Periyar Maniammai University here has been chosen as the implementing agency for South India incorporating some educational and industrial centres for producing electricity from bio-waste by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said N. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor, Periyar Maniammai University, here on Thursday.
He told presspersons that the project will be implemented on a pilot basis at Shanmugha Arts Science Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) University at Thanjavur, Karpaga Vinayagar College of Engineering near Chennai, Indian Express estates at Chennai and Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore.
The biogas plants to be installed in these institutions in total will have a capacity to process 1900 cubic meters of waste per day and produce 228 KW electrical energy. This project will cost rs 240 lakhs out of which the Government of India is contributing rs 88 lakhs. Participating institutions will share the rest of the amount. Periyar Maniammai University will build, maintain the bio-waste plants. R.Srividya of Mechanical engineering department of the PMU, will be the co-ordinator for the project.
"I have also suggested to the Union Ministry to help run such a plant for Thanjavur Municipality where a solid waste management project is already in vogue and produce electricity to the tune of 250 Kwt so that the Municipality can manage its own power consumption. We have three bio-gas plants at PMU and use the power generated for heating and other purposes", Dr. Ramachandran said.
The University is starting B. E. Aeronautical Engineering, Diploma in renewable energy and post graduate Diploma in energy audit and management from this academic year, Dr. Ramachandran said.
The University is also organising "Vaagai Suda Vaareer" programme for guiding the students who have completed the the school education and who are willing to take up; higher studies. This will be done in a video conferencing method linking nine districts including Ramanathapuram, Virudunagar, Vellore, Tuticorin etc. Sivathanu Pillai, scientist and K.Veeramani, Chancellor of Periyar Maniammai University will take part in the programme. Nearly 30,000 students are expected to benefit out of the programme, Dr. Ramachandran added.
