Smart Solar Irrigation System, a research project invented by the Center for Energy Research of the United International University of Bangladesh, has won the ‘Smarter Europe Award 2022’ for Automatic Irrigation Management Project in Solar Energy.
Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, a research project team leader and lead researcher, received the award on May 11 at an awards ceremony in Munich, Germany.
Speaking on behalf of the award selection jury board at the ceremony, it was said that the project would undoubtedly have a positive environmental and social impact on reducing carbon emissions and conserving human resources. At the same time using the system will reduce the cost of irrigation.
According to the project, Smart Solar Irrigation System is a smart, automated water irrigation system based on solar energy. This system has smart sensors, such as soil moisture, water level, pH sensor, etc. The innovative system, which includes directional communication systems, IoT and artificial intelligence-based decision-making systems, includes a mobile / web-based prepayment system. The system provides remote monitoring, control and pre-payment water billing system (pay-as-you-go platform).
Regarding the invention, Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury said that there are several sensors in the system for sensing various parameters of agricultural land. Through which the system controls the irrigation water. It reduces excess water consumption, saves diesel or electricity, and reduces total carbon emissions for irrigation. The system ensures optimal use of water depending on the crop and soil type.
Earlier, Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury has won several national and international awards in recognition of his research and innovation. Such as, in 2016 Momentum for Change Award (22nd UN Climate Conference 2016 Marrakesh, Morocco); Intersolar Award 2016 (Munich, Germany); Education Leadership Awards 2018 (Mumbai, India); Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association Award 2019 (China). He also received the National Power and Energy Week Innovation Award in 2016 and 2018 and the BASIS National ICT Award in 2020 for his innovation and research works.
