We
live in a world where global warming is a constant threat. There are many nations which has taken some
steps to spread awareness. Today most of
us are aware of this issue and doing what we can to improve our
environment. For example we recycle our
papers and plastics, big companies like Ozarka use recycled materials for water
bottles and ask its consumers to recycle it.
This article is about producing clean energy by using Sun and Water
together.
Overview
In
India, Gujarat it would be a first innovation where both solar and hydro
power are combined to generate electricity.
Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat has done the unthinkable. His vision to provide his State clean energy
by using minimum resources has created a breakthrough. In this project solar panels were placed on
top of a canal, and installed micro turbine on the surface of water. With this project in place, electricity will
be produced up to 1MW, in addition canal can save up to 1 crore litters (0.23
millions) of water per kilometers annually from evaporating. Gujarat’s solar park is considered “Asia’s
largest Solar Park with state of art infrastructures, adequate utilization of
wastelands, high solar radiation and world class infrastructure.” Modi further explains the benefits of this
project on State’s financials.
Outcome
The
rising cost of electricity impacts everyone.
Especially to those who lives in small villages. With this project, all
the energy produced will directly benefit to those who lives around the
canal. Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat
stated in his speech, “due to the saving of transmission loss the cost of
electricity will go down from Rs. 20 to Rs. 8 or 8.50.” “Today Gujarat produces
66% of nation’s solar energy.” Besides
from providing clean energy, India took one more step towards the fight against
global warming. Since the success of
this project many private companies has come forward to invest more in to clean
energy. Many scientists from world have
shown interest to learn more about this new technology.
Implications
To
satisfy the need of country’s clean energy program, Modi already put ITIs a
training and research program in place to train skilled workers. His vision is
not only limited to this canal, he has bigger vision which is to turn Gujarat
State’s capital in to Green city. In
order to achieve that vision he had already put a plan out, his idea is to ask
homeowners to rent their roof to city government. On that roof, solar panels will be installed
and provide clean energy to homeowner plus pay a rent fees too, to add some
extra money in that homeowner’s pocket. In
short, with each idea he comes up with bigger and better idea to continue being
environment friendly.
These
types of projects require research, technology and capital. For managerial implications do as much
research as you can to convince investors, because funding can be a
problem. Also, when trying new
innovative idea, beware of complications that might arise.
Citations
This is a very interesting article considering most solar panels are widely known to be installed on top of homes, parking garages, or commercial buildings rather than alongside a canal. The article states that " solar panels fitted on canals are known to generate 16% more electricity." It is amazing how scientists could not bring this idea up sooner, as solar technology has been around from the time the first satellite was put into space. Although global warming is still a "theory" according to some scientists as it is not widely acceptable among all, I believe there is still a large untapped market for renewable energy such as solar and hydro-power. Although scientists continue to research on how to generate solar power efficiently in order to provide it as a source for an entire city, I believe there needs to be more research on how to lower the initial investment costs.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very interesting, I personally had no idea that the idea of both solar and hydro power had been combined to generate electricity. The fact that this solar park has benefited those that live by the canal is interesting, This project is very interesting in the fact that this canal has had a positive outcome and that many private companies have come forward and invested in the idea of having more clean energy. Maybe with this project in place, as time progresses many more countries will do something similar in order to provide more clean energy.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this article it was well written. I wonder how companies like this are able to thrive in India and lower the overall operating cost of producing electricity versus companies in the United States. I am referring to the company Solendra which went bankrupt from not being able to sell enough solar panels to stay in business. I still question if green producing companies is the answer for the United States? If green producing companies are the answer to a new energy then why are we seeing the companies go out of business?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Patrick. The price of the solar panels are very high, but I like the idea of the homeowners renting their roofs out so this can be put into action. Like the article says, not only will they get to test out the project, but the homeowners will also get some extra income.
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