Soon, thirty sodium vapour lamps on the Basin Bridge–Elephant Gate Road will burn with power generated by the bio-methanation plant in Pulianthope.
The Rs. 45-lakh plant, located on the spacious garbage transfer station within Zone V (Royapuram), is one of the first projects to be undertaken by the civic body to convert vegetable waste into electricity.
Along with scientists from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, which provides technical support for the project, engineers of the civic body have been conducting trials at the transfer station.
“Once the project proves successful, similar plants would be set up in other zones of the Corporation, ensuring judicious utilisation of vegetable waste generated in the neighbourhood,” said a Corporation official.
The civic body has undertaken a series of trials at the plant to ensure maximum output.
Separate bins have been provided to hotels and Amma canteen in the neighbourhood to collect vegetable wastes, the main raw material used in the plant.
As against its capacity to handle two tons of garbage every day, the plant is being fed with only one ton of garbage now as the facility is under trails.
Continuous testing, including assessment of the total energy released, is being carried out at the plant.
On an average, for every two tons of vegetable waste, around 40 kilowatt of electricity can be generated. One kilowatt of electricity can illuminate four street lights in the neighbourhood. In other words, around 40 KW of power can get 150-160 street lights to glow in the locality.
“Initially, around 50 per cent of the total energy generated can be utilised. This can be extended up to 80 per cent and the rest of the energy may go as wastage. The plant can handle only vegetable wastes,” said a Corporation official.
The plant would be handed over to the civic body after a joint inspection by the local body engineers and experts from BARC on the total efficiency of the plant.
“Huge vegetable wastes are generated within the civic body’s limits every day. Such plants would help reduce such garbage in the city,” said G. Shiva, a resident of Mint.
