MADURAI: : Researchers are exploring the State's potential of generating tidal energy and are yet to study completely the tidal force along the coast, according to K. Alauddin, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency.

The energy produced could be used to run the proposed desalination plant in Chennai. A similar energy plant, developed by the National Institute of Oceanography, was functioning near the Vizhinjam port in Kerala.

Talking to The Hindu here on Friday, Mr. Alauddin said the National Institute of Ocean Technology in Chennai was involved in the study.

It was difficult to set a timeframe for a pilot project in the State.

But the fuel cell concept was becoming more popular, and research on fuel cells that produced electricity water and heat through reaction between hydrogen and oxygen was in full swing.

The SPIC Science Foundation, working on a project supported by the Union Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources, already developed a vehicle based on the technology. Another project supported by the Department of Science and Technology was also in progress. The power generated through fuel cell plants could be used for industrial, residential and transport applications, thus reducing the dependency on fossil fuels. The State has been a frontrunner in the application of renewable energy in villages.

"We are the leaders in 100 per cent producer gas (the gas generated when wood, charcoal or coal is gasified with air) engines. Our engines need some battery power only during ignition, whereas in many other States, they use 70 per cent gas and the rest diesel," Mr. Alauddin said.

Installation of biogas plants in villages gained momentum, and linking of cattle dung-based plants with sanitary toilets in households was being successfully implemented in many local bodies.

"Usually the Centre provides a subsidy of 50 per cent for installing gasifiers, and the rest has to be borne by local bodies. But this year, the State Government has come forward to share the burden of the economically weak local bodies and assist them," he said.

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