Prof. Bivek Baral
Team Leader & Principal Investigator
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathmandu University
Our Mission
Advance the frontiers of energy systems through impactful research, technology development, and capacity building that strengthen Nepal’s energy security and support global climate goals.
Our Vision
Be South Asia’s reference laboratory for sustainable energy systems—recognized for scientific excellence, open collaboration, and real-world impact.
Our Values
- Integrity in research
- Safety and quality
- Open science & collaboration
- Equity, inclusion, and mentorship
Impact at a Glance
15+
Peer‑reviewed publications
10+
Active & completed projects
20+
Graduate students mentored
10+
Institutional collaborators
Facilities & Instrumentation
Our lab features modern research spaces and calibrated equipment for experimental and computational studies in energy systems.
Power Systems Bench
Inverters, converters, and programmable loads for microgrid prototyping.
Battery Testing Suite
Cyclers, BMS development kits, and thermal chambers for storage studies.
Modeling & Simulation
Numerical modeling for grid integration, optimization, and control.
Milestones
2018
ESTRL Founded
Established to accelerate applied research in energy systems at Kathmandu University.
2021
First International Grant
Awarded competitive funding for rural microgrid optimization.
2023
Battery Research Expansion
Commissioned a dedicated battery testing suite and data acquisition stack.
2025
Regional Collaboration Hub
Formalized partnerships with South Asian universities and industry.
Collaborators
Kathmandu University
CST Bhutan
Energzie Nepal
Lunds University
Safety & Research Ethics
We maintain rigorous safety protocols and ethical standards across all experiments, field deployments, and human‑centered studies.
- Mandatory safety induction and PPE compliance
- Equipment logs and calibration records
- Data management and reproducibility practices
- Ethics approvals for human/field studies
Frequently Asked Questions
How can students join ESTRL?
Prospective students may apply through their department and indicate interest in ESTRL. We also post openings on the KU notice board and lab channels.
Do you collaborate with industry and government?
Yes. We co‑design projects with utilities, startups, and ministries to translate research into practice.
Can external researchers access facilities?
Facility access is available by request and MoU. Please contact us with a short proposal.
Work With Us
Whether you are a student, faculty, or industry partner, we welcome collaboration that advances sustainable energy for Nepal.