Prof. Bhim Singh
ANRF National Science Chair & Emeritus Professor
FNAE, FNA, FNASc, FASc, FTWAS, FIEEE, FIET, FIETE, FIE(I)
Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India

Solar Energy-A Sustainable Solution for Humanity

Abstract: The global shift towards renewable energy has become imperative in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation, and the depletion of finite fossil fuels. This talk is to explore how solar photovoltaic energy, offers a sustainable solution for humanity. By analysing current technological advancements, policy frameworks, and economic impacts, the talk highlights the potential of renewable energy to provide a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional energy sources. Additionally, the talk covers the socio-economic benefits of renewable energy adoption, such as job creation, energy security, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. As the world moves towards a low-carbon future, renewable energy emerges not only as a necessity but as a cornerstone for sustainable development and a cleaner, more resilient future for all.

The large-scale development and deployment of solar photovoltaic energy technologies are essential to global pursuit of decarbonizing the energy sector. To effectively harness variable and intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind, and to integrate the electricity generated by these plants, power electronics plays a crucial role. Developing, testing, and commercializing appropriate power electronic devices, such as voltage source converters and DC-DC converters, are key to maximizing the benefits of renewable energy. The challenges involved are complex and require a comprehensive understanding of renewable energy resource characteristics, electric machines, electricity generation, transmission, distribution, utilization systems, circuit analysis, and power electronics.

Speaker Bio: Professor Bhim Singh has received his B.E. (Electrical) from the University of Roorkee (Now IIT Roorkee), India, in 1977 and his M.Tech. (Power Apparatus & Systems) and Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India,
in 1979 and 1983, respectively. In 1983, he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Roorkee, as a Lecturer. He became a Reader there in 1988. In December 1990, he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Delhi, India, as an Assistant Professor, where he has become an Associate Professor in 1994 and a Professor in 1997. He has been ABB Chair Professor from September 2007 to September 2012. He has also been CEA Chair Professor from October 2012 to September 2017. He has been Head of the Department of Electrical
Engineering at IIT Delhi from July 2014 to August 2016. He has been the Dean, Academics at IIT Delhi from August 2016 to August 2019. He has been JC Bose Fellow of DST, Government of India from December 2015 to June 2021. Professor Singh is currently serving as an Emeritus Professor and ANRF National Science Chair at IIT Delhi since July 2021. Professor Singh is the Chairman of BOG, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, since 25th August July 2023 for 3 Years.

Prof. Singh is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE), The Indian National Science Academy (FNA), The National Academy of Science, India (FNASc), The Indian Academy of Sciences, India (FASc), The World Academy of Sciences (FTWAS), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (FIEEE), the Institute of Engineering and Technology (FIET), Institution of Engineers (India) (FIE), and Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (FIETE) and a Life Member of the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE), System Society of India (SSI), and National Institution of Quality and Reliability (NIQR).

He has published 1326 research papers in journals and more than 1,841 papers in conferences.Prof. Singh has guided 134 Ph.D. dissertations, and 183 M.E./M.Tech./M.S.(R) theses. He has 72 granted patents and 37 filed patents. He has executed more than ninety sponsored and consultancy projects. He has co-authored a textbook on power quality: Power Quality Problems and Mitigation Techniques published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 2015.

Professor Singh is the recipient of prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar- Vigyan Shri by the President of India for the year 2024. He is also a recipient of the lIT Roorkee’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for the year 2023 and the Goyal Prize in the field of Applied Sciences, Kurukshetra University for the year 2021-2022. Professor Singh has received Khosla National Research Award of IIT Roorkee in year 2013. He is a recipient of Shri Om Prakash Bhasin Award-2014 in the field of Engineering including Energy & Aerospace. Professor Singh has received IEEE PES Nari Hingorani Custom Power Award-2017. He is also a recipient of “Faculty Research Award as a Most Outstanding Researcher” in the field of Engineering-2018 of Careers-360, India. He has received inaugural Faculty Lifetime Research Award-2018 for overall research contribution at IIT Delhi. He is recipient IEEE-IAS outstanding educator/mentor award 2020. Prof. Singh is also the recipient of INAE outstanding teaching award 2020. He is also a recipient of the International Kalpana Chawla Solar Award 2020, hosted by International Solar Alliance for his outstanding contributions in the fields of solar energy particularly for working towards developing solutions in the Solar Energy Sector to help create a sustainable and low-carbon world for generations to come.

Professor Singh is a Faculty Mentor of Following Successful Start-Ups: M/S Quanteon Private-Ltd., M/S HyperX Energy Private-Limited, M/S Intellicon Technologies Private-Limited, M/S Terranxt Private Limited. His areas of interest include solar PV grid interface systems, micro grids, power quality monitoring and mitigation, solar PV water pumping systems, improved power quality AC-DC converters, power electronics, electrical machines, drives and electric vehicles.