Coimbatore :

Thalinji, a small village near Tirupur where electricity is being generated using biomass, is a model for mitigating climate change using renewable resources.

“Four years ago, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) set up a 100 cubic metre biomass plant to generate electricity for 120 houses and 28 streetlights in association with an NGO named non-conventional energy and rural development society,” said S Kamaraj, head of bioenergy department.

The village generates 12 units of power every hour using the biomass plant which is maintained by SAG Federation and women self-help groups. There are seven solar-powered street lights as well.

Eleven scientists from across the country have come together to bring about a change in Indian villages and to give them facilities without disturbing the ecosystem or affecting the climate.

They will participate in the 21 days winter school organised by Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute in the city and learn methods of using renewable energy to mitigate climate change.

“In Gujarat, there is abundant availability of biomass, so I am looking to learn the various methods of using it as an energy source and implement the most viable one in our state by education the students and researchers there,” said Modi Vijayesh Mahendrabhai, assistant professor, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Gujarat.

A participant from Raipur is looking forward to learn the latest technologies and replicate them in tribal villages in Vellore district.

“We are working on a project on using wasteland and waste water to create an algae and extract bio-fuel from it. This winter school will definitely give us more insight to our project,” said S Joshua Davidson, assistant professer, KVK, Vrinjipuram, Vellore.

With India generously being endowed with renewable resources, there exists a potential of the order of 80,000 MW, according to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

“At present the total renewable energy based power generation in India is 28,000 MW out of the total 2,30,000 MW which works out to be 12.7% only,” said K Alagusundaram, Deputy Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

With concerns for environmental protection and climate change increasing, the importance of renewables for power generation is attracting greater attention, he added.

TNAU vice chancellor K Ramasamy said that that biomass availability in the state should be identified and a data bank should be created.

“Energy plantations and bio mass processing industries should be promoted to promote energy efficient technologies for biomass based power generation,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Coimbatore / by Komal Gautham, TNN / November 07th, 2014