Sustainable Renewable Energy Technologies

NATIONAL SEMINAR ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AHEAD St.Xavier's College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai - 627 002

Dr.A.Jagadeesh, Head R & D

Centre for Energy and Sustainable Resources R.M.K. Engineering College, Kavaraipettai 601 206. Tamil Nadu, India E-mail: anumakonda.jagadeesh@gmail.com

No Power is Costlier than no Power Dr.H.J.Bhabha

The poor of the world cannot be helped by mass production, only by production by the masses. The system of mass production, based on sophisticated, highly capitalintensive, high energy-input dependent, and human labour-saving technology, presupposes that you are already rich, for a great deal of capital investment is needed to establish one single workplace. The system of production by the masses mobilizes the priceless resources which are possessed by all human beings, their clever brains and skilful hands, and supports them with first-class tools. The technology of mass production is inherently violent, ecologically damaging, selfdefeating in terms of non-renewable resources, and stultifying for the human person. The technology of production by the masses, making use of the best of modern knowledge and experience, is conducive to decentralisation, compatible with the laws of ecology, gentle in its use of scarce resources, and designed to serve the human person instead of making him the servant of machines.

First law of economics :

"The amount of real leisure a society enjoys tends to be in inverse proportion to the amount of laborsaving machinery it employs.

Dr.E.F.Schumacher

Although we are in possession of all requisite knowledge, it still requires a systematic, creative effort to bring this technology into active existence and make it generally visible and available. It is my experience that it is rather more difficult to recapture directness and simplicity than to advance in the direction of ever more sophistication and complexity. Any third-rate engineer or researcher can increase complexity; but it takes a certain flair of real insight to make things simple again. And this insight does not come easily to people who have allowed themselves to become alienated from real, productive work and from the self-balancing system of nature, which never fails to recognise measure and limitation. Any activity which fails to recognise a self-limiting principle is of the devil. In our work with the developing countries we are at least forced to recognise the limitations of poverty, and this work can therefore be a wholesome school for all of us in which, while genuinely trying to help others, we may also gain knowledge and experience of how to help ourselves.

Modernise the TraditionalTraditionalise the Modern Prof.Y.Nayudamma

You see things as they are and wonder why? I dream of things that never were and ask why not? Robert F. Kennedy

Put the RENEWABLES to work: To get inexhaustible, pollution free energy which cannot be misused.

Solar Water Heater

VERTICAL & CYLINDRICAL SOLAR WATER HEATER

Why solar water heaters have not made much headway in India? Is it about the cost? Can we think of alternate designs? simple, cost-effective solar water heater utilizing locally available material has been designed and tested.

DESIGN DETAILS

Two vertical and cylindrical drums made of stainless

steel/copper of height 0.6 m and diameter 32cm. Polyethylene cover to simulate green house effect. A lotus shaped omni-directional stainless steel reflector. A bamboo basket with rock wool and polyethylene covering acts as insulator.

OPERATION
Water filled with potable water at 9 am. Insulator covered over the collector at 4 pm. Temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius can be obtained in south India 100 liter unit costs around US $135 in South India.

ADVANTAGES
The Unit is mobile and easy to install and dismantle while transporting.

No necessity of cold water supply through pipes. No need for overhead storage tank to supply cold water.

There is no need to have separate collector as it is an integrated system. Since the collector is made of stainless steel, the hot water will be hygienic.

Because of the Omni-directional reflector, relatively higher water temperatures are obtained even in moderate sunshine.

The unit occupies less space being vertical and cylindrical, on the ground or roof.

All the materials used in the fabrication of this simple and cost effective solar water heater are available locally.

The unit is durable except that the polyethylene cover has to be replaced once in 4 months, which costs just Rs 30 (about US Cents 70).

By the usage of pre-heated water for cooking from this unit, considerable fuel such as firewood, kerosene, gas, electricity etc., can be conserved.

Solar Drier

SIMPLE SOLAR DRIER

Design Details

Winnowing basket/Bamboo tray covered inside with black rexin.

Holes provided on the sides to avoid formation of water vapour and for circulation of air. Transparent High Density polyethylene cover provided on the top with Velcro for easy handling.

ADVANTAGES

The contents dry quickly.

The contents will be hygienic as they are protected from dust because of transparent cover.

The contents are free from bird menace like crows as there is a thick covering.

When sudden rain comes, the contents re protected because of the polyethylene cover.

The units are light and easy to carry.

 All the materials used in the fabrication of these simple solar driers are available locally.

Fabrication of these simple units generates local employment.

The smaller unit costs Rs 70 (US $1.2) and the bigger Unit Rs 200 (US $4).

CONSERVATION OF ELECTRICITY IN ELECTRIC PUMPSETS

Considerable losses in the exit side of electric pump sets.
A low angled (10 degrees) cone metallic, 1 foot long fitted at the exit of the delivery pipe.

5 to 9% energy saving has been found out in 50 cases.

In India about 90 lakh (9 million) electric pumpsets in operation in addition to lakhs of diesel sets.

CONSERVATION OF ELECTRICITY IN ELECTRIC PUMPSETS Considerable losses in the exit side of electric pump sets.
A low angled (10 degrees) cone metallic, 1 foot long fitted at the exit of the delivery pipe. 5 to 9% energy saving has been found out in 50 cases. In India about 90 lakh (9 million) electric Pumpsets in operation in addition to lakhs of diesel sets.

MICRO HYDRO DEVICE FOR LOW HEADS

At the Electric Pumpsets site a tank of length 2 m, width 1m and height 1m is a common sight in India. Cant this head be utilized? From the outlet the water flows by gravitation only. A micro hydro generator with a pelton wheel, a low RPM generator and pulleys are fixed to a stand. A diode to arrest the reverse flow of current is included. The unit costs about Rs 4000(about US $ 80) and can be fabricated locally. The unit can be utilized to charge about 3 lead acid car batteries in parallel.

MICRO HYDRO DEVICE FOR LOW HEADS

AIR CUM WATER COOLER

Evaporation produces cooling Two canvas bags filled with potable water and placed before a table fan (pedestal). Water gets cooled and can be taken away for drinking purposes. Room also gets cooled If more water required for houses and restaurants, number of canvas bags placed in semi-circular way And the pedestal fan put in circular motion. The canvas bag each costs Rs.25 (50 US Cents).

PEDAL OPERATED WASHING MACHINE

Galvanised Iron box of 38 by 38 by 61 cm dimensions. Outside aluminium wheel and inside fibre glass wheel. Inside portion of the box made curvature to facilitate centrifugal motion. The box provided with a pipe to drain out the water. The box mounted on the sewing machine stand and connected by the rope for pedaling. If not in use the sewing machine can be put back on the stand. The unit costs about Rs 500 (US $ 10) except the sewing machine stand.

ADVANTAGES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The unit is cost-effective. The unit is mobile. The fabrication of the unit will generate local employment. The unit helps to conserve energy. Men and women are already accustomed to operating sewing machines, and the operation of this pedal-operated washing machine is not strenuous. The life of the clothing is extended compared to hammering it on stone. Operating of the machine provides exercise

6.

7.

HAND OPERATED BATTERY CHARGER

Solar Electric modules are used to charge batteries for a television and light. Wind battery chargers are in wide use in Mangolia.

Solar /Wind battery charger (about 100 W capacity) costs about Rs 30,000 (US $ 640) in India.
Wind and Solar are intermittent. Abundant manpower available in countries like India. DESIGN DETAILS

Bicycle wheel, low RPM generator that is mounted on a frame and driven by V-belt. There is a handle attached to the system. A blocking diode to prevent reverse flow of current.

OPERATION: Three 12 volt lead-acid batteries are connected in parallel and then to the battery charger. By rotating the wheel for six hours, the batteries can be charged. Since many of the sewing machines are hand operated in Northern India, people are familiar with this sort of system. Compared to pedaling system, one can use both the hands alternatively to rotate the wheel. ADVANTAGES: The whole unit weighs about 6 Kg and is mobile it can be carried on the back. It provides employment to rural people. The unit is easy to fabricate, even in rural workshops. In most countries, generators are available, and if not, they can be imported. Many countries exempt renewable energy equipment and generators from customs duty. Alternatively, automobile generators can be used by changing the windings. The Unit is inexpensive it costs about Rs 7000 ( about US $150). It can be operated with either hand and it occupies little space. Women, as well as children, can also operate the system.

CLAY COVERS TO REDUCE ROOF HEATING

Most of the heat in a house comes from roof. To reduce the temperature in the house clay covers are used. Clay covers are given a white wash. They are arranged side by side with mud plastering in the gaps. The white wash reflects the sunlight, the thickness of the clay cover and still air trapped in the gap (still air acts as insulation) reduces the temperature. About 5 degrees Celsius is found in experiments.

INNOVATIVE USE OF PERISCOPE

In developing countries on most roads there is no one way. As such when you are following a truck in a car, if the truck driver drives to the left (in India), the behind car driver feels the way is clear and tries to over take it. There is convex mirror to see the behind objects. I feel a Periscope can be put before the driver with inclined projection outside. This way the car driver can know whether the way is clear or not. Thus many road accidents can be avoided.

CAP TO BEAT HEAT

Cyclists and Pedestrians often feel heat while on the road. An Evening cap is stitched outside with Khus (Vattiveru). Khus has the property of retention of water. Water is sprayed on the Khus. One gets cooling besides fine fragrance.

There is Stephaney for a scooter fitted. For a Motor cycle there is no spare wheel fitted. I devised a simple gadget. A rectangular metal frame is fitted with castors. The Metal frame can be wound with plastic wire to give smoothness. The punctured wheel is placed on the frame and the motor cycle is taken to the nearby mechanic. The gadget can be placed in the Tool Box of the Motor Cycle.

Innovative Fan
It is an age-old practice to use hand fans (Made of Palmaria Leaf). It will be turned in horizontal way by holding it with hand. The air we get is gentle, as it wont recirculate in a circular motion in the case of Table Fan.

Here I used the motor of the WIPER and fixed a plastic fan with some weight. I use an inverter to use it with AC. Alternatively One can use small batteries to drive it when power is off. Many people in offices put the Ceiling Fan/Table Fan/Pedestal Fan in slow motion. In such cases this novel fan will be very useful. Moreover one can put ones own design as hand fan. It costs around Rs 500(about US$10) in South India.

MULTI PURPOSE GAS STOVE

Lakhs of small hotel people use gas stoves to prepare coffee/tea. They use separate boiler to heat water for cleaning the glasses. Thus there are two arrangements, one for cooking and another for boiling water. Household women also need hot water for cleaning the utensils and washing hands. A multi purpose gas stove has been designed and tested. A small storage system for water will be put at an elevated place on a stand. There will be a small cross section copper tube which will be attached to the storage system(Alternatively the copper tube is attached to a water tap if there is one with pressurized water). The copper tube wounds around the stove burners and there will be outlets to takeout hot water from each copper tube around the burners separately with tap system (left side of the stove). The copper tubes connected to the water tank can be separated while moving the stove from place to place. Here the copper tube utilizes part of the heat that touches the plate of the stove. In this some energy which goes as waste (heating the surface of the stove) is utilized to produce hot water for cleaning. This is a clear case of energy conservation. By having larger tank one can get hot water for bathing also. This system can be adopted in the case of biogas stove also. Especially in cold regions, it will be a boon in supplying hot water. This system costs around Rs 350/-(about US$ 8) except the stove. It finds extensive use in small tea bunks, houses etc.

MULTIPLE USE GAS STOVE

KITCHEN WITH BIOGAS STOVE

FIRE PROOF APRON TO AVOID KITCHEN ACCIDENTS

Many Fire accidents take place in kitchen. I fabricated an apron made of fiberglass. Fiberglass cloth is used in Electric motors. The Fibre cloth gives itching when come into contact with skin. To overcome this, I coated the cloth with Silicon Emulsion. This Apron wont catch fire. It will be useful in Kitchen, in Bakeries, in Brick making units, for Fire Fighting squad etc.

Rural Industrialization Leaf to Root Approach

Agave Americana

Sisal Agave

Sisal Plant

 The main drawback for wider application of Biofuels is input. There was a big moment for biofuel from Jatropha in India but in reality not much has been achieved. Agave (Americana), Sisal Agave is a multiple use plant which has 10% fermentable sugars and rich in cellulose. The fibre is used in rope making and also for weaving clothes in Philippines under the trade name DIP-DRY. In Brazil a paper factory runs on sisal as input. A Steroid HECOGENIN is extracted from this plant leaves. Since on putrification, it produces methane gas, it can be cut and used as input in biogas plants. Also in Kenya and Lesotho dried pieces of Agave are mixed with concrete since it has fibres which act as binding.

 Agave fibers contain 65 percent to 78 percent cellulose, according to Jimenez. "With new technology, it is possible to breakdown over 90 percent of the cellulose and hemicellulose structures, which will increase ethanol and other liquid biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass drastically," he said. "Mascoma is assessing such technology."

Annona Squamosa (Sugar Apple)

Pulp in the fruit On top of ice cream, jelly & jam making Drinks and in fermented liquors. The fruit has sizeable number of seeds. The seed yield about 30% oil. The extraction of the oil can be done by the process of solvent extraction.
The oil is used in In paints and varnishes As natural insecticide. Annona seed oil contains acetogenins that are toxic to insects.

 Annonin, ascimicin, bullatacin, isobullatacin, desacecylucaricin and isodesacetylucaricin have been isolated from the sugar apple seeds and shown to be biologically active against the spotted stem borer, chilo partellus swin, oriental armyworm,Mythimna Separate wek, head bugs, Calocoris augustus Leth, and the aphid, Melanaphis sacchari Zehnt. Pesticides derived from plants like Annona Squamosa can play a major role in pest management in sustainable agriculture. They have renewable character, are non persistent in the environment, and are relatively safer to the natural enemies, non-target organisms, and human beings.

The Annona oil contains the following percentages of acids Oleic: 18.1 Linoleic: 55.1 Palmitic: 14.7 Stearic: 10.7

 Oleic: Soap base, manufacture of oleates, cosmetics, polished compound, lubricants, Ore floatation, organic synthetic intermediate, surface coatings etc. Linoleic: Soaps, special dryers, for protective coatings, emulsifying agents. medicine, Foods, feeds, and bio-chemical research. Palmitic: Starting point in the manufacture of various metallic palmitates, soaps, Soaps, lube oils, and water proofing. Stearic: Chemicals, especially stearates and stearic driers, lubricants, soaps, candles, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic rubber compounding, shoe and polishes, coatings and food packaging.

 The seed cake after extraction of oil can be used as fertilizer. The nitrogen content of the defatted meal from the sugar apple is in the range of 4.3 %. The epicarp after removal of pulp and seed from the Annona Squamosa fruits can be used as green manure. The leaves of the plant are bitter and thus cattle wont eat them.

Water Hyacinth ( Eichhornia Crassipes)

Wealth from Waste

Water hyacinth which is generally regarded as a menace can find many uses:
In food production As leaf protein concentrate, which is rich in protein and vitamin A. As a substrate for mushroom cultivation, By making soils more fertile which yield better crops, By purifying water, in which fish can then thrive, Through the production of silage, for fattening animals, Through vermiculture, producing feed for poultry or fish, In regenerating degraded soils, As mulch As compost

 As fertilizer, produced by mixing with other organic materials, and phosphate rock. In biogas production. 1 hectare of weed can produce 100 tons of dry water hyacinth/year which could produce 30,000 cubic meters of gas sufficient to supply cooking for 40 families. The residual slurry must be used as mulch.

As briquettes, which can be used for cooking in kitchens for schools and restaurants.
In providing employment and income, through the production and sale of a range of art papers and cards, crafts and furniture, (on industrial level), chemicals and liquid fuels.

Nutritious Protein from Water Hyacinth

Leaf Fractionation: Leaf fractionation produces up to 10 times as much protein per hectare as when the land is used to grow food for animals. It doers not require artificially fixed nitrogen, which is made using a large amount of energy. It is already being used on Lucerne, or alfalfa in France, Hungary and the US to make supplementary feed for pigs and poultry. As Lucerne is a legume, it adds nitrogen to the soil. The process can be applied to almost any fresh green leaves, including weeds such as water hyacinth and nettles. The leaf protein it produces contains no animal fats, and the fibrous residue is an excellent ruminant food.

Teak Hyacinth Bed

Water Hyacinth Furniture

Water Hyacinth Harvester

Biogas from Opuntia

(Opuntia_ficus_ind ica)

There were efforts to utilise Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) in combination with animal dung to produce biogas. But Biogas from Opuntia offers promise especially in developing countries since Opuntia can be grown under a variety of Environmental conditions.

 Biogas from Opuntia: A source of renewable gas and fertilizer Structure of the proposed process 1st step: Production of biomass (Opuntia) 2nd step: Process of the biomass into biogas trough anaerobic fermentation 3rd step: Process of the digested material into fertilizer The potential of Opuntia Biomass for energy production in semi-arid areas 100 to 400 tons of biomass/ha/year 1 ton Opuntia biomass = 50-60 m3 of biogas = 300-360 kWh of gas 30 000 to 140 000 kWh per ha 150 to 400ha necessary for 1MW electrical capacity High efficiency in water & fertilizer use Reduced risk for farmers of crop failure due to high drought tolerance. No competition with food crops on arable land as it can grow on degraded land.

Pomato = Potato + Tomato

Pomato is a hybrid variety of potato and tomato. It is a small tomato-like fruit, with white flesh, edible either raw or cooked. Pomato plant produces tomatoes on the top and potatoes underground.

How to grow Pomato plant

Choose Potato and Tomato plant with the same height. Place the two plants side by side so that the stems will touch easily. Gently remove a sliver of the stem from the potato plant by using thin sharp knife. Locate an area on the tomato stem that matches the height of the cut on the potato plant. Set the plants in an area out of direct sunlight. Watch the new growth on the top of the tomato. Allow the plant to grow until you again see vigorous growth on the tomato plant. This should take two or three weeks. Allow the plant to grow for two or three weeks to see vigorous growth on the tomato plant Remove the bottom portion of the tomato plant. Enclose the plant in a clear plastic bag to maintain moisture. After several days, remove the plastic. Once the plastic is removed, watch for signs of new growth. When the plant shows lush green leaves, remove the grafting tape. Now the Pomato plant was created successfully.

Winged Bean
(Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), also known as the Goa bean and Asparagus pea, Four-angled bean and Winged pea, is a tropical legume plant native to New Guinea. It grows abundantly in hot, humid equatorial countries, from the Philippines and Indonesia to India, Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka. It does well in humid tropics with high rainfall. There are also varieties that can be grown in most areas of the U.S. The Winged bean

Uses
This bean has been called the "one species supermarket" because practically all of the plant is edible. The beans are used as a vegetable, but the other parts (leaves, flowers, and tuberous roots) are also edible. The tender pods, which are the most widely eaten part of the plant (and best eaten when under 1" in length), can be harvested within two to three months of planting. The flowers are often used to color rice and pastries. The flavor of the beans has a similarity to asparagus. The young leaves can be picked and prepared as a leaf vegetable, similar to spinach. The roots can be used as a root vegetable, similar to the potato, and have a nutty flavor; they are also much richer in protein than potatoes. The dried seeds can be useful as a flour and also to make a coffee-like drink. Each of these parts of the winged bean provide a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and other vitamins. The seeds contain 35% protein and 18% oil.

Boiled winged bean roots as a snack in

Burma

Roots of the winged bean at a market in Mandalay, Burma

Hydroponics

 Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture and is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, expanded clay or coconut husk. Researchers discovered in the 18th century that plants absorb essential mineral nutrients as inorganic ions in water. In natural conditions, soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir but the soil itself is not essential to plant growth. When the mineral nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb them. When the required mineral nutrients are introduced into a plant's water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for the plant to thrive. Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics. Hydroponics is also a standard technique in biology research and teaching.

Bring diversity back to agriculture. That's what made it work in the first place
- David R. Brower

But small is powerless, we're used to thinking. Well, atoms are small. So are viruses.

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." -- the Dalai Lama

Five ways to improve affordability. First, easy payments in instalments (which have revolutionised rural sales of TVs, cellphones, two-wheelers and houses). Second, dramatic cost-cutting (some goods and services in India cost just 2-10% of the US cost). Third, goods in small rather than large packing (e.g., shampoo in sachets instead of bottles). Fourth, pay-by-use (paying Rs 20 for internet use at an e-caf instead of buying a computer). Fifth, direct distribution, cutting out intermediaries (e.g., ITC buying directly from farmers at e-choupals, and selling to them directly through Choupal Sagar shops

Dr.C.K.Prahalad

ANYBODY CAN MAKE THINGS COMPLICATED BUT IT REQUIRES A GENIUS TO MAKE THINGS SIMPLE

Albert Einstein

Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, thats creativity. Charles Mingus Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will. George Bernard Shaw

Nature never breaks her own laws

Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake? There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see. Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Discover from Mother Nature Some of the creativity comes from good old Mother Nature. Mother knows whats best and those people who follow her lead usually end up ahead of the game. In Nature the name of the game is survival of the fittest. Because of this, plants, and animals and insects and bacteria and everything else have been forced to adopt, taking the most advantageous forms. Nature invariably takes the forms that work. In Nature the name of the game is survival of the fittest. Because of this, plants, and animals and insects and bacteria and everything else have been forced to adopt, taking the most advantageous forms. Nature invariably takes the forms that work.

 MODERNISE THE TRADITIONAL TRADITIONALISE THE MODERN.

SCIENCE TO SERVE SOCIETY SOCIETY TO SUPPORT SCIENCE. A T means besides APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY AFFORDABLE TECHNOLOGY

ADAPTABLE TECHNOLOGY
ACCEPTABLE TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY

KISS PRINCIPLE

Keep It Simple Sir

While the elements of innovation are stepping stones in the innovative process, innovation is incomplete without forethought. DISCOVER INNOVATION