Electricity professionals to discuss facts and myths in generationstrap - EESoc Roundtable Conference
Electricity sector mainly utilizes coal, gas, nuclear,oil and renewable energy sources for energy conversion. The global electricity generation mix is often influenced by the economic development, technological development and concerns on environmental factors and climate change. New renewable energy technologies like wind and solar share of electricity generation has been noticeablyincreasing all over the world with the increasing emphasis on environmental concerns.
As a developing country, Sri Lanka has its own limitations in expanding the energy sources for electricity generation. We have to carefully plan the future energy mix in the electricity sector giving ample consideration to economic benefits while maintaining green credentials of the country.
Large scale thermal power generation is necessary to cater the growing demand as hydro resources are almost fully utilized.In the past our main energy sources were hydro and thermal. Later wind and solar energy entered in to our energy mix. What should be the next best option of energy among coal, natural gas, nuclear, renewableor should it be a mix of it to power up the country? Who is planning, taking decisions and regulating? Should we be scared of nuclear power? Is coal power very dirty and natural gas cleaner? How economical these technologies are?
By delaying the generation plans how badly we will be affected? Who would be penalized for wrong decisions or delaying the generation plans? Can we go 100% renewable? Are we heading to a power crisis soon? How transparent are the energy policies? What is the future vision of the Sri Lanka power sector? We are bundled up with many questions. The Electrical Engineering Society (EESoc) of the University of Moratuwa, the prominent social arm of the Department of Electrical Engineering is gathering professionals in different sectors to give you the right insight to these problems. The professionals will give the facts to clear the misconceptions related to the electricity generation sector.
The Electrical Engineering Society of University of Moratuwa (EESoc) set up in October 1994, comprises academics, graduate Electrical Engineers working in the industry as well as the Electrical Engineering undergraduates of University of Moratuwa. EEsoc has been organizing an Annual Panel Discussion on a critical issue of the power sector, which has a timely need to be rectified. This was initiated in the year 2001 to discuss on ‘Energy Crisis’ and has been continuing for more than a decade discussing on various topics since then. Advancing a step forward, this year EESoc is organizing the annual flagship event as the Round Table Conference 2016. The event will be held on Wednesday, December 21 at the Water’s Edge from 4.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. The Round Table Conference is on the theme ‘Energy – Facts and Myths’.
The Minister of Power & Renewable Energy, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya will be gracing the occasion as the chief guest and theDeputy Minister of Power & Renewable Energy, Ajith P. Perera will also be attending the event as the guest of honor. Invitees include charted engineers from the industry, eminent past members of EESoc, academics and researchers, young graduates, undergraduates and professionals in the field of electrical engineering.
The panel:
The moderator is Dr. Narendra de Siva, Head of Engineering, Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt.) Ltd.The panel comprised Prof. Priyantha Wijethunga, Energy Specialist, ADB; Dr. TilakSiyambalapitiya, Managing Director, RMA Consultants; Dr. Mahesh Jayaweera, Senior Lecturer, Civil Eng. Department, University of Moratuwa; Buddhika Samarasekara, Chief Engineer, Generation Planning, Prof. Prinath Dias, Senior Lecturer, Electrical Eng. Department, University of Moratuwa; Dr. A.G.T. Sugathapala, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa and Damitha Kumarasinghe, Director General, PUCSL.