Let air be light

We know that wind can be used to generate power. But, how about ‘creating’ wind to generate electricity? A young researcher who has only studied upto Class XII has successfully managed to get his wind energy project an Australian patent.

Just goes to show that innovation, invention and research are not limited only to universities and manors of higher education. It can flourish amidst a green field and muddy surroundings too.

Wind energy is supposed to be one of the best unconventional green sources of energy. But it has its limitations. First, a perfect location is needed to install a windmill, so that it can create sufficient energy.

Secondly, the investment required is quite high. This young inventor — Birudev Hajare — has developed a technique which produces wind power without the need of a windmill, at ground level with a bare minimum natural wind velocity.

Birudev has applied for a world patent and already has an innovation patent from the Australian government. Speaking to this reporter, Birudev said, “I have already applied for a Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) which will give my project international identity. A Pune-based PCT firm is helping me complete the formalities.”

To realise what Birudev, a 34-year-old inventor has done, we had to travel 20 km from the city, cross green fields and slushy roads to reach the typical semi-urban setup of Manjari.

Birudev Hajare, a small- town man stays in Manjari Khurd. When asked about the project, the not-very-highly-educated Birudev starts talking about unconventional energy sources and about windpower like a expert. He impressed us with all his statistics and energy formulae riddled in the conversation.

Birudev Hajare has done a two-year course in electricity from Ghule College of Manjari. Since his college days, he has been working on this project. Apart from working on his invention with zeal, Birudev works in a small fabrication workshop in Ramtekdi Industrial Estate, Hadapsar.

The invention
Birudev has developed a technique which produces wind artificially, which in turn generates electricity. Blowers (that he fabricated himself) work as turbines that produce wind by moving or giving velocity to the air around it.

A conventional source of energy — electricity — is used to run these blowers. And, in case this gets you sceptical, don’t be! It generates almost three times the amount of electricity it uses.

The set-up
Birudev has created a pilot set-up at a friend’s farm house. He put together an input AC power, a duct (comprising entry and exit points which channelises wind), a fan (adapted to be driven by an AC motor), an alternator (to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy), and a speed-boosting shape. The speed-boosting shape reduces the volume of duct. It also creates more pressure, thus more (kinetic) energy.

Four AC motors run the blowers, each with a capacity of 12.5 horsepower (hp). The blowers suck the air from outside. The setup has a capacity of generating power of 147.5 hp. It is the pressure difference between inside the duct and outside, helps create the artificial wind.

The wind enters the narrow duct with great pressure that moves the turbine at the end. The turbine is directly attached to the AC generator which converts this mechanical energy into electrical energy. The entire set-up, which Birudev built with the help of villagers and friends, cost him Rs 5 lakh.

Hazare khwaishein
Although Birudev’s invention has been recognised by the Australian government, the procedure of getting the patent was not easy for him. Mainly because he was a small-town youth. “My brother searched for the formalities that needed to be completed in order to get a patent, online,” he says.

But Birudev is not yet satisfied. “I want the recognition for our country. I just want some experts to visit my village and check the viability of the project. Till date, I have contacted many eminent researchers and ministers, but nobody has shown willingness to send somebody to check the authenticity of my invention.

I don’t need financial support or any other help from them. I just need some motivation, someone to tell me that I’m on the right track. That will give me the green signal to go ahead.”

However, Birudev hasn’t been completely ignored either. He was recently felicitated at a programme in Pune where the higher and technical minister Rajesh Tope was present.

“Tope saheb gave me an appointment and I’m going to meet him at the Mantralaya soon,” says Birudev. When asked what exactly he’s looking to achieve out of this visit, Birudev puts it simply, “A letter by the minister to approach a University or any research institute which would take note of my invention and give me a stamp of authenticity after checking it.”
Source :www.punemirror.in