Sustainable, eco-friendly, energy efficient green buildings....this is an idea that is slowly finding a place in our thoughts. With the world trying to strike a balance between energy crisis and deteriorating energy resources, the call for green buildings is getting louder.
The extensive use of energy has led to depletion of conventional sources of energy and resulted in an alarming rate in increase of pollution. It is in the midst of such a scenario that students of the Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir, Girinagar, Kochi, devised ‘Energy Boom’, a self-sustainable energy-efficient building which utilises inexpensive and innovative methods to explore, harness, and conserve energy from nature.
Akanksh Ajit and Amal C Jose, class 10 students of the school, postulate that it is environmentally viable to harness wind and solar energy for generating electricity. They also explore the possibility of converting muscular energy, using the principle of electromagnetic induction, to electrical energy and store it for future utilisation. The project was qualified for the state-levels of the National Childrens’ Science Congress to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on November 12 and 13.
Wondering what sort of inexpensive resources can be used to harness energy required to make our lives cosy in our homes? Well, these young chaps have come up with some really mind-blowing ideas which can set you thinking. How many of you have ever thought that any good could come out of something like aquatic weeds? ‘Eicchornia crassipes’, an aquatic weed abundantly found in Kerala’s water bodies, is one among the many substances Akanksh and Amal make use of in their project to harness energy. They use this aquatic weed along with cow dung and other vegetable residue to produce biogas, which is an excellent fuel containing 75 per cent methane. This fuel is smokeless, leaves behind no residue, has a high heating capacity and the slurry left behind is an excellent manure rich in nitrogen and phosphorous. “We also use Eicchornia crassipes dried and compressed along with saw dust and dried cow dung powder to make briquette which is an excellent fuel with high fuel efficiency. It catches fire easily. In this way, we utilise bio waste and also protect our water bodies from these aquatic weeds,” the duo say.
Wait till you hear about yet another innovative use of a waste material which we throw out of our homes without a second thought. These youngsters propose the development of ‘Conut Co-Shield’, an insulation material for roofs developed from coconut shell and husk to block heat and provide a cooling effect in the building.
They also attempt to tap wind and solar energy. Solar panels can be set up in this prototype of an energy-efficient building. The idea of utilising used glass and plastic bottles for heating and lighting, is yet another way of effective waste management. They also attempt to explore another interesting facet of energy utilisation- the possibility of converting muscular energy generated while doing physical work to electrical energy, using the principle of electromagnetic induction. This physical energy can be tapped from the gym or children’s play area, converted into electrical energy and stored in a battery and be used as an alternative source of energy for household applications, says Akankash.
Explaining the principle behind this application, the students explain, magnets are placed between metal coils resulting in the creation of magnetic field lines. Such a system can be placed under the floors of children’s play area, gym or speed breaking area.
When a muscular force comes into play, it exerts force on the coil which changes the magnetic field lines. The change in magnetic field lines in turn induces electric current which we need. “We have to regenerate renewable sources of energy from our natural environment in the form of continuing energy and should be stored in reservoirs for future use, “ say the two.
The students say it was their teachers Jose Hildon, Jyothi P and Sobhalatha who have been sources of constant support and inspiration.