CER
Centre for Energy Research (CER)
The Centre for Energy Research (CER) was established in September, 2010 in United International University under the Department of EEE. The aim of the CER is to enhance research in the fields of renewable and sustainable energy, its utilization and efficient management, and policy formulation through research and development. A state of art research laboratory is being developed under CER to carry out test and research in the field of renewable energy.
Centre for Energy Research (CER) of United International University has become one of the leading Renewable Energy research and consultancy centres in Bangladesh. So far, it has successfully conducted about 100 projects since its establishment in September 2010 on Renewable Energy and the Environment. Among this number, it has successfully completed about 50% projects and rests are ongoing. Currently, it is working in design and development of several solar diesel hybrid mini-grid for rural electrification, grid connected PV power plant and environmental projects.
CER is also one of the testing institutions of Solar Home System (SHS) equipment in Bangladesh for certification of SHS equipment according to Bangladesh SHS standard. As of now, it has tested over 250 equipments (LED lamp, Charge controller, DC-DC converter, Battery) in its lab.
Research Achievements
- Development of a novel dry fabrication process steps for CIGS thin film solar cell with In2S3 as buffer layer. This process enabled best performances in terms of efficiency for CIGS solar cells at the time. [ZSW, Germany, 2006].
- Conceptualize, design, and develop a high efficiency advanced EM energy converter for automotive applications. The project was developed for IEEE- International Future Energy Challenge in IIT, USA (IFEC-2009 [The Project was one of the three finalist projects for IEEE-IFEC 2009 in Chicago, USA][Supervisor]
- Development of Solar PV peer-to-peer smart village grid, which includes enery trading among the connected households with or without SHS. [WB funded research project]. The project won the “InterSolar Award 2016“ in the catagory of “Outstanding Solar Projects“ in Munich, Germany. The project also won the UN Momentum for Change 2016 Award [Team Leader and Principal Investigator of research project funded by IDCOL]
- Development of Automatic solar PV irrigation system measuring the moisture content of soil and water level with prepayment and remote control and monitoring system (World Bank funded research project).[Team Leader and Principal Investigator]. The project won the “Inter-University Innovation Project Award” in “National Power & Energy Week 2016” organized by Ministrty of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh.
Research Partners
| Sl. | Name of the Institution/Organization | Logo/Website |
| 1. | University of California at Berkeley, USA |  |
| 2. | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA |  |
| 3. | Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore, Singapore |  |
| 4. | Technical University of Berlin, Germany |  |
| 5. | University of Oldenburg, Germany |  |
| 6. | University of Ulm, Germany |  |
| 7. | University of Oxford, UK |  |
Notable Projects of CER
| Project: Development of Solar-Diesel Hybrid Minigrids for off grid area electrificationFinancier: Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL)Major project feature: Feasibility study, Design, supervision of construction, testing and commissioning of solar hybrid mini-grids | ||||
| Sl. | Capacity(kWp) | Location | Sponsor | Status |
| 1. | 141 | Paratoli Union, Raipura, Narshingdi | Shouro Bangla Ltd., Central road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh. | Completed(2014) |
| 2. | 141 | Gorgori union, Bhaga, Rajshahi | Hydron Bangladesh (Pvt.) Ltd. 86 Naya Paltan, Dhaka, Bangladesh | Completed(2014) |
| 3. | 100 | Dhurung Bazar, Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar | Green Housing and Energy Ltd.,DIT Merul Badda, Dhaka, Bangladesh | Completed(2015) |
| 4. | 158 | Dakdohora Narayanpur, Nagashwari Kurigram. | Gramer Alo, House- 1A/2, Road # 07, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh | Completed(2015) |
| 5. | 177 | Monpura, Bhola | Solar Electro Bangladesh Ltd. H- 292, R- 19/B, Mohakhali DOHS, , Dhaka. | Completed( 2016) |
| 6. | 149 | Char Asaridaha, Godagari, Rajshahi. | Ava Development Society, Gopalpur, Lalpur, Natore. | Completed( 2015) |
| 7. | 210 | Chilmari-Char, Daulatpur, Kushtia | Parasol Energy Limited, 5 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka, Bangladesh. | Completed(2017) |
| 8. | 242 | Baghutia, Doulotdia, Manikgonj | Super Star Renewable Energy Ltd.Segun Bagicha, Ramna, Dhaka, Email: | Completed(2017) |
| 9. | 130 | RupsharChor, Mesra Union, Sirajgang, | SolarGao, Suite- 501, H- 24, R- 14, Block- G, Niketon, Dhaka | Completed(2017) |
| 10. | 247 | Char Sholmari, Rowmari, Kurigram. | Uttaranchal renewable Energy Ltd. (UREL), H- 20, R- 01, Mirpur, Dhaka | On going(Dec., 2014 – ) |
| 11. | 175 | Monnia chor, Belghasa, Islampur, Jamalpur | VGL Solution Ltd. 223 Tejgaon I/A, Gulshan Link Road, Dhaka | Completed(2017) |
| 12. | 162 | North Channel, Kotoali thana, Faridpur. | Taurus Energy Limited, Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan, Dhaka | On going(May, 2015 – ) |
| 13. | 200 | Nijhum Dwip, Hatiya, Noakhali | Intraco group, Suhrawardy Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka | On going(May, 2015 – ) |
| 14. | 218 | GasChapri,Bordhul, Belchuchi, Sirajgang | Uddipan Energy Ltd. Baitul Aman Tower, Ring road, Adabor, Dhaka | Completed(2017) |
| 15. | 156 | Poshchim Shalipur, Char Bhadrashan, Faridpur. | Uddipan Energy Ltd. Baitul Aman Tower, Ring road, Adabor, Dhaka | Completed(2017) |
| 16. | 240 | PurbaShalipur, Char Bhadrashan, Faridpur. | Ananda PowerTech Ltd.79/E Banani ChairmanBari, Dhaka-1213 | On going(Oct. 2015 – ) |
| 17. | 218 | Kodalkathi, Char Rajibpur, Rajibpur, Kurigram | Connectia LimitedH-9, R- 33, Gulshan-1, Dhaka. | On going(Nov. 2015 – ) |
| 18. | 518 | Charchenga, Hatiya, Noakhali | RIMSO Foundation, 16/10 Rankin street, Wari, Dhaka, Bangladesh | On going(March, 2016 – ) |
| 19. | 250 | Larngutia, Mehendiganj, Barisal | Renewable Technology Solutions Ltd. 67/B Indira Road, Dhaka. | On going(Oct, 2015 – ) |
| 20. | 250 | Nischintapur Union, Kazipur Upazilla, Sirajganj | Envis Energy Ltd.H- 9, R- 9, Sector- 9, Uttara, Dhaka | Completed(2017) |
| 21. | 210 | Lesragonj, Horirampur, Manikgonj | Arko Energy Ltd.H- 74B , R- 7A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka. | On going(Jan., 2016 – ) |
| 22. | 250 | JoyBangla & Noapara bazar, Naria, Shariatpur | Solar Electro Bangladesh Ltd. H- 292, R- 19/B, New DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka. | Completed(2017) |
| 23. | 250 | Kachikat, Zinking bazar, Vedorgong, Shariatpur | Solar Electro Bangladesh Ltd. H- 292, R- 19/B, New DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka. | Completed(2017) |
| 24. | 250 | Char-Atra bazar of Naria, Shariatpur | Solar Electro Bangladesh Ltd., H- 292, R- 19/B, New DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka. | On going(Feb., 2016 – ) |
| 25. | 250 | South Khatiamari, Fazlupur, Fulchari, Gaibandha | Brit Bangla Trade & Investment Ltd (BBTIL), H- 41, Dhaka Housing, Adabor, Shamoly, Dhaka | On Going(May, 2016 – ) |
| 26. | 250 | BoroChar, Motlob (North), chandpur | Centre for Renewable Energy Services Ltd., 68/D/1 East Rayer Bazar, Dhaka | On Going(June, 2016 – ) |
| 27. | 250 | Ghorjan, Chowhali, Sirajganj | Impressive GreenTech Ltd. (IGTL)46 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka | On Going(June, 2016 – ) |
| 28. | 250 | CharPaka, Shibganj, ChapaiNawabganj, | Eastec Ltd (EAL),47 Dilkusha Commercial Area, Dhaka | Completed(2017) |
| 29. | 250 | Saint Martin, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar | Blue Marine Energy LimitedLal Bhaban, 18 Rajuk Avenue, Dhaka | On Going(July, 2016 – ) |
| 30. | 250 | Tengrakandi, Phulchori, Gaibandha | Centre for Renewable Energy Services Ltd., 68/D/1 East Rayer Bazar, Dhaka | On Going(July, 2016 – ) |
| 31. | 250 | KunderChar, Jazira, Shariatpur | Exelon Bangladesh Ltd. (EBL),3/5, Block-C, Lalmatia, Dhaka | On Going(July, 2016 – ) |
| 32. | 320 | Urir Char, Sandwip, Chittagong | Engreen Ltd., 13/5 Block- A, Aurangzeb Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka | On going(October, 2016 – ) |
Environmental and General Projects
| Sl. | Name of Project | Client | Status |
| 1. | Bangladesh Energy and Emission Modeling (BD 2050) | Ministry of Power Energy and Mineral Resources of GoB Cardiff University, UK | Ongoing |
| 2. | Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP2100) | Ministry of Planning of GoB and Netherlands | Ongoing. |
Recently, Centre for Energy Research (CER) of United International University (UIU) has been awarded by a research grant of 1 crore and 10 lac taka to establish a solar DC mini-grid laboratory from World Bank through Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL). This solar DC mini-grid laboratory will be able to contribute in the development of solar PV technology. Researchers of CER consider that DC mini-grid can replace the conventional solar AC mini-grid which will not only reduce the project cost also reduce the dependency on foreign technology and imported equipment significantly. In addition, this will also create opportunity to introduce local technology and equipment. However, apart from its predominant purpose, the laboratory can also play a significant role for researching in different technical aspects of conventional AC mini-grid.
On 20 November a contract has been signed between IDCOL and CER in this regard. The Chief Executive Officer of IDCOL Mr. Mahmud Malik and the Director of CER Mr. Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury have signed for their organizations. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Honorable Advisor of Ministry of Power Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury B.B. and the Vice Chancellor of UIU Prof. M. Rezwan Khan along with some other high official of Power Division and IDCOL.
