BEST PRACTICES
Objectives of the Practice
- To reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and to reduce the environmental impact of energy production.
- To produce biogas from organic waste materials such as animal manure, food waste, and agricultural waste. The biogas produced can be used as a renewable energy source for cooking, heating, and electricity generation.
- To generate electricity from the sun's energy.
The Context
- Renewable energy is unlimited, but their availability varies across space and time.
- It reduces the use of fossil fuels.
- Biogas plant is a sustainable and cost-effective and a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as biogas is a clean-burning fuel source.
- Solar power plants are popular as a renewable energy source due to their low environmental impact and cost-effectiveness. They can be used to power homes and businesses.
- By installing solar powerplants the college is committed to contribute our planet a better place for the future.
The Practice
Biogas Plant
- A biogas plant is a type of anaerobic digester that uses wastes of animal, food, and agricultural to produce biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide.
- The biogas produced can be used as a fuel for cooking, lighting, and heating.
- These are unique in the context of Indian higher education because they provide an opportunity for students to learn about the science and technology behind biogas production, the benefits of using biogas as a fuel source, renewable energy and sustainable development.
- Additionally, biogas plants can be used as a teaching tool to demonstrate
Solar power
- The Institute has spacious premises including a terrace, which is ideal for rooftop solar installation
- The College functions in morning hours only, i.e, during sunshine hours.
- Government subsidy of 30% towards solar plant installation
- Reduces electricity bills.
- Generates revenue if extra power is supplied to the grid.
- Long lasting – 20 to 25 years.
- Contributes a pollution free and healthy environment.
- Demonstration and awareness creation for students
Evidence of Success
The farm in the campus has about 350 animals (both cows and buffaloes combined) and the dairy is attached to a biogas plant. The plant has six digesters and the generation varies between 600 to 800 KW of power a day. While a part of the gas is converted to power, the remaining is processed to produce green cooking gas.
The total installed capacity of the solar power in the campus is 100kVA. The entire energy is used for self consumption during the college working days and also is connected to the grid during holidays and vacations.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required
Some of the problems encountered in biogas plant:
- The main constraint for biogas plants in India is the lack of access to organic matter such as animal waste, food waste, and agricultural waste.
- Biogas plants require a significant amount of energy to operate, which can be expensive.
- Biogas plants require regular maintenance and monitoring.
Some of the challenges in solar power are:
- Lack of R&D, modern development facility which impact the development of solar panels, equipment, and inverters to meet the demand.
- Delaminating and internal corrosion as moisture responsible for internal corrosion.
- Faulty wiring and Micro-cracks affect the effectiveness of the system.
