K'taka: Researcher to produce power from tides

Udupi, Apr 5: An engineer and research scholar, who had made extensive research on eco-friendly tidal energy and got the patent for his invention, has now ventured into producing power from tides.

Susi Global Research Center, Peramapally, Proprietor Vijaykumar Hegde's dream child was also set to produce 20 kw power from tides with an investment of about Rs 1.25 crore at the sea shore at Katapady-Mattu, about 15 kms from here.

The working model '' Susi Tidal Power Project '' which would be mounted on a steel platform on the sea about 120 ft away from the sea shore could work with any small waves. However, the working model was installed at Mattu due to the occurrence of frequent high tide at the shore.

Beaming Mr Hedge, who got the patent for his research from Patent office at Chennai last year, told newsmen that the working model consisted of float balls for receiving the waves connected with other equipment like heavy gear and gear box, ratchet system, arms for leaner movement, compressor, air tank, air motor and control system. The platform would also have a small work room for maintenance work, he added.

He said the work on erection of the model had already commenced and would be ready for production of power by April 18 and Union Minister of State for Labour Oscar Fernades inspect the plant.

Mr Hegde said that if the minister was satisfied with the functioning of the plant, he (Mr Fernades) had also assured to invite both the President A P J Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

He said that after getting the patent, the project had been attracting the attention of several companies abroad and inquiries have already started pouring in. Dr Neeraj Patil, Lambeth Labour Councilor and Governor of Kings College Hospital, England who had set up Westminister Communication in India and warning about the global warming, while appreciating the project has shown interest in visiting the plant during the month of September. In a communication to Mr Hegde he had also said "if the project goes well and okayed by the Minister for Environment of England, then we can explore idea of doing the same thing in U.K", he added.

Mr Hegde claimed that the power produced by tides was very cheap and most eco-friendly since there would be no sound or air pollution besides no question of felling of not a single tree. When the project was set up in industrial scale, the investment would also become very less. The sea waves are available all the 24 hours and 365 days. The efficiency of plant load factor (PLF) would be 100 per cent which was a unique feature of this project, he added.

UNI