CPD Clean Energy and Power: Moving Forward — Lecture Series
As Bangladesh moves toward renewable energy, the future will demand young professionals who can think in a multidisciplinary way and understand the sector’s complexity. Yet, many graduates, especially those from non-engineering backgrounds, remain unaware of the emerging opportunities within the energy transition and how their skills can contribute meaningfully to it.
The Clean Energy and Power Lecture Series is one of CPD Power and Energy Study’s key initiatives to bridge the gap, fostering cross-disciplinary understanding and collaboration among economists, engineers, business analysts, policy specialists, environmental scientists, and financiers toward a clean, inclusive, and just energy future.
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organizes the Clean Energy and Power Lecture Series to bring together participants and experts from diverse disciplines onto a single platform. The series explores the multidimensional aspects of the energy transition in Bangladesh and beyond, connecting economics, engineering, environment, finance, politics, and planning.
Modules
The lecture series is structured around several core modules, complemented by special sessions based on the availability of experts and the evolving interests of each cohort.
- Energy Finance: Examines financing mechanisms for sustainable energy projects, focusing on investment planning and the evolving role of financial institutions in the energy transition.
- Global Energy Politics: Explores the geopolitical dimensions of energy, understanding how international relations, resource dependencies, and policy frameworks shape national energy strategies and security.
- Fundamentals of Electrical Energy: Builds a foundational understanding for non-engineers of essential electrical principles, power systems (transmission/distribution), and the technical realities of emerging renewable technologies.
- Energy and Climate: Focus on the critical link between energy systems and climate change, discussing carbon emissions, global decarbonization strategies, and the central role of energy in achieving sustainability goals.
- Businesses Around Renewables: Investigates the entrepreneurial side of the transition, featuring case studies on startups, corporate initiatives, and new business models driving decarbonization.
- Energy Research: Learns about analytical tools, data sources, and methodologies required for evidence-based research that supports and informs effective energy policy and decision-making.
- Special Additions and Cohort-Based Lectures: Incorporates special additions in every cohort and expert-led sessions on emerging topics like urban energy planning, policy implementation, and direct insights from key private sector actors.
Three Minute Presentation
As Abraham Maslow once said,
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”
The CPD Power and Energy lecture series deliberately moves away from this mindset. To go beyond conventional approaches and better capture the impact of the series, a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) event is organized in every cohort. 3MT is a way of creating a platform, a space where participants can get access to resources and a head start to develop projects and implement the learning in real life.
A format used in universities around the world, where students present their research in layman’s terms to an audience that doesn’t necessarily know much about the field. To streamline the outcome and better record the impact of our lecture series, participants go through a sequence of lectures where they learn about different dimensions of the same power and energy sector.
Throughout the lecture series, participants explored different dimensions of the power and energy sector. Rather than passively receiving information, they undergo several training courses to understand the sector from multiple angles. From their learning, they will develop Mini research projects on relevant issues, each from the perspective of their own discipline.
Power Plant Visit
The visit is an integral part of the series, aiming to enhance participants’ practical knowledge of the management and operation of a large-scale solar plant running. During the visit, participants explore the challenges and opportunities involved in every stage of a plant’s lifecycle, from planning to delivery. Many nuanced issues that are often overlooked in classroom discussions are addressed, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience that bridges theoretical concepts with real-world insights.
Resource Persons
The Clean Energy and Power Lecture Series connects participants with great minds across various fields, offering a unique opportunity for professional development in the rapidly evolving energy sector. Every cohort features diverse resource persons, ensuring a well-rounded and comprehensive learning experience. These experts range from top scholars and academics from different institutes, such as the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), East West University, and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), to seasoned field experts and industry leaders. The series also features key figures from the power and energy sector, including the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD), Confidence Power Plant, SOLshare, and Bangladesh Power Management Institute (BPMI).
All the distinguished resource persons share practical insights, real-world experiences, and cutting-edge research, offering participants a profound understanding of current industry trends. By focusing on real-world applications, the lecture series ensures participants are prepared to navigate the complexities of the clean energy transition, power sector development, and sustainable energy solutions. This makes the program a crucial step for professionals seeking to advance their careers and become leaders in the future of energy.