Sri Lanka and Germany agree on closer energy research cooperation

Saturday, 21 January 2012 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A delegation from the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS) of Germany led by its Director Prof. Heck met with Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka recently to discuss Sri Lanka’s policy on developing renewable energy resources.

The Deputy Ambassador of Germany Marja Einig was also present at the occasion. IfaS is a research institute affiliated to the University of Applied Sciences in Trier with projects in 21 countries globally.

IfaS works closely with municipalities and provincial government bodies to design and implement energy efficient systems that utilise renewable energy sources such as solar or biomass and to manage material flows effectively through waste recycling and reuse.

The organisation has a framework of tools to measure the carbon footprint of business processes and then provides alternatives on how to minimise this. They also design a funding blue-print for such projects and helps clients to network with funding institutions or collaborate with private Small and Medium Enterprises that could provide the required technology.

IfaS signed a MoU with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), which is the Government focal point for research and authorisation of renewable energy related projects.

The MoU focuses on capacity building, exchanging best practices and establishing benchmarks for energy efficiency and conservation.

“I see a lot of potential for collaboration between Germany and Sri Lanka in the Renewable energy sector, to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology,” said Einig. “There is also a lot of scope for partnerships in the private sector.”

During their two-day visit to Sri Lanka, the IfaS team also conducted a seminar for top Sri Lankan businesses and Institutions on Carbon-foot printing and Material Flow Management. The team also visited the Moratuwa University.

Some of the key projects implemented by IfaS are as follows: At present they are working in five research sites in China, including Beijing, on a project that aims to recycle organic waste from municipalities and farms. They have also developed a system to treat 45,000 cubic metres of wastewater per day in Qena, Egypt and a master plan to utilise biomass-for energy in Southern Morocco.