Introduction:
Year 2008 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. You are perhaps aware that Power Engineering Chapter has changed its identity to Power & Energy Chapter in the current year.
Lecture Meetings, Seminars & Conferences:
In 2008, Power & Energy Chapter, Kolkata organized 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.
Short-Term Course on “Digital Signal Processing” jointly with the Electrical Engineering Department of Jadavpur University on July 07-12, 2008 in the Electrical Engineering Department of Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The programme was spread over six days and covered topics like FIR, IIR, Discrete Time Signals, Wiener Filtering and so on. Each topic comprised of theoretical lecture followed by practical applications on PCs. 19 participants attended the course, out of which 2 were from neighbouring state of Orissa.
Technical Lecture on "Possible VLSI Applications in Power Engineering" on November 04, 2008 at Electrical Engineering Department, Jadavpur University. Dr. Sanghamitra Roy an eminent technologist & educator in this field delivered lecture on the topic. The lecture was aimed at the student community in particular. The Lecture was attended by 16 participants.
One Day Seminar on "Roadmap of Power Sector in India" with West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited as principal sponsor, at K.P. Basu Hall, Jadavpur University Campus on 14th. November, 2008. The Workshop was attended by 130 power engineers. Prof. Debasish Ghosh, Former Dean, BESU, Shibpur, chaired the inaugural session, while Mr. Malay Kr. De, IAS & CMD WBSETCL & WBSEDCL was the Chief Guest. Mr. Mriganka Majumdar, ED (Com), WBSEDCL delivered lecture on “Meeting Growing Load Demand of Developing Countries in Carbon Constraint World” while Prof. S.V. Kulkarni, of IIT Bombay. Dr. L. Hari, General Manager ERLDC of PGCIL spoke on “Emerging Indian Power Scenario – System Operators’ Perspective”. The session was chaired by Mr. Amitava Roy Chowdhury, Former Director (Tech.) & Member (Tech.) WBSEB.
In the post lunch session Mr. S.K Banerjee, a pioneer & exponent in power trading spoke on “Emerging Issues in Tariff Structure in Competitive Electricity Market”, while Prof. A.K. Sinha from Electrical Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur, delivered lecture on “Decision Support Tools for Energy Management”. The session was chaired by Prof. Nirmalendu Chatterjee.
A panel discussion on “Emerging Issues in Power Sector” was arranged in the concluding session which was moderated by Prof. Sujay Basu.
Distinguished Lecture Programme:
Workshop on “Gas Insulated Technology” on September 22, 2008 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. Dr. Hermann Koch from Siemens AG spoke on recent developments in the field of application of gas insulated technology in development of GIS & GIL, recent protocols on usage of SF6 gas. The workshop was attended by 101 power engineers from industry as well as academia.
Membership Development Programme:
The Executive committee of the PE chapter resolved to honour Dr. Dipak Ray (SM 85010307) of WBSETCL, Kolkata by presenting him a certificate for his contribution to the growth & sustenance of the chapter for the year 2008. The Certificate was presented by Dr. Hermann Koch, PES-DL on 22nd. September, 2008.
Outstanding Chapter Engineer Award:
The Power & Energy Chapter, Kolkata recommended the name of Prof. Debasis Sarkar (SM 00244426) of Electrical Engineering Department, BESUS, Shibpur, Howrah, an eminent power engineering educator attached to P&E chapter, as the recipient of Chapter Outstanding Engineer award for the year 2008. IEEE-PES headquarters have granted this award to Prof. Debasis Sarkar.
Awards & Accolades:
Power Engineering Chapter, Kolkata has bagged the High Performance Chapter Grant for its activities in the year 2007. The grant carries a cash award of USD 700.00. I would like to inform the members that this is the eigth year in succession that PE chapter Kolkata has bagged this high performance grant.
Administrative Meetings:
Executive Committee met 4 times during 2008 to discuss organizational matters & formulate action plan for the year.
Membership Strength:
During the year, membership strength remained staedy. It was 40 at the end of 2007. As of 31st. December, 2008 the membership strength stands at 40. While welcoming 2 new members, I assure all of you that no effort would be spared to bring those who dropped out, back into our fold.
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. Prof. Kesab Bhattacharya, Chairman had expressed his unavailability for the year 2009 due to other pressing commitments and desired to step down from chairmanship of P&E chapter. The committee places on record its appreciation of the excellent services rendered by Prof. Kesab Bhattacharya, Chairman in particular and all the executive committee members, in general in guiding the chapter through difficult times. I after occupying the post of Secretary from 2006 to 2008 also demit office on this very day.
Conclusion:
Considering in totality the activities being carried out during the year 2008, it may be classified as an eventful & successful year. Power & Energy 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.