Workshop on Alternate Sources of Energy

Development of Alternate sources of energy, especially from renewable sources like solar, wind, tydal and biomass energy is the need of the hour, Sri. Mathew T Thomas, MLA has said. He was inaugurating the one day workshop on alternate sources of energy at Mar Athanasios College for Advanced Studies (MACFAST)Thiruvalla. The workshop was organized by School of Biosciences MACFAST in connection with the National Science Day 2012 celebrations.   In our state there exists a 10% increase in the annual electricity demand. Out of the 1500 MW of electricity deficit only 950 MW is derived from the central pool. Given that new hydroelectric plants cannot be installed within the state, the development and utilization of alternate sources of energy should be popularized, He further added. The session was presided by Rev.Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil, Chairman, Pushpagiri Group of Institutions. Fr. Pradeep Vazhatharamalayil, Principal, Dr.C.Balagopalan and Dr. Jose Paul also spoke. There were separate technical sessions on solar energy, wind & tidal energy and biomass energy. Dr. K.P. Vijayakumar, Professor,  Cochin University of Science and Technology, Smt. V.Kamala Devi, Scientist, ANERT and Dr.V.B. Manilal, Scientist, NIIST led the panel discussions. A demonstration programme on the working of solar power plant installed in the institution was also carried out during the workshop.

The  recently installed 30 kw roof top solar power plant at MACFAST could produce 450000 units of electricity yearly to meet the annual power demand of the institution. The power plant has recently attracted widespread news coverage not only for its size and technical attributes, but also in terms of its demonstration to the community, the ease with which solar generated power can be installed by small and medium enterprises for their financial and operational benefits, besides the wider ecological benefits to the society.  The power plant has been installed with the support of the Union Ministry for Non and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India and Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT). As part of its efforts towards promotion of renewable energy projects in the state, MACFAST offers technical consultancy services to small and medium enterprises as well as domestic requirements on installation and managements of solar projects.  

The workshop provided a common interactive platform for scientists, students, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from academia, industry and the general public.  The program was sponsored by Kerala State Council For Science, Technology And Environment, Govt. of Kerala.

Prof. Hareesh Bio Science