The Result Dissemination Seminar was held in Thimphu on Jan 7, 2019 where, representatives from all partner universities presented the outcomes of the respective components of the project and related information. The international seminar was organized by Centre for Lighting and Energy Efficiency Studies (CLEES), Jigme Namgyel Engineering College . Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Royal University of Bhutan, Dasho Nidup Dorji, graced the opening of the seminar.
JNEC is one of the beneficiaries of the European Union grant (Erasmus+) project titled ‘Promoting Energy Efficient Lighting Education in Nepal and Bhutan (ELNAB)’. The project consortium comprises of universities from Finland, France, Greece, Nepal and Bhutan (JNEC).
The overall objective of the project is to support Nepalese and Bhutanese Higher Education Institutions to provide education that promotes sustainable socio-economic development. In addition, the project is aimed at assisting Nepal and Bhutan reduce electricity consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions through capacity building of human resources in the fields of energy efficient lighting systems.
As part of the project, JNEC has achieved the following:
1. Established one of its kind Lighting Laboratory in the campus
2. Provided capacity development training to faculty, staff, students and
representatives of stakeholders.
3. Introduced modules related to energy efficient lighting at the Diploma and
Degree levels
4. A research centre, called the Centre for Lighting and Energy Efficiency
Studies (CLEES) was established in the campus, and
5. currently, research related to the subject is being carried out.
It may also be noted that in developing countries, such as Bhutan and Nepal, a major chunk of the electricity generated is used for lighting purposes. As per the Department of Renewable Energy’s estimate, there are around 700,000 incandescent bulbs in Bhutan that consume about 168,000 units of energy worth Nu 390,000 (US$ 5,829) every day. If these 700,000 incandescent bulbs are replaced, there will be a saving of approximately 61.320 million units (MU), i.e., in monetary value, about Nu. 142 million and also energy savings.
An initiative undertaken as part of JNEC’s motto of ‘Technology towards better tomorrow”.