharya, Dean, Institute of Engineering, Pulchwok delivered his remarks on the symposium and highlighted the ties between IOE & KU and importance of hydropower in Nepal. Prof. Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Vice Chancellor at Kathmandu University delivered the inaugural speech focusing on the necessity of implementing the research outputs. Featured presentation was then given by Mr. Hitendra Dev Shakya, Director, Nepal Electricity Authority. It was followed with the presentation from Associate Prof. Dr. Baoshan Zhu, Tshingua University, Beijing, China and Prof. Dr. Bhupendra K. Gandhi, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, India. The inaugural program was concluded with the featured presentation of Mr.Ishwar Man Deshar, Plant Manager, Himal Power Limited.
One session was chaired by Prof. Bhupendra K. Gandhi from IIT, Roorkee and Dr. Megh B. Bishwakarma from Hydrolab, whereas the other session (in parallel) was chaired by Dr. Baoshan Zhu from Tsinghua University and Dr. Hari Pd. Neopane from KU. Each presenter was given 15 minutes: 10 minutes to present and 5 minutes was allocated for questions and answers. Each session was concluded by the certificate distributions. It was followed with the brief visit to Turbine Testing Lab by the guests, presenters and participants.
Professor Gandhi gave remarks on behalf of session chairs which shed light on the technical sessions of the whole program followed by certificate distribution to session chairs, key note speakers and volunteers. Vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Bhupendra Bimal Chhetri, Dean, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University.
Prof. Bhola Thapa, Registrar at KU delivered the closing speech who thanked organizers, sponsors and participants. Prof. Thapa highlighted the history of TTL establishment, CRHT symposium, and the future research directions. He too remembered the close ties between KU & NTNU since ages and hoped for the close collaboration among ICH, KU, IIT and Tsinghua University in the days to come.
The event was coordinated by Mr. Nirmal Acharya, Research Associate at TTL. Ms. Pragati Poudel and Ms. Kritika Bhandari, final year mechanical students emceed the program.
As per the interview for PhD & MS by Research Fellow in EnergizeNepal project at Turbine Testing Lab on 30th December 2016, following candidates are selected for their respective positions and expected to join TTL, KU effective from 15th January 2016.
