Professor

Prasanna Gunawardane

Contact Info

Office:

Heat Engines Lab,

Department of Mechanical Engineering,

University of Peradeniya,

Peradeniya,20400,

Sri Lanka

Education:
  • B.Sc.Eng. - 1994 , University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
  • M.Eng. - 2001 , Muroran Institute of Technology, Japan
  • Ph.D. - 2004 , Muroran Institute of Technology, Japan

    • Biography

    Dr. Prasanna Gunawardane has obtained BSc.Eng (Hons) degree in Mechanical  Engineering from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 1994 and MEng and PhD  degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Muroran Institute of Technology, Japan in 2001  and 2004 respectively. He worked as Lecture in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering  from 1995 to 2004 and as a senior lecturer from 2004 to date. Also, he worked as an  Acoustic/Vibration Design Engineering in UAE in 2008 during his sabbatical leave  period. From 2012 to 2018 he worked as the Head/ Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,  University of Peradeniya. Currently he is working as the Director/ Engineering Design  Centre, University of Peradeniya. His main research interests are renewable energy  studies mainly on ocean wave energy systems, small wind power, solar energy, sound  and vibration, and machine design/dynamics. He is a chartered Mechanical Engineer and  full member of Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL). He is the founder chairman of  Sri Lanka Marine Renewable Energy Association and accredited consultant of Sri Lanka  Sustainable Energy Authority on grid renewable energy systems.

    Research Intersests

    • Renewable energy ( Marine renewables, Hydro, Wind, Solar), Noise and vibration

    Teaching/ Experiences

    • Professor          - October 2020 to date 

      •  Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

      Senior Lecturer - April 2004 – October 2020

      • Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    • Undergraduate teaching experience

      • Mechanics of Machines, Vibration, Advance vibration Theory, Automobile Engineering, Energy Technology, Industrial Fluid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Energy and waste management, Automobile Technology.

    • Postgraduate teaching

      • MScEng- Building Servicers Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya, (2014- to date)

      • MScEng-Sustainable Built Environment- Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya- ( 2014- to date)

      • MSc- Environmental Pollution Control- Dept. of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Peradeniya, (2016 to date)

    • Acoustic Design Engineer - March 2008 - October 2008
      • Optima International LLC,Dubai, UAE
      • Design of industrial noise and vibration isolation systems, Architectural acoustics.
    • Doctoral researcher/ Teaching assistant, Masters Research fellow - October 1998 - March 2003
      • Division of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Japan

    • Lecturer (prob) - November 1995 – March 1998 , (1998 March to 2004 March on study leave)

      • Deptment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    • Administrative experiences

      • Director- Engineering Design Centre, University of Peradeniya, From January 2019 to March 2022
      • Head of the Department- Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya From November 2012 to November 2018
      • Director- Motor Vehicle Repair Unit (MVRU), University of Peradeniya (2013-2016)
      • Senior student counselor- Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (2011,2016,2019)
      • Postgraduate coordinator- Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya 2011- 2012
      • Academic sub warden- Akbar –Nell Hall, University of Peradeniya 1996/1997
      • Convener- Anti rag committee, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya 2017 to date
      • Chairman- Faculty welfare canteen, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. 2009-2019
      • Coordinator- General Electives, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya 2010 to 2014
      • Member- Faculty Academic Development and Planning Committee, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. 2007, 2008
      • President (Founder) - Sri Lanka Marine Renewable Energy Association (SLMREA)- 2017 to date
      • Senior Treasurer - Mechanical Engineering Society, University of Peradeniya 2006-2007

    You can find lecture resources HERE

    Professional Qualifications

    • Member - Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka MIESL CEng (M6224)

    • Member -  Engineering Council Sri Lanka ( Reg. No 103725)

    • Registered consultant - Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA)

    Service

    • Selected consultancies

      • Noise expert - EIA, Kandy tunnel project 2021
      • Noise modeling - Port Access Elevated Highway- 2020
      • Evaluation on Effects of Excessive Vibration & Noise Level on Civil Structures at Ihala Kothmale Power Station - 2019
      • Environmental noise level monitoring- Noise Expert, Grater Kandy Sewerage Project,  2016 - ongoing
      • Noise and Vibration Isolation of Chiller Plant at Trischel MAS Thulhiriya - 2015
      • Noise reduction design of steel production factory building: Lihini Steel private Limited, Katuneriya. 2014
      • Design of medical gas supply system and consultancies on Elevator systems to Tendeniya Base Hospital. 2015, 2016
      • Evaluation of proposals for Elevator and Escalator systems for Lotus Tower. 2018
      • Consultant- Higher Technical Training Institute (HTTI), Matale, Central Provincial Council. 2010 to date

    • Relevant professional activities

      • Organizing committee member – Asia Wave and Tidal Energy Conferences (AWTEC)- 2016   Singapore, 2018 Taiwan, 2020 Australia
      • International Advisory Committee Member- Asia Forum of Renewable Energy (AFORE), Korean Society of New and Renewable Energy (KSNRE), 2017 to 2019
      • Reviewer of journals (indexed) - Renewable Energy:  2016,2017, 2018,2019,2020, Ocean Engineering: 2017, 2018, 2021

    • Training programmes - Attended

      • "Technical Training Programme on Renewable Energy", Bavaria, Germany, June, 2015
      • "Renewable Energy", Post graduate and credited course, United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan, 22nd Feb - 23rd March, 2013
      • JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency fellowship) for a training on "Operation and maintenance of Coal fired thermal electric power plants", in Japan as an Engineer from 10th October 1996 - 22nd November 1996

    • Training programmes - Conducted/ participated as a resource person

      • Introduction to Sustainable Consumption and Production Resource Pack to University Education Sector (one day programme for selected university academics) – Coordinator-2019
      • Wave Energy Course (For international and local participants- 5 day): coordinator/resource person, 2018, March, EDC, University of Peradeniya
      • Steam engineering and Energy Conservation training programme for Engineers – Engineering Design Centre (EDC), University of Peradeniya. November 2019, 3 day programme
      • Training on Green Building Professionals, Green Building Council, Sri Lanka: Resource person – Renewable Energy Integration ( 2014, 2015, 2016 )
      • Teacher training programme- for National Institute of Education (NIE)- 2017-to date

    Awards & Prizes

    • Best Paper Award, 2nd International Conference on Advanced Convergence Engineering – ICACE  August 28 - 30, 2019, Vietnam

    • NRC merit award for scientific publications, 2016

    • Mombugakusho scholarship recipient, Ministry of Education, Japan 1997

    • Grants- Research/Capacity building

      • Sri Lanka Wave Energy Resource Assessment and Characterization – Principal Investigator, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) grant, 2017
      • Development of milk preservation methodologies for rural milk farmers- Principal Investigator (Sri Lanka),  National Research Foundation (NRF) grant , Korea, 2016
      • Design of novel power takeoff system using HST system- Japanese grant (Nagata, Watabe) 2015
      • University research grant Optimization of Pendulor wave energy device. (2013)
      • Europe Sri Lanka Capacity Building “Training Hub for Renewable Energy Technologies in Sri Lanka/THREE-Lanka- Coordinator, University of Peradeniya 2021- 2023
      • Europe Sri Lanka Capacity Building in Energy Circular Economy "EUSL-Energy"- Create a new Master program which gives the graduates the knowledge, skills, creativity, competences and business-perspective to solve the future energy-related challenges in the country in an environmental and financially sustainable manner. Task Leader Work Package 7 on Training Programmes, 2020- 2022

    Publications

    Selected Journal Publications

    • Dylan S. Edirisinghe, Ho-Seong Yang,

      S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane

      , Young-Ho Lee, "Enhancing the performance of gravitational water vortex turbine by flow simulation analysis" 

      Renewable Energy

      194 May (2022), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.05.053 

    • Min-Sung Kim, Dylan Sheneth Edirisinghe, Ho-Seong Yang, S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane , Young-Ho Lee " Effects of blade number and draft tube in gravitational water vortex power plant determined using computational fluid dynamics simulations” Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology. Vol. 45 No. 5, October 2021 pp. 252~262, DOI: 10.5916/jamet.2021.45.5.252

    • Dylan Sheneth Edirisinghe, Ho-Seong Yang Min-Sung Kim, Byung-Ha Kim, Sudath Prasanna Gunawardane , Young-Ho Lee "Computational Flow Analysis on a Real Scale Run-of-River Archimedes Screw Turbine with a High Incline Angle", Energies, June 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113307

    • S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, G.A.C.T. Bandara, Young-Ho Lee, " Hydrodynamic analysis of a novel wave energy converter: Hull Reservoir Wave Energy Converter (HRWEC)" Renewable Energy, February, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.140


    • Ravindu Lokuliyana, Matt Folley, S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, L.N.Wickramanayake, Sri Lankan Wave Energy Resource Assessment and Characterization according IEC standards" Renewable Energy, Volume 162, December 2020, Pages 1255-1272, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.08.005

    • L.U. Bakmeedeniya, S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, Byung-Ha Kim, Young-Ho Lee, Hydrodynamics of top hinged OWSC wave energy device the "Pendulor" with a bottom gap, Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology, Feb. 2020, Pages 75-81, DOI :10.5916/jamet.2020.44.1.75

    • Udara Rathnayake, Matt Folley, S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, Carwyn Frost Investigation of the Error of Mean Representative Current Velocity Based on the Method of Bins for Tidal Turbines Using ADP Data, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 8(390):390 May 2020 DOI: 10.3390/jmse8060390

    • S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, Sudesh Rathnayake, Byung-Ha Kim, Young-Ho Lee, Hydrodynamics of top hinged OWSC wave energy device the "Pendulor" with a bottom gap, Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 75~81 August 2019 DOI: 10.5916/jamet.2020.44.1.75

    • S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, M. Folley, C.J. Kankanamge,"Analysis of the hydrodynamics  of four different oscillating wave surge converter concepts" Renewable Energy, Volume 130, January 2019, Pages 843-852 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.06.115

    • Tomiji Watabe, S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, "Wave power converter Pendulor with hybrid HST". Journal of Energy and Power Engineering" Volume 12, Number 1, 2018, 1-11

    • Sudath Prasanna Gunawardane, Chatura Jayan Kankanamge, Tomiji Watabe "Study on the Performance of the "Pendulor" Wave Energy Converter in an Array Configuration" Journal, Energies 2016, 9(4), 282; doi:10.3390/en9040282

    • Amarasekara, H.W.K.M.; Abeynayake, P.A.G.S.; Fernando, M.A.R.M.; Atputharajah, A.; Uyanwaththa, D.M.A.R.;Gunawardane, S.D.G.S.P.; Gerdin, L.; Keijser, M.; Fåhraeus, M.W.; Fernando, I.M.K.; et al. A prefeasibility study on ocean wave power generation for the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka: Electrical feasibility. Int. J. Distrib. Energy Resour. Smart Grids 2014, 10, 79–93

    • S. D. G. S. P. Gunawardane, Hirotaka Yokouchi, On the snagging operation: Part I: Modeling and simulation of wheel wear characteristics, Precision Engineering, Journal of the International Societies for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, Volume 28, Issue 3, July 2004, pp 261-269, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precisioneng.2003.10.006

    • S. D. G. S. P. Gunawardane, Hirotaka Yokouchi, On the snagging operation (Part II)—Machine dynamics and chaos, Precision Engineering, Journal of the International Societies for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology ,Volume 28, Issue 3, July 2004, pp 270-279,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precisioneng.2003.12.004 

    Selected Conference Publications

    • V A U De Alwis , A P K De Silva, S D G S P Gunawardane, Young-Ho Lee, " Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulation of Hull Reservoir Wave Energy Device" 16th International Conference on Fluid Machinery  (AICFM16), 13-15 September 2021,Yokohama, Japan

    • S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, H.M.C.B.Gunaratne, Young-Ho Lee, "Geometric optimization of an L shaped vibration energy harvester for a bridge structure", IEEE, i-COSTE 2020, 16th – 18th December 2020, Gold Coast, Australia

    • Dylan S. Edirisinghe, Kim-Byeong Ha, S. D. G. S. P. Gunawardane, Young-Ho Lee, "Computational Flow Analysis on 45 degrees inclined", Real-scale Archimedes Screw Turbine, IEEE, i-COSTE 2020, 16th – 18th December 2020, Gold Coast, Australia

    • P. L.G. B.T. Dharmasena , D. S. Edirisinghe  , W. K. D. U. Kankanamge, S. D. G. S. P. Gunawardane,  "Effect of Wind Lens on Small Wind Turbines under Low Wind Speed Conditions", iPURSE, 2019, University of Peradeniya.Sri Lanka

    • RLK Lokuliyana, Matt Folley, SDGSP Gunawardane, PN Wickramanayake, "Importance of Developing a Sri Lankan Wave Energy Resource Assessment According to IEC Standards", VIdulka,  National Energy Symposium 2019, 128-137

    • Tomiji Watabe, S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, "A case Study on Pendulor Wave Power Converter for Coastal Operation of Sri Lanka−Design of the Piston Pump for the HST (Hydro-Static Transmission) of the Pendulor", Proceedings of Marine Research Centre, Saga University OTEC Vol.24 (2019)，47 〜 54

    • S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, Sudesh Ratnayake, Byoung-Ha Kim, Young-Ho Lee, "Hydrodynamics of Top Hinged OWSC Wave Energy Device the Pendulor with a Bottom Gap", 2nd International Conference on Advanced Convergence Engineering ICACE, 28th -30th August 2019, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    • L.U. Bakmeedeniya, S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, "Experimental investigation of top hinged flap type wave energy device with a bottom gap- Preliminary experimentation", International conference, ICSBE. 13th – 15th December 2018, Kandy, Sri Lanka

    • S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, Sudesh Ratnayake, Tomiji Watabe, "New hybrid HST pump development for wave energy applications-Study on the slipper bearing of an axial piston pump", 4th Asian Wave and Tidal Energy Conference (AWTEC 2018), Sep. 9-13, 2018 Taipei, Taiwan

    • S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, RusiruRajakaruna, L. Rajapakse, Byoung-Ha Kim, Young-Ho Lee, "Development of milk cooling protocols to integrate renewable energy for milk preservation", AFORE 2018, September 2018, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.  - ABSTRACT ONLY

    • M.Folley, S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane "The development of marine renewable energy in Sri Lanka", Vidulka National Energy Symposium, November 2017

    • S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, M.Folley, Supun Sanjaya, "Spectral-Domain Modelling of the Non-Linear Hydrostatic Stiffness of a Heaving-Sphere Wave Energy Device", 28th International Symposium on Transport Phenomena (ISTP 28), Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, September 22-24, 2017

    • S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, C.J.Kankanamge, H.M.S.Sanjaya,Tomiji Watabe , Young-Ho Lee, "Modelling of 50 kW Top Hinged Flap Type Pilot Wave Energy Device for Southern Coastal Region in Sri Lanka", Asia Wave and Tidal energy Conference, October 2016, Singapore

    • T.Watabe, Prasanna Gunawardane, "Study on the practical Pendulor for the near future", Proceedings of Marine Research Centre, Saga University, OTEC Vol. 21 (2016) ，35〜45. (In Japanese)

    • S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, Chathura Jayan Kankanamge, "Development of 2D potential theory using wave maker theories for Pendulor wave energy device", Annual transactions of IESL, Volume I, Part B, October 2015. pp 217-223

    • Chathura Jayan Kankanamge, H.M.Supun Sanjaya, SDGSP Gunawardane, "Characteristics of hydrostatic power transmission system (HST) of flap type wave energy device for irregular wave conditions", International conference on Sustainable built environment ICBSE, December 2014, pp 193-200

    • WRSMUA Higgoda,JALT Yayasooriya, KAL Srilal, IMAS Ilankoon, KGV Maduranga and SDGSP Gunawardane, "Investigation of the performance of an autonomous mechanical pitch control system for small scale wind turbine", International conference on Sustainable built environment ICBSE, December 2014, pp 188-192

    • S.D.G.S.P Gunawardane, K.MG.R.S.Premaratne, J.C.Ravinatha ,"Performance testing of Pendulor type wave energy device with improved power measuring system", International conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE) ,Kandy, Sri Lanka,14-16 December  2012.  P 252

    • S.D.G.S.P Gunawardane, D.M.A.R Uyanwaththa, "Wave energy utilization - A review on technology and prospects in Sri Lanka", Vidulka National Energy Symposium, 2011,p 109 :112

    • S.D.G.S.P Gunawardane, D.M.A.R Uyanwaththa, S.B.Tennakoon, W.M.J.B.Wijekoon, R.A.P.C.Ranasinghe , 2010 ," Model study on "Pendulor" type wave energy device to utilize ocean wave energy in Sri Lanka", International conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE) ,Kandy, Sri Lanka, 2010. P 297:303

    • J.Amarasena, Aruna Ariyawardane, N.Amarasena, Prasanna Gunawardane, Y. Yamada, "Oralpreception and Masticatory Function in Oral Submucousfibrosis(OSMF) Patients", 5th Triennial meeting of the Commonwealth Dental Association Hosted by Sri Lanka Dental association 1st -3rd December 2006. P85

    • S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, H. Yokouchi, "Dynamics and Chaos in Less Stiff Grinding Machines", Asia Pacific Vibration Conference, 12th –14th November 2003, Brisbane, Australia. pp 157-163

    • S.D.G.S.P.Gunawardane, H. Yokouchi. "Machine Dynamics and Chaos in Grinding with Rattling", JSPE Hokkaido Conference, 6th September 2003. Muroran, Japan. pp 85-86

    • Tomiji Watabe, Hirotaka Yokouchi, S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, Ajith Takkar, "Autonomous Optimization Control and the Controller for Pendulor (An Ocean Wave Power Converter)", Fluid Power, Fifth JEPS International Symposium (2002), Nara, Japan, November 12-15, 2002, pp. 843-847

    • Tomiji Watabe, Hirotaka Yokouchi, S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, "Heave and Pitch Buoy (HPB), A miniature Wave Energy Converter", Proceeding of the Twelfth (2002) international offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Kitakyushu, Japan, May 26-31, 2002, pp. 649-654

    • T. Watabe, H. Yokouchi, S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, B.R.K. Obeysekera, U.I. Dissanayake, "Preliminary study on Wave Energy Utilization in Sri Lanka", Proceedings of the eleventh International Offshore and Polar Energy Conference, Stavanger, Norway, June 17-22, 2001, pp. 596-603

    • T. Watabe, H. Yokouchi, S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, "Heave and Pitch Buoy for offshore use", Japanese society of design engineers, summer conference, Hokkaido university, Japan, May 2001, pp. 11-14 (In Japanese)

    • S.D.G.S.P. Gunawardane, H. Yokouchi, "Performance of a newly developed ocean wave energy converter-Heave and Pitch buoy", Japanese society of design engineers, Summer conference, Hokkaido university, Japan, May 2001,pp. 7-10

    • T.Watabe, T.Iiijima, H.Yokouchi, S.P.Gunawardane, 1-10kW Ocean Wave Power Device :Heave and Pitch Buoy, Japanese Society of Design Engineers, Summer Conference, Muroran, August, 1999, pp 71-74