Master's student Tawfique has a particular interest in how control engineering can be utilised within renewable energy. He is exploring this in Norway's largest wastewater treatment plant.
Sheikh Tawfique Elahi is working with the wastewater company VEAS, treating wastewater from Oslo, Bærum and Asker municipalities for his master's project.
His investigations focus on the part of the plant that produces biogas from sludge in wastewater.
"I am collecting data from the biogas process to create algorithms that can maximise the production," explains Tawfique.
Tawfique has collected data over the past two years from the VEAS biogas plant.
The measurements include factors such as the flowrate of inlet and outlet sludge, the temperature inside the biogas reactor, and the methane composition, which is the main component of the produced biogas.
He will also investigate how the wastewater sludge components, such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, are broken down and converted into gas.
In addition, he will collect information on how the plant is operated, such as the flowrate at which the sludge is recirculated around the system, and how much heat is recovered and reused.
All of this is crucial for VEAS as it can help them improve the operation of the plant and produce more biogas.
Tawfique will also look at how different factors are interconnected, such as how influent wastewater temperature and flowrate to the VEAS plant affect the methane production in the biogas process.
Tawfique is currently in the middle of data collection and is already seeing some promising patterns. However, he needs more data to identify clear correlations.
To decipher all of this, he will use his knowledge of control engineering to create models that can simulate what happens inside the plant.
These models can then be used to find the best settings (control parameters) for the plant, enabling it to produce as much biogas as possible in the most energy- and resource-efficient way.
Tawfique finds it exciting to work with this because it is such a complex system with many different factors influencing each other.
"VEAS has almost 14,000 variables, and I am just working with around 100 of them," he says.
He looks forward to continuing his work on this in the future, possibly through a PhD or other researcher positions.
He collaborates closely with his supervisors Dr. Kjell Rune Jonassen at VEAS and Professor Tiina Komulainen from OsloMet.
Although the analysis work is still in an early phase, Tawfique already believes his master's thesis appears to be highly relevant for the production of renewable energy.
Tawfique's master's project combines his interest in renewable energy with his expertise in control engineering, which he has further developed through his specialisation in robotics and control on the ACIT master’s programme at OsloMet. He believes this combination offers him many opportunities in both research and the job market.
Tawfique recommends studying at OsloMet, especially the ACIT master’s specialisation in robotics and control. He thinks it is a wide-ranging and exciting education that provides many opportunities both in research and working life.
"The projects and assignments at OsloMet give us the opportunity to develop skills and apply theory in practice," says Tawfique. Photo: Olav-Johan Øye
He also praises OsloMet for their practical approach to learning, which enables students to develop their skills and apply theory in practice through various projects and tasks.
To those considering studying the same as him, he offers this advice:
"Plan your entire study period and decide whether you want to learn new skills and technologies through a shorter master's project, or whether you want to improve the skills you already have through a longer project. No matter what you choose, it is important to take advantage of opportunities to learn and develop."
Renewable energy aligns well with Tawfique's passion for sustainability and environmental conservation.
Biogas production represents a circular and efficient approach to wastewater management and bioenergy production.
Tawfique is motivated to contribute to innovations that can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve the efficiency of renewable energy systems, having a tangible impact on the environment.
He looks forward to completing his master's project and is excited about the opportunities that will open up for him in the future.
With his dedication and passion, there is no doubt he will continue to make a significant contribution to renewable energy.
