Renewable Energy in India

Catching up on Lost Growth

2016-07-10T04:45:00.002-07:00

Like how it is important for our country to catch up on technological growth, and hence have a solid base/foundation in renewable energy systems at home, it is equally important for kids to have a solid base/foundation in their physical growth during their growing years. Otherwise, they'll start catching up with others and that might slow their progress, like how our country is trying to catch up with developed countries on renewable energy technology now.

While most of us acknowledge that kids need to develop the right height and weight for their age, how do we ascertain what that right height and weight is? You can do that by entering some basic info about your child in this Growth Calculator - the system will let you compare your child's height and weight with the average height and weight of kids of similar age.

Now that you have identified how your child's height and weight compares with others, you might be interested in taking action on improving the same, if you find your kids' lagging behind others on both. Horlicks, the company that is popular for making health drinks, suggests you try Horlicks Growth+ drink.

The company says that the drink naturally enhances growth, helps acquire healthy weight gain and provides high quality proteins. The company recommends Horlicks Growth+ for kids between 3 & 9 who maybe lagging behind in height and weight. Horlicks Growth+ is available in Chocolate and Vanilla flavours, hence kids may not complain about the taste. They might even enjoy drinking it and might pester you to give more! The company says the drink is suitable for vegetarians also.

Horlicks recommends you mix the drink with hot milk or hot water, and not not with soups, juices, etc. They also suggest that you give it just before the kid sleeps, or in between meals so that their food intake is not affected. If your child is well ahead of others in height and weight, you might want to consult a pediatrician before giving them Horlicks Growth+ as they might advise some exclusions from the regular diet in order to be able to accommodate this drink.

According to Horlicks -

“Horlicks Growth+ is a specialized nutrition product designed by international pediatric experts for children in age group of 3-9 years who are lagging behind in height and weight. It contains high quality whey protein with added nutrients that are known to enable children to catch up on lost growth. It has been clinically proven for visible growth in children in 6 months.”

While there are other healthy beverages like milk and juices, this drink is not a replacement for any of them. It provides additional nutrition for kids who have fallen behind in height & weight, so that they can catch up with the rest of the world and shine in all their academic, sports, and other extra-curricular activities. Who knows, your child might come up with the next breakthrough technology in renewable energy systems! As a parent, you can also be anxiety-free if you help your kids achieve their true potential.

You can buy Horlicks Growth+ in pharmacies, modern retail chains, grocery outlets and even in websites online. Have a look at Horlicks Growth+ webpage to know more details about their product.

Innovative Energy Startups can apply to Berlin Bootcamp (July '16)

2016-05-05T20:49:00.001-07:00

If you run an innovative energy startup you think will create a breakthrough in energy technology and has a clearly demonstrated demand in the market, and you already have a working prototype/proof of concept, you can showcase your venture at the Berlin Bootcamp hosted by GIZ India and Social Impact in the month of July 2016, in Germany.

Yourstory reports that up to 5 startups from India (one person from each) will get a chance to participate in a 1.5-week-long bootcamp at Berlin, free of cost. For more information, terms & conditions, qualifying criterion, links to the organizers page, etc. please refer to this Yourstory.in post. Please read all the details before applying.

GeoThermal Energy could make a big Impact in India

2016-04-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

Geothermal energy is a renewable form of energy that can be applied to achieve heating or cooling of large and small organizations alike.

Here is the story of GIBSS - Green India Building Systems and Services that has reduced energy consumption and demand in buildings by 60%. Read it.

Ather Energy Launches S340 Electric Scooter

2016-02-28T02:26:00.000-08:00

Ather Energy recently launched the S340 Electric Scooter at the SURGE Conference, Bengaluru. They claim that theirs is not just the best electric scooter, but also the best scooter among electric and petrol scooters! I am not sure if it's actually the best, but it's certainly the most modern, innovative and connected scooter available for Indian two-wheeler riders today.

Salient Points about the Ather S340 Electric Scooter:

Li-Ion Battery Lasts 50,000 KMs.
Battery charges up to 80% within an hour. Consumes 2.5 units of electricity for full charge.
Normal 5A sockets are sufficient, but charging is faster if larger sockets are used.
Capable of achieving a top speed of 72 KMPH.
60 KM range with 300 Kg load. Range increases with reduced load.
Prototype can go 0-60 Kmph in 11s.
Scooter is 20% lighter than its petrol counterparts.
Maintenance, Navigation (Maps!), digital speedometer, and time management is available on the waterproof dashboard screen.
Connects to Internet via 3G SIM card.
The scooter can tell you the fastest route based on your riding habits.
Designed and built in-house in India for Indian consumers, by IIT graduates.
Price to be announced in Q2 '16, and the scooter to be available from Q4, '16 (mostly).
Battery charging system is integrated into the scooter.
Online purchase model with doorstep delivery and service, at least initially. Expected to be available in Bangalore, Pune and Chennai first.
Sleek form-factor with sufficient empty space to store two full-sized helmets.

As electric scooters can be powered using solar energy, I asked the Ather Energy team on Facebook if they would provide solar modules and charging infrastructure. They said they didn't have any plans to do that right now, but may provide it in the future. When Mahindra E20 Electric car provides solar charging infrastructure as an option, I am sure Ather Energy can also do it. That has the potential to create a revolution in the Indian automobile market.

Further Information: Ather Energy website.

Impact of Wind Power in India

2016-01-25T05:10:00.003-08:00

India is the fourth largest generator of electricity through wind energy/wind turbines. The potential of wind power in India has been assessed to be 300 GW. As of Nov. 2015, the installed capacity of wind power in India is estimated to be slightly less than 25 GW. Wind power contributes to around 8% of the power generation capacity in India, and it contributes to 65% of power generation capacity among renewable power sources in the country.

Top 5 Indian States with the Highest installed Wind Power capacity: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan & Karnataka. Tamil Nadu contributes to around 35% of the total wind power capacity in India. Gujarat is estimated to have the maximum gross wind power potential in the country. The Government of India aims to achieve 60 GW of wind power by 2022.

Largest Wind Farm in India: Muppandal wind farm, Tamil Nadu (1500 MW capacity).

Suzlon, an Indian-owned company, is one of the major manufacturer of wind turbines across the world, and has an installed capacity of more than 6.2 GW in India alone. The major wind turbine manufacturers active in India include Suzlon, GE, LM Wind Power, Vestas, Gamesa, Siemens, ReGen Powertech, RRB Energy, Inox Wind, etc.

2.5 MW and 2.8 MW Wind Turbines are among the largest capacity wind turbines installed in India with massive rotor diameters of approx. 100m & 109m respectively. Offshore wind farms are being considered to be developed in the Indian states of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Accelerated depreciation and other incentives are available for businesses installing wind power capacity in India.

The Indian Wind Energy Association (InWEA) is a non profit organization that is dedicated to the promotion of wind energy in India. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), is the Government body that oversees the policy and development of renewable energy, including wind energy, in India.

A Wind Resource Map, indicating the wind power potential of various regions of India is available online. Indian Wind Power, managed by Indian Wind Power Manufacturer's Association, is a dedicated magazine that publishes regular news and articles about wind power in India. You can read many articles related to technology, policy, investment, etc. in the wind energy sector, from here.

Hybrid Solar-Wind and Solar-Hydro power projects are common in India as two forms of renewable energy can combine together and compensate for one another during periods of low production. Besides, there is a lot of space available in wind energy sites where solar panels can easily be installed, to compliment the energy generated by wind. Wind turbines can even be installed on farms and other useful land without interfering with regular activities.

As you can see, wind power has the potential to create enormous impact in India and the Govt. is rightly targeting to become a superpower in Wind Energy.

Further Information: Wikipedia article on Wind power in India.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Impact of Solar Power in India

2016-01-23T01:47:00.002-08:00

The amount of solar energy available for tapping in India in a year is more than the capacity of all the fossil fuel reserves in the country! Solar energy is obviously a natural resource that is available in abundance (and for free) in India, which we have started utilizing in a large scale over the last few years. However, solar power can/should create an even higher impact in the electricity generation scenario in India.

As of July 2015, the total installed capacity of solar power in India is around 4 GW, while the total installed capacity of all forms of electrical utilities is around 285 GW. India is ranked No.1 in terms of solar energy production capacity per watt installed. The demand is ever increasing and fossil fuels can only generate so much electricity. Clearly, there is a lot of scope for solar power to create a larger impact in India.

Top 5 Indian States with Highest Installed Solar Energy Capacity:

Rajasthan - 1199.70 MW
Gujarat - 1000 MW
Madhya Pradesh - 673.58 MW
Maharashtra - 378.70 MW
Andhra Pradesh - 279.44 MW

Top 5 Largest Solar Power Projects in India:

Charanka Solar Park, Gujarat - 221 MW
Welspun Solar MP Project, Madhya Pradesh - 151 MW
Sakri Solar Plant, Maharashtra - 125 MW
Green Energy Development Corporation, Odisha - 50 MW
Tata Power Solar Systems, Madhya Pradesh - 50 MW

Solar power can be installed on unproductive and barren land with a high solar irradiation. These solar power plants need to be connected to the grid, which needs to be arranged by state-run electrical utility agencies. Or, micro grids can be established in the areas surrounding solar power plants and the electricity can be used right there. Micro grids are an efficient way to utilize power as transmission losses are minimized.

The requirement of land for solar power projects (6 acres per MW) is similar to other utilities like coal-fired power plants and hydro-electric power plants. Solar power plants are not dependent on supply of raw materials as they receive free sunlight from the sun. Although land availability is a challenge, people are approaching this challenge in interesting ways by co-locating solar panels along with wind energy projects, on the top of roofs of residential and commercial buildings, and even on the top of canals which has an additional benefit of reducing water loss due to evaporation.

The Govt. of India has been encouraging solar projects and solar power plants through various schemes and incentives for power producers, large organizations and even individual houses. There is subsidy for solar lanterns and solar pumps for the rural and agricultural sector; there is subsidy for solar water heaters and solar power plants for individual houses; there is acceleration depreciation, capital depreciation, assured power purchase agreements and renewable energy certificates for commercial organizations.

As you can see, solar energy has already created a good impact in India, and the demand for solar power is going to only increase and become more popular in the near future. Solar energy has a lot of potential in India and everyone should unite to create an even larger impact that would satiate our power requirements while not harming the nature.

Read more about Solar Power in India from this Wikipedia article.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Solar Panels spotted at Poompuhar!

2015-12-29T22:54:00.001-08:00

Poompuhar is a remote coastal village in Tamil Nadu and I went there recently for a tour. It used to be an important port, but most of this erstwhile town has drowned into the ocean now. They have constructed a light house and one of the buildings inside the light house complex had solar panels installed on the top. I took the above picture from atop the light house, as visitors are allowed to climb it.

I was glad that solar panels have reached small remote villages. It also makes sense for them to go solar because the power supply in such places is generally sporadic and unreliable. Along with a battery, they can at least power some important electrical appliances when there is no power. I hope solar power reaches more villages and towns where the power supply is not reliable.

Renewable Energy India Expo Noida from Sept. 23-25: Opening Today!

2015-09-22T20:44:00.001-07:00

One of the major renewable energy exhibitions in India, Renewable Energy India Expo 2015 Edition, is open for public visits from today. It will be held from September 23 to 25 at India Expo Center, Greater Noida. Exhibition entry is free for everyone, but conference sessions are ticketed. The exhibition venue will be open from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.

The organizers are expecting more than 550 exhibitors in the fields of renewable energy (solar, wind, bio, geothermal, energy efficiency & smart grids) from more than ten countries. This exhibition is held at a business space of 25,000 sq. meters and more than 16,000 foreign visitors are expected to attend.

They also have conferences and other interesting events like startup pavilion, world of innovation, business matching, business plan competition, workshops, etc. lined up during these three days.

There is a free mobile app that you can download to get all the latest information about this expo, and the organizers have arranged for a free shuttle from major locations in Delhi to the exhibition venue. Do attend, if your business is in the field of renewable energy, and if you are in/around Delhi on any of these days. You can learn about the latest technologies and products that are available in the international/domestic market and how dealers/customers can benefit from them.

Further Information: Renewable Energy India Expo website.

World's first fully Solar-powered Airport @ Kochi, India

2015-08-15T02:36:00.001-07:00

The world's first fully solar-powered airport will be inaugurated on coming Tuesday, August 18, 2015 by the Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri. Oomman Chandy at Kochi International Airport. The new 12 MWp solar power plant has been commissioned by Bosh India - Bosch Energy & Building Solutions. This will augment the already existing 1 MWp solar power plant, in the international airport premises.

The Kochi International Airport's requirement of 50,000 units per day is estimated to be fully met by the new solar power plant, and excess energy will be sold to the state electricity board. The new solar plant has been commissioned over 45 acres of land and comes at an investment of roughly 62 Crores.

Urban Tree Green Homes & Blogger's Meet

2015-07-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

I went to a Blogger's meet organized by Urban Tree Constructions and echoVME in Chennai, last Saturday. Here, as usual, there were some events like quiz & adzap but the presentation by Urban Tree Constructions about Green Homes in Chennai, and how they are striving to make their properties (residential apartments) more green, impressed me much. In the above photo, you can see the CEO of Urban Tree addressing the gathering of Bloggers.

Here are some highlights on Urban Tree's Green Home Initiatives:

They use heat-reducing glass panels instead of normal glass panels (that allow all the heat to get in). This reduces the amount of air-conditioning necessary to cool the houses.
They use low VOC paints that have reduced lead (and other chemicals) that are harmful.
They use solid concrete blocks made with fly ash, which is a waste product from other industries.
Recycled water from sewage treatment plant is used for flushing and gardening.
Rainwater from terrace is collected and used for irrigation.
They have fixed Aerators and other water-saving fixtures, reducing water consumption.
They use larger windows so that more light comes in and the requirement for daytime lighting is reduced.
Walls are gypsum-plastered, so heat coming in from outside is reduced.
LED lights (in common areas) and CFL bulbs reduce electricity consumption.
Thermal roof insulation tiles reflect sunlight and reduce heat penetrating inside.
Waste segregation and management/recycling processes are followed.
Landscaping around the apartments, including over one-lakh saplings planted in one of their apartments (Oxygen) helps maintain greenery and a more pleasant appearance/climate.
IGBC Green Buildings Certification enables standards-based compliance to green homes.
CFC-free air conditioning reduces ozone pollution.

I spoke to their CEO for a short time and upon my suggestion, he said he will consider Solar Water Heaters for their properties in the future. Yay!! :)

For further information on Green Apartments in Chennai, refer to Urban Tree website.

Disclaimer: All information given here are based on what was communicated to me on that day and what was written on their brochures. I have not verified any claims made above and hence encourage readers to do their own evaluation/verification before buying anything. This website is not affiliated with Urban Tree Homes in anyway and this blog post is for your information only. Readers should refer to the vendor's website for latest info/changes.

Let us raise our Voice against Dirty Power #AbMontuBolega

2015-07-10T06:02:00.000-07:00

With increasing population, our energy needs are only going to multiply. While we may not be able to decrease our energy consumption in the near future, we can at least ensure that we consume energy efficiently, and use renewable energy for our power requirements.

Why burn more coal and oil? Don't you think we have already created enough pollution? Don't you think we have already done enough damage to the air, water, and earth? As responsible citizens, should we not raise our voice against dirty power. Is it not our responsibility to make sure that all of us use clean energy as much as possible?

Why should we destroy forests, cut trees for firewood? Why should we pollute the earth by burning coal? Why should we fight our brothers and pay a huge price for extracting and distributing oil? Why should we continue damaging the earth & ourselves? Why should our future generations pay for our inefficiencies and wrong choices?

Think of the conditions in which labor is made to work in coal/petroleum industries. Think of how much their work environment - involved in extracting coal from mines deep down the earth, or petroleum, deep down the ocean. Why should our brothers suffer health ailments? So that we can live a comfortable life?

Imagine the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere due to burning coal/oil. Global warming is real and will affect each and every one of us before our lifetime. Temperature of the earth is rising and low lying areas are already submerging into water. Polluting energy sources are a big source of carbon emissions.

Renewable Energy has developed to such a state that it is possible to power the entire earth using green energy, today. It maybe expensive compared to polluting energy forms, but we cannot attach a price to healthier and happier living, attainable through renewable energy. It is important that people collectively demand that to happen, in order for the political powers to make it happen.

It is easy to keep moving as we are, currently. But at some point, all our polluting energy resources are going to get exhausted or they will be so short in supply that it will become insanely expensive. Green technologies, including renewable energy, will be much sought after in teh future, and hence it makes a lot of sense to adopt, invest in them, from today.

It's easy to turn a blind eye, but it's important for each one of us to promote green technologies that will make our lives better along with bettering the lives of our children and future generations. We should not only speak out against what we know is not the best option, but we should also set a personal example by adopting technologies like solar panels, micro wind turbines, etc. to power our homes, so that all our neighbors can become inspired by our positive actions, and follow us too.

If any of you head organizations, or are in decision making capacities, you should make sure to install renewable energy technologies to supply power to your facilities. This is not only possible today, but in many cases, feasible and better than grid connected power supply, today. If we take those small steps, slowly, the Government will also ensure than green technologies will power the grid. They are already promoting renewable energy in their offices and facilities, and are offering subsidies for private organizations to adopt green energy. But it's the people's enthusiasm and popular demand that will power this world through renewabels.

Strepsils India has launched a campaign that enables everyone to raise their voice to create a Cleaner India/Swach Bharat. You can visit the links below to know more about the campaign and Participate in the same.

There are places that need cleaning, people who deserve your attention & authorities who need to hear your opinions! Don’t be a silent spectator. Raise your voice and make a difference. Let's raise our voice and work towards a Swach Bharath!

#AbMontuBolega Campaign. Make your voice heard!
Visit - AbMontuBolega campaign site, Facebook page, Twitter.

Honey, the modern day Elixir

2015-07-10T02:25:00.000-07:00

We all know honey is beneficial to health. But did you know that honey can help in weight management, or that honey can be consumed instead of sugar for healthier snacks, or that honey is a source of energy and aids in digestion? In this post, you'll find the health benefits and some important things you need to know about honey.

Before that, I need to mention that I have started eating amla soaked in Honey occasionally to become healthier. I am spending a lot of time finding out what foods I can eat to enhance my health and honey was highly recommended, even in organic stores. I used to eat more honey when I was younger and I remember linking it. Once, we kids even took down a honeybee nest and tried to extract honey from it, but our hand-made honey was awful! :) You don't try - honey preparation is best left to professionals, I guess.

Here are some interesting facts, benefits, and answers about honey you must know:

Honey is sweeter and healthier than sugar, and hence is an excellent substitute for sugar. You can try adding honey instead of sugar while preparing certain types of foods.
Honey is a good source of energy that keeps people active and it helps with digestion.
Eating honey helps in curing minor ailments like cold, cough, and throat irritation.
Honey helps you get a more beautiful skin.
Honey is a natural food that contains carbohydrates, minerals, amino acids, proteins, minerals, etc.
Honey can be taken in any season, including summer. It does not build heat.
The color of honey is not an indicator of its purity as honey comes in various colors.
Thicker honey is not necessarily purer than thinner honey.
Honey can be spread on bread instead of jam, can be used in tea instead of sugar, can be used in preparation of bakery items and desserts.
Crystallized honey can be returned to normal state by warming -- crystallized honey is not impure.
Honey is suitable for long-term storage, without refrigeration.
Honey is known to have been used in the ancient times to cure ailments like gastric disturbances, ulcer, and skin-related ailments.
A warm drink of lemon and honey, or honey and warm water in the mornings is good for health.
Apple slices can be dipped in honey and eaten, both for health and taste.
Honey can help you sleep better and improve memory.
Honey can be used to treat skins burns and wounds, especially when other medicine is not nearby.
Ginger-Honey and Watermelon-Honey-Mint coolers are tasty and healthy drinks that can be made using honey.
Eating honey and dried figs is said to increase athletic performance.

Dabur, the trusted consumer products brand in India, is the manufacturer of Dabur Honey. You may want to check their website linked above to know more about honey and its benefits.

The Best Way to Follow Cricket? UC Cricket!

2015-07-09T01:35:00.001-07:00

I guess most of you might be familiar with UC Browser. It's a very popular web-browser for Android, iOS and other mobile platforms. Wait a minute, UC Browser is also available for Windows PC -- did you know that? I just installed it and it is as fast as Chrome -- I like it :)

But this post is about UC Cricket, which appears as an icon on the UC Browser home page and enables you to follow cricket scores live, see results of recently concluded matches, check the schedule of upcoming matches/series, follow latest cricket news, see interesting & short cricket videos, etc. In short, you can follow all that's going on in the world of cricket from where ever you are, right on your mobile phone!

Before I write more about UC Cricket, I should mention one of my favorite features of UC Browser on my Android mobile phone - Facebook. Once you log in to your Facebook account, UC Browser remembers you and even creates a separate Facebook icon that you can keep on your home page. Without installing the heavy Facebook app, you can get all updates and notifications right from UC Browser! I just love it, especially since Facebook app and data can take a lot of memory.

I like the live scores feature of UC Cricket. You can even see who is batting, who is bowling, etc. and it is updated in real-time. There maybe other apps to follow cricket scores live, but why download multiple apps for each application when UC Browser can do it all for you? That too without taking up much of the limited space available for app/data on your mobile?

If you are a student, maybe you can sneak your phone into your class and follow cricket scores instead of following the boring lectures :P If you are working, maybe you can take the mobile to all those useless meetings and do something productive by following cricket scores at least :P

In this world where no one has time anymore to follow cricket on TV, it helps to have all the knowledge right on your hands so that you can flaunt it in front of your friends, colleagues or your boss. They are sure to admire how resourceful you are, in spite of having limited time for entertainment :)

Did you know Pakistan won the three match test series against Sri Lanka recently? Did you know the Ashes test series is going on between England and Australia now? Did you know India tour of Zimbabwe will begin from Friday, 10th July? Did you know that India's tour of Sri Lanka in August could be advanced by a week so that the team will have some more time to relax before a grueling home series starts against South Africa? I am sure you didn't know all of these? I learned them by just browsing through UC Cricket on UC Browser for five minutes!

You can too. Just download UC Browser for your mobile -- Android, iOS, or Windows. And enjoy surfing the web :)

Non-Renewable Energy posts/articles also from Now on . . .

2015-07-08T06:36:00.004-07:00

When I think about why I started this blog, I realize I wanted to inspire people from different walks of life -- whether they know much (or are interested in) renewable energy or not -- to implement renewable energy or at least become inspired to consider renewable energy.

But writing about renewable energy topics alone (as I am doing currently) is only going to bring people who want to know more about this topic. What about the innumerable others? How can I inspire them to adapt renewable energy in some form, in whatever little way, in their lives?

That's why I have decided to write about many topics of interest to common man/woman in this blog. You can expect posts on music, organic products, movies, green buildings, mobiles, opinions, and many other topics that interests the common man, from now on. That will help me to bring more people in and (hopefully) interest them or make them curious about renewable energy.

Of course, I will also continue writing about renewable energy.

Thanking you,

Rajesh K

Administrator & Blogger,
http://www.solarwindhydroenergy.com
http://www.destinationinfinity.org

And one more thing: Now I have enabled Disqus comments on the blog. You can start commenting and interacting from now on... :)

Two Successful Years with Solar: MLC, Chennai

2015-06-29T08:06:00.002-07:00

I met Mr. Balachander (and team) of Manufacturing Logistics Control, Chennai, recently. They have installed a 5 KW Solar system two years ago, and another 1 KW solar system recently. I went to see the solar system in their premises and talk to them about their experience with the same.

It seems they have been running almost everything in their office including AC, fans, lights, servers, computers, etc. for most part of the day using solar power generated by the 5 KW solar system . This system consists of 20 x 250 Wp panels, 5 KVA grid shared system inverter, 16 x 40 AH battery bank. When the power generated by solar power is insufficient, the power from the grid and batteries chip in. One important feature of their system is: Power from different sources is shared, not switched.

They use energy efficient appliances like Inverter ACs, LED lights, Super fan, etc. They also measure the amount of energy generated and the amount of energy consumed from each source, at every step. They have plotted a graph with energy bills before and after the installation of solar panel system and the savings is considerable.

Off-grid solar systems, which they recommend, has two important advantages over grid-tied solar systems. First, there is energy security for the customers as this system (with batteries) will provide non-stop power during the day and night, even during the few hours of power cuts. Secondly, customers will not face the problem of low voltage during the nights (which is common in many houses) as the system will compensate for the same.

They feel that adopting energy efficient appliances has made a huge difference in accelerating the RoI after the installation of solar PV modules. They are now testing out a 1 KW system with a smart charge controller that can intelligently switch between battery power (via. solar) and grid power.

Based on their own experience they are planning to provide similar solutions for customers with existing Inverter systems. There are three common capacities of Inverters systems and hence solar panels, batteries, and other equipment are recommended based on it. So for 650 VA Inverter systems, they recommend one solar panel of 250Wp; for 850 VA Inverter systems, they recommend two solar panels of 250 Wp; for 1500 VA Inverter systems, they recommend four solar panels of 250 Wp. The battery capacity will be decided based on the number of hours of back up required.

As you can see, such a solution will require customization for each customer, and hence the company is willing to do an energy audit, and will recommend the appropriate solar system based on customer usage, existing appliances, etc. for each customer. You can contact them via the contact form available on their website.

Have a look at their blog post that contains detailed analysis after a year of running their office on solar power.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for your information only and is not a recommendation. This blog is not affiliated with the above mentioned company in anyway and hence readers are recommended to do their own evaluation/analysis before deciding to buy any product or service from the company mentioned on this blog post.

Training Course on Wind Energy Technology (26 - 30 Oct, 2015) by NIWE, Chennai

2015-06-27T06:21:00.002-07:00

National Institute of Wind Energy (Formerly C-WET), Chennai is conducting a national-level training course on Wind Energy technology from 26th October to 30th October, 2015. The cost for this training, as per their brochure is: Rs. 6,000 for students and Rs. 20,000 for everyone else. It seems the registration has started and the course seats will be allotted on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are in the wind energy field or want to get into it, you might want to check it out.

Course outline (Highlights):

Wind resource assessment and techniques
Planning and design of wind farms
Wind turbine components and performance characteristics
Installation, Grid integration, O&M activities
Testing and certification
Indian Government policies and schemes
Cost benefit analysis of wind projects, etc.

This course will be held at the Conference hall of the National Institute of Wind Energy, Chennai.

Further information & download of applications: 18th National Training Course (NIWE website).

Note: This article is for your information only and is not a recommendation. This blog is not associated with the above mentioned organization in anyway and hence readers are recommended to evaluate the products/services mentioned above before buying any of them.

Highlights: Coimbatore, 4th Int. Wind Conference & Exhibition

2015-06-23T03:41:00.001-07:00

Today I was at the 4th International Wind Conference & Expo, CODISSIA, Coimbatore. In this post, I summarize the highlights of this year's wind exhibition in Coimbatore.

1. Major manufacturers of wind turbines: Gamesa, Suzlon, REGEN Powertech, Wind World India (formerly Enercon) had displayed information about their wind turbine models.

2. Power System Operation Corporation Ltd, a subsidiary of Powergrid, had displayed their consultancy, research capabilities and Renewable Energy Certificate mechanism details.

3. National Institute of Wind Energy, formerly CWET, highlighted their research, turbine testing, consultancy capabilities and also their training services.

4. Park College of Engineering Technology displayed their innovative wind mill blade design.

5. SRM University exhibited their Wind Turbine Blade inspection Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAV).

6. KayArr Engineering Services exhibited their wind turbine gear box and related components.

7. P.G.R Power Tech exhibited their step down transformers, metering sets, Harmonic Filter Reactor, etc.

8. MEGA JOULE highlighted their consultancy services in wind and solar including wind speed measuring, irradiation level measuring, assessment services, etc.

9. OMKAR Clean Energy Services exhibited their operations and maintenance services for renewable energy assets.

10. Pawan Mitra Aero Engineers exhibited their customized wind mills.

11. Koncar displayed their static converters.

12. Arka automations introduced their 'SCADA for wind turbines' custom measurement device.

13. S.V.A RIKKON Lubes Pvt. Ltd displayed their automatic lubrication systems.

14. SCHAEFFLER exhibited their bearing solution and services for wind turbines.

15. Indian Wind Power Association, the organizers, also had their own stall.

Here are some interesting pics taken at this expo:

Solar South 2015 Expo, Chennai: Highlights

2015-06-19T21:33:00.003-07:00

I went to the Solar South, Solar Energy exhibition @ Chennai Trade Center yesterday. Here are some highlights from this expo which is On from June 19 - 21.

Ulaginoli Energy solutions had exhibited iSolarair, the Hybrid Solar AC that can run using solar vacuum tubes (generally used with solar heater systems) or the electrical grid.
Surya Power Magic Pvt. Ltd had displayed their solar water pump solution for agricultural farmers, with a working display outside the exhibition.
SOLATUBE and Skyshade Daylights had exhibited their daylight lighting solution using natural sunlight, and shading concepts.
VISPRA Solar explained about their UPS/PCU systems. They also had a system that could convert any brand normal UPS into Solar UPS.
LV Solar Solutions and MAS Solar systems are manufacturers of solar panels. The latter also provides hands-on training for students and others to join the solar energy industry.
NED Energy Ltd. had displayed their range of Solar Batteries which can handle the variations in charging and discharging prevalent with Solar PV systems.
FOCUSSUN Energy Systems, RCL Controls, Divya Tooling technologies displayed Solar Water heaters.
MEDI Electronic Devices & Instruments displayed their electronic solutions including Solar pump control, Zero drop solar chargers, MPPT systems, etc.
KCP Solar Energy, Green Field Solar (P) Ltd, Shree Jayaram Technologies, TRIO Solar, etc. explained their solar system integration capabilities.
There were a few companies exhibiting their LED Light solutions including Photonics.
FARO had displayed their Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM).
Evolve India representatives told me that they were the distributors for Suntech, zeversolar, Upsolar brands.
Chennai Sun Power representatives told me that they were the dealers for Microtek Inverters & UPS.
There were some publications like Power Watch India, Energy & Power who displayed their magazines for the power sector.
And there were a few more stalls including a canteen that served food and beverages :)

If you are in Chennai today or tomorrow you might want to visit this exhibition to gather more knowledge and evaluate renewable energy systems for your house/company.

Here are some interesting pics I clicked during the 2015 Solar South Exhibition @ Chennai Trade Center today:

Coimbatore: 4th International Wind Conference & Exhibition (Jun. 21 - 23)

2015-06-18T10:05:00.003-07:00

The 4th International Wind Conference & Exhibition is all set to begin at CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from June 21 - 23, 2015. If you are connected with renewable energy industry in India, wind energy in particular, you might want to attend it.

Wind Power is not only for Large Scale Power producers, it is also for institutions/companies located in windy regions looking for small scale renewable generators. Wind Power can be more economical than Solar power.

Exhibition: 21st Saturday - 23rd Tuesday.

Conference: 22nd Monday & 23rd Tuesday.

Expected Participation for the exhibition: Wind Farm developers, Wind Turbine manufacturers, Wind Turbine accessories suppliers, Wind Energy related electrical & electronic components manufacturers, Utility/Power companies, Administrators, Government policy makers, Service providers, Financial institutions, Renewable Energy System Integrators, Solution providers, Distributors, etc.

Stall Rates: Rs. 8000/- per Sq. Meter + Taxes [Please check event website linked below for latest rates and availability]

Conference Agenda: Main topics for discussion include,

Power evacuation, Large scale integration of wind energy in the grid
AMC to improve PLF
Repowering
REC & RPO mechanisms
Solar Wind Hybrid systems
Wind forecasting & scheduling
Perspectives from the German wind market and lessons for India, etc.

Conference Cost:

General: Rs. 7000/110 Euros
IWPA Members: Rs. 5000/70 Euros
Professors/Bonafide Students: Rs. 1500/15 Euros

*Note: For latest price/availability/other information, please check the organizer's web page linked below.

Further Information: Organizer's Home page, Brochure.

CODISSIA, Coimbatore Location Venue: Google Maps.

I'll be attending this exhibition and will be sharing the highlights/interesting products-services I find there, on this blog. So don't forget to follow this blog.

Interesting Solar Products Available Online (Amazon.in)

2015-06-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

Did you know that you could buy solar panels, solar chargers, LED lights powered by solar modules, solar charge controllers, solar flash lights/emergency lamps, solar spot lights, light with motion sensor, lanterns powered by solar panels, etc. directly from Amazon.in, and get it delivered to your home?

Click here to see the entire range of Solar products available on Amazon.in

Here are some interesting Solar products I found on Amazon.in -

1. 100W/12V Solar PV Module: Yes, you can buy as many 100W solar modules as you wish and setup a mini power generating plant in your house. Just be careful to check if the solar panel doesn't arrive in damaged condition (return it, if it does).

2. Flexible Solar Panels: These are flexible/foldable thin film based solar panels that can be stuck to a wall or fixed to a window sill with no supporting structure. If you don't have space on your rooftop, you might find this product useful.

3. MPPT Solar Charge Controller: If you use a battery in your solar panel system, you could use this MPPT solar charge controller to charge it safely and more efficiently. An MPPT charge controller generates 25% more power when compared to PWM charge controller.

4. 20W Solar Module with Portable Battery: If your application is to power a couple of LED lights and a DC fan for 1-2 hours (during power cuts, etc.) you could buy this combo of 20W solar panel and portable battery.

5. Solar Power Bank: Instead of buying a normal power bank (battery) for charging your mobile devices, why not buy a solar power bank and start charging your USB-based charging devices through it? These mobile chargers can be powered both by solar or directly by the mains, if you want the charging to happen faster.

6. Rechargeable Solar Fan with Battery/Charger: If you want to cool yourselves during power cuts in summer or if you want a fan to operate in remote areas where electricity is not available, this solar fan with rechargeable battery/charger and solar panel might just be a perfect gift for yourself!

7. Solar GSM Alarm with Video Recording: This solar-based alarm detects if there is any motion in the specified range in your property, when you are away, and generates an alarm. It will also send a snapshot/video of the intruder activity to your mobile phone as an MMS.

8. Solar Kitchen Scale: This kitchen scale uses solar power to operate and display the weight of ingredients you place on it, on an electronic display, so that you can be sure of the weight of each ingredient you put into your cooking.

9. Solar LED Garden Lamp with Mosquito Repellent Technology: Often, we want to sit in the garden during late evenings and read a book peacefully. But we may find there is no power line/light and there are many mosquitoes during that time. This product - Solar LED garden lamp with mosquito repellent solves the problem perfectly. It charges the battery during daytime and activates the lamp and ultrasound frequency to repel the mosquitoes, during night time.

10. Solar Wall Light with Motion Sensor: This solar wall light will get charged in the day through built-in solar panels and will light up in the night only when it detects any people/motion around it. This solves the problem of security and lights staying on needlessly.

11. Mobile LED Emergency Lamp:These LED lamps with built in battery and external solar panel (with long cable) can be a perfect emergency lamp or a replacement to kerosene lamps.

12. Solar LED Table Lamp: If you are looking for a table lamp with built-in battery that can be charged with solar panels, this is it! This table lamp has a gooseneck for directional flexibility and focused lighting for bright visibility over a small region, hence optimized for reading during the night time.

Click here to see the entire range of Solar products available on Amazon.in

Disclaimer: The links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on them and buy the product, I may get a small commission. While this listing is to enable you to discover new products, this listing should not be considered as a recommendation. Customers are encouraged to do their own research and evaluation before buying any product mentioned here.

Airier: Biomass Pellets, Stove & Burner in India

2015-05-26T10:22:00.003-07:00

I met the representatives of Airier Natura Private Ltd, during the recent Green Summit 2015 renewable energy expo at Bangalore. They are the manufacturers of Biomass Pellets, Biomass Stove & Biomass Burners in India.

What are Biomass Pellets?

Biomass Pellets are a type of fuel that releases heat energy when burned. These are packed densely and have a low moisture content (less than 10%), hence they can burn with high efficiency. Biomass pellets are available in different sizes like 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 20mm, etc.

They are generally made from compacted/compressed biomass like sawdust, wastes from wood products manufacturing, left over tree felling, palm kernel shells, groundnut shells, coffee husk, etc. Different types of biomass pellets are available for commercial and industrial applications.

Biomass Pellet Stove:

The Biomass pellet stove burns biomass pellets in a more efficient manner. There are two types: Natural Draft, Forced Draft (that use fans, etc.) There are different biomass stoves for different applications like domestic & commercial, respectively.

Biomass Pellet Burner:

Biomass pellet burner uses biomass pellets as fuel and is intended to replace oils and fossil fuels to provide energy to boilers and furnaces in a variety of industries. There are different types of biomass burners, depending on the application.

Further Information/Manufacturer's webpage: Airier Natura Pvt. Ltd.

Large-Scale BioGas Systems in India: ENERZEA Power Solution Pvt. Ltd.

2015-05-19T09:46:00.001-07:00

Biogas is produced by anaerobic fermentation of biomass. It can be used to generate electricity. Biogas can be produced from food waste in hotels & hospitality industries, animal waste in slaughter houses, cow dung in diary farms, agro residues in agriculture industries, decaying biomass in landfills, etc.

Enerzia Power Solutions is a Bangalore-based company that provides large-scale biogas producing systems to customers. I met their representatives in the recently concluded Green Summit 2015, Bangalore. The company is also into solar power generation. They provide Biogas Gensets from 80 kWe to 200 kWe & 370 kWe to 2000 kWe.

Further Information/Company Website: Enerzea Power Solution Pvt. Ltd.

Note: This website is not affiliated with the above mentioned company in anyway. Customers are requested to do their own evaluation and research before buying anything from them. This article is for your information only and for the latest details, refer to the company website mentioned above.

Highlights of Green Summit 2015, Bangalore

2015-05-06T04:47:00.002-07:00

I went to the recent Green Summit 2015, the Renewable Energy Exhibition held in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. This expo was held between April 23 - 25, 2015 in White Orchid Convention Center, Bangaluru. In this post, I'll summarize some interesting highlights (renewable energy products/services) I found there. This is not comprehensive, but only a partial listing. I'll do detailed blog posts on some of these products in the coming days.

The first thing that attracted me as soon as I entered the exhibition was the Solar Car. Yes, an electric car with embedded solar panels on the top! This was exhibited by Manipal Institute and Tata Power Solar. Unfortunately, this car is a prototype that is meant to participate in solar racing competitions and not a commercial one that people can buy. Let's hope we'll be able to buy such cars in the future. Good first step taken by two Indian organizations.

I met with the officials of Su-Kam, who have come out with a number of interesting products for the renewable energy market. Some of them include: Solar inverter conversion unit, remote gateway for monitoring, MPPT Solar PCU, a system that helps compare efficiency, etc.
Right next to them was SOLATUBE, the company that enables customers to light up their premises during the day time using the natural light available outside.

Then there was clickpower.in, a portal that connects producers and consumers of green power and enables power purchase transactions for open access customers.
A Hybrid Solar/Wind generator was exhibited by Wind Stream.
Anu Solar had exhibited their Solar Lighting system that can be controlled via a remote control.

Then I saw the new Solar Water Heater displayed by Bosch: BLUTHERM. This model has a 100 L capacity and they have done a number of enhancements like screwless design, thinner bezel, solar heat retaining glass, etc.
I found small scale biogas plants exhibited by synod.in and large-scale biogas plants exhibited by enerzea.com.

UNIPAR had displayed their Hybrid Solar Inverter that retains power for PC during power cuts (without restarting) as it has a 6ms response time compared to 20ms response time, normally.
Kamal Solar had displayed their solar water heaters.
kenandbambooz.com had displayed their bamboo construction capabilities.

BHEL, the Govt. enterprise, had exhibited their solar and renewable energy R&D capabilities.
AIRIER NATURA had displayed their biomass gassification burner and biomass pellets.
insolare.com had displayed their Wisys smart street and office lighting solutions.

Please note: These are the highlights of some of the products that I found there. This post is only for your information and is not a recommendation for any company/product mentioned above.

Renewable Energy Exhibition in Bangalore: Green Summit (Apr. 23 - 25, 2015)

2015-04-14T21:53:00.003-07:00

Green Summit 2015, organized by FKCCI & MM Activ, is the upcoming Renewable Energy exhibition and Conference in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. This expo is scheduled to be held from April 23 to April 25, 2015.

Exhibition Address: White Orchid Convention Center, No. 9, Adjacent to Manyata Embassy Business Park, Hebbal - KR Puram Ring Road, Nagavara, Bangalore, Karnataka - 560045. Google Maps Location Link.

The Green Summit 2015 is a B2B exhibition that seeks to connect sellers and buyers in the Renewable Energy segment. They also want to promote the exchange of ideas and information by bringing together Govt. officials, decision makers, industry representatives, investors, and customers on a single platform. Along with the exhibition, there will also be a Conference & Other events.

Focus Areas for the Exhibition: Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Geothermal, Bioenergy, Waste to Energy, Energy Efficiency, Mini Hydel, Fuel Cell, Tidal Energy, Flywheel Energy, etc.

Exhibition timings: Thursday, April 23 - 12 Noon to 8 P.M; Friday, April 24 - 10:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M; Saturday, April 25 - 10:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Participation in the Renewable Energy Exhibition is Free of Cost and Visitors can Register Online or visit directly.

There will also be parallel conference & other sessions/events on all three days. The program at a glance for the renewable energy conference/events with topics, timings, and venue can be downloaded from here. Or, you can refer to this webpage link for more details. This is a paid conference and when I checked on their website, the charges were mentioned as Rs. 5,500 or USD $125 + Tax for individual participants. Do check their site for latest pricing and applicable discounts (if any).

For exhibitors who wish to promote their products/services, do check this page for stall size, tariff, floor plan and availability. I think there are some stalls available to be booked - do check their website to see if you can still exhibit there now.

I will be attending this exhibition (not conference), and I will try to present the important and interesting products, services, and companies I find there. Stay tuned and follow this site (via email, RSS, G+) to keep yourself updated, especially if you are connected with the Renewable Energy segment in India.

Looking forward to my visit next week. Bengaluru, here I come :)

Rajesh K
Administrator & Blogger - http://www.solarwindhydroenergy.com

Battery Health Monitor from Sukhila Power Electronics

2015-04-14T21:50:00.001-07:00

During the recently concluded HYREX 2015 in Hyderabad, I visited the stall of a company called Sukhila Power Electronics. They had displayed their Hybrid UPS there, and I noted their company website to get more information on their solar products. When I visited their website, I found an interesting product that could be useful to renewable energy installations that use batteries to store energy: Battery Health Monitor!

Their website says that their Battery Health Monitor can monitor up to three strings of VRLA, Lead-Acid, and LMLA Batteries, each string supporting up to 24 batteries/cells. It seems this is a micro-controller based system that can test and display various battery parameters manually or automatically (at programmed intervals). It can monitor each battery, and can identify failing/failed batteries so that they can be replaced. There is also an auto monitoring mode through MCM (Monitoring and Control Module) and remote monitoring.

The system can read and display battery parameters like voltage, temperature, conductance, string voltage, current, etc.

For further details, refer to Sukhila Power Electronics Product page.

Note: This website is not affiliated to the above mentioned company in anyway. The information mentioned here might change, hence refer to their website for latest info. This article is not a recommendation; hence customers are encouraged to do their own valuation and research before buying anything.