Yashkumar Shukla

Center Head and Principal Researcher

Dr. Yashkumar Shukla is Center Head and Principal Researcher at the Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE). He has more than seventeen years of research and consulting experience in high-performance buildings. He has led several ground-breaking research projects including low energy cooling and ventilation system in Indian residences, evaluation of innovative cooling technologies, and benchmarking of Indian buildings. He is also associated with the Master of Technology in Building Energy Performance (MBEP) program at the Faculty of Technology, CEPT University where he offers several courses and guides capstone projects.

Dr. Shukla's current research includes calibration of simulation models, smart grids, low cooling energy systems, performance characterization of the novel envelope and air conditioning systems, and development of the next-generation control algorithms. He is presently the team lead on the technical assistance program by Asian Development Bank on building disease resilient, smart, energy-efficient air conditioning systems in developing member countries.

Dr. Shukla possesses several professional certifications including certified measurements and verification professional (CMVP), Home energy rating system (HERS), GRIHA Trainer, and ECBC Master Trainer. He is an active member of the Indian Society of Heating Refrigerating Air conditioning Engineer (ISHRAE), the American Society of Heating Refrigerating Air conditioning Engineer (ASHRAE) and the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) societies. He also holds several leadership positions in these societies and chairs technical committees at national and international forums.

Dr. Shukla joined CARBSE in July 2011 after working for seven years in building energy efficiency domain the USA and worked as the technical director at the centre till April 2021. His prior work experience also includes the execution of sophisticated building automation systems, conducting building energy audits, and providing technical support on demand-side management (DSM) programs for electric utilities throughout the USA. He has completed a Doctor of Philosophy from CEPT University, Ahmedabad; Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A & M University, College Station; and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Nirma Institute of Technology, Ahmedabad.

Rajan Rawal

Senior Advisor

Rajan Rawal is a Professor at CEPT University and a senior advisor at the Center for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE), CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). He was the Executive Director of CARBSE between 2006 and 2021. He worked with Vastu Shilpa Foundation for Studies and Research in Environmental Design before joining the Faculty of Design (Formerly School of Interior Design), CEPT University, Ahmedabad. He taught design and construction courses as part of the undergraduate programs. He teaches energy-efficient built environments, energy policy, energy modelling and simulations at the postgraduate programs. His current focus of work is on Passive Design Strategies, Net Zero Energy Buildings and Communities, Urban microclimates, Embodied Carbon in Buildings, Personal Thermal Comfort Systems and Practices of Adaptive Thermal Comfort Models.

His work emphasis is on ‘energy performance of buildings and cities’ and ‘architectural science education. He is a member of various technical core committees of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency – Ministry of Power, National Building Codes, and voluntary green building rating programs. Prof. Rawal contributes to International Energy Agency EBC Annex 69 on low-energy building and thermal comfort and EBC Annex 87 on Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Performance of Personalised Environmental Control Systems.

He is the founder and member secretary of the India chapter of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) and served IBPSA World as Chair of Education for 12 years. Prof Rawal led Indo-US Joint Clean Energy R & D Centre - Building Energy Efficiency Sector, and Indo-UK project on Energy Demand Reduction. He played a pivotal role in Global Cooling Prize an innovation competition that developed a climate-friendly residential cooling solution that can provide cooling for all without warming the planet. Prof Rawal represented India at the Mission Innovation Affordable Heating and Cooling Innovation Challenge (MI-IC7). He serves on the Executive Council of the Alliance for Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE), the Research Advisory Board of Development Alternatives (DA), Editorial Board of the Journal of Building and Cities. He also serves on advisory boards of various academic and research institutes. He has several research publications and research projects to his credit. Prof. Rajan Rawal has been honoured with Fellow status by the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 2020 and Fellow status by International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) in 2021, the first Indian architect to receive such honours. He was recognised as ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer in 2021.