Renewable Energy Research and Projects at the University of the South Pacific

Atul Raturi

The USP

Striving to develop a well-trained cadre of professionals for the Pacific region and beyond

12 Member Countries, 14 Campuses, ~27,000 students spread over 30 million sq.km

USP Strategic Plan ( 2013-18)

The overarching themes of the University’s activities are Human Security and Sustainable Development.

Priority AreasLearning and Teaching

Student Support Research and InternationalisationInformation and Communication

TechnologiesRegional and Community Engagement

Our PeopleGovernance, Management, Leadership and

Continuous Improvement.

Strategic ThemesPacific cultures and societies

Pacific Oceans and Natural ResourcesHuman Capacity Building and Leadership

Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Economic Growth, Regional Cooperation and Integration for Sustainable Pacific Economies

ICT and the Knowledge Economy Government, Public Policy and Social

Cohesion

USP Research Themes

• Economic Growth, Regional Cooperation & Integration for Sustainable Pacific Economies

• Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change

• Government, Public Policy and Social Cohesion• Human Capacity Building & Leadership• ICT & Knowledge Economy• Pacific Cultures and Societies• Pacific Ocean & Natural Resources

USP RE Courses and Programmes

• Undergraduate course : Energy Supplies : All Third Year Engineering & Physics Students: Typical Enrolment – 150

• PG Diploma in Physics ( Renewable Energy) One year (FT), Two Years (PT)Four courses : (i) Biomass &Hydropower, (ii) Wind power, (iii) Solar PV and (iv) Research MethodsTheory and mini projects

Masters Programme

• 6 courses and Mini Research Thesis• 4 Courses ( or PGD) and Major Thesis• PG Diploma + 2 courses + Mini Thesis• Duration: Two years (FT)

Four years (PT)• A minimum of 3.00 GPA required for direct

admission into Masters programme

RE research @USP

Solar resource Wave power Assessment Wind Power assessments and turbines

Solar PV-standalone, GC, EV charging

Ocean Energy devices Hybrid System Opimization

Some MSC Research Topics

• Evaluation of Solar lights and microfinancing• Pongamia Pinnata: Biofurl Potential• Design , performance and impact analysis of a

solar refrigeration system for a fishing community

• Windpower assessment in Fiji• Tidal power assessment in PNG• Carbon foot-printing and mitigation strategies

PhD Research Topics

• Long range energy planning for Fiji• Assessment of a Marine Current Resource,

Detailed Investigation of the Flowfield, and Design of a Horizontal Axis Marine Current Turbine for Fiji

• Wave Resource Assessment and Design of a Wave Energy Converter for Fiji”

• Biomass potential assessment in Fiji

Sample Recent Publications• Marine current energy resource assessment and design of a marine current turbine

for Fiji• Multi - faceted energy planning: a review• Neural MPPT of variable pitch wind generators with induction machines in a wide

wind speed range• Flow and performance characteristics of a direct drive turbine for wave power

generation• Experimental and computational studies on a steam jet refrigeration system with

constant area and variable area ejectors• A review of sustainable sea - transport for Oceania: providing context for renewable

energy shipping for the Pacific• A biomass energy flow chart for Fiji• Wind energy potential, resource assessment and economics of wind power around

Qamu, Navua, • Fiji Sustainable energy development in the Pacific: The evolution of energy

frameworks and national policies• Remote sensing and GIS technologies for the assessment of biofuel and biomass

energy resources

Sponsored Projects

Solar Water pumping :• ROC funded – Three remote schools ( one in

Ba and other two in Vanua Levu)

• Solar refrigeration system for a fishing community in Wainika village near Udu Point, Vanua Levu- supported by French Pacific Funds

Sponsored Projects

1.4 kW PV modules with DG backup , 3 kW inverter and 500 AH@24 V battery

Solar EV Charging System

•A 2.6 kW solar EV charging system funded by the French Pacific Funds• Demonstration system

Sponsored Projects

e-mobility in the PICs

Solar PV Grid Penetration Study

• A Masters project looks at the impacts of various PV penetration levels on a small island grid (Tarawa, Kiribati)

• Project being carried out in collaboration with PPA and IRENA

Project L³EAP

•L³EAP is an ACP-EU funded (EDULINK II) project •Its primary goal is to increase the capacity of Higher

Education Institutions (HEIs) in African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) SIDS to deliver high-quality Lifelong Learning courses on the topics of energy access, security and efficiency.

•A generic course in energy access, security and efficiency (EASE) for energy practitioners is being developed by the three project partners (HAW Hamburg, Mauritius and USP). •A workshop for energy Consultants was recently organized

at USP

Thank You for Your Attention