Dr. Ravita Prasad

Dr. Ravita Prasad

Position: Assistant Professor
School: School of Sciences
Email: ravita.prasad@fnu.ac.fj
Campus: Derrick Campus – Samabula
Phone: 3381044 ext. 4356

Biography:

Dr Ravita D. Prasad is an Assistant Professor of Physics at the School of Sciences at Fiji National University. She has been involved in teaching Physics and Renewable Energy at Fiji National University for over 15 years. She has expertise in curriculum and programme development. Dr Prasad has made significant contributions to the field of sustainable energy. She strongly believes that strategic collaborations among academia, government institutions, the private sector, and NGOs are fundamental to driving sustainable development and progress in Fiji and the Pacific Region.

Qualification:

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Physics, University of the South Pacific (USP) – Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji.
  • Master of Science in Physics, University of the South Pacific (USP) – Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji.
  • Post-graduate Diploma in Physics, University of the South Pacific (USP) – Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji.
  • Post-graduate Certificate in Education, University of the South Pacific (USP) – Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji.
  • Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Physics), University of the South Pacific (USP) – Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji.

Area of Expertise:

  • Short course development
  • Programme development
  • Energy planning and policy
  • Renewable energy technologies
  • Energy data analysis and modelling
  • Sustainable energy development
  • Clean cooking energy solutions
  • Technical report writing and communication
  • Research and project management

Journals:

  • Prasad, R. D., Dbouk, W., Yiadom, E. B., & Vassiliades, C. (2025). Biogas digester innovations as solution to clean cooking energy challenge in the Pacific Islands: A policy perspective. Energy Reports, 13, 2417-2432.
  • Prasad, R. D., & Raturi, A. (2025). Enhancing sustainable development through implementation of climate goals in Pacific Island Nations: A call for unified action. Energy for Sustainable Development, 85, 101677.
  • Prasad, R. D., Reddy, N., Kumar, A., Dbouk, W., Yiadom, E. B., & Vassiliades, C. (2025). Empowering Kavewa: The socio-economic and environmental impact of biogas technology adoption in rural Fiji. Energy Research & Social Science, 120, 103940.
  • Prasad, R. D., Chand, D. A., Lata, S. S., & Kumar, R. S. (2025). Beyond Energy Access: How Renewable Energy Fosters Resilience in Island Communities. Resources, 14(2), 20.
  • Prasad, R.D.: “School Electricity Consumption in a Small Island Country: The Case of Fiji’, Energies, vol. 17, 2024, 1727. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071727
  • Vassiliades, C., Diemuodeke, O. E., Yiadom E. B., Prasad, R. D., Dbouk, W.: ‘Policy pathways for mapping clean energy access for cooking in the global south: A case for rural communities’, Sustainability, vol. 14, 2022, pp. 13577. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013577
  • Prasad, R. D., and Raturi, A.: ‘Techno-economic analysis of a proposed 10 MW geothermal power plant in Fiji’, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, vol. 53, 2022, pp. 102374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2022.102374
  • Prasad, R. D., and Raturi, A.: ‘Prospects of sustainable biomass-based power generation in a small island country’, Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 318, 2021, pp. 128519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128519
  • Prasad, R. D., and Raturi, A.: ‘Fuel demand and emissions for maritime sector in Fiji: Current status and low-carbon strategies’, Marine Policy, vol. 102, 2019, pp.40-50.
  • Prasad, R. D., and Raturi, A.: ‘Low carbon alternatives and their implications for Fiji’s electricity sector’, Utilities Policy, vol. 56, 2019, pp.1-19.
  • Prasad, R. D., and Raturi, A.: ‘Low-carbon measures for Fiji’s land transport energy system’, Utilities Policy, vol. 54, 2018, pp. 132-147.
  • Prasad, R. D., and Raturi, A.: ‘Grid electricity for Fiji Islands: Future supply options and assessment of demand trends’, Energy, vol. 119, 2017, pp.860-871.
  • Prasad, R. D., Bansal, R. C., and Raturi, A.: ‘A review of Fiji’s energy situation: Challenges and strategies as a small island developing state’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 75, 2017, pp. 278-292.
  • Raturi, A., Singh, A., Prasad, R. D. ‘Grid-connected PV systems in the Pacific Island Countries’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 58, 2016, pp. 419-28.
  • Prasad, R.: ‘Forest residue as an energy source: Volume generated in Fiji’, Fiji Agricultural Journal, vol. 54, no. 2, Dec. 2014, pp. 4-14.
  • Raturi, A., Prasad, R. D.: ‘Renewable energy based electricity generation in the Pacific Island countries’, UNESCAP Tech Monitor – Special Theme on Strengthening affordable and accessible sustainable energy options, Jul.-Sep. 2014, pp. 14-22.
  • Prasad, R. D., Bansal, R. C., Raturi, A.: ‘Multi-faceted energy planning: A review’, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 38, 2014, pp. 686-699.
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Empirical study on factors affecting biogas production’, International Scholarly Research Network Renewable Energy, vol. 2012, pp. 1-7. doi:10.5402/2012/136959
  • Prasad, R.: ‘A case-study on economic and financial analysis for a proposed small wind turbine system: Case study for Fiji’, Fijian Studies:A Journal of Contemporary Fiji-Special Issue on Renewable Energy, vol 9, no. 1, May 2011, pp. 27-42. ISSN: 1728-7456
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Research and development in ocean energy technologies’, Int. J. of Renewable Energy Technology, vol. 2, no. 1, 2011, pp. 1-22.
  • Prasad, R. D. and Bansal, R. C.: ‘A discussion on some of the energy security issues of Pacific Island Countries (PICS)’, International Journal of Integrated Energy Systems, vol. 2, no. 2, Jul – Dec. 2010, pp. 125-134.
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘A case study for energy output using a single wind turbine and a hybrid system for Vadravadra site in Fiji Islands’, The Online Journal on Power and Energy Engineering, vol. 1, no. 1, Jan. 2010, pp. 22-25.
  • Prasad, R. D., Bansal, R. C., Sauturaga, M.: ‘Wind energy analysis for Vadravadra site in Fiji Islands: A case study’, IEEE Trans. On Energy Conversion, vol. 24, no. 3, Sept. 2009, pp. 750-757.
  • Prasad, R. D., Bansal, R. C., and Sauturaga, M.: ‘Some of the design and methodology considerations in wind resource assessment’, Institute of Engineering and Technology-Renewable Power Generation, vol. 3, no. 1, Mar. 2009, pp. 53-63.
  • Prasad, R. D., Bansal, R. C., and Sauturaga, M.: ‘Economic analysis for a wind turbine in Vadravadra village in Fiji’, Int. J. Agile Systems and Management-Special issue on Renewable energy systems and management, vol. 4, no. 1/2, 2009, pp. 41-59.

Book and Book Chapters:

  • Prasad, R. D. and Bansal, R. C.: ‘Technologies and Methods Used in Wind Resource Assessment,’ Chapter 4 in Handbook of Renewable Energy Technology, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., Singapore, 2011, ISBN-13 978-981-4289-06-1.
  • Prasad, R. D. and Bansal, R. C.: ‘Economic Analysis of Wind Systems,’ Chapter 5 in Handbook of Renewable Energy Technology, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., Singapore, 2011, ISBN-13 978-981-4289-06-1.
  • Prasad, R. D. and Bansal, R. C.: ‘Photovoltaic Systems,’ Chapter 9 in Handbook of Renewable Energy Technology, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., Singapore, 2011, ISBN-13 978-981-4289-06-1.
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘A comprehensive study of the wind and solar potential of Gau Island, Fiji, Springer, 2013, ISBN: 978-3-642-37752-5 (Print) 978-3-642-37753-2 (Online). Editors: Filho, W. L., Mannke, F., Mohee, R., Schulte, V. and Suroop, D.
  • Prasad R.D., Raturi A. (2020) Solar Energy for Power Generation in Fiji: History, Barriers and Potentials. In: Singh A. (eds) Translating the Paris Agreement into Action in the Pacific. Advances in Global Change Research, vol 68. Springer, Cham [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30211-5_8]

Conference:

  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Energy and Climate Security of PICs’, Climate Security Challenges in the Asia-Pacific: Securing Energy, Trade and Transition Workshop, 19 March 2025, Hayama, Japan, Organised by Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Fiji’s Land Transport Energy Model’, Energy Statistics Workshop, 12th March 2025, Suva, Fiji.
  • Panelist at Panel Discussion: ‘Challenges to accessing climate finance and opportunities to overcome’, Climate Finance Fundamentals Workshop: Higher Education Institutions and Climate Finance Access in the Pacific, 15-16 Oct, Suva, Fiji.
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Waste to energy options for promoting circular economy’, Circular Economy Workshop: A Circular Approach To Waste Management In The Pacific – Creating Resources From Waste And Pollution, 30th Sept to 4th Oct, 2024, Port Vila, Vanuatu. https://library.sprep.org/content/circular-economy-workshop-circular-approach-waste-management-pacific-creating-resources
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Biogas Technology’, Circular Economy Workshop: A Circular Approach To Waste Management In The Pacific – Creating Resources From Waste And Pollution, 30th Sept to 4th Oct, 2024, Port Vila, Vanuatu. https://library.sprep.org/content/circular-economy-workshop-circular-approach-waste-management-pacific-creating-resources
  • Panelist at Panel Discussion: ‘Closing the gender gap in STEM’, Pacific Women in Energy Conference, 26-27 September 2024, Nadi, Fiji (participated virtually)
  • Panelist at Panel Discussion: ‘Challenges, opportunities and benefits for more women and girls in STEM courses and careers in Pacific Energy Sector’, Pacific Women in Power, 27th Feb 2024, USP, Suva, Fiji.
  • Prasad, R. D. and Raturi, A.: ‘Sustainably Powering Off-grid Schools in Fiji’, ISES Solar World Congress, 30 Oct to 4 Nov, 2023, New Delhi, India.
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Energy Access for Rural Communities’, Pacific Women in Energy Conference, 4-6 October, 2022, Holiday Inn, Suva. https://gem.spc.int/meetings/pacific-women-in-energy
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Barriers to Girls and Women in STEM’, Pacific Women in Energy Conference, 4-6 October, 2022, Holiday Inn, Suva. https://gem.spc.int/meetings/pacific-women-in-energy
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Energy and Climate Change in Fiji and the Pacific’, Presentation to Think Pacific Team, 5 July 2022, Mango Bay Resort, Fiji
  • Prasad, R. D.: ‘Long-term energy planning for Fiji: Findings and data gaps’, Going Global Conference (Virtual Conference), 15-17 June, 2021, hosted by British Council. (Poster Presentation)

Teaching interest:

  • Solar photovoltaics
  • Solar Thermal Energy Systems
  • Biomass energy systems
  • Wind energy
  • Energy access
  • Energy planning and policy
  • Energy security
  • Environmental Physics
  • Introduction to Physics
  • Applied Physics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Renewable energy
  • Sustainable energy
  • Research methods

Research interest:

  • Clean cooking energy access in SIDS
  • Feasibility of renewable energy systems
  • Energy planning and policy for sustainable development
  • Energy and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
  • Energy Security
  • Socio-economic impact of renewable energy technologies
  • Energy demand analysis and forecasting
  • Biomass Energy Potential and Utilisation