A Report

On

"Educational Tour to Southern “ For Ist Year M.Tech Renewable Energy & Green Technology students

Bhopal, M.P-462003

( Date: 28/03/2016 to 06/04/2016)

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Preamble:

Energy Centre, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology organized a one week Educational Tour/Industrial visit to Southern India during 28/03/2016 to 06/04/2016 for M.Tech Renewable Energy and Green Technology students. The visit was organized with the prior permission (MANIT Office Order : Estt./2016/3647 dated 18.03.2016 without any financial liabilities on the part of the Institute) and guidance of Hon. Director .Dr. Appu Kuttan K.K and HOD of Energy Centre Prof. A.Rehman . Students of M.Tech specially Purva Sahu, Areena Mahilong,Sreenath Sukumaran ,Samrat Kunal ,Deepak Bisoyi have taken hard efforts and initiative under the continuous guidance of Dr.K.Sudhakar,M.Tech Course coordinator and Tour in-charge, which made this visit a grand success. Total 16 students along with 1 faculty member and 1 teaching assistant have joined this industrial visit. Objective of the educational tour:

 To spread awareness about reducing carbon footprint and Swach Bharat (Clean and green India).  To collaborate with Department of Energy and Environment , NIT Trichy and other academic institutions in the field of renewable energy  To explore the possibilities of exploiting renewable energy sources in agro based food processing industries (Tea,Cashew,coffee,chocolate,spices,herbs etc)  To interact, learn and understand the traditional cultures and lifestyle of especially the ancient temples which stands for vernacular architecture.  To study the effect of climatic change and sea level rise in the coastal regions of Tamilnadu and .

Duration : 28/03/2016 to 06/04/2016

Places of visit: 1) Auroville,Tamilnadu (International Township, sustainable living concept) 2) PRIST University , Pondicherry (Energy park and research centre) 3) Cuddalore, Tamilnadu (Old port,Tsunami affected beach) 4) NIT Trichy, Tamilnadu (CEESAT energy lab visit, Discussion with Director,NITT) 4) Trichy rock fort,Tamilnadu (Ancient temple and rock architecture ) 5) Dr.Spirulina Farm, Illupur ,Tamilnadu (Algae cultivation and processing) 6) ,Tamilnadu (,Ram Sethu, House of Kalam, Bridge) 7) Ramakalmedu,Kerala (25MW private Wind Farm) 8) Idukki ,Kerala (Idukki reservoir,rock tunnel,cherutoni and )

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9) , Kerala (Topstation,Spice garden,Tea estate,Matupetty dam) 10) Athirapilly Waterfalls, Kerala (controversial dam site) 11) Cochin Airport, Kerala (visit to World’s fully solar powered airport) DAY 1 (28/03/2016) & DAY 2 (29/03/2016) – Train Journey to Pondicherry Our journey to southern region of India kick started from Bhopal Junction. Confirmed sleeper class tickets at concessional rates were obtained for students in Train No (22404) New Delhi- Pondicherry express. The 33hr long journey started with lot of excitement and enthusiasm .The hot and humid climate of southern India was felt during the travel .Once we reached Pondicherry the cool and humid breeze started to blow. Many of us got excited to see ocean for the first time

Midway of the Train Journey (Nagpur station) Beginning of the Journey (Energy Centre)

DAY 3 (30/03/2016) –Visit to Auroville,Tamilnadu. Site Description (Auroville, TN): The first place to visit was Auroville (City of Dawn).Auroville (City of Dawn) is an experimental township in Viluppuram district in the state of , India. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as "The Mother") and designed by architect Roger Anger. As stated in Alfassa's first public message about the township, "Auroville is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of our visit to Auroville is to realize human unity. We saw MatriMandir which is located at the centre of township.

Go Green ,Go Clean awareness show at Auroville Students infront of MatriMandir

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A road campaign was also started with the theme

“Reduce footprint, increase hand print,

Go green .Go Clean,

Save Earth, Save Energy

Outcome of the Auroville Visit:

• Motivated by seeing human unity in diversity

• Learned sustainable way of living

• Understood the importance of spirituality in human day to day life

Site Description (Research Park, PRIST University, Puducherry):

The energy park and research facility at PRIST University was visited. An interaction was held with Dean, Dr.S .Dhanuskodi, PRIST University. The discussion was mainly focused on the current trends in the field of renewable energy and related research work undertaken by PRIST University .The Energy Park situated in front of PRIST University had many facilities which includes tunnel drier, biomass hybrid drier, forced convection solar drier etc.Later on, Cuddalore silver beach which is frequently hit by cyclones, Tsunami was visited.

Outcome of the PRIST University Visit:

• Research collaboration in certain areas of specialization like solar based drying

• Learned about different RE based hybrid systems in drying applications.

• Learned about evacuated tubular collector based solar drier.

• Learned about Solar tunnel drier for fish drying

• Learned about renewable energy based model smart city

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Interaction with Dr.S.Dhanuskodi,Dean PRIST University --Puducherry With Dean and staffs of PRIST University

Research Park, PRIST University- Smart city model developed by PRIST Puducherry University--Puducherry

Solar Biomass Hybrid dryer setup at, PRIST Tsunami affected Cuddalore silver beach University- Puducherry

DAY 4 (31/03/2016)- Visit to Energy Department ,National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (NIT-Trichy)

Site Description: National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (commonly known as NIT Trichy or NITT is considered to be one of the top NITs and is consistently ranked within the top 10 universities of India. An interactive session with the faculties and students of CEESAT was

[5] organized and later on with the Director, NIT Trichy. Discussion was focused on the chance of collaboration between the NITs for common curriculum, joint workshop, and training program ,joint student exchange projects and proposed to sign a MoU within a month. Laboratory visit to know about the facilities at CEESAT were organized.

With Dr.Premlatha ,HOD CEESAT , NIT Trichy NITT Director Interacting with MANIT team

MANIT Faculty Dr.K.Sudhakar Interacting & MANIT Team with NITT Director, discussing the possibility of collaboration with Prof.S.Sundarajan & HOD CEESAT , NIT NITT Director. Trichy.

Outcome of the NIT Trichy Visit:

• Reached a verbal agreement on MoU between NIT Trichy and NIT Bhopal for student exchange program, Joint student projects, Joint student conference, workshops etc • Came to know about latest and various lab equipments and procedure to use them especially for calibration. • Ph D scholars are given the handling of lab equipments. • NIIT Director’s discussed their policy of providing degree in respective branches with Energy Engineering specialisation to enhance job opportunities for their students

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DAY 5 (01/04/2016)-Visit to rock fort and Dr.Spirulina Wind farm,Illupur,TN

Site Description (Rock Fort): Tiruchirappalli Rockfort is a historic fortification and temple complex built on an ancient rock. It is constructed on a 83 metres (272 ft) high rock. There are two Hindu temples inside, the Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Rockfort and the Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort.The architecture of the whole fort and temple was complex and everybody was enthusiastic to understand its design. The full top view of Tiruchirapilli city can be seen from the upper portion of fort.

MANIT Students walking through steps of Trichy Fort temple & Panorama view of Feeling of Thermal comfort inside the temple Tiruchirapilli town Outcome of the Rock fort Temple Visit:

• Panoramic view of entire city of Trichy can be seen from the top of the fort. • Tried to understand the ancient 7th century rock architecture. • Experienced the thermal comfort irrespective of outside conditions along with the natural daylight usage inside temple

Site Description (Dr.Spirulina Farm,Illupur): Gerophyta Nutraceutical , is an R&D based healthcare company, which is well established in Tamilnadu, India. This company manufactures and exports spirulina and herbal healthcare products. The wide range of products that the company offers, are Spirulina Powder, Spirulina Capsules, Spirulina tablets, Spiruvita-C, Spirudia-C and Tripala .

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Spirulina Algae Open Pond cultivation Ms.Ruma,Ph.D Scholar testing pH and Temperature of algae pond

Dr.K.Sudhakar harvesting the wet algae biomass MANIT students taking spirulina juice as energy drink

Dr. Nagulendran interacting with MANIT students Ms.Ruma, Ph.D Scholar receiving training along with his herbal products and visit certificate

Outcome of the algae farm visit:

 Got the chance to learn the method of algae cultivation and its processing so as to make valuable herbal products.  Understood the wide use of spirulina as food supplement ,herbal medicines that can cure aging oxidative stress, diabetes, cardio vascular disease, hypertension, arthritis, cancer, antioxidants  The whole process of algae cultivation and requirements for growth was taught to us. The possibility of solar energy for drying and processing was also discussed and is to be studied further.  The transfer of technology from Dr.Spirulina farm,illupur,TN to set Spirulina R&D farm at NIT Bhopal is also proposed.

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DAY 6 (02/04/2016)-Visit to Rameswaram,Tamilnadu (Temple,, House of Kalam )

Site description (Rameswaram) : Rameswaram is a town in the Ramanathapuram in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu. It is located on .It is situated in the ,at the very tip of the Indian peninsula.This is the place from where the Hindu god Rama built a bridge, across the sea to Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from her abductor Ravana .The Ramanathaswamy is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva which is located at the centre of the town and is closely associated with Rama. There are 22 wells or theerthas inside temple, in which each well corresponds to a certain purpose. The

MANIT team after darshan in Rameshwaram temple Visit to Rama Sethu

MANIT students holding floating stone MANIT students with respect, The house of Kalam pure water from these wells was poured to all the devotees. A visit to Rangaswamy temple at Rameswaram and House of Kalam was organised.

Site description (Pamban Bridge): The Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge on the which connects the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India. The bridge refers to both the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter. Opened on 24 February 1914, it was India's first sea bridge, and was the longest sea bridge in India until the opening of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in 2010. The rail bridge is for the most part, a conventional bridge resting on concrete piers, but has a double leaf bascule section midway, which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through.

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Scenic view of Pamban Bridge (India's first sea bridge) Pamban road bridge connecting the island

Outcome of the Rameswaram Visit :

• Holy visit to Rameswaram temple gave a lot of spiritual energy and The unsaline water in the twenty two holy wells was a mystery for all of us

• The whole life journey history of His Highness A.P.J Kalam was a Real motivation, encouragement, proud moment to all of us. • Learnt about the use of floating stone to construct Ancient bridge(Adam’s bridge) connecting (India) to Talimannar (Srilanka)

• The beauty and design of Pamban Bridge was explored and its importance in day to day life of rameshwaram people.

• Realised the power of dedication and hard work, great engineering skills. in the successful completion of project.

• Effect of climate change/sea level rise leads to disappearance of road and rail connectivity from Rameshwaram to Dhanushkodi

• Sea shells, coral reef and other marine algae including sea weed were found to be abundant in this ocean

• Possibility of using the various marine sources for energy production was explored

DAY 7 (03/04/2016)-Visit to Ramakkalmedu Wind Farm, Kerala & Idukki Dam, Kerala

Site Description (Ramakkalmedu Wind Farm) is situated in Ramakalmedu which is a hill station and a hamlet in in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located about 15 km from on the Munnar- route. V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurated the first wind

[10] farm in Idukki, Kerala set up at Ramakkalmedu with private participation on 27th April 2008.It is the Second most suitable place in the country for setting up wind farms. The total production of wind energy would reach 50 MW. Till now, 20 turbines have been installed.

Vestas make NEG Micon NM 750 kW rated wind Ramakkalmedu Wind Farm visit turbines.

Tower 55 m Height , Ramakkalmedu Wind Farm Students In front of the transformer

Outcome of the Ramakkalmedu Wind Farm Visit

• Amazed by seeing the exact size and scale of wind generation system. • Had a real time experience of wind turbine and its accessories • Learned the importance of wind farm site assessment. • The size and scale of wind turbine was analysed.

Site Decription (Idukki Hydro Reservoir & dam) : Our next destination was Idukki Hydro Power Project , which is biggest power generating plant in kerala . At 167.68 metres, it is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. It was constructed and is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It supports a 780 MW hydroelectric power station in Moolamattom, which started generating power on 4 October 1975. At 167.68 metres, it is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. It was constructed and is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It supports a 780 MW hydroelectric power station in Moolamattom, which started generating power on 4 October 1975. This dam was constructed along with two other dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. Together, the three dams have created an artificial lake that is 60 km² in area. The view of the whole reservoir is mind blowing and amazing. We walked around the dam including two rock tunnels.

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Scenic top view of Idukki Reservoir Idukki Dam Visit

Dr.K.Sudhakar at Idukki Reservoir Visit

Outcome of the Idukki dam & Reservoir visit

• Analysed the environmental and ecological impacts of the Idukki water reservoir.

• Security concerns of these dams are very high.

• Understood the design and construction of huge hydro power plants across the dam.

• Importance of dam construction and operation was analysed.

DAY 8(04/04/2016)-Visit to Munnar Hill station( Top station, Annan Devan Tea Planations,Spice Garden Mattupatty dam ) Site Description Munnar : It is a town and hill station located in the Idukki district of Indian state of Kerala, which is situated at around 1,600 metres (5,200 ft.) above sea level, in the Western Ghats range of mountains. The name Munnar is believed to mean "three rivers", referring to its location at the confluence of the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. The climate of munnar was very pleasant and charming. We got a chance to see the year old martial art of kerala ’KalariPayatu’ and also we had a nice interaction with performers also. On the way , we saw Mattupetty Dam which is a storage Concrete Gravity dam built in the

[12] mountains of Kerala, India to conserve water for hydroelectricity. It has been a vital source of power, yielding along with other such dams, huge revenue to the states.

Kallarkutty Reservoir(Munnar )

Top Station visit (Historic transshippment ropeway)

Visit to Kannan Devan Tea Estate and Plantation

Mattupetty Dam Outcome of the Munnar Tea Plantation & Spice garden visit:

Abundant of herbal spices and ayurvedic species.

• Came to know the effect of plant species in curing diseases and for good lifestyle like Cancer, heart diseases, skin disease, diabetics, Jaundice etc.

• Understood the importance of drying of these species for long term use.

• Solar and hybrid drying techniques can be applied in these fields.

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MANIT students practicing marital art Marital Art performance (Munnar,Kerala)

Inside the Spice Garden Munnar Spice Garden visit

DAY 9 (05/04/2016) –Visit to Athirapilly water falls, Cochin Airport .Kerala

Site Description (Athirapilly water falls) : Athirapilly Panchayat is a disputed site for hydro power generation which is situated in Athirappilly panchayath, Chalakudy Taluk of Thrissur district, Kerala. Athirappilly water falls is located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River .This 24- metre (80 ft.) waterfall and the nearby Vazhachal Falls are popular destinations. Athirappilly Falls is the largest waterfall in Kerala and is nicknamed "The Niagara of India”. The water falls was very scenic and attractive. The controversy about a state-proposed hydroelectric dam on the

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Chalakudy River above the waterfalls began in the 1990s and has continued through the years

Controversial dam site at Athirapilly

Site Description (Fully Solar Powered Cochin Airport): The 12MW solar power plant at Cochin International Airport was sought after place for industrial Visit. The plant was spread over 45 acres and was well maintained. On August 18, 2015, it became the world's first fully solar energy powered airport with the inauguration of the dedicated solar plant. The site engineer, Shri.Jerin palakkal explained us about the plant in detail including single line diagram, inverter configuration, SCADA monitoring system. The plant performance is more than the expected values. A 2.4 MW solar power plant is proposed on the left corner of the existing site and canal top solar power plant for meeting the future energy demand of the airport.

A panoramic view of world’s fully solar powered airport

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Site Engineer Mr.Jerin explaining SCADA system SCADA monitoring system for monitoring solar power plant

Students visiting the inverter room of the Solar MANIT team in front gate of 12 MW Solar power plant power plant at Kochi Airpor,Kerala

Conclusion:

Educational Tour/Field visit to Southern India was successfully organised with the support of staffs and students of Energy Centre, MANIT-Bhopal .This visit really brought positive change in thinking and provided practical insights about the future prospects of Renewable Energy .The following are the outcome of the visit.  A significant progress has been made to establish a memorandum of understanding between NIT-Trichy and NIT-Bhopal for joint research work.  Success story behind the Public private Partnership mode of operation of Cochin International Airport was well understood by the team.  Students experienced the lifestyle, culture, Tradition, Food habits, technological developments in Tamilnadu and kerala.

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PREPARED BY Dr.K.Sudhakar (Staff Coordinator), MANIT-Bhopal.

Mr.Sreenath Sukumaran (Student Coordinator) M.Tech Student,

Acknowledgement:

 Dr.Appukuttan K K , Director , MANIT Bhopal

for railway concession

 Vehicle Section , MANIT Bhopal

 Spice Route Travels , Mundakkayam

 Vidhudhi Bhavan ,Kerala State Electricity Board(KSEB)

 CIAL Infra,Cochin International Airport Limited

 Teaching and Non Teaching Staffs, Students of Dept of Energy & Environment, NIT Trichy

 Teaching and Non Teaching Staffs, Students of Energy Centre, MANIT Bhopal

 MANIT Dispensary for providing First Aid Kit & Medicines

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