The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Producing power using animals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 10, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Producing power using animals

Staff Reporter

DEMONSTRATION UNIT: A pair of bullocks being used to generate power in Bangalore on Friday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Bangalore: Buffaloes, bullocks, cows, donkeys and even dogs may be used to generate electricity. Generation of electricity using animal power is fairly easy, said B. Shivalingaiah, Managing Director, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL).

One has to just tie the animals to the shaft connected to the generator designed specially for this system. Only, the livestock will have to circle the generator repeatedly. Their movements will be converted to electricity by the generator which has an alternator that works using permanent magnets. "Two or three rotations per minute (rpm) of the livestock is converted to 200 rpm to 250 rpm in the generator," said L. Nanaiah, who claims to have invented the system. A demonstration unit was set up at the State-level Energy Park here on Friday. Speaking to presspersons, Dr. Shivalingaiah said that the project would be feasible if the units were set up in rural areas. "We are known for our rich livestock population. A group of houses can have a unit and the electricity generated could be shared. Else, the system could be directly connected to irrigation pumpsets," he said. The electricity generated using the system could be used for either agricultural activities or for household lighting purposes. A unit was first set up at the Krishi Mela that was held in Bangalore over a month ago. "This has been developed with an aim to alleviate the problems faced by people in rural areas because of lack of proper electricity supply. The energy can be stored in a battery and utilised when required. We are not promoting this system as an alternative, but we want it to be a primary means to generate `green power'," Dr. Shivalingaiah said.

Mr. Nanaiah said that the maximum power generated depends on the number of livestock used and the capacity of the generator. The system will cost around Rs. 60,000. He said the project had been supported by KREDL. He had urged KREDL to recommend to the Government to extend subsidy to those who want to invest in the system. Dr. Shivalingaiah said the alternative engineering mechanism is unique as management, transmission and distribution is controllable and easy. "An area of 30 ft x 30 ft is sufficient to set up a unit. Rural households which own livestock can set up a unit in their backyards and generate electricity," he added.

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