Leading exploration, production companies move to green energy

on 26/06/2023

Six Pakistani oil, and gas companies sign MoU for joint ventures; 15% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions come from oil and gas exploration
Leading oil and gas exploration companies in Pakistan have joined hands to
explore and pursue green hydrogen prospects, says the Petroleum Division of Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy.
These exploration and production companies include Oil & Gas Development Company Limited, Pak-Arab Refinery Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Mari Petroleum Company Limited, and Government Holdings (Private) Limited.
It merits mentioning that oil and gas are often painted as the dirtiest sector within the energy industry, but major companies around the world have begun to invest in renewable technologies in a bid to clean up the economy.
Of the six “super-majors” – BP, Shell, Chevron, Total, Eni, and Exxon – many of them have pumped billions into clean energy projects, although question marks remain over whether they are doing enough.
Despite the growth in renewables, “big oil” only spent 1% of its combined budget on green energy schemes in 2018.
The Petroleum Division says these companies in Pakistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint ventures in the future.
The MoU will be initially effective for two years from the date of signing and it will engage consultants and advisors to explore the opportunities.
Under the MoU, the companies will also establish a joint fund to raise equity for joint ventures and green energy initiatives, said the statement.
Additional Secretary of the Petroleum Division Muhammad Mahmood, who witnessed the event, said that the collaboration could drive the energy transition towards a more sustainable future, leveraging each company’s expertise and resources.
“This collaboration is a significant step towards building a more sustainable future for Pakistan and beyond,” added the official.
On the occasion, Managing Director of the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited Ahmed Hayat Lak said, “we are confident that by leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we can accelerate the energy transition and create a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous future.”
The IEA’s Oil and Gas Industry in Energy Transitions report says while some oil and gas companies have taken steps to support efforts to combat climate change, the industry as a whole could play a much more significant role through its engineering capabilities, financial resources, and project-management expertise.
“No energy company will be unaffected by clean energy transitions,” said Dr. Fatih Birol. “Every part of the industry needs to consider how to respond. Doing nothing is simply not an option.”
The landscape of the oil and gas industry is diverse, meaning there is no single strategic response but a variety of approaches depending on each company’s circumstances.
“The first immediate task for all parts of the industry is reducing the environmental footprint of their own operations,” Dr. Birol said. “As of today, around 15% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions come from the process of getting oil and gas out of the ground and to consumers. A large part of these emissions can be brought down relatively quickly and easily.”
Reducing methane leaks into the atmosphere is the single most important and cost-effective way for the industry to bring down these emissions. But there are ample other opportunities to lower the emissions intensity of delivered oil and gas by eliminating routine flaring and integrating renewables and low-carbon electricity into new upstream and LNG developments.
“Also, with their extensive know-how and deep pockets, oil and gas companies can play a crucial role in accelerating deployment of key renewable options such as offshore wind, while also enabling some key capital-intensive clean energy technologies – such as carbon capture, utilisation, storage, and hydrogen – to reach maturity,” Dr. Birol added. “Without the industry’s input, these technologies may simply not achieve the scale needed for them to move the dial on emissions.”
Some oil and gas companies are diversifying their energy operations to include renewables and other low-carbon technologies. However, average investment by oil and gas companies in non-core areas has so far been limited to around 1% of total capital spending, with the largest outlays going to solar PV and wind. Some oil and gas companies have also diversified by acquiring existing non-core businesses – for example in electricity distribution, electric-vehicle charging, and batteries – while stepping up research and development activity. But overall, there are few signs of the large-scale change in capital allocation needed to put the world on a more sustainable path.
An essential task is to step up investment in fuels – such as hydrogen, biomethane, and advanced biofuels – that can deliver the energy system benefits of oil and gas without net carbon emissions. Within 10 years, these low-carbon fuels would need to account for around 15% of overall investment in fuel supply if the world is to get on course to tackle climate change. In the absence of low-carbon fuels, transitions become much harder and more expensive.

Prof BS Chowdhry’s talk at BathSpa Uni RAK Campus UAE Vertically Integrated Collaborative Projects and Experiential Learning

on 26/06/2023

The 3rd International Conference on Business, Management, Emerging Technologies, and Social Sciences 2023 was held at Bath Spa University, Academic Center Ras Al-Khaimah-UAE. Sitara-e-Imtiaz Recipient Professor Dr Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry participated as a Guest of Honor and invited Keynote speaker. Prof, Dr. M N Brohi, Campus Director, Bath Spa University, Academic Centre Rak Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates welcomed all guests and delegates.
Delegates from different countries and universities convened to showcase their work, present their latest findings, exchange ideas, and address pressing issues in their respective fields. The conference also served as a valuable platform for gaining future collaborations in the international research arena. The excellent participation and diverse range of topics covered made it a highly beneficial event for students, faculty, and researchers alike. The efforts of BSU RAK in bringing together experts from various fields to share their insights and expertise are truly commendable. The conference focused on the quality of the presentations and the level of engagement among the attendees. Observing this, it was clear that the conference provided a platform for meaningful discussions and networking opportunities.
Prof. D M Akbar Hussain, (Aalborg University, Denmark), Prof Jason Levy from University of Hawaiʻi – West oʻahu, USA, Prof Ciro Rodriguez, National University of Mayor de San Marcos and National University Federico Villarreal, Peru, Prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, Professor Emeritus Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro Pakistan, Prof Geetha Ganesan, Professor and Dean, Jain University, India, Prof Arthur James Swart, Central University of Technology, South Africa, Dr. Kristoffer Franz Mari R. Millado, Chairman and President of the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges were among the Keynote speakers who added excellence to the conference.
Prof Chowdhry shared his views on vertically integrated collaborative projects and experiential learning. The talk was well received and the university CEO said the university is committed to achieving excellence in creativity, culture, enterprise, and innovation through research and development. BSU Connect uncovers insights and stories of diverse people at Bath Spa University Academic Center RAK. It is a celebration of Life, Stories that Resonate, and Thought-provoking Fresh Perspectives.

Legendary Educationalist Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui Remembered

on 26/06/2023

QS ImpACT Pakistan arranged an Iftar Drive session for orphan-age kids and remembered the Late Legendary Educationalist Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui, a legendary social scientist of Sindh, on his birthday at SOS Village Jamshoro on 11-04-2023. He was a great personality. He did lots of social work for local communities. This session was organized by Prem Sagar Meghwar Research Fellow, LUISS Guido Carli University, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry Chair, IEEE Karachi Section Professor Emeritus / Advisor MUET/ Advisor QS ImpACT Pakistan and Engr. Muhammad Zakir Shaikh President QS ImpACT Pakistan.
Distinguished guests/speakers Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Mari Vice-Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Prof Dr. Bikharam Devrajani Former Vice-Chancellor Liaquat Medical University of Health Science Jamshoro Prof Dr. Muhammad Zahid Khand, Vice-Chancellor Aror University of Art, Architecture, Design and Heritage Sukkur and prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry, chair of IEEE Karachi Section Professor Emeritus / Advisor MUET, talked about Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui and his social services for local communities. They also talked about various sustainable development goals to reduce poverty and climate change issues, the role of education, and empowering the education system in rural areas of Sindh. Iftar Drive and a cake cutting ceremony was arranged for kids. Students enjoyed this session and became happy and expressed their feelings by presenting their own designed congratulations Cards and flower Bouquets to cherish Prof. Dr. Bhawani Shankar Chowdhry for receiving the Presidential Civil Award Sitara-E-Imtiaz. Dr. Umair Ahmed Korai, Engr Aisha, Engr. Jatendar and Hasnain Qureshi talked to little kids and played some games. Students enjoyed this session.

Self-Contained Embedded Designs of Microcontroller

on 26/06/2023

As a self-contained system containing a CPU, memory, and peripherals, a microcontroller can be utilized as an embedded system. Most microcontrollers in use today are integrated into other pieces of equipment, including computers, smart phones, gadgets, cars, and other technology. While some embedded systems are highly advanced, many have modest memory and programme length requirements, no operating system, and simple software. Typical input and output devices include switches, relays, solenoids, LEDs, tiny or specialized liquid-crystal displays, radio frequency devices, and sensors for data like temperature, humidity, light level, etc. Embedded systems typically lack the keyboard, screen, discs, printers, and other recognizable I/O devices of a personal computer. They may also be devoid of all forms of human interaction hardware.
If field-programmable devices are used on a microcontroller, late factory changes to items that have been produced but haven’t yet shipped may be possible. Additionally, programmed memory shortens the lead time needed for the launch of a new product. It may be cost-effective to use parts that are programmed at the time of manufacture when hundreds of thousands of identical devices are needed. The programme is laid out in these “mask programmed” regions at the same time as the chip’s logic. Since it would be expensive to furnish a system with extra, expandable storage, micro-controller programmes typically have to fit in the available on-chip memory. Both assembly language and high-level code are translated using compilers and assembly lines into a little machine code that may be stored in the microcontroller’s memory. The programme memory may be easily removable read-only memory, field-alterable flash, or persistent, read-only memory that can only be programmed at the manufacturer, depending on the device.
Numerous embedded systems require the ability to read analogue signals from sensors. This is what an analog-to-digital converter is used for (ADC). Analog signals that may be supplied to a processor by a device are useless since processors are designed to understand and handle digital data, or 1s and 0s. In order to transform the incoming data into a format that the processor can understand, an analogue to digital converter is employed. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which is a less common function on some microcontrollers, enables the processor to produce analogue signals or voltage levels.
The architecture of microcontrollers varies greatly. In some designs, the ROM, RAM, or I/O functionalities are incorporated into the package along with one or more general-purpose CPU cores. Others have been specifically created for control applications. In order to reduce the size of control programmes, a microcontroller’s instruction set typically contains a large number of instructions for bit manipulation (bit-wise operations). To test a bit in a register and branch if the bit is set, for instance, a general-purpose processor might need several instructions, whereas a micro-controller might just need one instruction to do the same frequently needed operation. Since most microcontrollers lack a math coprocessor, floating-point arithmetic is often carried out by software. But some current architectures do have FPU and DSP optimization features. The PIC32 MIPS-based series by Microchip is one illustration.
Microcontrollers are required to respond to events in the embedded system they are managing in real-time (predictable, but not necessarily quick). An interrupt system can alert the processor to stop processing the current instruction sequence in response to certain events and start an interrupt service routine, which will handle any processing that is necessary in response to the interrupt’s source, before returning to the original instruction sequence. Interrupts can also rouse a microcontroller from a low-power sleep mode, where the processor is suspended until forced to act by a peripheral event, which is crucial here because power consumption is critical, as in battery-powered devices.

Sir Syed University organized NIB Grand Finale Muslims are afraid of new knowledge: President Arif Alvi Chancellor SSUE&T says there are vast opportunities for creative investment in Pakistan

on 26/06/2023

The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi has said countries that want to develop and prosper focus on education and health, keeping them at top priority. Without education and health, nations cannot develop and grow. Muslims are afraid of any new knowledge.
He was speaking at the grand finale ceremony of National Idea Bank, organized by Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology.
President Arif Alvi said that developed nations don’t depend on natural resources, as much as on intellectual resources. Nigeria has immense oil, but it is unable to convert oil wealth into intellectual wealth and prosperity. In the eyes of Hakeem, the root cause of all diseases is digestive disorder. I think our country’s digestion is also not so good. Wrong decisions made this country fall.
Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque, said that when I took over the ministry, we had assets of 73 billion dollars, which we increased to 500 billion dollars in three years. 42 billion rupees were invested in startups. Similarly, 5 billion dollars and 75 billion dollars were invested in various projects. We introduced 29 companies. Information technology exports increased by 3 billion dollars. We provided 10,000 jobs.
Addressing the ceremony, Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Jawaid Anwar, said that Sir Syed University was selected as the National Host for the National Idea Bank (NIB) project on the basis of its outstanding performance and we lived up to expectations. The establishment of National Idea Bank is an important step towards the promotion of new and innovative concepts and ideas. Our youth often have the best ideas in their minds. But due to lack of resources and absence of a proper platform, their dreams remain incomplete. NIB provides them with the opportunity to make their dreams come true.
He said that due to rising inflation, poverty and lack of resources, it is hard to get employment, almost impossible. In this context, entrepreneurship will be of great help to the youth at the grassroots level in solving economic problems in the coming times. We should be aware of the fact that time is changing. Now the function of universities is not only to award degrees but to guide students towards entrepreneurship and self-employment. Starting a business requires investment of time and resources as well as new ideas and fresh thinking. The purpose of National Idea Bank is to nurture new ideas. The journey that started at the local level has now become a pyramid at the national level, ensuring the involvement of the creators from all over Pakistan.
Chancellor Jawaid Anwar said that it is a good sign that, despite the recession, there are vast opportunities for creative investment in Pakistan. The investment of venture capitalists in Pakistani start-ups has increased many times due to which it has become possible for small entrepreneurs to make their dreams come true. We have to convince our youth to follow this direction.
Vice Chancellor SSUET, Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin said that we have successfully completed the first round of the National Idea Bank and this is the last event of the second round as well. New ideas were collected from all over the country through the National Idea Bank. A panel of judges from various disciplines selected the projects for the awards on the basis of merit with the utmost transparency, keeping in mind the utility, commercial value and vision of the projects. is playing an active role, the results of which are very promising for the country and the nation. These ideas based on new and innovative thinking are playing an important role in establishing a strong and stable economy.
Chairperson ASPIRE Pakistan and Founder of NIB, Hassan Syed, said that we want to accelerate the growth of the knowledge economy in Pakistan by leading the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, while connecting stakeholders and creating socioeconomic prosperity in an equitable and sustainable manner. For the second NIB competition we received around 4000 projects, among which we short listed to 300.