Ananta Aacharya

I am a Mechanical Engineer and Graduate Researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, specializing in solar photovoltaic and thermal systems, with a strong focus on integrated renewable energy technologies. My research is dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture by leveraging innovative and digital approaches to power traditional farming practices. This includes addressing challenges in irrigation, machinery operations, and cultural practices, particularly within agrivoltaic park systems that synergize energy generation with agricultural productivity.

In my academic research, I employ a multidisciplinary approach that integrates the following strategies:

1. Apply interdisciplinary engineering approaches to address global challenges such as irrigation efficiency, sustainable energy access, and food insecurity through system level analysis and innovative design.
2. Conduct system analysis of energy systems and agricultural machinery operations, utilizing mathematical modeling and forecasting techniques to optimize performance and reliability.
3. Perform techno-economic and environmental life cycle analysis to evaluate the viability and sustainability of innovative concepts in energy generation and food cultivation.

I began my academic career soon after graduation and have gained experience in research methodologies throughout the entire project lifecycle—from idea development to execution—including both technical and administrative tasks. With this background and motivation, I am keen to continue my career in academia and consultation firm. My research interests lie in energy efficiency, sustainable and rural technologies, with the aim of improving the living conditions of marginalized communities.

• Teaching assistant for Under Graduate Level courses: Elements of Engineering;  Thermodynamics; Heat Transfer; and Fluid Mechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kathmandu University, Nepal. 
• Laboratory assistantship for conducting laboratory works in the field of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. 

Crop cultivation in combination with solar panels on arable land – How does it contribute to the future need for food and energy in a profitable way? (Role: Doctoral Student) funded by LTV; SLU Faculty Development Project from 2025-05-01 to 2029-05-01. 

Research and Development of Solar-assisted Heat Pump Systems for commercial heating applications (Role: Activity Leader) funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy under EnergizeNepal program from 2023-03-01 to 2025-02-28. 

Solar Food: Reducing post-harvest losses through improved solar drying. (Role: Research Engineer and MS by Research Scholar) funded by Swedish Research Council VR from 2022-01-01 to 2024-02-28.

Design and Development of a Community-Scale Spray Drying for Milk Processing (Role: Design Engineer) funded by Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) from 2021-12-01 to 2022-10-30.  

All research projects were funded by international agencies such as the Swedish Research Council, the Royal Norwegian Embassy under the Energize Nepal program, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency. In each of these projects, I was often one of the key driving forces from the Nepalese side, introducing new ideas and coordinating our research team’s efforts with international partners—Lund University, the Norwegian Centre for Rural Research (Ruralis), and the Royal University of Bhutan.

The opportunity to work with a diverse team of engineering and social scientists from these institutions taught me to work in a cross-cultural environment and honed my client orientation, as I consistently worked to meet the diverse needs and expectations of all involved parties. With these experiences in the short span of my professional career, I managed to learn quickly and able to fit myself in different roles to meet organizational goals and good collaboration with colleagues and partners.

Education

May 2025- Current       PhD in Technology at Swedish University of                                                                          Agricultural Sciences 

Jan 2022- Jan 2024       Master by Research in Mechanical Engineering acquired                                                      at Kathmandu University

Aug 2016 ‒ Dec 2020    Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering                                                             acquired at  Kathmandu University 

Work Experiences 

Mar 2024 - Dec 2024   Guest Researcher at Energy Efficient and Environmental                                                      Building Design at Lund University 

Jan 2021 ‒ Feb 2024     Research Engineer at Energy Systems and Technology                                                         Research Laboratory (ESTRL) at Kathmandu                                                                          University

Jan 2022 – Dec 2022    Visiting Faculty at Kathmandu University 

Research Articles

Ananta Aacharya, Henrik Davidsson, Bivek Baral, Martin Andersson, Investigation of thermodynamics performance of solar dryer equipped with double pass flat, v-corrugated, and low-e coated collectors, Case Stuides in Thermal Engineering, Year 2024, Vol. 64, pp. 105482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2024.105482. 

Ananta Aacharya, Christian Rissler, Bivek Baral, Tshewang Lendup, Martin Andersson, Henrik Davidsson: Development of a novel solar dryer with an incorporated heat exchanger, Solar Energy, Year 2024, Vol. 269, pp. 112327. 10.1016/j.solener.2024.112327

Ananta Aacharya, Robin Koirala, Shuvas Khanal, Bivek Baral: Comparative Analysis of Radiant and Radiator Heating System. IOP Conference Series 2022: Material Science and Engineering, Year 2022, Vol. 2. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1279/1/012001

Ananta Aacharya, Shuvas Khanal, Bishal Humagain, Sangeet Kattel, and Bivek Baral: CFD analysis of temperature distribution of different piping arrangement used in radiant floor heating system. Kathmandu University Journal of Science and Technologies, Year 2021, Vol. 15, No. 2.

Robin Koirala, Ananta Aacharya, and Sailesh Chitrakar: Structural optimization of simple span bridge by adding truss structure. Kathmandu University Journal of Science and Engineering Year 2021, Vol. 15, No. 2.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ananta_Aacharya2

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ananta-aacharya/ 

https://www.slu.se/en/departments/biosystems-technology/