05-03-06
At a time when there is growing concern over country's energy security, the
windmills are making significant contributions.
The demand to develop renewable energy has gained momentum. It is hoped that it
will help in reducing pollution and find an alternative for the exhaustive
fossil fuels. Windmill towers have been constructed in many parts of the
country.
“A small generator will generate power up to 50 KW with 750 rpm (revolutions
per minute) and big generator with 1000 rpm will generate above 50 KW wind
energy," said Danial Raj, in charge of a windmill.
"We ought to develop renewable energy for two reasons -- for reducing pollution
and to find an alternative for the fossil fuels that are getting exhausted.
Fortunately, India along with other developed countries has started developing
renewable energy mainly in the form of windmills," said Kasturi Rangan, Vice
President, India Wind Mill Power Association.
With an installed capacity of 3,500 MW, India has become the fourth largest
country to Germany, Spain and the US generating wind power wind superpower. The
windmills receive almost 80 % of the energy from the South West Monsoon winds
and the rest from the North-East Monsoon winds.
The cost of production for one unit of wind energy is 10 % more than the cost of
generating coal energy. In the recent times, the cost of wind energy is coming
down due to the advent of higher capacity machines and higher tower.
About 1,150 wind monitoring and mapping stations were set up in 25 States and
Union Territories. Of these stations, 50 wind monitoring stations are still
operational at present.
The remaining stations were closed after collection and analysis of data.
Source: www.keralanext.com