E-Paper
IIT Madras researchers patent ‘Combined Power Generation Technology’ to reduce electricity demand in coastal regions
At present, the researchers are focused on scalability & affordability & are trying to build a cost-effective prototype using 3D printing & other technologies.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) researchers have patented a ‘Combined Power Generation Technology’ technology that can generate electricity from both tidal and wind sources. This can be deployed as a mobile vehicle For power generation, transmission and storage.
According to a press release by IIT Madras, the current innovation is an energy converter system that generates electricity in coastal areas to reduce electricity demand. The converter system can be deployed depending on the power requirements in the coastal area. At present, the researchers are focused on scalability and affordability and are trying to build a cost-effective prototype using 3D printing and other technologies.
This research was undertaken by Sadham Usean Ramasamy, PhD Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, and Prof. A. Seshadri Sekhar, a former Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, who is currently on deputation to IIT Palakkad as its Director, stated the press release.
“This technology will potentially entail fewer expenditures, require less maintenance and produce clean and sustainable energy. It can also be utilised as a mobile vehicle. With a lot of potential and the rare capacity to be entirely predictable, tidal energy is a clean, sustainable energy source. The Potential Industry partners of this technology include companies in the power sector, solar and wind energy," said Sadham Usean Ramasamy, PhD Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras.
This technology consists of five systems that aid in the conversion of wind and tide energy into electrical energy. To transform tide energy into electrical energy, the converter system employs a one-of-a-kind five-gear mechanism.
According to the press release, to help convert tidal and wind energy into electrical energy, spring-assisted mechanisms, adjustable guider structural support mechanisms, a main shaft with five converter gear shaft mechanisms, direction converter gear mechanism, floor level adjustable mechanism, and gear coupling mechanism are used. Additionally, the solar panel on the roof is used to power other systems on mobile vehicles. At present, there are no simple continuous energy converter technologies available for power generation. Throughout the country, there are various coal-fired power plants, nuclear power plants, hydropower plants, and gas-fired power plants.
Tidal energy has the potential to be used to generate electricity in the future, despite the fact that it is not now widely utilised. As a resource, ocean energy is essentially untapped. The current technology focuses on combined power generation, which employs both tidal and wind energy to generate electricity, said IIT Madras.
