THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Innovation begins at home. Or in this case, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). With energy conservation gaining importance, the KSEB has decided to try out three innovative ideas for energy conservation - developed by its employee - at its headquarters in the state capital.
The three innovations that would be tried out at the Vydyuthi Bhavan, Pattom, in a month are relatively cheap, small-scale and suitable for offices, hospitals and homes, said K C Baiju, an assistant engineer attached to the KSEB’s innovation wing and the brain behind the ideas.
Smart Switch
Baiju calls the first innovation the ‘Smart Switch.’ It is ideal for offices, especially government offices, where fans, lights and computers are left switched on even after office hours, he said.
“The demo model is designed to turn off computer monitors once the user has left the work station. This is done using a device to which the monitor is plugged. You can set the time - say 200 seconds - and the distance in the device for turning off the monitors automatically,” he said.
AC exhaust air recycling
Baiju’s second innovation involves a windmill-like apparatus and attempts to generate energy from hot-air exhausts of air-conditioners in offices.
“As much as 40 per cent of the wasted heat can be recovered and reused,” he said. According to the KSEB, one to three units can be generated daily from the 200-watt model which costs `20,000.
Power from gym equipment
The third innovation is designed to generate power from various equipment used in gyms like treadmills and exercycles. It is ideal for both home and professional gyms. Costing `22,000 per unit, the first model will be tried out in the KSEB gym.
Useful for energy conservation
The KSEB’s innovation wing functions under the Chief Engineer, Renewable Energy and Energy Savings. “These are small-scale innovations which can prove useful for energy conservation. We hope to have them in place in a month,” said R Suku, Chief Engineer, Renewable Energy and Energy Savings.