Dr. (Mrs.) Duleeka Gunarathne

Graduated as a Chemical & Process Engineer from University of Moratuwa with specialization in Energy Engineering, and being a Research Engineer in the Department of Renewable Energy in National Engineering Research & Development Centre (NERDC), I became very much interested in the Sustainable Energy Engineering Worldwide (SEEW) Maters program offered by KTH in distance mode with the coordination of OUSL. I selected my specialization area as Sustainable Power Generation, which is mostly focused on power generation from renewable sources like biomass, hydro, wind etc. The world class knowledge and insight gained through the program helped my work as the Project Engineer for several projects related to biological, chemical and thermal conversion technologies; biogas, biodiesel, biomass gasification and waste management at NERDC.

The SEEW program helped me to realize even higher goals than I could ever have imagined for myself. At the very beginning of my enrollment in the SEEW program, I set my mind to extend my studies even further towards a PhD. As such, SEEW program was a huge turning point in my life. The fascinating study methods and techniques offered by KTH forced myself to apply for Erasmus Mundus scholarship for a PhD at KTH. I believe that my past track record as a SEEW student has positively influenced on the success of my application. Further, with the experience gained through working on the thesis project on biomass gasification, I laid the foundation for the PhD on the same spectra. The fundamental know how I got through my masters was a key player throughout the process of my PhD research.

I’m happy about where I am thanks to SEEW program and I wish all the success for the forthcoming remote MSc program ‘SELECT’.

Duleeka Gunarathne
Senior Lecturer Grade II (Contract)
Department of Chemical & Process Engineering
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

Publications (Members S-Z)

Mr. L. W. L. C. Shyanaka
[1] L.W.L.C.Shyanaka,”Development of a small scale IGCC power plant using solid waste at Hambantota, Sri Lanka” SLEMA Journal-2013
Mrs. M. Thenabadu
[1] M. Thenabadu, Ruchira Abeyweera, Jeewan Jayasuriya,Nihal.S.Senanayake, ”Anaerobic digestion of food and market waste; Waste characterization, Bio methane potential :A Case study in Sri Lanka” Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association, 2015
Mrs. M. T. A. P. Wickramarathna
[1] Design and implementation of an Interface for a remote access to energy meters, Annual IEE Sri Lanka Conference 2001. (Oral Presentation)

[2] Transmission Network Planning Using Genetic Algorithm Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exposition: Latin America, 2006. TDC apos; 06. IEEE/PES, Volume , Issue , Aug. 2006 Page(s):1 – 5

[3] Transmission Network Planning Using Genetic Algorithm TENCON 2006. 2006 IEEE Region 10 Conference, Volume , Issue , Nov. 2006 Page(s):1 – 4

[4] Transmission Expansion Planning using Genetic Algorithm The International Conference on Electrical Engineering 2007, Honk Kong. (Oral Presentation) [5] Off-Grid development of Sustainable Energy resources for Ecotourism Facilities in Kalpitiya Peninsula, SLEMA Journal Volume 14 No.1 March 2011

[6] Reconnaissance study of pumped storage power plants for peaking power generation in Sri Lanka at HYDRO 2011International Conference and Exhibition, Prague, Czech Republic. (Oral Presentation)

[7] Predicting the Possible Capacity of Pumped Storage Power Plant for Sri Lanka By Forecasting Load Curve Shape, SLEMA Journal Volume 14 No.2 September 2011

[8] Planning of Pumped Storage Power Plants for Power Generation in Sri Lanka, SLEMA Journal Volume 14 No.2 September 2011

[9] Transmission Network Reinforcement for Wind Power Absorption in Ambewela-Sri Lanka in the ASIA 2012, Fourth International Conference on Water Resources and Renewable Energy Development in Asia Conference, Thailand. (Oral Presentation)

[10] Case Study to increase wind power generation in Sri Lanka, The AESIEAP 19th Conference on Electric Power Supply Industry 2012, Bali, Indonesia. (Oral Presentation)

[11] Economic Evaluation of Selected Pumped Storage Power Plant Sites in Sri Lanka, SLEMA Journal Volume 15 No.1 & 2 September 2012.

[12] Interconnection of Kiriketi Pumped Storage Power Plant in Sri Lanka, SLEMA Journal Volume 15 No.1 & 2 September 2012.

[13] Increased Wind Power Generation in Sri Lanka: A Case Study, SLEMA Journal Volume 16 No.1 March 2013.

[14]. The Difficulties and Challenges Faced in Obtaining CDM Registration for BHP, Hydro Asia Conference 2014 in Sri Lanka.

[15] Energy Analysis & Effects on Power Utility of LED’s compared to Conventional Bulbs: The AESIEAP 20th Conference on Electric Power Supply Industry 2014, Jeju City, South Korea. (Oral Presentation)

[16] Site Selection & Basic Design Configuration for Pumped Storage Power Plants, Energy Symposium of Sri Lanka 2015 organized by Ministry of Power & Energy, Sri Lanka and SLEMA Journal Volume 18 No. 2 September 2015.

[17] Economical Evaluation of pumped storage power plant Complexes and comparison with other candidate pumped storage power plants proposed for Sri Lanka, Energy Symposium of Sri Lanka 2015 organized by Ministry of Power & Energy, Sri Lanka and SLEMA Journal Volume 18 No. 2 September 2015.

[18] Basic Design and Economics of Pumped Storage Power Plant Complexes for Sri Lanka, Hydro 2015 International Conference and Exhibition, France.

[19] Wind Resource Assessment and Turbine Selection: Case Study for Mannar, Sri Lanka, Electrical Engineering Conference 2015.

Publication of Members: A-F, G-L, M-R

Publications (Members M-R)

Mr. K. A. B. Pathirathna
[1] Development of Darrieus-Type Vertical Axis Wind Turbine for Stand-Alone Applications by Samaraweera K.K.M.N.P., Pathirathna K.A.B., De Silva H.E.D, Sugathapala A.G.T, International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment,2010.

[2] Evaluation of Effects of Design Parameters for the Performance of Fixed Bladed Small Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbines by K.A.B.Pathirathna, H.E.D.DeSilva, K.K.M.N.P.Samaraweera and A.G.T.Sugathapala, Engineering Research Unit: 15th Annual Symposium, 2009.
Mr. A. P. T. S. Peiris
[1] U. G. Kithsiri, A. P. T. S. Peiris, Tharanga Wickramarathna, Kumudu Amarawardhana, Ruchira Abeyweera, Nihal N. Senanayake, Jeevan Jayasuriya, Torsten H. Fransson, “A Remote Mode Master Degree Program in Sustainable Energy Engineering: Student Perception and Future Direction”, Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning, Budapest, Hungary, 2017.

[2] A. P. T. S. Peiris, R. P. Vitharanage, Ruchira Abeyweera, N. S. Senanayake and Jeevan Jayasuriya, “Feasibility of Utilizing Boiler Blowdown Waste Heat for Operating an Absorption Refrigeration Chiller”, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2016.

[3] C. Chandrakumar, A. P. T. S. Peiris, G. K. Edirisinghe, Ruchira Abeyweera and N. S. Senanayake, “Development of a sustainable city model for Kilinochchi based on a rational comparison methodology: a Sri Lankan case-study”, Journal of Sustainable Development. (Manuscript in Preparation)

[4] A. P. T. S. Peiris, N.S. Dikkumbura, H.P.D. Prabashana and N. K. Hettiarachchi, “Development of Floating Type Water Wheel for pico hydro power generation”, B.Sc. Thesis at University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, 2009. (Unpublished)
Mr. P.G.S. Priyadarshana
[1] P.G.S. Priyadarshana, “Maximization of Energy Generation from Small Hydro power Plants in Sri Lanka” M.Sc. Dissertation, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden. August 2014.

[2] P.G.S. Priyadarshana, N.S. Senanayake and Ruchira Abeyweera, “Assessment of Energy losses in Mini hydro power plants Sri Lanka” SLEMA Journal, Vol 16, No.2, September 2013 Page 1-5.

[3] P.G.S. Priyadarshana, “Development of Pneumatic Robot Arm for Industrial Application” M.Sc. Dissertation, Univerity of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. 1st May 2008.

[4] Lanka Udawatta, P.G.S. Priyadarshana and Sanjeeva Witharana, “Control of Pneumatic Artificial Muscle for Bicep Configuration Using IBC” Proc. 3rd International Conference on Information and Automation for Sustainability, 4-6 December 2007.

[5] A.T.M. Adikari, J.R. Gamage, P.G.S. Priyadarshana, A.G.T. Sugathapala and U.P. Kahangamage, “ Solution for the skilled labour scarcity of cinnamon processing through Mechanization” Proceedings of 12th ERU symposium, University of Moratuwa, November 2006.
Mr. C. Ranaweera
[1] Chaminda Ranaweera, Anders Malmquist, ‘Electric Power System of a Renewable Energy Module’ Conference of Electric Power Supply Industry – CEPSI 2014, International Convention Center (ICC) JEJU, South Korea.

[2] Chaminda Ranaweera,‘Stand-Alone Energy System for Supply of Energy and Water for a Refugee Camp’ Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association Journal – March 2014. (Reference: Page 05, http://www.slema.org.lk/news_events/SLEMA-Journal/SLEMA-Journal-Vol17-No1-March-2014.pdf).

[3] ‘Electric Power System of an Emergency Energy Module’, M.Sc final thesis report published at DiVA portal. ( Reference : http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A609264&dswid=-440)

[4] K Pirabaharan, Chaminda Ranaweera, Kumara H. K. S, Kumarathilaka R. S. D,‘Design and Implementation of Smart Antenna for 4G Applications’ Presented at IET Annual Conference 2008.

[5] Chaminda Ranaweera, ‘Detecting System for Kilowatt-Hour Electricity Meters’ Presented at Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, 2007
Mr. W. M. Rajaratne
[1] W M Rajaratne, Dr P G Rathnasiri, “Energy potential of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Sewer generated within Colombo Municipality”, International Energy Symposium 2015 organized by Ministry of Power and Energy, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2015.

Publication of Members: A-F, G-L, S-Z

Publications (Members G-L)

Mrs. R. M. D. S. Gunarathne
[1] D.S. Gunarathne, P. Mellin, W. Yang, M. Pettersson and R. Ljunggren, Performance of an effectively integrated biomass multi-stage gasification system and a steel industry heat treatment furnace, Applied Energy 170 (2016) 353–361

[2] D.S. Gunarathne, A. Mueller, S. Fleck, T. Kolb, J. K. Chmielewski, W. Yang and W.Blasiak, Gasification Characteristics of Hydrothermal Carbonized Biomass in an Updraft Pilot Scale Gasifier, Energy Fuels 2014, 28, 1992−2002

[3] D.S. Gunarathne, A. Mueller, S. Fleck, T. Kolb, J. K. Chmielewski, W. Yang and W.Blasiak, Gasification Characteristics of Steam Exploded Biomass in an Updraft Pilot Scale Gasifier, Energy 71 (2014) 496-506

[4] D.S. Gunarathne, J. K. Chmielewski and W. Yang, Pressure drop prediction of a gasifier bed with cylindrical biomass pellets, Applied Energy 113 (2014) 258–266

[5] D.S. Gunarathne, S. S. Jatunarachchi, N. S. Senanayake, B. Wei, The Effect of Throat Diameter on the Performance of a Downdraft Biomass Gasifier, International Journal of Energy Engineering 2013, 3(3): 171-175
Mr. G. A. Kahandagamage
[1] G. A. Kahandagamage, N. S. Senanayake, T.S.S. Jatunarachchi ,”Effect of Charge Air Temperature on Specific Fuel Consumption in Intercooled Direct Injection Diesel Engines used for Power Generation” International Review of Mechanical Engineering (I.RE.M.E.), Vol. xx, n. x
Mr. D. R. Kodituwakku
[1] D.R.Kodituwakku, Dr.N.S.Senanayake, Ruchira Abeyweera, “Effect of cooling charge air on the gas turbine performance and feasibility of using absorption refrigeration in gas power station, Sri Lanka”, SLEMA Journal 2014

Publication of Members: A-F, M-R, S-Z

Publications (Members A-F)

Mrs. K. N. Amarawardhana
[1] K. N. Amarawardhana, N. S. Senanayake, Ruchira Abeyweera, Modeling of Energy Utilization of Tourism Industry of Sri Lanka and Prediction of Future Energy Demand, International Journal of Energy Engineering, Vol. 5 No. 5, 2015, pp. 87-94. doi: 10.5923/j.ijee.20150505.01.
Mrs. N. Athukorala
[1] N. Athukorala, Justin Chiu, and P.D. Sarathchandra ” Feasibility study on Absorption Cooling Based Thermal Energy Storage” International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, December 2012, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Mrs. L. U. Bakmeedeniya
[1] L. U. Bakmeedeniya, L.Rajapaksha, Low Carbon Cooling Solutions for the Apparel Industry – Open Cycle Desiccant Cooling Systems Extended abstract published in PURSE 2011 (Peradeniya University Research Sessions)

[2] L. U. Bakmeedeniya, L Rajapaksha, Air Conditioning for Tropical Climates through utilization of waste heat – Open cycle desiccant cooling systems, Full Paper for IESL (Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, annual sessions 2011
Mr. J. A. C. K. J. Bandara
[1] J. A. C. K. J. Bandara, N. S. Senanayake and Ruchira Abeyweera, “An Integrated System for the Supply of Power for Water Pumping and Lighting in Ru-ral Village, Utilizing Renewable Energy Sources”, SLEMA,2016

[2] J. A. C. K. J. Bandara, N. S. Senanayake and Ruchira Abeyweera, “Minimizing Energy Loss by Selecting Optimum Pipe Diameter and Insulation Thickness for Steam Distribution Pipelines” SLEMA 2016

Publication of Members: G-L, M-R, S-Z

A Message From the Founder of SEEW Program – Prof. Torsten Fransson

It is with great pleasure that I as initiator of the SEE Worldwide Master program see that the Sri Lanka alumni has profited from the education received and that the graduates have prospered over the years in their career. This program was, and is still to a large extent, a forerunner for a completely new type of higher education. It allowed an intercultural connection between different cultures, and teachers at KTH profited a lot from this in a similar way as the students. The preparations done at that time related to on-line education through the SEEW have continued over the years and a new batch of students will start (in a sister-program to the SEEW, the SELECT program [=SELECT the environomical pathway for a sustainable energy future]) in Sri Lanka in the autumn 2016.My personal drive has been, and is still, to create a world-wide, world-class, unique education in energy technology, with a substantial approach towards innovation, entrepreneurship and business with the goal to educate the energy leaders of the future, to create a better and sustainable energy-environment, and secure jobs and prosperity for the benefit of humanity. Presently there are attempts to build up a unique repository of energy learning material which will allow teachers worldwide to exchange and share various kind of learning material. This is done incorporating the newly developed European quality label (EIT Label)

Besides congratulating all of the SEEW alumni to  the graduations, I would like to specially recognize the teachers involved in the program at KTH who made large efforts to develop the individual courses so that these could be followed on-line. But I would just as highly recognize all the teachers and university leaders outside KTH who participated in the SEEW program. They shared my large overall vision of creating a better world through high-level education.  It is obvious that without the large efforts from all these persons the program would never have taken off and there would not have been any SEE World program. A GREAT THANKS from my side to everyone involved in the SEEW!

I wish you all an enormous success in your future life-long learning process and life, and hope that the energy-education you have received at KTH can contribute towards your future career and a better life for mankind globally. As I now will come to Sri Lanka in a few weeks I look forward to meeting you and discussing past, present and future achievements with you.

Torsten Fransson
Initiator of the Sustainable Energy Engineering World-Wide Master program

20th of August 2016

A Message From the Vice Chancellor, The Open University of Sri Lanka – Prof. S. A. Ariadurai

It is with much delight that I write this message to alumini web page of the SEE World MSc programme. The MSc programme in Sustainable Energy Engineering, populary known as SEE World MSc programme, is one of its kind as far as the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) is concerend. This is the only programme that is currently available in the University, where the OUSL is partnering with a foreign University, in this case – The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden – in offering the host institute’s progarmme for the local students. As the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka, I take pride in being part of this endeavour and congratulate the Department of Mechnical Engineering of the OUSL for launching this programme and successfully running it for the last several years.

According to the KTH, the purpose of the SEE World Programme is to provide state-of-the-art education in the fields of solar energy, power generation, and energy utilization in the built environment by means of economically and environmentally sustainable systems and technologies.

According to Renewables Global Status Report for 2016, last year saw the largest global capacity additions in renewable energy seen to date. Renewables are now established around the world as main-stream sources of energy with improvement in cost-competiveness of renewable technologies. According to the report, an estimated 147 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power capacity was added in 2015, the largest annual increase ever. The report further states that global investment also climbed to a new record level, in spite of the plunge in fossil fuel prices with the private investors stepping up their commitments to renewable energy significantly. Employment in the renewable energy sector (not including large-scale hydropower) increased in 2015 to an estimated 8.1 million direct and indirect jobs.

In Sri Lanka, according to the Ceylon Electricity Board statistics renewable energy has a share of over 11% in installed capacity as well as generation. Moving forward, the CEB plans to increase the renewable energy capacity to 972 MW by 2020, which would contribute to 20% to the total power generation in the country.

It is my belief that with the students already graduated and those currently in the pipeline, of the SEE World MSC programme of KTH, facilitated by the Faculty of Engineering Technology of the OUSL, will go a long way in fulfilling the objective of our country’s need to have qualified professionals in this important sector.

At this point of time, I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to the Royal Institute of Technology for offering this programme to the professionals of our country free of cost and thus contributing to the development of human resources required for the sustainability of the energy sector in Sri Lanka.

I also wish all the very best to every individual student of the SEE World MSc programme and encourage them to earnestly contribute their knowledge to convert Sri Lanka as a green energy hub.

Prof. S. A. Ariadurai
Vice Chancellor
The Open University of Sri Lanka

A Message From the SEEW/ SELECT Sri Lanka Program Facilitator – Dr. N. S. Senanayake

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) is privileged to be the facilitating University of Sustainable Energy Engineering Worldwide M. Sc. (SEE World M Sc) Program conducted by the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden which is offered to Sri Lankan students on distance mode. It has been a challenge for the University, especially for the Staff of the Department of Mechanical Engineering to facilitate offering this fully online Study Program to the Sri Lankan students ensuring the highest standard.

The benefits we gain through this Study Program in developing   human resources in the field of sustainable energy engineering are invaluable. During the past eight years, the OUSL was able to enroll a total of 112 students, and 68 have successfully completed the degree and others are close to completion. These graduates certainly will contribute to the development of the sustainable energy sector in Sri Lanka with the latest knowledge in sustainable power generation and utilization.  Further, the formation of Alumni of the SEE World M Sc graduates is a very significant event and it would give the opportunity to strengthen the relationships among SEE World M Sc graduates and share experiences for mutual benefits and for the country at large.   I hope that they will develop a forum   that will continue to propagate the concepts of sustainable energy ensuring sustainable living at large for the future generations.

I would like to record with great respect the commendable and dedicated leadership of Prof N. R. Arthenayake who has done pioneering work to establish the link between the OUSL and the KTH which allowed extremely successful facilitation of this reputed Master Program in Sustainable Energy Engineering for Sri Lankan students. Also under the guidance of Prof Arthenayake who was the first Program Facilitator, we were able to introduce an internal mechanism and implement facilitation task ensuring the best service to the students. I also appreciate the dedicated work being carried out by Mr.  Ruchira Abeyweera, the Program Coordinator. His continuous support immensely contributed to the success of the SEE World M Sc Program in Sri Lanka.

I take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to Professor Torsten Fransson, Profesor Andrew Martin, Prof Jeevan Jayasuriya, Ms Chamindie Senaratne and all the KTH staff involved in the SEE world M Sc Program for providing this invaluable opportunity to Sri Lankan students to read for a M Sc in Sustainable Energy Engineering free of course fee.

Dr N S Senanayake
Program Facilitator – SEE World M Sc Program at OUSL
The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), Nawala, Nugegoda,
Sri Lanka.

20th of August 2016

A Message From the SEEW / SELECT Sri Lanka Program Coordinator – Eng. Ruchira Abeyweera

Today, while whole world is talking about use of sustainable energy we can be proud of being the first to introduce a sustainable energy engineering master program to the higher education sector in Sri Lanka with the generous support of Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden. Ours is a deliberate effort to contribute to impart sustainable energy engineering know-how to the Sri Lanka’s energy sector, thereby to contribute to the national development and to improve the wellbeing of the people at large.  I am very happy to mention here that the most of the graduates and the students are working in the energy sector in Sri Lanka that allows deriving the maximum benefit from this Program.

I remember with gratitude, Dr. Jeevan Jayasuriya attached to Energy Technology Department of the KTH for his continuous support, encouragement and participation as a Lecturer that contribute immensely for the success of this Program.    Also I must mention the enormous contribution made by Professor N.R. Arthenayake, as the First Program Facilitator at the OUSL that laid a strong foundation to continue the Program without much difficulty.

I take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to Professor Torsten Fransson (Head/Division of Heat and Power Technology, former Head of the Department of Energy Technology, KTH, and the pioneer of the SEE World M Sc Program), Professor Andrew Martin (Director of SEE World M Sc Program, KTH), Ms. Chamindie Senarathne (Deputy Program Director of SEE World M Sc Program, KTH) and all KTH staff members for their fullest support that contributed to make this Program a success in Sri Lanka.

The staff of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and other staff of the OUSL who continually support in various ways for smooth functioning of the facilitation work by the OUSL are very much appreciated.

Finally, I take this opportunity to wish SEE World M Sc graduates and present students very best and fruitful career in serving the nation.  Further, I urge all of you to maintain strong links with each other and work together for future developments in your specialty area.

Ruchira Abeyweera
Program Coordinator – SEE World M Sc Program at OUSL 
The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL),
Nawala, Nugegoda,
Sri Lanka.

20th of August 2016

Prof. Torsten Fransson will visit Sri Lanka Soon

Professor Torsten Fransson (Founder of the SEE Worldwide Program) will be visiting Sri Lanka on September 05, 2016 for a short stay. The members of ASEEWSL (Alumni of Sustainable Energy Engineering Worldwide – Sri Lanka) have organized a meeting and get-together with Professor Torsten Fransson and facilitating staff of the OUSL on September 06, 2016.

The official website of ASEEWSL will be launched at this event.