AK Azad Chowdhury, chairman of the University Grants Commission, speaks at the inauguration of the third international conference on the developments in renewable energy technology, at the United International University auditorium in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: Star

A three-day international conference on renewable energy technology began in Dhaka yesterday to showcase new research findings and best practices in the sector.
Experts from over 10 countries will present some 92 research papers on different aspects of renewable energy such as solar photovoltaic system, biogas, bio-fuel and wind power in a number of sessions.
Prof AK Azad Chowdhury, chairman of the University Grants Commission, inaugurated the event—the third International Conference on the Developments in Renewable Energy Technology—organised by United International University (UIU) on its campus in Dhanmondi.
The conference has become a forum for the exchange of ideas and research outcomes at home and abroad, said Prof M Rezwan Khan, vice chancellor of UIU.
It also provides a platform for the implementation agencies working at the grassroots level to share their experiences with the researchers and academicians, Khan said.

“The level of interest in renewable energy has been very clearly indicated by the participation of 12 national and international companies,” said Khan, also the chairman of the conference organising committee.
Over the last two years, the world has witnessed a significant fall in the price of the solar photovoltaic panels, he said. “This has opened a new avenue to generate electricity at affordable price, especially in off-grid areas.”  
Although renewable energy is still expensive, a rapid fall in the prices of the solar photovoltaic panels and other renewable energy technologies has rejuvenated hopes for a rapid growth of renewable energy-based energy usage throughout the world, said Shahriar A Chowdhury, co-chairman of the organising committee.
 Both the developed and developing countries are taking equally optimistic approach toward popularising renewable energy technologies and working jointly to make the world livable for the next generation, he said.
Other co-organisers of the event include University of Oldenburg of Germany, Kathmandu University of Nepal, Centre for Energy and the Global Environment of USA, Micro Energy International of Germany, Energy and Resources Institute of India, Berkeley Rural Energy Group and Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory of USA.
International organisations such as IFC and Sun Edison in the US have come forward as new sponsors of the event. At the end of the conference, the committee will also award the best research paper.
The UGC chairman said such international conference will help promote local innovation and help meet local needs.
The country needs more research on renewable energy to make the technology cheaper, he said.
UIU has been organising the biennial international conference since 2009. The Daily Star is a partner of the mega international conference.