The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) at SiliconTech, the engineering institute of Silicon University, organized the 15th National Workshop on Emerging Technologies (NWET 2025) and the SPARK Meet 2025 on 21 and 22 March 2025. The theme of the event was ‘Towards Net Zero: Clean, Digital, and Sustainable Grid’.
The objective of these events was to provide a platform for participants to engage with emerging technologies that are shaping the future of electrical power engineering. The workshop aimed to foster discussions on sustainable energy practices, digital solutions, and clean energy technologies that contribute to achieving a net-zero energy future. Through expert talks, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions, NWET 2025 sought to enhance participants’ knowledge of the latest trends and advancements in the power sector, equipping them with the skills necessary to drive innovation in this crucial field.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by eminent academicians, industry leaders, and researchers. Distinguished guests included Prof. Jaideep Talukdar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Silicon University, Mr. P. K. Pattanaik, Director (Operations), Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL), Prof. A. K. Tripathy, Former Director General, Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Prof. Ramaprasad Panda, Professor, (EEE) and Convener of NWET 2025, and Dr. Rabi Narayan Mishra, Head of the Department, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Silicon University. The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Ramaprasad Panda. Dignitaries shared insightful perspectives on the emerging challenges in the power sector and emphasized the potential of clean energy solutions. The inauguration also marked the launch of the Power and Energy Society (PES) and Technical Education Chapter (TEC) under the Silicon IEEE Student Branch.
The first day of NWET 2025 featured a series of enlightening sessions focused on current developments in electrical power engineering. The day began with a keynote address titled ‘Emerging Power Sector with Promising Technologies’ delivered by Prof. A. K. Tripathy, Former Director General, CPRI. This was followed by an expert talk on ‘Energy Impact in Economic Growth of Odisha: An Overview of the Evidence’ by Mr. Ananda Mohapatra, Power Analyst. The day concluded with an engaging hands-on workshop on ‘Electric Vehicle System Architecture & Hands-On Prototyping’ conducted by Mr. Kunal M., Founder and Director, Logiczap NextGen Technologies. Participants were actively involved in practical demonstrations, enriching their technical knowledge and skills in the EV domain.
The second day of the event continued with impactful technical sessions and industry interactions. It began with a lecture on ‘Smart Metering and Energy Pricing’ delivered by Prof. Ramaprasad Panda. This was followed by an industry talk titled ‘Modernisation and Digitalization: A Step Forward to Green Energy’ by Mr. P. K. Pattanaik, Director (Operations), OPTCL. Dr. Chandrasekhar Perumalla, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, presented a technical session on ‘Electric Vehicles for Net Zero Emissions – Necessity, Challenges, and Opportunities’. One of the highlights of the day was the SPARK Meet, a panel discussion featuring Mr. P. K. Pattanai, Prof. Ramaprasad Panda, Mr. Ananda Mohapatra, and Mr. Amalendu Mohanty, Technical Adviser to TBEA Transformers. The panel engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue on future energy solutions and the development of sustainable power grids.
The two-day workshop concluded with a closing ceremony that acknowledged the contributions of all speakers, participants, and organizers. NWET 2025 successfully fostered an interactive and collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and learning. The event offered participants valuable insights into clean energy technologies, smart grid systems, and sustainable power solutions.
