The National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru

(An Autonomous Institute under Visvesvaraya Technological University

Jnana Sangama, Belagavi )

A Brief study and REPORT

On
“Awareness Programme on Renewable Energy Technologies”

Submitted By

4NI20ME107 Prakash Rahutappa Bajantri 4NI20ME114 Revanth Gowda K Y

4NI20ME108 Prakash Raj D 4NI20ME115 Rishab S M
4NI20ME109 Pramod S Saligrama 4NI20ME116 Saagar M P
4NI20ME110 Preetham Vijayakumar 4NI20ME118 Sachinkumar
4NI20ME111 R Kanishk Raj 4NI20ME119 Saksham Jain
4NI20ME112 Rakshith Gowda K R 4NI21ME408 Prajwal D
4NI20ME113 Ranjith Kumar M

Under the Guidance of

Dr. Sachin B
Asst. Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
NIE Mysuru

Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIE,

Mysuru-570008
2022-23
 The National Institute of Engineering,
Mysuru – 08
(An Autonomous Institute under Visvesvaraya
Technological University
Jnana Sangama, Belagavi)

Department of Mechanical Engineering

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the activity entitled “Awareness Programme on Renewable Energy
Technologies” is a bonafide work carried out by the students of National Institute Of
Engineering in partial fulfillment for the award of Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical
Engineering of the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi during the year 2022-
23. It is certified that all theory/practicals/corrections/suggestions indicated for Activity
Points have been executed under the directions of NIE - CREST and Dr. Sachin B. The
project report has been approved as it satisfies the academic requirements in respect of
AICTE Activity Points prescribed for the said degree.

Dr. Sachin B Dr. K. R. Prakash

Asst. Professor Professor and Head of the Department
Dept of Mechanical Engineering Dept of Mechanical Engineering
The National Institute of Engineering The National Institute of Engineering
Mysuru-570008 Mysuru-570008

Principal
The National Institute of Engineering
Mysuru - 570 008

Examiners: Signature with date

1.

2.
 DECLARATION

We, the student of 5th semester B.E. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National
Institute of Engineering, Mysuru declare that the AICTE Activity Project work entitled
“Awareness Programme on Renewable Energy Technologies”, has been duly executed by
me under the guidance of NIE – CREST and Dr. Sachin B Asst Professor, Department of
Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru. The Project report of
the same is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Bachelor of
Engineering degree in Department of Mechanical Engineering by Visvesvaraya Technological
University, Belagavi during the year 2022-2023.

Date:
Place: Mysuru
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The satisfaction that accompanies the successful completion of the project report
which would be complete only with the mention of the almighty God and the people
who made it possible, whose report rewarded the effort with success of project
presentation

We are grateful to National Institute of Engineering for providing us an

opportunity to enhance our knowledge through the project.

We express our heart full thanks to Dr. K R Prakash, Professor and Head,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIE, Mysuru for encouragement in our
project work, whose cooperation and guidance helped in nurturing this project
report.

We would like to express profound thanks to the project guide Dr. Sachin B, Asst
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering for the keen interest and
encouragement in our project presentation.

We extend our thanks to the NIE - CREST for their effort and endurance to bring out
the best in us.

Finally, we would like to thank our family members and friends for standing with us
through all times.
 ABSTRACT

The AICTE Activity Points project has the focus on applying engineering
skills to solve the social problems existing in India. The project “Awareness
Programme on Renewable energy technologies” throws a light on possible
opportunity for the engineering solution in the development of Renewable
energy Technologies in remote areas especially in Tribal Hamlets. The Project
is executed in two phases, Theoretical and Practical phase.

In Theoretical phase, the meaning of Renewable energy and its types were
studied. The origin of Renewable energy technologies and its applications were
analyzed. The reason for not electrifying remote tribal hamlets is studied. The
government policies supporting the installation of Renewable energy
technologies were discussed. The gap existing between the Tribal Hamlets and
Government were also taken into consideration. Finally, the practically
implementable solution in addressing such issues were elaborated in this
project.
In Practical phase, an awareness programme on Renewable energy
technologies was conducted in a Tribal hamlet. The renewable energy
technologies which can be installed and useful for the Tribal hamlets were
explained and respective models were displayed. The explanation was
delivered in the local language so as the residents of the Tribal Hamlet would
understand it better. The visit to the Hamlet helped in analyzing the practical
solutions required, its effectiveness and necessity of engineering solution were
discussed. The awareness programme conducted in the hamlet was recorded
with photos.
The Final probable solutions along with Financial, Legal and Beneficiary
analysis to bridge the gap in installing Renewable energy technologies were
discussed. This solution has a potential to be implemented in the Practical
world with the necessary infrastructures.

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 CONTENTS

Sl.NO Title Page No.

1. Motivation 7

2. Objectives 8

3. Methodology 8

4. Overview of NIE – CREST 9

5. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies 10

6. Activity Carried Out 16

7. Impact on Society 21

8. Conclusion 21

6
1. MOTIVATION
Power is among the most critical component of infrastructure, crucial for the
economic growth and welfare of nations. The existence and development of
adequate infrastructure is essential for sustained growth of the Indian
economy. India’s power sector is one of the most diversified in the world.
Sources of power generation range from conventional sources such as coal,
lignite, natural gas, oil, hydro and nuclear power to viable non-conventional
sources such as wind, solar, and agricultural and domestic waste. Electricity
demand in the country has increased rapidly and is expectedto rise further in
the years to come. In order to meet the increasing demand for electricityin the
country, massive addition to the installed generating capacity is required. In
May2018, India ranked fourth in the Asia Pacific region out of 25 nations on
an index that measured their overall power. India was ranked fourth in wind
power, fifth in solar power and fifth in renewable power installed capacity as
of 2018. India ranked sixth in the list of countries to make significant
investments in clean energy at US$ 90 billion. India is the only country
among the G20 nations that is on track to achieve the targets under the Paris
Agreement. The Government of India has released its roadmap to achieve 227
GW capacity in renewable energy (including 114 GW of solar power and 67
GW of wind power) by 2022. The Union Government of India is preparing a
'rent aroof' policy for supporting its target of generating 40 gigawatts (GW) of
power throughsolar rooftop projects by 2022.

A separate 2018 survey of 360,000 villages by the central rural development

ministry found more than 14,700 villages without electricity for domestic use.
Most mechanisms generating electricity today generate a lot of unpleasant
gases and chemicals to the atmosphere which results in pollution and global
warming which in turn results in rise is atmospheric temperature and
unprecedented rains and change in environment. So introduction of
Renewable energy technologies can be eco-friendly and save a lot fuel and
mainly save planet earth. Renewable energy will account for 55% of the total
installed power capacity by 2030. As per the Central Electricity Authority
(CEA) estimates, by 2029-30, the share of renewable energy generation
would increase from 18% to 44%, while that of thermal is expected to reduce
from 78%to 52%.

Hence many remote villages in India do not have access to electricity from
many years and they need to be given awareness about the appropriate
technologies that can help them to lead a comfortable life. This awareness
programme addresses the engineering solution that has potential to fill in the
gap between underdeveloped villages and renewable energy technologies.
2. OBJECTIVE

Create awareness among residents of villages about Renewable energy

technologiessuch as:
• Solar energy
• Rain water harvesting
• Microgrid Technology
• Muscle power Technologies

3. METHODOLOGY
In this project, with the availability of 80 Hours to complete the project, only
followingactivities can be undertaken by keeping the Vision of Project as the
basis.
Theoretical understanding of the
• Renewable and Sustainable energy technologies
• Its applications and uses
• Solving the problem of under developed villages
• The gap between Tribal hamlet and government
• Policies supporting the installation of Renewable energy
technologies
• Present solutions available
• Ineffectiveness of present solution
• Alternate solutions if any

Practical Awareness Programme with the residents of the Tribal Hamlet

• Giving awareness about Renewable energy technologies
• Demonstrating and Explanation with appropriate models
• Analyzing the public opinion and need of engineering solution
• Understanding the effect of solution in the society
• Severity of problem in society
• Priority to be taken to address such issue

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 4. OVERVIEW OF NIE – CREST

Fig 5.1: NIE-CREST EMBLEM Fig 5.2: NIE-CREST OFFICE

Name : NIE-Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies

Parent Institute : The National Institute of Engineering,Mysore
EST Year 1946
Website : https://nie ac in/nie_coe list/centre-for-renewable-energy-
sustainable-technologies-creat/
E mail : niecrest@nic.ac.in
Director : Mr. SHAMSUNDAR S
Associate Professor, Mech. Dept.
Phone 9972695511

NIE CREST [ The Centre for Renewable Energy & Sustainable

Technologies (CREST) ] is one of the centers of excellence at NIE,Mysuru.
The center is involved in the area of Renewable Energy and Sustainable
Technologies. NIE – CREST has made many technological interventions to
provide Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies to meet most of the
energy needs locally and sustainably. The center has been providing
consultancy services, implementation, conducting training programmes/
workshops / awareness programmes, R&D and dissemination of Renewable
Energy based efficient devices/ systems to the people in and around the
region.

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Major technologies promoted by CREST -
1. Integrated Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technologies
2. Solar Energy Technologies
3. Biomass Technologies (Organic Waste to Energy, Biomass Gasifiers
4. Jatropha and Honge based Bio-Diesel
5. Micro Wind Energy Technologies
6. Muscle Power Technologies
7. Rain Water Harvesting Systems
8. Sustainable Building Materials Technologies

5. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies

Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources that are
naturally replenished on a human timescale. It includes sources such as
sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy
stands in contrast to fossil fuels, whichare being used far more quickly than
they are being replenished. Renewable energy often provides energy in four
important areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling,
transportation, and rural (off-grid) energy services. Renewable energy
resources and significant opportunities for energy efficiency exist over wide
geographical areas, in contrast to other energy sources, which are
concentrated in a limited number of countries. Rapid deployment of
renewable energy and energy efficiency, and technological diversification of
energy sources, would result in significant energy security and economic
benefits. It would also reduce environmental pollution such as air pollution
caused by the burning of fossil fuels, and improve public health, reduce
premature mortalities due to pollution and save associated health costs that
could amount to trillions of dollars annually. Climate change and global
warming concerns, coupled with the continuing fall in the costs of some
renewable energy equipment, such as wind turbines and solar panels, are
driving increased use of renewables.

5.1 Types of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies

5.1.1Solar Energy Technologies

1. Solar Power Plant (1KW, 2KW or above)

This Power Plant consists of centralized array of solar PV collectors & battery
bank. It can be used to generate & supply power for an entire building or a
remote village. On grid & Off grid solar PV Power Plants are designed.

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 Fig 5.1: Solar Power Plant

2. Solar Street lights

The street lights are energized by Solar PV panel and a battery. Street lightsup
automatically in the evening and when sun rises it switches off. Street lights
provide illumination and safety for highways, streets and remote locations & it
is eco-friendly.

Fig 5.2: Solar Street Light

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3. Solar Home Lights

It can be used for regular lighting of homes. It is very easy to maintain anda
highly reliable system. 48V DC Solar Home Lightings are designed &
installed.

Fig 5.3: Solar Home Lights

4. Solar Cooker
A solar cooker is a device which uses sunlight to cook. They use solar energy
as fuel and they cost nothing to run. It is smoke free, cut's down energy cost
and the food cooked is rich in Vitamins. Solar cookers are used in outdoor
cooking, especially in situations where there is abundant solar energy.

Fig 5.4: Box Type Solar Cooker

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5. Solar PV-Wind Hybrid System

Standalone wind with solar PV is considered as one of the best Hybrid

combination of all renewable energy systems and suitable for most of the
thermal and power applications taking care of seasonal changes.

Fig 5.5: Solar PV-Wind Hybrid System

5.1.2 Rain Water Harvesting System

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection and storage of rain, rather than
allowing it to run off. Rainwater is collected from a roof-like surface and
redirected to a tank, cistern, deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), aquifer, or a
reservoir with percolation, so that it seeps down and restores the ground
water. Dew and fog can also be collected with nets or other tools. Rainwater
harvestingdiffers from storm water harvesting as the runoff is collected from
roofs, rather than creeks, drains, roads, or any other land surfaces. Its uses
include watering gardens, livestock, irrigation, domestic use with proper
treatment, and domestic heating. The harvested water can also be committed
to longer-term storage or groundwater recharge.

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 Fig 5.6: Rain Water Harvesting System

5.1.3 Muscle Power Technologies

Rope and Washer Pump
This pump can lift water from open water sources like lakes, open wells,
stream etc., (not from bore wells). It can lift water from a maximum depth of
40ft. This pump is easy to install, economical and suitable for village level
maintenance andoperation.

Fig 5.7: Rope and Washer Pump

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5.1.4 Renewable Energy Micro grids

Remote Area/village where the electric grid has not reached and also the
supply of grid power is not reliable can be electrified using locally available
renewable energy sources such as Solar Energy, Biomass Energy, Hydel
Energy and Wind Energy. NIE-CREST is involved in designing and
establishing the (Microgrid based Renewable Energy Power plants) (IREPP).
These plants are appropriate forremote villages, village hamlet, coffee estates
and other remote locations. NIE- CREST in collaboration with University of
Wisconsin-Madison is developing a smart AC and DC Microgrid System.

Fig 5.8: Renewable Energy Micro grids

Place of Visit: Thuppadh kola is a hamlet in the Hunsur taluk of Mysore state,
near Hunsur Town. Mysore city is about 60 kilometers distant. There are 45
families in the hamlet, which has a population of almost 200 people.
Farming is the people's main source of income. During the awareness
programme, around 50 locals were present on 13th November 2022 .

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qG7Wz5Meaq7eTQkWA

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 Fig 5.8: Thuppadh kola Hamlet

6. ACTIVITY CARRIED OUT

6.1 Activity at Thuppadh kola Hamlet

Fig 6.1: Demonstration setup to educate the people on renewable energy

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 Fig 6.2: Interaction with the residents of the hamlet
The topics of discussion were solar energy technologies, Rain water
harvesting, Bio gas plant, Bio fuel, Organic manure and so on. The topics of
discussion were divided among the volunteers.
The programme started with a brief introduction about National Institute of
Engineering and NIE-CREST, where Mr. Koushik highlighted the various
achievements of CREST and discussion went on with the recent project did by
students of NIE at Hemmige Hamlet on Microgrid and how that project
provided electricity to the hamlet.

Fig 6.3: Residents of Thuppadh kola Hamlet

The programme was then carried forward with the discussion on solar energy by
giving information about solar energy, its application and why it is the future of
energy generation. When asked about the electricity availability in the Hamlet,
they responded by saying that they did not have electricity from 2 months
because the electricity department had taken away the fuses for not paying the
bill amount. There was a discussion on how the solar panels can solve their
problem and why it is better than producing electricity through power plants.
They were also given awareness about the greenhouse effect due to which the
earth’s temperature is increasing.

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It was followed by a session on Renewable Energy Microgrid where the
residents were explained about what is a micro grid, how it works, it’s
installation and how it can solve the problem of electricity less villages. They
were also given awareness about the schemes in the government wherein the
remote villages can get electricity through renewable energy technologies. They
were given a brief explanation about wind energy and bio-diesel generators. The
program ended up and finally few questions were raised by the residents, like
“Who are going to provide us this thing? & Who is going to pay huge
investment for all these technologies? Etc.,” Their queries were all answered by
Mr. Ananth from DEED NGO HUNSUR and the other employees of DEED
NGO. A brief explanation was given by him to the residents about all the
renewable technologies and how the NGO with association of NIE-CREST and
the Government can help them to install these technologies in the tribal hamlets.

The next topic was on Rain water harvesting where the residents were given
explanation about rain water harvesting and how it is installed. The need for rain
water harvesting was also explained and how it can recharge the ground water
table and how the stored water can be used for irrigation for their crops. They
were also given information about the successful project carried out in Silk
factory in Mysore, and how it helped to recharge the water table of the locality.
The volunteers also explained about how the method of rain water harvesting
can benefit the water table during summer season.

Fig 6.4: Explanation about Rain Water Harvesting

Following which there was an explanation on bio diesel, different types of

oils such as edible, non-edible, and waste cooking oil, highlighting the
disadvantages of using edible oils and the benefits of using non-edible and
waste cooking oil. They briefly explained bio diesel synthesis before
emphasizing its benefits in vehicles, diesel generators, and tractors. Then
they urged people to plant honge and pongamia trees on their property and
sell the cultivated seed to CREST in exchange for a good price. They also
highlighted that seed cake obtained after oil extraction might be used as an
excellent manure source.

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 Fig 6.5: Briefing about Bio fuels

Fig 6.6: Bio diesel prepared from various sources and various non edible seeds as
feedstock.

Following the discussion on bio diesel, explanation on aerobic composters was

given which detailed all of the steps involved in the manure production process.
The talk started with the use of domestic kitchen waste (feedstock) in the
process of generating manure, then moved on to the methods involved, the time
it takes to prepare manure, and substitutes for Drum(container) and cow-dung,
then stressed the primary benefits of doing so and then discussed the biogas
generation process utilizing a biogas plant. The talk began with the utilization of
domestic kitchen garbage that has been fortified with starch as a good feedstock
for producing bio gas, as well as all of the processes involved. He went on to say
that biogas is a cost-effective alternative to LPG. Then he provided some data
depicting the cost of building a medium-capacity plant as well as the amount of
money that may be saved by using a biogas plant. The conversation came to a
close with the biogas plant's zero-waste idea, which states that the slurry can be
used as manure and some more information about waste segregation.

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 Fig 6.7: Detailed Explanation about waste segregation and aerobic composter

At the end the children of the hamlet were asked some questions and they were
given prizes like pencils, notebooks and chocolates and they were encouraged to
study well and become good citizens in the future.

Fig 6.8: A young girl segregating dry waste and wet waste

Fig 6.9: A group photo of our group with the residents of the hamlet

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 Fig 7.0 A group photo with the people of hamlet and all the volunteers from
NIE-CREST

7. Impact On Society

The volunteers believe that the residents of the Tribal Hamlet have understood
the importance of Renewable energy and Sustainable Technologies in the
world. The demonstrations of appropriate technologies in front of the residents
of the Hamlet should have helped them to understand it to an extent and try to
implement it in the Hamlet. Implementing it would be a great task financially,
but there are Government schemes which can help them to install it in the
Hamlet. The Government should also try to constitute rules and schemes to
reduce the cost of Renewable energy technologies such as Solar panels, Wind
Turbines and Batteries, such that all the underprivileged sections of the society
can avail the benefits. the NIE-CREST if given help from the Government
financially, can install the Renewable Technologies in the Tribal Hamlets and
remote areas in forests. The volunteers also believe that they have sparked the
young minds of the Tribal Hamlets by educating them and encouraging them
to learn more about renewable energy technologies and those themselves could
implement it in their Hamlet in the future.

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8. Conclusion
For an engineer it just doesn’t mean to get a secured job, it’s about what they
give to thesociety. It is the responsibility of every engineer to strive and bring
a reform in the society by working hard for its development. Joining hands
with institutions like CREST and working as a volunteer helped the
volunteers greatly to see the actual society which needed to be developed.
This program helped greatly to understand the necessity of team work. The
programme also gave them a platform for self- development. Renewable
energy sources are the signs of development. So, giving awareness to the
people about renewable energy sources is most essential. This was
instrumental for them to return to bright from dark with their own effort and
develop soon.
Success of every programme depends largely on the Self encouragement and
guidance of many others. The volunteers would like thank and cordially
acknowledge to the people who have been instrumental and without their
support it would not have been possible for the successful completion of this
programme.
-TEAM

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