Chinese and Laotian scientists jointly researched solar energy technology
"This solar cooling system can maintain cooling for several days even when the sun is not shining." Recently, in the China-Laos Renewable Energy Development and Utilization Joint Laboratory at Yunnan Normal University, Professor Li Mingzheng explained the related knowledge of solar cooling to Phavady Phoodthahaksa, a doctoral student from Laos.
The China-Laos Renewable Energy Development and Utilization Joint Laboratory was started in 2013, under the leadership of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and Laos, recommended and supervised by the Department of Science and Technology of Yunnan Province, and jointly built by Yunnan Normal University and the Institute of Renewable Energy and New Materials of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Laos. For more than ten years, the laboratory has trained a group of talents in the field of renewable energy development and utilization for China and Laos, formed a group of high-tech achievements with independent intellectual property rights, and led the cooperation between China and Laos in the field of renewable energy.
Li Ming introduced that Yunnan has abundant sunshine throughout the year and abundant solar energy resources, and is one of the earliest provinces in China to carry out solar energy application. Yunnan Normal University has been conducting research on the basic theory and application technology of solar energy and new energy since 1971, and has strongly supported the promotion and popularization of solar energy utilization technology in Yunnan Province with scientific and technological progress.
"Before the establishment of the joint laboratory, Laos lacked relevant technical talents, and we deeply felt the Lao people's desire for the development and utilization of renewable energy." Li Ming recalled that at that time, Yunnan Normal University organized backbone forces to cooperate with the Ministry of Science and Technology of Laos to carry out a series of joint laboratory construction such as the development, utilization and testing technology of solar water heaters, photovoltaic power generation, and bioenergy utilization.
After years of development, China and Laos have jointly built a solar photovoltaic system laboratory and a quality testing center for the utilization of solar energy products in Laos, and built more than 20 renewable energy demonstration zones in the Lao National Hospital for Women and Children and the Vientiane School for Orphans.
Another contribution of the Joint laboratory is the cultivation of international talents. At present, 24 Lao students have been enrolled to pursue doctoral and master's degrees in the field of renewable energy development and utilization, and 60 Lao scientific and technological personnel have been enrolled for further study.
What impressed Li Ming deeply was Ye Mingtong, a Laotian student. "After graduating from Yunnan Normal University as a master's student, Ye Mingtong returned to Laos to participate in the development of solar energy products, and chaired the solar energy drying project research implemented by the International Renewable Energy Utilization Organization in Laos. Later, he returned to China to participate in the Smart Yunnan Project." "Says Li Ming.
Phan Wanli, from Laos, was drawn to the joint lab. In 2023, she took the China-Laos railway to Yunnan Normal University to study for a doctoral degree, and changed her major to the research direction of solar energy utilization.
Pan Wanli has personally experienced the convenience brought by solar technology, "parts of Laos have installed solar street lights, lighting up the road at night." She said that the solar water heating system at the National Hospital for Women and Children in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, was also built by the joint laboratory.
"Solar technology can have many applications in Laos, such as photovoltaic power generation, solar drying, solar cold storage, which can promote the economic development of Laos and improve the social environment." Pan Wanli said.
Not only joint laboratories, in recent years, Yunnan Normal University has continued to promote international scientific and technological cooperation. At present, the school has been approved to build 10 platforms such as the Yunnan China-Lao-Thai International Joint Research and Development Center for Education Digitization, the Engineering Research Center of the Western Resources and Environmental Geographic Information Technology of the Ministry of Education, and the Bay of Bengal Regional Research Center of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, and 3 foreign academician expert workstations.
It is worth mentioning that the China-Laos Joint Laboratory for the Development and Utilization of renewable energy was selected as one of the "Ketron China" 2021 Global Top 100 technology transfer cases in September 2021.
As the Spring Festival approaches, students from various universities are returning home for the holiday. But Pan decided to stay on campus during the holidays to continue her research, "hoping that the technology we study will bring more benefits to the elderly and Chinese people in the future."