About the SDG — Sustainable Development & Energy COE
Sustainability has emerged as a core principle of engineering driven by increasing environmental challenges, rapid urbanization and the need for responsible use of natural resources. In this context, to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Development and Energy (CoE-SDE) has been established at our institution. The Centre functions as a multidisciplinary hub that integrates education, research, innovation, consultancy and community engagement. It focusses on developing sustainable solutions that address societal needs while minimising environmental impact, thereby contributing to national priorities and global sustainability efforts.
The Centre has 30 members working on about 20 research projects. It has associated itself with partners such as, S. Nijalingappa Sugar Institute, District Urban Development Cell, Belagavi, Karnataka State Department of Agriculture and Global Energy Pvt. Ltd. to work towards providing solutions to real world societal problems.
Vision & Mission
Vision:
To become a leading academic and research hub that promotes global sustainable development goals by developing skills, driving innovation through research, fostering collaboration and delivering tangible societal impact solutions.
Mission:
Mission Statement 1
To promote interdisciplinary research and innovation in sustainable infrastructure by integrating smart grid technologies, renewable energy systems and advanced engineering practices.
Mission Statement 2
To develop skilled professionals and industry-ready graduates through applied research and capacity-building programs focused on smart energy systems, resilient infrastructure and sustainable urban development.
Mission Statement 3
To collaborate with industry, government agencies, and urban local bodies to design, test, and implement region-specific solutions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals.
Focus Areas
Our interdisciplinary work spans cutting-edge domains — bridging theory with hands-on engineering innovation.
- Solar & Photovoltaic Systems — Panel optimization, MPPT controllers, grid-tied and off-grid systems
- Wind Energy & Hybrid Systems — Small-scale wind turbines, hybrid solar-wind microgrids
- Biomass & Waste-to-Energy — Anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, biogas for rural electrification
- Energy Efficiency & Smart Buildings — IoT-based energy management, green building design
- Water & Soil Conservation — Rainwater harvesting, watershed management, soil health monitoring
- Carbon Footprint Reduction — Life cycle assessment, carbon credit tracking, net-zero planning
Research Projects & Initiatives
1. Variable Compression Ratio Engine
2. 1 kW PV panel
3. Tribrid bike (CNG, Battery, petrol)
4. Electric car, bike and bicycle
Lab Facilities & Equipment
- 2 kW rooftop solar test bed with data acquisition and monitoring system
- Wind energy simulation tunnel and mini turbine prototyping station
- Biomass gasifier and biogas digester (pilot scale)
- Energy audit instruments: power quality analyzers, thermal cameras, lux meters
- Environmental monitoring: pH meters, TDS sensors, BOD/COD analysis kits
- MATLAB/Simulink, HOMER Pro, RETScreen for energy system modeling
- 3D printing + CNC for rapid prototype fabrication of green tech components
Activities & Achievements
Government Grants & Recognitions
The centre has secured ₹18 lakhs in competitive research funding: DST (Science & Technology) SEED division (₹10L for SolarGram), MNRE (Ministry of New & Renewable Energy) innovation grant (₹5L for BioGas Campus), and Karnataka State Council for Science & Technology (₹3L for AquaSense). The COE was recognized as a "Green Innovation Hub" by TERI in 2024 and featured in the National Renewable Energy Conference proceedings.
Solar micro-grids installed near Belagavi, providing 24/7 clean energy access.
Low-cost water purification research funded by DST for rural Karnataka communities.
Awareness drives promoting sustainable living practices across schools and colleges.
UN Sustainable Development Goals We Address
Our research and outreach activities directly contribute to the following United Nations SDGs:
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CoE Coordinators / Lead
