We are delighted to announce the participation of two student groups, supervised by Professor Sanjib Kumar Panda, at IEEE International Decentralized Energy Access Solutions Conference (IDEAS) 2025. These groups have made significant contributions to research in the fields of sustainable energy and off-grid energy solutions. Additionally, a travel grant of USD 500 has been awarded by the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) TC-12 to support the participation of Raffles Secondary School students at the conference. The students from Raffles Secondary School are enrolled in the Science Mentorship Programme (SMP) 2024, an initiative designed to nurture young scientific talent through research-based learning.
1. Paper Presentation by Raffles Secondary School Student (under the SMP 2024):
- Title: TECHNO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ELECTROLYSER SYSTEM FOR LOW-CARBON ENERGY SOLUTIONS
- Presenters: Ava Kristen Tan, B Aaradhana, Nandini Gupta
- Co-authors: Professor Sanjib Kumar Panda, Ms Dharani Kolantla, Ms Carmen Hoo
- Details:
The paper titled “Techno-Economic Analysis of Electrolyser Systems for Low-Carbon Energy Solutions: Modelling, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, and Graphical User Interface for Sustainable Hydrogen Production” explores the feasibility of electrolysis for decentralized green hydrogen production. The study evaluates two dominant electrolysers: alkaline water electrolyser (AEL-WE) and proton exchange membrane water electrolyser (PEM-WE). A comprehensive Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) over a 15-year period, powered by solar energy, was conducted to compare capital expenditures (CAPEX), operating expenditures (OPEX), and disposal costs for both electrolysers. Results indicated that PEM-WEs are more cost and energy-efficient in the long term, with a 59.75% reduction in total cost compared to AEL-WEs. The study also developed a MATLAB-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) to integrate technical and economic analyses, offering a practical tool for industries exploring decentralized energy solutions. While PEM-WEs proved more favorable, the final decision remains context-dependent. The research highlights the importance of advancing hardware materials and refining models for accurate cost predictions, emphasizing the role of hydrogen electrolysers in sustainable energy solutions.
2. Paper Presentation by B.Engg. FYP Students
- Title: Off-Grid Energy Access Solution for Rural and Underserved Regions
- Authors: Jiachang Brian, Huang; Chuan Eng Sean, Ang; Yew Kiat Marcus, Lim; Kai Xiong, Wong; Dharani Kolantla; Dr. Shadab Murshid; Professor Sanjib Kumar Panda
- Details:
The paper titled “Off-Grid Energy Access Solution for Rural and Underserved Regions” presents a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of a standalone photovoltaic (PV) – Battery based microgrid to address energy poverty in rural Nigeria. The study focuses on designing and analyzing a PV-Battery based system optimized for a village with an average daily consumption of 98.764 kWh. Using HOMER PRO software, the economic feasibility over a 20-year project lifecycle was evaluated, revealing a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of $0.3305 per kWh. Despite slightly higher costs compared to traditional off-grid solutions, the system offers long-term environmental benefits and underscores the importance of government support to overcome high initial capital expenses, especially for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. MATLAB Simulink simulations validated the system’s performance under starting, steady-state, and dynamic conditions, demonstrating its robustness and potential for integrating emerging technologies like electric vehicle (EV) charging. The research highlights the viability of PV-based microgrids for rural electrification in high solar irradiance regions and emphasizes the need for targeted investments to deliver affordable, clean, and reliable energy to underserved communities.
Both groups have showcased outstanding research efforts under the guidance of Professor Sanjib Kumar Panda, and we look forward to seeing their continued contributions to the field of sustainable energy solutions.
