PES Bangladesh Chapter launched a new event series: Lead the Young Leaders (LYL) with Technology Beyond the Border. In the first phase of LYL, four events were held. The first event was jointly organized by PES Bangladesh Chapter, IEEE Stamford University SB and IEEE East West University SB. The title of the webinar was “Role of the Smart Grid in Facilitating the Integration of Renewables” and it was held on the 25th September 2021. The keynote speaker of this event was Professor Saifur Rahman, Past PES President and Joseph R. Loring Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, USA. The event coordination team leads were Abdur Razzak Sarker, Executive Member, IEEE EWU SB and KM Samiul Islam, Executive Member of IEEE Stamford University SB. Prof. Saifur Rahman discussed how smart grid is being used in different countries in terms of renewable energies. He gave a few examples of how renewables can help each other. He discussed how grids can be made smarter, and the challenges of producing renewable energy. He talked about electric power and communication infrastructures. He also explained intelligent interconnected microgrids, smart grid ecosystem and what makes a building smart.

The next events of LYL series was organized and supported by PES BDC, IEEE SSIT Bangladesh Chapter, International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) PES SBC, BUET PES SBC, BRAC University PES SBC, Green University PES SBC, East West University SB, Stamford University SB, University of Rajshahi SB and its PES SBC.

The title of the 2rd LYL series webinar was “Power The Planet With Sustainable Energy” which was held on 29th September 2021. The webinar speaker was Dr. Shay Bahramirad, IEEE PES Vice-President, New initiative & outreach, Vice President of Climate and Resilience, Quanta Technology, USA, and Adjunct Professor, Illinois Institute of Technology, USA. The hosting was represented by ASM Jannatul Nayeem Tamim, Member, PES BRACU SBC. Dr. Shay Bahramirad’s speech was based on how to power up the planet with sustainable energy. She briefed about the current scenario, challenges and solutions as well as overall goals. She also gave a few examples related to distributed renewable energy solutions. She stated the situation in Africa and described renewable energy for sustainable development for the continent. She mentioned the initiatives and international support for this type of project.

The third webinar title of the LYL series was “Electrical Vehicles for a Sustainable Society”, which was held on 30th September 2021. The webinar speaker Dr. Lina Bertling Tjernberg is a Full Professor in Power Grid Technology at KTH – the Royal Institute of Technology since 2013. The hosting was represented by Md. Maisoon, Chair, IEEE BUET PES SBC. Dr. Lina Bertling Tjernberg discussed challenges of EV and possible solutions focusing on the situation in Europe. She also discussed plug-in electric vehicles (PEV). She gave examples of important projects and incentives like tax benefits for EVs in Europe. She emphasized that investing in the R&D sector is needed for EV industry growth. She concluded her talk by mentioning the “EU Fit for 55” program.

The 4th LYL series webinar titled “Digital Energy Transformation” was held on 30th September 2021. The webinar speaker was Dr. Sri Niwas Singh, Fellow of IEEE, Past Chair of IEEE India Council and the Vice-Chair of IEEE R10 Technical Activities (2019-2020). The hosting was represented by Md. Maisoon. Professor S.N. Singh showed that widespread digital technologies are helping to improve the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability of energy systems around the world and making them more connected, intelligent, and reliable. In addition, he also stated the rising of new security and privacy risks with the emergence of new technologies. He discussed the importance of 3Ds: Digitization, Decentralization, and Decarbonization. He also showed how the implementation of 3Ds can reduce power system costs.

All four events were moderated by Dr. Shaikh Fattah, Vice-Chair, IEEE PES Bangladesh Chapter (BDC) and  Professor, Department of EEE, BUET. Among others who were present in most of these events were Prof. Md. Mosaddequr Rahman, Chair, PES BDC, Prof. Celia Shahanaz, WiP R10 Representative and immediate past Chair of IEEE Bangladesh Section, Prof. Moshiul Hoque, Chair, IEEE Bangladesh Section, Mohaimenul Islam, Secretary, PES BDC, and Mr. Redwan Farhan, Treasurer, PES BDC. More than 50 university students and many honorable participants joined this webinar from all over the country.

KM Samiul Islam, Treasurer, IEEE Stamford University SB
Nure Alam Sakib, Executive, IEEE PES IIUC SBC
Md Maisoon Rahman, Chairperson, IEEE PES BUET SBC
Sabbir Ahmed Rifat, Social Media Coordinator, IEEE BUET PES SBC
Shoeb Shahrear Khan, Chair, IEEE PES BRACU SB
Abrar Hossen Faiyaz, Vice Chair, IEEE PES BRACU SB