Mr. Nikhil Dilip Pawar – Decarbonization of industry – Best Researcher Award

DLR - Germany

Author Profile 

ORCID 

🌱 Early academic pursuits

Nikhil Dilip Pawar’s journey into the field of sustainable engineering began with a strong foundation in mechanical engineering. he later pursued a master's degree in renewable energies at the technical university of berlin, which marked a significant shift towards addressing global environmental challenges. during his academic training, nikhil honed his expertise in renewable energy systems and explored innovative methods to integrate sustainability into industrial processes.

🏭 Professional endeavors

Currently serving as a scientific researcher at the german aerospace center (dlr), nikhil has played a pivotal role in projects aimed at decarbonizing the fertilizer industry. his work has included exploring renewable energy-driven solutions for nitrogenous fertilizer production and sustainable water management strategies. as part of his professional journey, he contributed to projects like the eu horizon 2020 “zero brine” project and collaborated with iFOREST in india to provide actionable insights for policy reforms.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Nikhil’s research primarily revolves around the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries, particularly the fertilizer sector. he has delved into green ammonia production and renewable-based desalination processes, emphasizing minimum liquid discharge strategies. his recent studies have focused on identifying flexibility options for desalination plants to complement Decarbonization of industry variable renewable energy sources, thereby reducing reliance on costly battery storage systems. these efforts align with a broader vision of integrating circular economy principles into industrial practices.

🏆 Accolades and recognition

Nikhil’s research contributions have garnered attention in the academic and policy-making spheres. his paper on green ammonia production has achieved a high citation index of 1.737 on scopus, reflecting its impact within the scientific community. his expertise has also been sought for consultancy and collaboration projects, underlining his growing influence in the field of Decarbonization of industry sustainable industry practices.

🌍 Impact and influence

Through his collaborative work, nikhil has directly influenced policy recommendations for india’s transition to sustainable urea production. his actionable reports and scenario modeling have provided valuable insights into economic and environmental trade-offs, paving the way for a greener industrial landscape. his efforts underscore the critical role of renewable energy and Decarbonization of industry water resource management in achieving global sustainability goals.

🔄 Legacy and future contributions

Nikhil’s work represents a significant step toward realizing a carbon-neutral future for energy-intensive industries. by bridging the gap between research and policy, he is creating a legacy of actionable solutions that prioritize environmental and economic sustainability. moving forward, nikhil aims to expand his focus on integrating advanced technologies and fostering international collaborations to accelerate the transition to sustainable industrial practices.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Decarbonization of Urea Production in India and its Impact on Water Withdrawal and Costs: A Cost Optimization Approach
    Author(s): Nikhil Dilip Pawar; Kunal Singhal; Chandra Bhushan; Thomas Pregger; Patrick Jochem
    Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production
  • Title: Valorization of coal mine effluents — Challenges and economic opportunities
    Author(s): Nikhil Dilip Pawar; Steve Harris; Krzysztof Mitko; Gijsbert Korevaar
    Journal: Water Resources and Industry
  • Title: Potential of green ammonia production in India
    Author(s): Nikhil Dilip Pawar; Heidi Ursula Heinrichs; Christoph Winkler; Philipp-Matthias Heuser; Severin D. Ryberg; Martin Robinius; Detlef Stolten
    Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Assist. Prof. Dr  Shekha Rai  – Power system – Women Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr  Shekha Rai  - Power system - Women Researcher Award

NIT Rourkela - India 

Author Profile 

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Shekha Rai's academic journey began with his schooling at Donbosco High School and Kendriya Vidyalaya ONGC, Jorhat, where he achieved impressive academic results. His passion for electrical engineering led him to pursue a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Electrical Engineering from Jorhat Engineering College, where he ranked second in his class with a percentage of 74.10%. This laid the foundation for his future endeavors in power systems. He went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Power Systems from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, with a focus on "Robust estimation of low-frequency modes for on-line stability monitoring of power systems," under the guidance of Dr. Praveen Tripathy and Dr. Sisir Kumar Nayak. His work at IIT Guwahati earned him a CGPA of 8.83, marking a significant academic achievement in the field of electrical engineering.

Professional endeavors 🏫

Dr. Shekha Rai’s professional career spans several prestigious academic institutions in India. He has served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering at NIT Rourkela since March 2020, where he continues to inspire and educate the next generation of engineers. Prior to this, he held assistant professor positions at Jorhat Engineering College and NIT Nagaland, gaining valuable teaching experience. His work across these institutions has made significant contributions to the development of students and research in the field of electrical engineering and power systems.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Dr. Rai’s research is deeply focused on power systems, particularly in the areas of wide-area monitoring and control, as well as power system dynamics and stability. His doctoral research centered on robust methods for real-time monitoring of power system stability using low-frequency modes. By developing innovative Power system techniques for on-line stability monitoring, he has contributed to improving the reliability and security of power grids. Dr. Rai’s work continues to push the boundaries of power system analysis, contributing to enhanced grid stability and control systems, which are vital in today's increasingly complex energy landscape.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Dr. Shekha Rai has earned recognition for his outstanding research and teaching in the field of electrical engineering. His academic excellence, evident from his high Power system CGPA during his Ph.D. and his first-class B.Tech. achievements, reflects his commitment to the field. Furthermore, his research contributions have been well-regarded by his peers and have led to collaborations with prominent institutions. His roles as a mentor and educator at top engineering colleges, including NIT Rourkela, NIT Nagaland, and Jorhat Engineering College, have further solidified his position as a respected academic in the field.

Impact and influence 🌍

Dr. Rai’s work has had a significant impact on the power systems domain, particularly in the area of stability and monitoring. His research plays a crucial role in Power system ensuring the safe and efficient operation of electrical grids, especially in large, interconnected systems. His contributions have influenced both academic research and practical applications, particularly in grid management and stability monitoring. Through his innovative techniques, Dr. Rai has helped advance the understanding and control of power systems, with broad implications for national and global energy infrastructure.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

As a passionate educator and researcher, Dr. Shekha Rai is laying the groundwork for a lasting legacy in the field of power systems. His contributions to the advancement of stability monitoring techniques will continue to shape the future of power system operations and research. Moving forward, he is poised to explore new frontiers in energy systems, particularly in the integration of renewable energy sources and the optimization of grid stability. His future work promises to address the emerging challenges in power systems, making a profound impact on energy efficiency and sustainability for generations to come.

Notable Publications 

  1. Title: Using sparsity to estimate oscillatory mode from ambient data
    Authors: S. Rai, P. Tripathy, S.K. Nayak
    Journal: Sādhanā, 44(4), 90 (2019)
  2. Title: A robust WKNN-TLS-ESPRIT algorithm for identification of electromechanical oscillation modes utilizing WAMS
    Author: S. Rai
    Journal: Sādhanā, 45(1), 265 (2020)
  3. Title: A nonlinear filtering technique along with RD and TLS-ESPRIT for mode identification of ambient data
    Authors: S. Rai, S.K. Nayak, P. Tripathy
    Conference: 2015 Annual IEEE India Conference (INDICON), 1-6 (2015)
  4. Title: Model order estimation for low-frequency oscillations in power systems by an advanced K-mean clustering approach
    Authors: M. Sahoo, J. Sandeep, S. Rai
    Journal: Electric Power Systems Research, 224, 109676 (2023)
  5. Title: A K-Medoids-LSTM Based Technique for Electromechanical Modes Identification for Synchrophasor Applications
    Authors: M. Sahoo, A. Roy, S. Rai
    Conference: 2023 International Conference on Power, Instrumentation, Control and … (2023)