THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The next time you pass by Vydyuthi Bhavan, the HQ of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) at Pattom, don’t forget to look up. The state government power company has installed three small wind turbines on the fourth floor as part of its efforts to popularise wind energy.
Each of the 300 watt turbines weigh a mere 9.5 kg each and are ideal for homes, apartments and coastal areas, KSEB officials said. “They don’t require high velocity wind speeds which is necessary for the giant turbines. These can operate in wind speeds of 2.5 metres per second to 40 metres per second. As much as 6 units can be generated daily from sites having average wind speeds using a 1 kilowatt capacity unit,” R Suku, Chief Engineer (Renewable Energy), KSEB, said.
Ideally such micro wind turbines are best employed in tandem with solar power units. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is offering subsidies for their installation at the rate of Rs 1 lakh for 1 kilowatt capacity during the 12th plan period, KSEB officials said. Hybrid units can cater to the energy needs of a household 24/7.
The wind project at the KSEB HQ has been implemented by the innovation zone under this department by selecting entrepreneurs from the Energy Open Innovation Zone (EOIZ) start-up village.
The units - three 300 watt turbines with allied equipment consisting of six batteries, inverter and energy meter - cost Rs 2.38 lakh. Commercial mass production will lower the cost considerably, according to the KSEB.
The micro wind turbines are essentially meant to generate awareness in the public about wind energy and to popularise their use.
At the moment, KSEB intends to use the generated power to light the lamps on its compound walls. The power utility also placed orders for installing a 2 kilowatt wind to compliment the three new turbines.