Nuru Energy: revolutionizing energy production

Nuru Energy has revolutionized efficient and economical means of energy production. Thus far Nuru Energy has attained the funds to invent two new pieces of technology. 

The first and more famous is the NuruPOWERCycle. The power cycle generates up to 20 minutes worth of light with the requirement of 60 rotations of human pedaling. It is more efficient than solar panels by more than 100 percent. Since the POWERCycle is not affected by the weather, it can be recharged and stored anytime, anywhere. 

The second invention by NuruEnergy is the ultra-portable and rechargeable LED task light. This creation rules out one very specific product: the kerosene lamp. The kerosene lamp is popular in rural India however is also popular for creating poor health and a bad atmosphere. Nuru energy has therefore created an alternative for a major segment of India’s population, as well as in an affordable manner.

In energy entrepreneur lingo there is such a thing called “energy poverty.” Energy poverty is the absence of energy, and it exists among 2 billion people in the world. Despite the global war against pollution and CO2, the developing world is lucky to have light at the flick of a switch. Especially when compared to more societies in the developing world that have even in the year 2013 lived in off-grid areas with no energy. Lack of light means lack of opportunity, prosperity and higher responsibilities like governance. Nuru Energy not only finds solutions to reduce India’s degree of poverty but also does so in a nature-appreciating fashion.

  

Since inception, Nuru Energy has seen kerosene usage reduce by 35-40% per month. India’s rural has seen village entrepreneurs increase their income by 60% due to their decision to operate on Nuru technology. Thus far in its lifespan, Nuru energy has manufactured 10000 Nuru lights and have positively impacted the lives of consumers in 30 villages. The company has more innovative products to come and is seeking to increase tie-ups with non-profits, and corporations to reach out to more consumers.

“We have 2 lights at home. My mother previously had to use a kerosene lamp to cook and the smoke had given her a bad cough. She now uses the Nuru Light and her cough has improved” – A Nuru Customer.

Name: RamanaBhatra
Location:Hathikhamba Village, Rayagada District, Odisha
Age: 13
Family: Mother, Father, 1 Brother and 1 Sister
Nuru customer since: September, 2011
Services used: Light charging
Closest entrepreneur:Ranjan Lima
Use (hours per night): 4
Previous spending on kerosene (per month): $2
Savings (per month): $0.80
Biggest impact: “I now have a light to study with!”

To know more visit http://nuruenergy.com/

Iliana Foutsitzis is a recent graduate of Northeastern University's Political Science curriculum. Before embarking on a law degree Iliana is spending a gap year in New Delhi, India interning with the Niiti Consulting team.

Deadline extended till April 10th for the atmosfair India Renewable Energy Innovation awards

atmosfair in partnership with niiti consulting is inviting applications from individuals and organizations for atmosfair India Renewable Energy Innovation awards that provide innovative proposals for existing projects, new projects or projects under incubation. The projects must meet the following criteria

• reduce greenhouse gases in India, preferably using biogas, cook stoves, waste management, solar lamps, pump efficiency or solar water heating.
• enhance the quality of life of people in the project area,
• provide opportunities for economically viable, locally run businesses
• should be able to develop into a GS CDM/GS VER (Gold Standard Clean Development Mechanism/ Gold Standard Voluntary Emission Reduction).

"We see a high need as well as great opportunities for sustainable energy projects in India, especially community-based projects. We would like to transform our current support for projects in India into a more direct involvement by extended partnering with institutions who are working on the ground,” says Robert Müller, Carbon Project Coordinator at atmosfair.

Gopinath Parayil, co-founder of niiti consulting says, “We are fortunately witnessing a conscious change of ideology in Indian organizations who are taking up the responsibility for carbon emission to not just retain a competitive edge in the global business environment but also nurture a climate friendly movement. Let's look at the climate change challenge as an opportunity to build up renewable energy reserves in India and demonstrate a strong triple bottom line impact for our industries.”

The project that best meets the above-mentioned criteria will win an award of INR 9 lakh. Moreover, the project will be able to gain 10-100% project support from atmosfair, depending on the technology used and the large-scale triple bottom line impact it creates in the destination. “Applications have been pouring in and it is truly encouraging to see the burgeoning number of carbon offsetting initiatives in India. Due to several requests, we have extended the last date for the awards submission,” says Parayil.

The last date for submission of applications is now April 10^th, 2011. Applications should be submitted by email to atmawards@niiticonsulting.com. To apply for the awards or for more information please go to http://atmosfair.in/innovation.htm. The winners will be announced by May 10th, 2011.

For any queries or suggestions, please write to us at atmawards@niiticonsulting.com.

The Okhla case: underlining the need for dialogue and transparency in sustainable development.

Despite apparent adherence to established environmental regulations, the government of Delhi is now faced with an angry community and the threat of delays and looming costs involved in possible relocation of the waste-to-energy plant it had planned to open in July 2011 in Okhla, South Delhi.

The Municipal Cooperation of Delhi (MCD) has entered a public-private partnership with Jindal ITF Ecopolis to build the 200 crore Okhla project, which should convert 1950 tones of solid waste to 16MW of energy per day. Although it is claimed that all precautions to prevent environmental or health hazards have been taken, citizens are strongly objecting the creation of the plant due to expected “poisoning of their living environment”.

For the MCD, the project is a part of the solution to two of Delhi’s most pressing problems: power shortage and waste management.  A representative of the MCD has stated that the project will meet all “statutory obligations”. It will be the first commercial Waste-to-energy plant in New Delhi and the largest of its kind in Asia.

Residents’ opposition to the project, stems mostly from concerns about the air quality of their environment. In a letter to union environment minister Jairam Ramesh, they state that “While there is overwhelming evidence that plants of these types produce toxic gases, residues and respirable particles, the Okhla plant is being set up barely 150m from the nearest established residences”. This claim is rooted in the knowledge gathered that similar plants have not worked as planned due to the composition of waste. According to a resident, in order for the waste to generate enough heat, “elements like plastic will have to be added.” Also, concerns have risen over the amounts of waste that need to be transported to the plant and related noise pollution.

According to Allard M. Nooy, CEO of the company, the technology has been proven and "the plant will be operated after complying with all conditions of the DPR (detailed project report)”. The company has won the 'Frost & Sullivan Indian Environment Industry Excellence Award 2010' and sees itself as continuing to add economic and social value to the economy. In reaction to the residents objections Nooy holds the opinion that any interactions with them to remove their apprehensions should be organised by the authorities and not the company.

In reaction to the residents’ letter, Jairam Ramesh has requested chief minister Sheila Dikshit to reconsider the plant’s location. Now, a meeting will be called with the residents in order to address their concerns. Ramesh has expressed the possibility to consider an alternative location.

To draw a lesson here about the nature of sustainable development, the most important issue is not who is right and who is wrong. Rather, it is evident that sustainable development entails more than meeting all “statutory obligations”. Governments must realise that citizens need to be actively involved in projects that will affect them. This involvement must begin at an early stage of the project planning and must be backed by the company engaging in the public-private partnership by providing transparent information about the concrete possible effects of the project in surrounding areas. Then, if the project is indeed harmless, citizens will have access to this information and need not object. Or, if concerns of the citizens are grounded, the location can be reconsidered at an earlier stage, saving both the negative publicity and the costs of moving the operation at such a late stage in the planning process.  Sustainable development is a process in which dialogue and transparency are essential elements.

Further reading and references:  Officials say plant to be operative in July, Residents up in arms, Sheila to review waste-to-energy plant at Okhla. Facebook page for resident’s campaign: Okhla ka Ghosla

How carbon finance is making a difference - reaching out to community based renewable energy projects.

Biogas from cow dung, Kolar.
Source: atmosfair.de

In current debates on the transformation to a low carbon economy, sustainability is so strongly associated with renewable energy that the social and economic aspects of genuine sustainable development are drowned out. This is reflected in the nature of carbon offsetting projects that have highly stringent regulations to ensure high standard implementation of renewables. Social and economic impact is treated as an occupational hazard, tested superficially, if at all, in order to get the paperwork through.

There is much controversy questioning the ethics of offsetting with the common argument that it is reinforcing business-as-usual energy use in western countries and obstructing real change. Further controversies involve incidents of forced relocation of local residents as land for renewable energy projects is required and carbon funding used to implement energy efficiency regulations in what remain highly polluting new energy plants.
The critique of carbon offsetting is not without reason, but there is a need to also highlight efforts of organizations within the sector that aim to guide carbon funding in the direction of people working on projects that are making a difference in people’s daily lives, driven by a holistic and encompassing view of sustainability.

A good example is found in the Kolar district in Karnataka where villagers are replacing firewood and kerosene with renewable energy sources like biogas. Innovative biogas digesters made from locally available materials are being used in a project by a local NGO ADATS. Upfront funding for expected carbon credits provided by the French company Velcan made the initial investment available to implement the project, making the project feasible and creating a win-win solution for all involved. atmosfair now supports the project by buying carbon credits.

Now, atmosfair wants to magnify their impact by supporting more such initiatives. "We see a high need as well as great opportunities for sustainable energy projects inIndia, especially community-based projects. We would like to transform our current support for projects in India into a more direct involvement by extended partnering with institutions who are working on the ground,” says Robert Müller from atmosfair.

Atmosfair is taking action from their side, now what we need is people stepping up that are doing the wonderful work on the ground. If you know anyone, or you yourself are working on community based renewable energy projects in India, and are looking for additional support to make your project feasible, get in touch & apply for the atmosfair India Renewable Energy Innovation awards! Deadline is this Sunday, March 27^th!