Introduction:
Year 2007 has been a year full of activities for our chapter. Our chapter has been able to maintain all round activities, be it technical, educational or membership development. All these programmes gave the participants a platform for learning as well as exchange of views through mutual interactions. I hope that we have been able to meet expectations of all the members of the chapter and community at large.
Lecture Meetings, Seminars & Conferences:
In 2007, Power Engineering Chapter, Kolkata organized / co-organised lecture meetings & seminars, details of which are given below. It is worth mentioning that the topics of the lecture meetings & seminars were in tune with the present day perspective and generated a lot of enthusiasm amongst the participants.
Technical Lecture on "Non-Conventional Energy & Environment" on September 08, 2007 at B.P. Poddar Institute of Engineering & Management, Kolkata. Prof. Saifur Rahman, former Vice President PES & an eminent technologist & educator in this field delivered lecture on the topic. The lecture was aimed at the teaching community in particular. The Lecture was attended by 95 participants.
One Day Workshop on "Power System Operation in De-regulated Market" West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited as principal sponsor, at K.P. Basu Hall, Jadavpur University Campus on 14th. July, 2007. The Workshop was attended by 51 power engineers. Dr. Subrata Mukhopadhyay, Chief Engineer, Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi, delivered lecture on the subject.. Mr. Dilip Sen, Executive Director, CESC Limited and Mr. M.K. Ray, Director WBSEDCL, also spoke on the subject.
Technical Lecture on “Large Electrical Equipment – Installation & Maintenance & Operational Safety ” on April 28, 2007 at APC Roy Polytechnic, Jadavpur. Mr. Sanjay Kar Chowdhury delivered lecture on ‘Large Transformers – Installation, Site Testing & Maintenance’ while Prof. Sivaji Chakravorti delivered lecture on ‘Safety & Hazards in Large Electrical Installations’. The Technical Lecture Session was attended by 82 participants. The lecture was aimed at students in general and teaching community in particular.
Workshop on “Relevance of Core Electrical Sciences in the backdrop of present IT scenario” jointly with the Centenary Celebration Committee, Electrical Engineering Department of Jadavpur University on April 05, 2007 at Dr. H.L. Roy Auditorium, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Eminent speakers from both IT industries as well as Core Engineering sector deliberated on the subject. Panel of speakers included Mr. Dipesh Guha of CESC Ltd., Mr. Subir Kar of Siemens Ltd., Mr. Goutam Bhattacharya of WEBEL Telematics, Dr. P.P. Das of Interra Systems. The workshop was specially designed for the final year students of electrical engineering in particular & student community in general. The workshop was attended by 140 participants.
Round Table Discussion on "Emerging Trends in Energy Scenario", at Kolkata on March 25, 2007 at the Stadel, Salt Lake. Prof. Saifur Rahman on a brief stopover at Kolkata spoke at length on the present power scenario worldwide, particularly in developing Asian countries India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and the need to develop power exchange protocols amongst themselves. Prof. Kesab Bhattacharya, Chair, PE Chapter Kolkata and Prof. Sivaji Chakravorty, Immediate Past Chairman also spoke on related developments taking place in this part of the world. Prof. Sujay Basu spoke on the need of non-conventional energy. 6 power engineers participated in the discussion.
Round table Discussion on “Nuclear Power in India – Then, Now & What Next”, at Calcutta Rowing Club, Kolkata on 18th. November, 2007. Prof. Sujay Basu deliberated on the subject for about 45 minutes. The lecture was followed by annual social of the PE chapter.
Panel Discussion on "Prospects of Post-Graduate & Doctoral Studies in the present International Scenario", at Seminar Hall of Electrical Engineering Department, Jadavpur University on 19th. January, 2007. Prof. L.K. Goel, from Nanyang University, Singapore spoke at length on the subject and even offered to render assistance in such matters. The meeting was attended by participants.
Students’ Activities:
A batch of 34 students of Electrical Engineering Department were taken to an outdoor 400 / 220 KV Substations of West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company Limited at Zeerut near Kolkata on 9th. December, 2007. The visit was informative & educative for the students as they were given exposure to various nitty gritties of a power utility’s Electric Substation. Prof. Kesab Bhattacharya, Chair PE Chapter, Mr. S. Kar Chowdhury, Chapter Secretary along with two other members accompanied the students.
Distinguished Lecture Programme:
Seminar on “Renewables & Distributed Generation – Issues for the future” on September 07, 2007 at Dr. H.L Roy Auditorium, Institute of Chemical Engineers, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. This program was organized under the aegis of IEEE-PES Distinguished Lecturer Programme. Prof. Saifur Rahman, from Virginia Tech University, USA spoke on various aspect of Renewable energy and distributed generation. The seminar was attended by 56 power engineers from industry as well as academia.
Membership Development Programme:
The Executive committee of the PE chapter resolved to honour Dr. Suparna Kar Chowdhury (SM 85010307) of Electrical Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata by presenting her a certificate for her contribution to the growth & sustenance of the chapter for the year 2007. The Certificate was presented by Prof. Saifur Rahman, former Vice Chairman PES on 7th. September, 2007.
Outstanding Chapter Engineer Award:
The Power Engineering Chapter, Kolkata recommended the name of Prof. Sivaji Chakravorti (SM 00244426) of Electrical Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, an eminent power engineering educator attached to PE chapter, as the recipient of Chapter Outstanding Engineer award for the year 2007. IEEE-PES headquarters have granted this award to Prof. Sivaji Chakravorti.
Awards & Accolades:
Power Engineering Chapter, Kolkata has bagged the High Performance Chapter Grant for its activities in the year 2006. The grant carries a cash award of USD 800.00. I would like to inform the members that this is the seventh year in succession that PE chapter Kolkata has bagged this high performance grant.
Administrative Meetings:
Executive Committee met 5 times during 2007 to discuss organizational matters & formulate action plan for the year.
Membership Strength:
During the year, membership strength remained constant. It was 41 at the end of 2006. As of 31st. December,
2007 the membership strength also stands at 41.
Incoming & Outgoing Executive Committee:
I take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the members of the executive committee as well as the general members. The committee places on record its appreciation of the excellent services rendered by all the executive committee members in guiding the chapter through difficult times.
Conclusion:
Considering in totality the activities being carried out during the year 2007, it may be classified as an eventful & successful year. Power Engineering Chapter extends warm welcome to all its members and wishes that more and more power engineers join the Chapter making it a vibrant platform for exchange of knowledge, expertise, and pleasant company.