Technical Co-Sponsorship - MERCon 2026

Description

Technical Co-Sponsorship Report – MERCon 2026 1. Conference Overview The IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Sri Lanka Chapter provided Technical Co-Sponsorship (TCS) for the 12th Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference (MERCon 2026), organised by the Engineering Research Unit, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, on 13–14 August 2026. MERCon 2026 provided an international platform for researchers, academics, industry professionals and students to present research findings and exchange knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines, including power and energy engineering. 2. Technical Programme Statistics MERCon 2026 received over 700 paper submissions across its technical tracks, of which more than 50 were within the scope of IEEE PES. A total of 253 papers were accepted, and 211 papers were presented at the conference. These submissions and presentations demonstrate the conference's engagement with the wider engineering research community and its relevance to the power and energy field. 3. Contributions of the IEEE PES Sri Lanka Chapter The IEEE PES Sri Lanka Chapter made significant contributions to MERCon 2026 through leadership, technical programme development, peer review and knowledge-sharing activities. *3.1 Conference Leadership* Dr Rasara Samarasinghe, Chair of the IEEE PES Sri Lanka Chapter, served as the Organising Committee Chair of MERCon 2026. Prof. Lidula, a member of IEEE PES, served as the Conference Chair. The involvement of these Chapter representatives in key leadership positions facilitated the Chapter's engagement in conference planning, coordination and delivery. *3.2 Technical Programme Committee and Peer Review* Several IEEE PES Sri Lanka Chapter members, including Dr Manuja, Dr Charithri, Prof. Thushara, Prof. Prasad and Dr Nuwan, contributed to the conference through participation in the Technical Programme Committee and/or service as technical session chairs. In addition, many IEEE PES members contributed to the paper-review process, supporting the evaluation of research submissions and the development of the conference's technical programme. These contributions helped facilitate the dissemination of research in power and energy engineering and related fields. *3.3 Technical Workshop on Power System Analysis* As part of its contribution to the conference, the Chapter supported a technical workshop on *Power System Analysis*, conducted by Prof. Lidula. The workshop provided an opportunity for participants to enhance their knowledge and engage with technical aspects of power system analysis. This activity supported the Chapter's objectives of promoting continuing technical education, knowledge exchange and professional development in the power and energy sector. *3.4 Technical Session Chairs* IEEE PES Sri Lanka Chapter members served as technical session chairs during the conference. Their involvement facilitated research presentations, technical discussions and the exchange of ideas among presenters and participants. 4. Outcomes and Benefits The Chapter's involvement in MERCon 2026 contributed to the following outcomes: * *Advancement of power and energy research:* Supporting the presentation and dissemination of research relevant to the IEEE PES field of interest. * *Technical quality assurance:* Contributing expertise to the Technical Programme Committee and paper-review process. * *Professional engagement:* Providing opportunities for IEEE PES members to participate in conference leadership, technical programme development and session management. * *Knowledge sharing:* Facilitating technical learning through the Power System Analysis workshop. * *Academic and professional collaboration:* Strengthening connections among IEEE PES members, university researchers, industry professionals and students. * *Visibility of IEEE PES:* Demonstrating the Chapter's active role in supporting engineering research and technical conferences in Sri Lanka. 5. Overall Assessment The IEEE PES Sri Lanka Chapter's contribution to MERCon 2026 extended beyond the provision of Technical Co-Sponsorship. Through the leadership of its Chapter Chair as Organising Committee Chair, the involvement of a PES member as Conference Chair, the participation of Chapter members in the Technical Programme Committee and technical sessions, extensive member involvement in peer review, and the delivery of a Power System Analysis workshop, the Chapter contributed to several key aspects of the conference. These activities demonstrate the Chapter's commitment to advancing power and energy engineering, supporting research dissemination, strengthening professional networks and providing opportunities for IEEE PES members to contribute to the engineering research community. The Chapter's participation in MERCon 2026 represents a valuable contribution to its mission of promoting technical excellence, research collaboration and professional development in the power and energy sector.