RAV—Lab (Resource Assessment & Valorization—Lab)

The Resource Assessment & Valorization Lab (RAV–Lab) is a research initiative I am developing to advance sustainable solutions through comprehensive resource evaluation and efficient utilization. The lab focuses on assessing renewable resources—including solar, wind, and biomass—and developing innovative strategies to valorize bio-resources into clean energy and bio-based products.

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), RAV–Lab conducts research in resource potential assessment, bioenergy, waste valorization, thermo-chemical conversion, sustainability, bioeconomy, crop production, climate change, and energy and environmental policy.

In addition to its research agenda, RAV–Lab actively promotes waste management practices at the local level and contributes to national policy development on waste-based fuels. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration with students, institutions, and communities, the lab is committed to fostering innovation, advancing sustainability initiatives, and supporting the transition to a circular bioeconomy and low-carbon future.

Total research output: 9

1. S Kafle, B Poudel, P Gyawali, DR Bhattarai, TD Acharya, R Acharya, S Dhakal, P Pradhan, S Adhikari. 2025. Industrial hemp in Nepal: Production and valorization perspectives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 215, 115622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.115622
2. S Bashyal, B Paudyal, D Pandey, PP Paudel, A Bhatta, DH Kim, S Kafle*. 2024. Comparative Assessment of Energy, Economics, and Emission (3E) of Rice Production in Plain and Hilly Areas in Nepal. Journal of Biosystems Engineering, Springer, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42853-024-00235-y
3. S Kafle*, M Gyawali, S Adhikari, JP Kropp, P Pradhan. 2024. Possibilities and challenges for converting waste biomass into fuel, feed, and fertilizer in Nepal. Regional Environmental Change, Springer, 24, 133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-024-02285-6
4. A Gautam, D Malla, B Thapa, A Khatiwada, G Kafley, SK Shah, S Kafle*. 2024. Effects of open dumping site on surrounding air, soil, and water: a case study of Biratnagar metropolitan city. Bibechana, 21:2, 171-179. https://doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v21i3.60796
5. M Gyawali, A Acharya, T Adhikari, K Dahal, B Kafle, DH Kim, S Kafle*. 2022. A mixed-mode ginger and turmeric solar dryer: design, simulation, biochemical and performance analysis. Bibechana, 19(1-2), 40–60. https://doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v19i1-2.46386
6. D Neupane, S Kafle*, P Pradhan, KR Karki, DH Kim. 2022. Solar and wind energy potential assessment at provincial level in Nepal: Geospatial and economic analysis. Renewable Energy, Elsevier, 181, 278-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.09.027
7. B Paudel, Bhola, N Regmi, P Phuyal, D Neupane, MI Hussain, DH Kim, S Kafle*. 2021. Techno-economic and environmental assessment of utilizing campus building rooftops for solar PV power generation. International journal of Green Energy, Taylor & Francis, 18(14), 1469-1481. https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2021.1904946
8. PP Paudel, DR Pokharel, S Koirala, L Baitha, S Kafle*. 2021. How Energy efficient and profitable is crop production in Nepal? A case study of Spring Paddy production in Jhapa district. Journal of Biosystems Engineering, Springer, 46(1), 26-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42853-021-00085-y
9. S Poudel, S Bhattarai, T Sherpa, A Karki, DH Kim, S Kafle*. 2019. The energy input-output analysis of maize production in Sundarharaincha Municipality, Morang district, Nepal. IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, 301(1), 012027. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/301/1/012027

Fall 2017 to Spring 2023 (Purwanchal Campus, TU, Nepal)

During my tenure at Purwanchal Campus, TU, Nepal, I supervised undergraduate students and collaborated with other researchers. I supervised a total of 13 undergraduate final year projects (a total of 42 students). 

1.      Design, fabrication and testing of inbuilt shredder composting machine. 2023. Students: Aashika Adhikari, Anusthan Thapa, Pravash Gautam.

•     Secured NRP 350,000 (≈USD: 2500) funding from Manmohan Technical University, Nepal.

2.      Techno economic and environment (TEE) assessment of developing Solar PV in a Nepalese University: comparison of fixed and seasonal tilt system. 2023. Students: Sankalpa Adhikari, Shreedhar Neupane, Shekhar Poudel.

3.      Study on solid waste open dumping site and its effects on surrounding water, soil and air: a case study of Biratnagar metropolitan city dumping site. 2022. Students: Aadarsha Khatiwada, Aastha Gautam, Bhubal Thapa, Diya Malla.

•     Published in Bibechana journal: https://nepjol.info/index.php/BIBECHANA/article/view/60796 

4.      Status of straw management in Morang district: looking into valorization options. 2022. Students: Bibek Poudel, Birendra Das, Jeetendra Shah, Madan Prasad Banjara.

5.      Feasibility Study Report of Small Hydro Power at Iwa Khola, Chyangthapu, Taplejung. 2021. Students: Manoj Bhattarai, Pradeep Pantha

6.      Prediction  of  vegetables  price  based  on time  series  analysis  and  artificial  neural network. 2021. Students: Bidur Pokhrel, Hemraj Lamichhane, Saroj Khanal.

7.      Feasibility of toilet connected biogas plant at boys hostel in Purwanchal Campus, Dharan. 2021. Students: Dharmendra Mahato, Kasam Timsina, Nabin Pradhan, Samjhana Bhetwal.

8.      Feasibility study of on grid commercial solar PV plant at Purwanchal Campus Dharan. 2019. Students: Bhola Poudel, Niraj Regmi.

•     Published in International Journal of Green Energy: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15435075.2021.1904946

9.      Hospital waste and its management practices in Province no. 1, Nepal. 2019.  Students: Abishek Kunwar, Abraham Rai, Sundar pandit.

10.  Comparative study of MSWM practices in local bodies of Province no. 1, Nepal. 2019. Students: Abinash Chand, Bipin Poudel, Rupesh Adhikari, Shasank Pokhrel. 

11.  Design, Fabrication and Testing of mixed-mode solar dryer for ginger and turmeric drying. 2018. Students: Ayusha Acharya, Kiran Dahal, Manoj Gywali

•     Published in Bibechana journal: https://nepjol.info/index.php/BIBECHANA/article/view/46386

12.  Study of Energy use pattern and production cost on pre-monsoon paddy in Jhapa. 2018. Students: Dharma Raj Pokhrel, Padam Pd Paudel, Sajan Koirala.

•     Published in Journal of Biosystems Engineering: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42853-021-00085-y

13.  An Analysis of Energy Consumption Pattern in Maize Production in Morang, Nepal. 2018. Students: Anish Karki, Sandesh Poudel, Saurabh Bhattarai, Tsering Sherpa. 

•     Published in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/301/1/012027/meta