Energy,Energy sector projects by Thanjavur district administration in Thanjavur

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Thanjavur district administration

Alternate sources of energy have to be developed to counter energy crisis. Keeping this in mind, the environment cell of public works department (PWD) in Trichy is planning to produce biogas as well as electricity from biological sources. Thanjavur district administration is also working on a project to implement it as a pilot project in the state. As per the plan, water hyacinth and shrub called pink morning glory (Ipomea carnea) will be used to source biogas. Water bodies are infested with water hyacinth, a fast-growing perennial aquatic plant. It blocks rivers and drainage system and contributes to depletion of dissolved oxygen, thereby causing alteration of water chemistry. It is when steps are being taken to prevent its spreading that the PWD is planning to utilize it for productive purposes. The production of biogas using water hyacinth goes through various levels. First, the plant is chopped into small pieces. The process could be improved if the chopped plant is mixed with cow slurry and special micro-organisms which is rich in anaerobic bacteria that aids decay. The ratio of water hyacinth to cattle dung depends upon the availability of cattle dung and the size of the digester. At least, 2%-5% dung in the mixture is effective. Thereafter, solid waste must be mixed with water before being put into the digester, possibly with 10 parts water to 1 part solids. Ipomoea carnea, a native of South America, grows in dense populations along river. This species of morning glory is a popular source of bioenergy. Last month chief minister J Jayalalithaa had announced that a biomethanation plant using water hyacinth and Ipomea carnea will be sanctioned for Thanjavur district. Accordingly, the district administration there is preparing for the implementation a pilot project in the state. Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is microbiologically converted under anaerobic conditions to produce biogas. N Subbaiyan, Thanjavur district collector, is optimistic that the new project will benefit people. "The district rural development agency (DRDA) and the PWD are jointly devising the plan to implement the project successfully in our district. The work is on to identify the site for setting up the plant to generate biogas as well as electricity," Subbaiyan said, while remarking that water hyacinths have become a menace to water bodies. The modalities for supply and tariff for gas and electricity are yet to be decided, said the collector. The estimated cost of a biogas plant is Rs 1 crore. The success of the project may even reduce the demand for conventional cooking gas, officials claimed.

INR 1 Crore /-

Scouting Land

Thanjavur

Tamil Nadu

India

Energy,Energy