Peshawar (Staff Report): The Center for Intelligence System Network Research (CISNR) at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, in collaboration with GIZ through its REEE SCALE project, successfully organized a one-day seminar on “The Role of AIoT in Municipal Energy Management.” The seminar aimed to explore the potential of leveraging Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) for intelligent tasks in the domain of municipal energy management.
Prof. Dr. Gul Muhammad Khan, Director of CISNR, provided insight into the project’s background and objectives. He highlighted that CISNR has been actively collaborating with UNICEF, Google, and GIZ, aligning its efforts with the 14 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the UN Agenda 2030.
Dr. Khan emphasized the significance of using AI to analyze vast amounts of data from the Internet of Things (IoT) through SCADA systems deployed in municipalities. This approach opens new opportunities for accurate energy demand determination on transmission grids and distribution lines, ultimately aiding in efficient electricity management. He also showcased the “Smart Meters,” a signature product developed by CISNR, that holds potential to significantly reduce electricity unit costs, benefiting both cost efficiency and peak-hour energy reduction.
Mr. Qazi M. Naeem, CEO of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO), addressed the audience as the chief guest. He commended CISNR’s success story and its role in fostering stronger academia-government ties. He highlighted PEDO’s projects aiming to generate up to 10,000 megawatts of power to contribute to the national grid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is anticipated to bring surplus electricity and contribute positively to the provincial economy.
Prof. Dr. Iftikhar Hussain, Vice Chancellor of UET Peshawar, acknowledged that technology adoption in developing countries requires a shift in mindset. He praised CISNR for its highly effective technology for enhancing energy efficiency in municipalities, developed with GIZ’s financial support and the National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority’s (NEECA) supervisory support. Dr. Hussain expressed the intention to share policy recommendations with NEECA to facilitate nationwide implementation of energy management strategies.
The seminar concluded with the chief guest presenting awards of excellence to government representatives for their outstanding performance in implementing SCADA systems in their respective settings.