DNA : New spin to power generation : Oct 3 , 2007

New spin to power generation
shweta karnik

there is some good news for power-starved maharashtra. the khadi and village
industries commission plans to introduce an e-charkha (electronic charkha)
which has an inbuilt hybrid generator that gets charged every time one spins
it.

“spinning the e-charkha for four hours can give light or back up power up to
15 hours,” said sk sinha, the commission’s director. in other words,
investing only two hours a day, one can store 7.5 hours of electricity.
though the model has been designed for rural poor, it can also be used by
the urban population. the model will be formally inaugurated by president
pratibha patil on november 19.

“hiremath presented the concept in july, after which the commission worked
to get the generator installed with the two-spindle charkha. we are now
working towards trying to reduce the weight of the charkha from 20½ kg to
15½ kg. this will increase its portability. the e-charkha currently costs
over rs 3,000,” said sinha. the electricity generated by the e-charkha will
not be enough to operate appliances that consume a heavy load like air
conditioners, refrigerators and even fans.

“it will be able to provide basic lighting with the help of light emitting
diodes. one can also enjoy music by plugging in a radio,” said rs hiremath,
managing director of flexitron company. hiremath, who has been working in
the field of non-conventional energy resources, designed this unique model
over the past three years.