TNAU, in collaboration with Teesside University, UK, hosted ICASF '24, an international conference on AgroVoltaics and Sustainability in Farming on September 19, 2024. The event focused on integrating renewable energy with agricultural systems.
Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in collaboration with Teesside University, UK, hosted the International Conference on AgroVoltaics and Sustainability in Farming (ICASF '24) at the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute on September 19, 2024. The conference, part of a Ministry of Education sponsored SPARC & UKIERI project, attracted around 200 participants including scientists, students, and industry experts.
Prof. Senthilarasu Sundaram, International PI (UKIERI) from Teesside University, UK, described the conference as a premier forum for deliberations on Agrovoltaics and Sustainable Agricultural Practices. Dr. A. Raviraj, Dean of Agricultural Engineering, highlighted the importance of adopting agrovoltaics in India and the activities undertaken at the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, towards formulating sustainable solutions.
TNAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. Geethalakshmi presided over the inaugural ceremony and released the conference proceedings.
She emphasized that the SPARC & UKIERI project aims to develop a research consortium to address Agrovoltaics design and establishment for Net-Zero Agriculture, adding that Agrovoltaics will soon be practiced in all TNAU departments.
The event featured keynote addresses from international experts. Prof. Hari Upadhyaya from London South Bank University, UK, spoke on "Achieving Net-zero through Water-Energy-Food nexus." Prof. Kumar Patchigolla from Teesside University, UK, discussed "Vertical farming to increase the yield with efficient HVAC system." Dr. Lakshmi Santhanam, COO and Co-Founder of Renkube Solar Energy Pvt Ltd., Bengaluru, presented on "Climate resilient agriculture with Renkube Panel."
Additional keynote speeches included "Circular Economy – Enabling approaches" by Prof. David Hughes and "Smart Energy Systems in terms of Sustainable Engineering and Net Zero Agriculture" by Prof. Michael Short, both from Teesside University, UK. The conference also included technical sessions, oral and poster presentations focused on Agrovoltaics technologies and emerging renewable energy agricultural engineering interventions.
The conference successfully established a strong network of scientists, researchers, postgraduate and Ph.D. scholars, and practitioners to explore innovative solutions and collaborative strategies integrating renewable energy with agricultural systems.
Organized under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), Ministry of Education, the conference was coordinated by Dr. D. Ramesh, Professor and Head of the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, and Dr. R. Mahendiran, Professor (REE) & Indian PI (SPARC), who served as the Organizing Secretary.
Prof. Senthilarasu Sundaram, International PI (UKIERI) from Teesside University, UK, described the conference as a premier forum for deliberations on Agrovoltaics and Sustainable Agricultural Practices. Dr. A. Raviraj, Dean of Agricultural Engineering, highlighted the importance of adopting agrovoltaics in India and the activities undertaken at the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, towards formulating sustainable solutions.
TNAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. V. Geethalakshmi presided over the inaugural ceremony and released the conference proceedings.
She emphasized that the SPARC & UKIERI project aims to develop a research consortium to address Agrovoltaics design and establishment for Net-Zero Agriculture, adding that Agrovoltaics will soon be practiced in all TNAU departments.
The event featured keynote addresses from international experts. Prof. Hari Upadhyaya from London South Bank University, UK, spoke on "Achieving Net-zero through Water-Energy-Food nexus." Prof. Kumar Patchigolla from Teesside University, UK, discussed "Vertical farming to increase the yield with efficient HVAC system." Dr. Lakshmi Santhanam, COO and Co-Founder of Renkube Solar Energy Pvt Ltd., Bengaluru, presented on "Climate resilient agriculture with Renkube Panel."
Additional keynote speeches included "Circular Economy – Enabling approaches" by Prof. David Hughes and "Smart Energy Systems in terms of Sustainable Engineering and Net Zero Agriculture" by Prof. Michael Short, both from Teesside University, UK. The conference also included technical sessions, oral and poster presentations focused on Agrovoltaics technologies and emerging renewable energy agricultural engineering interventions.
The conference successfully established a strong network of scientists, researchers, postgraduate and Ph.D. scholars, and practitioners to explore innovative solutions and collaborative strategies integrating renewable energy with agricultural systems.
Organized under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), Ministry of Education, the conference was coordinated by Dr. D. Ramesh, Professor and Head of the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, and Dr. R. Mahendiran, Professor (REE) & Indian PI (SPARC), who served as the Organizing Secretary.