Leading young scientists from 20 countries are meeting in Germany´s sustainability research elite from 19 to 30 October 2015
Germany– The Green Talents Award, held under the patronage of the German Research Minister Prof. Johanna Wanka, is providing a platform for the seventh time to young talents to share their views on green concepts and to make our world a better place. A high-ranking jury of experts selected 27 up-and-coming scientists out of more than 550 applications from over 90 countries.
This year, the 30 years old Bishal Baniya, Master graduate in Energy and Environmental Engineering, is among the 27 winners. Their prize is one of the treasured tickets to the “Green Talents – International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development”.
This year’s “Green Talents” can expect two weeks of interaction with leading experts and some of the most renowned research institutions and companies, including Fraunhofer Fokus, KWB – Berlin Centre of Competence for Water, Ecologic Institute, Henkel and ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. Getting connected to the science community and exchanging ideas with its key innovators allows the winners to lay the foundation for future cooperation. Such efforts are supported by the invitation to return to Germany for a fully funded research stay at an institution of their choice in 2016.
The 27 Green Talents will be honoured during a festive awards ceremony attended by representatives of participating institutions, jury members, and other distinguished guests. The awards ceremony will be held on30 October 2015 at the Federal Ministry in Berlin.
Who Is Bishal Baniya?
Bishal BANIYA, Master in Energy and Environmental Engineering (30, Nepal), Dhaijan,Jhapa
The aim of Bishal Baniya’s research on Solar Water Heating is to use this technology to explore opportunities for replacing certain quantities of non-renewable solid fuels, thereby reducing CO2 and un-burnt black carbon emissions.
Research focus: Cleaner production in industries through solar water heating systems as a supplemental energy supply
Between 2004 and 2014, the proportion of Nepal covered by forest decreased from 40% to 25% of the nation’s total area. This can be attributed to the high usage of firewood in Nepalese industries, many of which utilise conventional energy sources in their manufacturing processes. Carpet and Pashmina industries, Nepal’s second and third most profitable sectors employ very traditional production methods and thus significantly rely on the use of non-renewable fuels. Bishal wants to explore opportunities for replacing certain non-renewable solid fuels, such as wood, saw dust, rice husk etc. and also explore methods for reducing the emission of CO2 and un-burnt black carbon within industries through the use of a Solar Water Heating system (SWH).
According to Bishal, his research is very much related to sustainable development. It aims to enhance the economic competitiveness of Nepalese industries while simultaneously improving their environmental and social performance. Bishal is currently working as a Technical Advisor in Energy, Environment and Climate Change for a European Union (EU) funded SWITCH-Asia program in Nepal. He believes that he bears a huge responsibility for helping transform more than 70 industries in Nepal into cleaner and safer ones.
The jury complimented Bishal’s valuable and focussed career aims. They expect that he will gain a lot from the Green Talents Forum that will help him develop his research into aiding the transition of Nepalese industries into sustainable ones.
