New Delhi (NVI): In a bid to reduce carbon footprint, Union Power Minister RK Singh today launched Green Charcoal Hackathon, which would focus on innovative ways to convert farm residue into green charcoal.
In this direction, NVVN (NTPC VidyutVyapar Nigam), a wholly-owned subsidiary company of NTPC Ltd, in partnership with EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited) organised the technology challenge named as Green Charcoal Hackathon.
With the vision to reduce #AirPollution by eliminating farm fire, produce #RE out of the agro residue & to promote local entrepreneurship, NVVN, a wholly owned subsidiary of @ntpclimited, is organizing a technology challenge “Green Charcoal Hackathon” with our partnership. https://t.co/9sVSISsk8e
— EESL India (@EESL_India) December 1, 2020
The purpose of the event is to leverage the innovative Indian mind to bridge the technology gap, with the prime objective to clean the air by eliminating farm fire, producing renewable energy out of the agro residue, to promote local entrepreneurship, and to increase the income of the farmers, the Ministry of Power said in a statement.
“The Hackathon displays the spirit of innovation, which pervades NTPC. Any organisation has to have this spirit of innovation to grow and prosper or otherwise, it would fade away. I am sure that the NTPC management has told all young engineers that innovation and new ideas are encouraged,” Union Power Minister RK Singh said on the occasion.
“This (Hackathon) is also innovation in the pursuit of reducing our carbon footprint. From that point of view, all competitors in the Hackathon should keep in mind that the process of converting this (agro residue) to charcoal should not lead to emissions. Another key thing is the commercial model, which will depend on the cost of both the machine and charcoal production. I am sure we will come out with a machine which is economical. I am happy to see the orientation of NTPC towards reducing carbon foot print,” he added.
Also present on the occasion, Ashish Upadhyay, Additional Secretary of Power said, “The NTPC Group needs to focus on integrated and smart solutions to manage a carbon-neutral economy. I am confident that NTPC will be able to successfully implement and commercialise the technology which will benefit farmers, the environment as well as the society”.
The increasing air pollution due to the burning of stubble and agro residue by local farmers has become a major concern for the country. As a result, NVVN is looking for technologies to convert the agricultural waste to a form that can be used in the power plants in form of the Green Charcoal Hackathon. One such option is torrefaction which converts the agro residue to green charcoal.
The technology to produce torrefied fuel using agro residue biomass is not easily accessible to small entrepreneurs due to the higher cost of imported machines, lack of sufficient manufacturers. The technology to produce torrefied fuel using agro residue biomass once developed in India will be made accessible to small entrepreneurs.
-ARK
