Goan professor at the forefront in organising Future Energy Carriers workshop in Germany

Dr. Levinson J Martins, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation along Pranay Morajkar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Goa University, two delegates from Goa attended the meet in Germany

BY Armstrong Vaz

When like-minded people come together amazing things happen, wrote Goa-born German-based Professor Ravi Xavier Fernandes on his LinkedIn page.

He was referring to the Indo-German Workshop on Future Energy Carriers, a two-day workshop held at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Braunschweig, Germany recently.

The Indo-German Bilateral Workshop on Future Energy Carriers: Advancing Bio-circular Economy for Clean Energy saw delegates from both India and German deliberate on various topics centered around Future Energy, Circular Economy, Clean Energy and Circular Bioeconomy.

For the unknown Circular Bioeconomy is an economy powered by nature. It is a new economic model that emphasizes the use of renewable natural capital and focuses on minimizing waste, replacing the wide range of non-renewable, fossil-based products currently in use.

“The willingness and motivation to work together through excellent ideas and diverse strengths and expertise made this Indo-German Workshop on Future Energy Carriers a big success,” said Ravi, an alumnus of Chowgule College Margao and Goa university, who traces his roots to Velim village.

The workshop, coordinated by Prof. Ravi Xavier Fernandes, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Germany and Dr Sanjukta Subudhi, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) served as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and joint research initiatives between experts from both countries.

PTB, Germany for which Prof Ravi works is the National Metrology Institute of Germany with scientific and technical service tasks. PTB measures with the highest accuracy and reliability – metrology as the core competence. PTB stands for progress and reliability in metrology for the benefit of society, trade and industry, and science.

“Thanks a lot, dear delegates from India and Germany for your very active participation and lively discussions. This was the first of its kind IGSTC (Indo-German Science & Technology Centre) Workshop with Representatives from Academia, Industry, Research Institutions, Government Officials sitting on one table to discuss one of the most important topics on Sustainability. Looking forward to all our future bilateral and multilateral interdisciplinary collaborations,” added Prof Ravi.

The workshop topics included: Biofuel Production Technologies, Green Hydrogen Generation, Circular Economy Approaches, Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment, Regulation, Codes and Standards, Business Models and Commercialization.

And there was more Goan connect to the workshop with Dr. Levinson J Martins, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation along with Pranay Morajkar, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Goa University being the two delegates from Goa who attended the meet in Germany.

Dr. Levinson presentation centered around topic of “Unlocking Clean Energy: Harnessing Biomethanation for A Sustainable Bio-Circular Economy”

He made a strong pitch for Biomethanation as a promising avenue for sustainable energy generation and waste management and which stands at the forefront of sustainable waste-to-energy solutions, offering a pathway towards resource recovery and environmental stewardship.

He also favoured joint research in biomethanation technology.

“There is a need for more research in advancing biomethanation technology, looking forward to the vision for collaboration between India and Germany in advancing biomethanation technology, taking into account the strengths and expertise that each country brings to the table he envisaged the need for joint research in the field,” he said in his presentation.

Levinson also said that research work should center around odour control in biomethanation plants.

“Research interventions with respect to emerging technologies in odour management and integration of solid waste and sewage treatment plant and extraction of Methane gas,” are the other areas which need fine tuning, he said.

Taking a futuristic view of the emerging alternative fuels Levinson made a strong pitch on the need for future collaboration.

“Analysis of the future outlook for bio methanation technology and considering factors such as technological advancements, policy support, and market demand are some of the key areas where the focus of future research,” he said.

He also added that there should be identification of key requirements and challenges for scaling up biomethanation infrastructure, including investment, regulatory frameworks, and public awareness.

“Proposals for collaborative initiatives such as joint research projects, knowledge exchange programs and solutions through advance and cutting-edge technologies for problems faced currently to accelerate the adoption of bio methanation technology on a global scale,” were some steps he suggested in his talk, while urging delegates from Germany to visit Goa and make a field trip to the facilities and have a closer look at working of the solid waste management plants managed by

Goa Waste Management Corporation.

The other delegate from Goa Pranay was delighted that he was part of the brainstorming workshop.

His presentation centered around sustainability and climate change and the use of Nanomaterials to reduce carbon footprint.

“My presentation was about using Nanomaterials derived from waste to produce biofuels which can then be used to improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. I also presented how Catalytically CO2 can be converted to industrially important platform chemicals, to address global warming and climate change,” said the Goa University professor.

“This was one of the best bilateral research meetings that I attended. Intense and enlightening research discussions among some of the best Indo-German research groups. I am glad that I could attend and contribute to the success of this meet, even in a small way,” Pranay said.

“Hats off to Prof Ravi Xavier Fernandes, Sumit Agarwal and TERI and IGSTC for creating an excellent platform, successful coordination and organization,” he added.