The Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) has signed agreements with Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) to finance three pioneering research projects aimed at advancing sustainable and cost-effective energy technologies.
The signing ceremony was held on Monday at the BEPRC conference room. The projects will focus on supercapacitors, artificial intelligence in solar power, and fuel cell innovation.
Exploring Ancient Materials for Supercapacitors
A research team led by Prof. Mohammed Abdul Basith of BUET’s Department of Physics will work on developing environmentally sustainable supercapacitors using locally available materials such as cement, sand, and wood-derived activated carbon.
With a budget of Tk 2.99 crore, the project will run from October 2025 to March 2028. The team plans to fabricate a 154-cell supercapacitor pack (60V, 36Ah), powered by solar energy, capable of operating an electric three-wheeler.
Prof. Basith said the project has already achieved experimental success and expressed hope that it will soon help reduce Bangladesh’s dependency on imported supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries.
AI-Enabled Digital Twin of Solar PV Plant
At the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Major Shah Mohazzem Hossain will lead a Tk 1.63 crore project to develop an AI-enabled Digital Twin of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
Running from October 2025 to September 2028, the project will use a 100-kW rooftop PV system as a test-bed for real-time monitoring, performance forecasting, and grid integration. The Digital Twin will later be validated at a 7.6 MW solar farm in Sirajganj, with the goal of improving grid stability, operational efficiency, and renewable penetration.
Fuel Cell Catalyst Innovation at SUST
The third project, led by Prof. Nur Uddin Ahamad of SUST’s Department of Chemistry, will focus on developing efficient catalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs).
With a budget of Tk 10.5 lakh, the two-year project will explore platinum and platinum-silver alloy nanoparticles on sulfonated graphene oxide to enhance catalytic performance. Researchers expect the outcome to pave the way for low-cost, efficient fuel cell technology in Bangladesh.
Significance
Speaking as the chief guest, Power Division Secretary Farzana Momtaz welcomed the initiatives, stressing that locally developed solutions are more effective than outsourcing expertise, which often fails to address Bangladesh’s unique challenges despite high costs.
“If we can solve our problems locally, there is no better solution,” she said. On the supercapacitor project, she noted that high storage costs have so far limited solar adoption, forcing the country to rely on storage-less options. Affordable storage, she added, could be a game-changer, potentially reducing the need for oil-based power plants.
“We are not far behind,” she said. “If we guide the younger generation, they will take the country forward. One day, we will stand equal with others in global science and knowledge.”
BEPRC Chairman Mohammad Wahid Hossain, who chaired the function, said one of his main challenges upon taking office a year ago was the lack of quality research proposals. By personally reaching out to universities, BEPRC has since seen strong results.
“In the last nine years, BEPRC approved only 13 projects. In just one year, we have signed four agreements, with two more in the pipeline,” he said. “Last fiscal year we achieved 71 percent of our targets—this year we expect 100 percent, though it will require a larger budget.”
He also defended the Council’s emphasis on practical outcomes: “Some ask why BEPRC only looks for products. To conduct applied research, you need tangible outputs. Our demand is not unreasonable—we want research results that benefit the people.”
MIST Commandant Maj Gen Md Nasim Parvez, BPDB chairman Rezaul Karim and BEPRC Additional Secretary Dr. Md Rafiqul Islam also spoke at the event.