THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renewable energy pundits predict that the 21st century may be the last one for coal, oil, and natural gas. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll be colonising the Andromeda Galaxy in solar-powered vessels by 2101. Closer home, (most) global leaders have agreed to the Paris Climate Accords to cut carbon emissions, businessmen like Elon Musk are revolutionising the clean energy movement, and Iceland’s CarbFix discovered how to turn waste to stone. Since the price of solar installations dropped drastically, even remote African villages (in Tanzania) have adopted the ‘pay-as-you-go’ solar panel concept.
“In fact, scientists make loads of technical advances that promise to make sustainable energy increasingly efficient, stable, and affordable. Therefore, the solar capacity of a developing country like India has increased over 370% in the last three years from around 2.6 GW to 15.6 GW,” explains Sunil Ramakrishnan, a Kochi-based solar power solutions entrepreneur. This is probably why, the good
folks at Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs’ & Promoters Association want to show us how to incorporate green solutions into our daily lives via a free, three-day event called Green Power Expo 2017.
Sunny side up
The idea behind this exhibition isn’t just to showcase game changers like Cochin International Airport (world’s first solar-powered airport) or introduce speakers like Germany’s Christoph Würtemberger (who operates Solarstromanlagen), who will discuss emerging trends and policies in renewable energy.
“There’s a popular phrase in our circles: The Sun doesn’t send a bill,” quips chief organiser Jose Kallookaran. “Jokes apart, we want to spread awareness and garner the interest of the general public by exposing them to various sustainable ‘smart-living’ solutions.
This can range from using flotovoltaic cells (imagine floating solar arrays on water bodies) to small wind energy systems (best suited for high-range areas). We also hope to highlight the fact that there are various job opportunities for graduates in the ever-evolving green energy market,” he adds.This event—which adheres to ‘Green Protocol’ policy, making it a zero plastic zone—will also focus on over 70 homegrown products/innovations. Some unique live demos at the venues include solar-powered: food stalls (think food truck), idli makers, dryers, e-rickshaws and boats. But, do events like this mean that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy may succeed in achieving its aggressive renewable energy growth target of 175 GW by 2022? We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Free entry. From October 24-26.
At Bolgatty Palace.
Details: 9400856129
anoop.p@newindianexpress.com
@godsonlymistake