Anvar Kolumbetov. Engineer at NU Research and Innovation System (NURIS).
Anvar Kolumbetov is a Renewable Energy Engineer at Nazarbayev University and author of the project "Renewable energy dashboard" implemented as part of 'Sustainability Living Lab'.
1. What renewable energy sources are presented at NU?
The NURIS renewable energy polygon houses both electrical and thermal energy sources. There are two horizontal wind turbines, photovoltaic solar panels with a total power of 25 kW, and photovoltaic concentrators. Regarding thermal energy sources, we have solar collectors and geothermal and air-source heat pumps installed on our campus. In addition, there are helium batteries and thermal tanks for accumulating electrical and thermal energy.
The energy generated by the heat pumps is used to supply heat to the energy-efficient building of the yurt and the townhouse kindergarten.
2. How did the development of renewable energy sources begin on the territory of NU?
It all started with the creation of the Center for Energy Research (current NURIS) around 2011. The Institute included about 400-500 employees, including young scientists who worked on the improvement of the efficiency of renewable energy sources. Their projects were successfully implemented and remained as a legacy. The energy-efficient yurt was built in 2016 with sponsorship from Shell. Equipment for the townhouse was installed in 2021.
3. What opportunities in the field of renewable energy does NURIS offer for students?
NURIS provides a technically equipped platform for the applied study of renewable energy sources in various schemes, as well as energy efficiency issues. NURIS has also developed methodological recommendations. Students are welcome to complete internships, implement capstone projects, and engage in research based on existing projects at NURIS.
4. What is the future of renewable energy sources at Nazarbayev University?
Today the development and implementation of renewable energy on campus is low because the NU community has a limited understanding of how energy is used on our campus. In addition, there is no agreement among university departments regarding the reduction of energy consumption.
I believe that to develop and maintain renewable energy sources, we have to have a common strategy that will be supported by all interested participants from NURIS and UMC to the scientific and student community of the university. It is also necessary to determine how renewable energy will be consumed on campus. Ultimately, economic stimulation instruments, such as taxation and increased prices of traditional energy, should be in place.
Photo credits: Sustainability Living Lab.
The NURIS renewable energy polygon houses both electrical and thermal energy sources. There are two horizontal wind turbines, photovoltaic solar panels with a total power of 25 kW, and photovoltaic concentrators. Regarding thermal energy sources, we have solar collectors and geothermal and air-source heat pumps installed on our campus. In addition, there are helium batteries and thermal tanks for accumulating electrical and thermal energy.
The energy generated by the heat pumps is used to supply heat to the energy-efficient building of the yurt and the townhouse kindergarten.
2. How did the development of renewable energy sources begin on the territory of NU?
It all started with the creation of the Center for Energy Research (current NURIS) around 2011. The Institute included about 400-500 employees, including young scientists who worked on the improvement of the efficiency of renewable energy sources. Their projects were successfully implemented and remained as a legacy. The energy-efficient yurt was built in 2016 with sponsorship from Shell. Equipment for the townhouse was installed in 2021.
3. What opportunities in the field of renewable energy does NURIS offer for students?
NURIS provides a technically equipped platform for the applied study of renewable energy sources in various schemes, as well as energy efficiency issues. NURIS has also developed methodological recommendations. Students are welcome to complete internships, implement capstone projects, and engage in research based on existing projects at NURIS.
4. What is the future of renewable energy sources at Nazarbayev University?
Today the development and implementation of renewable energy on campus is low because the NU community has a limited understanding of how energy is used on our campus. In addition, there is no agreement among university departments regarding the reduction of energy consumption.
I believe that to develop and maintain renewable energy sources, we have to have a common strategy that will be supported by all interested participants from NURIS and UMC to the scientific and student community of the university. It is also necessary to determine how renewable energy will be consumed on campus. Ultimately, economic stimulation instruments, such as taxation and increased prices of traditional energy, should be in place.
Photo credits: Sustainability Living Lab.
