Urban News

The Hindu 01.09.2009

‘Use waste at home to generate energy’

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: As part of its clean environs programme, Alagana Kovai, the Residents’ Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC) is into popularising the multiple uses of waste generated at home.

After highlighting how waste paper could be sold to the ITC Limited instead of just dumping along roads, RAAC has begun efforts to tell people how energy could be generated from the waste produced in their kitchen or garden.

RAAC teamed up with Vivekananda Kendra and organised here on Friday a presentation by the Kendra on how biogas generation plants could be installed at home and how of the power needs of a family could be met by the waste it generated every day.

Under the auspices of its Natural Resources Development Project (NARDEP), the Kendra illustrated how vegetable waste, meat waste, food waste and flour could produce gas. Secretary of the Kendra V. Vasudeoji emphasised the need to tap renewable energy for daily needs. Pointing out that half of the solar energy was left untapped, he said that the Kendra found while exploring various options that kitchen and garden waste were an ideal source of energy.

Mr. Vasudeoji, however, said that everything boiled down to the mindset. “Only a green mind will result in green architecture,” he said and listed very basic sources such as the neem cake that could be used to generate energy.

Explaining the composition of biogas as 65 per cent methane and 35 per cent carbon dioxide, Project Director of NARDEP G. Ramakrishnan said one cubic metre of biogas helped in producing 25 kg of biogas a day and this was enough to meet the cooking needs of a family of three to four persons.

And, 100 cubic metres of biogas could produce 5 KW of energy to meet a 20-hour power requirement of a house. The Government was also providing subsidy to individuals and establishments opting for this source. Mr. Ramakrishnan said the biogas plants were of fixed and portable types. The second one was ideal for people who had to often shift residence.

The plants did not produce any odour or cause pollution, he said, making a presentation on Shakti Surabhi, a biomethanisation plant developed by the Kendra. Hotels, lodges and hostels could install this plant, as it would eliminate waste and also meet the energy requirements of these establishments, he said.

RAAC vice-president G. Soudararajan and honorary secretary R.R. Balasundaram were present at the meeting.

The Hindu 01,09.2009

State team to study Singapore’s success as financial city

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The State Government will send a team to Singapore to study its success story as financial city, said Gayatri Sriram, Chairperson, CII Chennai zone on Monday.

Delivering the welcome address at a luncheon session on ‘Tamil Nadu business know-how & opportunities in Singapore,’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), she said that the State was in the process of setting up a Financial City near Chennai and an Aero Park in Madurai and had approached the Singapore Government for help.

“The Financial City should be granted SEZ status for companies to come and invest in it. CII will act as a catalyst. On Tuesday, the CII members will discuss this issue with Singapore Consul-General in Chennai, Ajit Singh,” she said.

Business delegation

Leading a 10-member business delegation to Chennai and Coimbatore, Oeji Ek Siang, Deputy Director (South Asia), Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore urged Indian businessmen to use Singapore as ‘Living Lab’ to strengthen the existing trade ties for mutual benefit.

“Come to our country, our R&D centres are ready to help you. Test your products, get feedback and find solution. Package and sell it to the rest of the world. If you are looking at urban solution such as urban mobility, infocom and security, environment, urban planning, healthcare, electricity and water, then Singapore is the right place,” he said.

“Though, we are comfortable doing business with China, we are shifting our focus towards India, Central Asia and South America. We are also exploring southern India,” he added.

In his special address, Mr. Ajit Singh said that they were bullish on India’s growth prospects with respect to trade and investment. N. Kumar, CII past president, said that Singapore was one of India’s best ambassadors in the global meet of nations. The business delegates arrived in Chennai on Sunday and will explore trade and investment opportunities in Tamil Nadu till September 4.