DU Institute of Energy—a promoter of solar energy

Sajjad Hosen Fahim | Published: July 04, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Institute of Energy at the University of Dhaka has become one of the lead promoters of the solar energy across the country by providing research and innovations.   
The institute recently invented Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) which will make solar irrigation easier and faster. With the help of VFD, an AC3 phase motor pump can be driven directly from solar PV panel.
Formerly known as University of Dhaka Renewable Energy Research Center (RERC), it was established in 1981 and Energy Park was established in 1988 on the premises of RERC. In 2011 the RERC was converted into an Institute of Renewable Energy (IRE). In 2013 IRE was converted into Institute of Energy.
Institute of Energy has recently prepared Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) Regulation (Draft) led by Dr Saiful Huque, Director of the institute. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission has already added this regulation on their website. If implemented, foreign investors will come forward to investing in renewable sectors in Bangladesh.
This institution has recently started accomplishing research on Improved Cooks Took, Building Integrate Photovoltaic (BIPV), energy efficiency and conservation. Some technologies are invented here such as sine wave inventor, solar PV charge controller, solar water hitter, solar cooker. This institution has installed Photovoltaic Bed in collaboration with Korea Electronic Technology Institution.
In fact, Institute of Energy (IE) is assisting and coordinating research project on renewable energy. It has also completed a number of project works on different areas of renewable energy. Research has been carried out on: solar radiation, solar PV tracking system, concentrating collector, fresnel concentrating collectors,  compound concentrating  collectors, PV lantern design and fabrication,  PV home systems,  PV street light design, PV stand-alone residential system,  PV water pump,  PV refrigerator,  biogas, fast growing trees for biomass etc.
This institution has good activities on solar photovoltaic energy. It is known to all that solar cell which converts sun light directly into electricity has immense potential as a source of electric energy. However, although these are expensive but now are not uneconomic in many areas especially in remote areas.
The institute conducted some projects under the financial assistance of international organizations. CHOGRM (Commonwealth Head of the Government Regional Meeting) programs were designed and fabricated using locally available materials at the Energy Park of RERC (former name of Institute of Energy) in 1993. This intuition made Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment (SWERA) under United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 2007. Japan Bank for International Co-operation in collaboration with RERC (former of IE), University of Dhaka installed a wind monitoring station at Feni and commenced its observation since 24 February 2007.
The institute has done study on different projects such as various box type solar cookers, studies on fuel cell, coal carbonization of Barapukuria, pilot plant using wood and wood wastes, solar dehydration and food processing, biomass production of derelict land, drinking water disinfection using solar energy, biomass production in riverbed, drinking water disinfection using solar energy, biomass production in riverbed, biomass production in the wasteland.
IE has recently conducted some training courses such as certificate course on renewable energy and its applications, advanced intensive evening course on solar PV energy technology, training course for the engineers of various levels of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR).
There is a technical committee, led by Dr Saiful Huque and members including Dr Habibur Rahman and Dr Shams, which works at the field. The committee provides technical support on installing any technology.
Director of the institute Dr Saiful Huque told that they wanted to set up a testing lab for solar panel, wind tribune, solar photovoltaic and energy efficient lighting. He alleged that Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) refused to extend fund for installing AC3 motor pump and some other researches.
The writer is a Development Communication Fellow, Centre on Budget and Policy, University of Dhaka