Renewable Energy initiatives at Dayalbagh Educational Institute
The first of our invited posts is by Prof. Bhagwan Das, Professor of Renewable Energy in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI). In this post, we will delve into the renewable energy initiatives at DEI.
Through the vision, initiative and encouragement of Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Education, Dayalbagh, the renewable energy deployment in the institute commenced in 2010 to facilitate sustainable developmental activities in agreement with the concept of an Eco-Village.
Fig 1 : Satellite view of Dayalbagh Educational Institute showing six of the eleven plants and their coverage (image - Google Earth)
Having commissioned the distributed SPV based micro-grid of the institute, the challenge now is to make the system efficient, reliable and economically viable in the face of dynamic loading conditions, weather conditions affecting generation and unreliable power grid. Multi-dimensional R&D activities are in progress to indigenously develop integrated remote monitoring, communication, control and fault diagnosis of all the power plants from a central control station, resulting in a Smart Micro Grid.
Solar thermal cooking systems in Hostels
Three solar thermal cooking systems have been installed in the three
hostels in DEI. Each system comprises of 5 dishes, each having a 16 Sq m in diameter.
The total average kcals generated by the concentrators in one system is 200,000
kcals / day, which is equivalent to 19 kgs of LPG. The system installed in the
Girls’ Hostel is also equipped with water heating facility. For institutions
having much larger hostels, the savings would be sizable.
The cooking systems are used for boiling Amla and decoction of herbs
for preparation of Chyavan Prash in the Ayurvedic Pharmacy of Dayalbagh during
their lull phase. With conventional boiling
process, there was a requirement of 80 Kg of Hard Coke and the process time was
12 hours. In steam cooking the process time has reduced to 3 hours with no
expenditure on fossil fuels.
A pioneer in the field of vocational education, the institute has
launched vocational programmes in renewable energy at various levels viz.
Certificate, Diploma, B.Voc., M.Voc. and Ph.D.
The Dayalbagh Educational Institute initiative has demonstrated that
Universities, building intellectual resources through teaching-learning and
research, offer a perfect platform for establishing renewable energy
micro-grids. In addition to sustainable development through clean energy
technologies and self-sufficiency in energy, a university micro-grid is an ideal
test bed for conducting indigenous research and development. This ensures quality
research with relevance as well as development of skilled man power and
intellectual property in the area.
Look forward to your comments and feedback.
Look forward to your comments and feedback.
This is an excellent initiative taken at Dayalbagh Educational Institute, which according to me is the only University to have full use of solar power in all it's departments and also generating excess power to give it to government controlled power distribution system. It is an example of innovation and it's effective use in corporate social responsibility. On reading the local newspapers published in Agra one would also find that people living in Dayalbagh lay full stress on power conservation too. The excess power which could have been alternatively used to live a lavish life is being diverted to the development of society. In Agra temperatures during summer peak to as high as 45 degrees Celsius or even more, but one would not find even a single air conditioning unit in the colony that is located besides DEI, where the community resides. Isn't this a marvel to see? Where in the world would you find such a thing taking shape in truly practical sense?
ReplyDeleteVisit DEI and see this marvel yourself.
Ahead of it's times#Dayalbagh#🖒
ReplyDeleteThe initiatives of DEI in the field of renewable energy are commendable. The University that imparts holistic education through this venture creates an awareness in the students of the importance of innovation in the field of renewable energy and makes the students socially responsible. They learn how it's important to preserve the already depleting scarce resources available to us. Such students would definitely be an invaluable asset to society
ReplyDeleteExcellent example of net positive energy campus of our country. The microgrid described by the writer should be emulated by other campuses in the country. Suggest you link real time meter of solar power generated /consumed with the carbon foot parameters . Pankaj Gupta
ReplyDeleteMain feature of DEI is that it opts those techniques or strategies well in advance which others realize later on.In short DEI is always ahead.
ReplyDeleteGreat initiative from DEI
ReplyDeletecommendable efforts by DEI.
ReplyDeleteDayalbagh way of life is going to be the answer of all human miseries.
ReplyDeleteExcellent example of solar powered energy.
ReplyDeleteBy switching over to Solar Energy will not only save our Environment but also helpful for thea Mankind
ReplyDeleteA wholesome approach: 1. sustainable development through clean energy technologies 2. self-sufficiency in energy, 3. innovation (indigenous research and development ensuring quality research with relevance and 4. development of skilled man power and intellectual property in the area.
ReplyDeleteGreat, Wonderful and excellent move ahead setting example to others in self sustainable model developments !!
ReplyDeleteSolar energy is One of Green Energy for Human Being.This Is free energy and cheap.This Important for the future to Make better life of Human Being and Earth
ReplyDelete