NER gets second renewable energy park at Agartala

New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNI) A spectacular Renewable Energy Park (REP) at the vortex of lush green and uneven land surface has been set up in Agartala by Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) with financial assistance from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in active coordination with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

The REP is built on an area of four acres at Tripura University (TU) complex at a cost of Rs 184 lakh and the exhibits in it are operated on solar energy. The park will be jointly maintained by the TREDA and TU for next six months and thereafter it will be handed over to this central University.

Dedicating the REP to the nation, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today said it would usher a new era in the field of Renewable Energy Education.

Applauding the role of different agencies and the Union Ministry of NER for setting up this beautiful and educative venture Mr Sarkar said, ''We want more such parks to be accommodated in Eco Parks set up by the state forest department along the national highway.'' He drew attention of Advisor to the Ministry of NER N P Singh, who was present in the inaugural ceremony, to extend assistance for setting up of similar Energy Parks in three more districts of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, State Minister for Finance and Science and Technology Badal Chowdhury said an Energy Research Centre may be accommodated at this Park.

Dr N P Singh in his address detailed out the background of this new Park, which is second in the North East region. To take in the challenge of global warming and green house effect Mr Singh laid stress upon awareness and promotion of uses of new and renewable energy sources.

Pointing out the objective of this state level Park, he said it was for creating awareness and publicity over new and renewable energy among the commonman.

He said, ''We want more and more people know the uses of new and renewable energy sources. We also want more and more innovative ideas come from the engineering students.'' The Ministry has so far sanctioned 26 state level and 480 district level parks across the country.

The REP is a very interactive project where common people and students can have their curiosity as well as technical questions pertaining to various aspects of renewable energy answered. The Park displays various exhibits and working models related to new and renewable energy sources based on the latest technologies.

The exhibits at the park include a working model of Micro-Hydel System, 10 KW Gasifier Power Plant, Solar Power Road Traffic Flasher, , Solar Photo Voltaic Street Lighting System, Solar PV Power Plant, Solar Hut cum Energy Library with computers.

It also includes Operating Model on Tidal Power Plant, Working exhibit of Wind Energy System, Solar Cooker, Operating Model on Geothermal Power Plant.

There are some other exhibits like Solar Power Car for Children, Battery Operated Bicycle, Power Generating Drum and computer based Quiz and Games.

UNI