SUBMISSION OF PROJECT PROPOSAL UNDER THE SCHEME

“DISSEMINATION OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY (DIT)”

Programme Title:

Short Term Awareness and Training Program on “Exploring the

opportunities available in the use of Renewable Energy for Agriculture”

Submitted to

TAMILNADU STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DOTE campus, Chennai-600025

Submitted by
Dr. N. THANGAVELU M.E., Ph.D., MISTE.,
CO-ORDINATOR,
SAKTHI POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE,
(Govt. Aided Institution)
NACHIMUTHUPURAM, APPAKOODAL,
SAKTHI NAGAR – 638315

DECEMBER 2021
 CONTENTS

S.No Particulars Page No.

PART-I GENERAL INFORMATION AND DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME

1. Programme Summary 1

2. Details including the nature of the innovative technology to be

3
disseminated

3. Methodology 5

4. Tentative Time Schedule 6

5. Economic status and how the programme will benefit the target
7
population

6. Objectives 9

7. Details on the implementing agency 10

8. Expertise available for the conduct of this programme 14

9. Details of Employment / Revenue Generation 15

10. Techno - Economic Viability/ Cost-Benefit Analysis 16

11. Comment on the possibility of this activity becoming self-sustainable 16

PART-II BIO DATA OF CO-ORDINATOR

12. Brief bio-data of the Principal Investigator 17

PART - III BUDGET

13. Budget 21
 TAMILNADU STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DISSEMINATION OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY (DIT)
2020-2021

PART-I GENERAL INFORMATION AND DETAILS OF THE

PROGRAMME
1. Programme Title : Short Term Awareness and Training
Program on “Exploring the opportunities
available in the use of Renewable Energy
for Agriculture”
2. Broad Subject Area : Renewable Energy, Agriculture
Target Groups: Farmers
3. Implementing Agency : Educational Institution
a. Name of the Agency : SAKTHI POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
(Govt. Aided Institution)
b. Complete address with pincode : Nachimuthupuram,
Appakoodal,
Sakthi Nagar – 638315
c. Phone No.; Fax; : 04256 – 246254, 299994
d. E-mail. : [email protected]
4. Name and address of Co-Ordinator of the : Dr. N. Thangavelu M.E., Ph.D.,
Programme Principal (i/c) & Head of the Department,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Sakthi Polytechnic College.
5. Duration & Total Cost : 3 Days & Rs. 50,000/-

6. Programme Summary : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 1 to 2

7. Details including the nature of the innovative : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 3 to 4
technology to be disseminated

8. Details indicating how the dissemination of : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 5 to 6
innovative technology will be achieved
including methodology and tentative time
schedule
9. Economic status and how the programme : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 7 to 8
will benefit the target population

10. Objectives : a) Economical b) Social c) Environmental

Yes Attached, please refer page no. 9

11. Details on the implementing Agency : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 10

12. Details on the infrastructure facilities : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 11 to 13
available at the implementing agency for the
dissemination of innovative technology
13. Expertise available for the conduct of this : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 14
programme

14. Linkage with other S&T institutions : No

15. Details of employment / revenue generation : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 15

16. Techno - economic viability/ cost-benefit : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 16
analysis
17. Comment on the possibility of this activity : Yes Attached, please refer page no. 16
becoming self-sustainable
18. Have you availed grant from the Council : No
earlier under DIT programme?
If yes, give details:

Programme Co-ordinator Head of the institution

Date: Date:

OFFICE SEAL
 PROGRAMME SUMMARY

Short Term Awareness and Training Program on “Exploring the

opportunities available in the use of Renewable Energy for Agriculture”

India is a global agricultural powerhouse. It is the world’s largest producer

of milk, pulses, and spices, and has the world’s largest cattle herd (buffaloes), as
well as the largest area under wheat, rice and cotton. It is the second largest
producer of rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane, farmed fish, sheep and goat meat, fruit,
vegetables and tea.

Major reform and strengthening of India’s agricultural research and

extension systems is one of the most important needs for agricultural growth.
Renewable energy technologies are now being used to meet various energy
requirements ranging from pumping of water to space heating within the
agriculture sector.

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 Renewable energy use in agriculture has the ability to solve various
challenges and it has various applications in the agricultural activities therefore
yields huge profits. So, it is very important to explore the opportunities available
in the use of renewable energy for agriculture to enhance the agricultural
activities.

Renewable energy technology application in agriculture

S.No. Energy Source Application

1 Solar Thermal Hot water, Drying of grains and crops
2 Solar PV Water Pumping, Street Lighting,
Television, Refrigeration of
agricultural products
3 Biomass and Biogas Cooking, Manure, Biorefinery
4 Wind energy Water Pumping, Grind Legumes and
Grains
5 Geothermal energy Production of hot fluids in farming,
milk pasteurization, and growing plants
in greenhouses

This three-day short-term awareness and training program will impart the
knowledge and skills to the farmers related to the use of Renewable Energy for
the agricultural activities. This programme will impart theoretical,
methodological, practical and statistical instructions, enabling the farmers to
enhance their agricultural activities.

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 DETAILS INCLUDING THE NATURE OF THE INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY TO BE DISSEMINATED

The following innovative technologies will be disseminated during the

programme,

Solar Water Pumping system Solar Powered Irrigation System

Solar Powered Fencing Agrivoltaics

Solar Dryer Solar Water Heating System

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 Portable Biogas Plant

Solar Street Lighting system Wind Power Water Pumping

Solar Powered Robot for Agriculture Government Subsidies

Government Farmer’s Welfare Schemes Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Policy

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 METHODOLOGY AND TENTATIVE TIME SCHEDULE

Methodology

The target group for this program is farmers, so the following methods will be
used during the training program to effectively disseminate the different
opportunities and innovative technologies available.

1. Lectures

2. Discussion

3. Case Study

4. Assessment

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 TENTATIVE TIME SCHEDULE
Day Time Session Topic

08.30 AM – 09.00 AM ----------- Inaugural Ceremony -----------

09.00 AM – 10.30 AM Session 1 Renewable Energy in Agriculture –

Benefits and Prospects
DAY – 1 10.45 AM – 12.15 PM Session 2 Solar Water Pumping system

01.30 PM – 03.00 PM Session 3 Solar Powered Irrigation System

03.15 PM – 04.45 PM Session 4 Solar Powered Fencing

09.00 AM – 10.30 AM Session 1 Agrivoltaics

10.45 AM – 12.15 PM Session 2 Solar Dryer and Water Heating System

DAY – 2
01.30 PM – 03.00 PM Session 3 Solar Street Lighting system

03.15 PM – 04.45 PM Session 4 Solar Powered Robot for Agriculture

09.00 AM – 10.30 AM Session 1 Biomass Conversion and Biogas Plant

10.45 AM – 12.15 PM Session 2 Wind Power Water Pumping and its

Applications
DAY – 3 01.30 PM – 03.00 PM Session 3 Government Farmer’s Welfare Schemes

03.15 PM – 04.45 PM Session 4 Government Subsidies and Policies

04.45 PM – 05.15 PM ----------- Valedictory Ceremony -----------

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ECONOMIC STATUS AND HOW THE PROGRAMME WILL BENEFIT
THE TARGET POPULATION

Erode district is one among the few districts known for agriculture
production in the State. Erode is one of the largest producers of turmeric in India
and is also known as the “turmeric city or yellow city”. The total cropped area of
the district constitutes 39% of the geographical area.

Agriculture plays a significant role in the economy of the district, as

majority of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The district
constitutes 4.8 per cent of geographical area and 4.0 per cent of the net cropped
area of state. The cropping intensity and the area under irrigation of the district
constitute 109 % and 70.40 % as against the state average of 117 per cent and
52.80 per cent respectively.

The agricultural activity in the district is well supported by perennial rivers,

Cauvery and Bhavani are the two main rivers in the district. The river Bhavani
extensively benefits agriculture in Sathyamangalam, Gobichettipalayam and
Erode taluks.

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 Cauvery river provides irrigation facilities to a limited extent in Bhavani
taluk. The major crops grown in the district are paddy, sugarcane, turmeric,
banana, tapioca, groundnut, cotton and Tapioca.

Appakudal is a Town Panchayat city in the district of Erode, Tamil Nadu

where the Institution located. The Appakudal Town Panchayat has population of
10,610 of which 5,309 are males while 5,301 are females as per report released
by Census India 2011.

Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 905 which is 8.53 % of total

population of Appakudal (TP). In Appakudal Town Panchayat, Female Ratio is
of 998 against state average of 996.

Moreover, Child Ratio in Appakudal is around 1071 compared to Tamil

Nadu state average of 943. Literacy rate of Appakudal city is 71.65 % lower than
state average of 80.09 %. In Appakudal, Male literacy is around 80.77 % while
female literacy rate is 62.47 %.

It is very clear that the majority of the people in the district depending
on the agricultural activities for their livelihood. So, this three-day Short-
Term Awareness and Training Program will impart the knowledge and skills
to the farmers on how to apply Renewable Energy technologies in their
agricultural activities for improving the yield and income.

Also, this programme will impart theoretical, methodological,

practical and statistical instructions enabling the farmers to enhance their
agricultural activities.

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 OBJECTIVES

a) Economical
1. To achieve economic stability and increase the standard of living
2. To provide a more profitable farm income.
3. To strengthen, maintain, and continually upgrade technology
infrastructure and systems, and provide adequate access and capacity for
current and anticipated needs.

b) Social
1. To promote and encourage the use of renewable energy technologies in
agricultural activities.
2. To minimize the adverse impacts on safety, wildlife, water quality and
other environmental resources.
3. To create awareness among the farmers for building their capacity to
enhance livelihood and have quality of life

c) Environmental
1. To encourage the use of renewable energy sources which are clean, risk-
free and constitute no harm to man and environment.
2. To reduce the dependence on non-renewable fossil resources which causes
the environmental pollution.
3. To concentrate on retaining and expanding existing agricultural activities.

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 DETAILS ON THE IMPLEMENTING AGENCY

Sakthi Polytechnic College, has been sponsored by the Sakthi foundation

as one of its developmental programmes. The main aim of this institution is to
impart technical education among the rural youth. Padma Bhushan Dr. N.
Mahalingam, the famous industrialist and educationalist was the promoter and
president of the foundation. Sakthi polytechnic college started functioning in
September 1981. Initially three-year Government Aided Diploma courses were
offered in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Courses on Electronics
and Communication Engineering and Metallurgy are being offered from 1983-84.
The course on Agricultural Technology is being offered from 1984-85. The self-
supporting courses were also started subsequently. Computer Engineering course
is offered from 2002-2003, Instrumentation and Control Engineering from 2003-
2004 and Mechanical Engineering is offered from 2010-2011 Under Self
Supporting Scheme.

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Facilities

Activities and Achievements

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Extension Activities

1. Canada India Institutional Cooperation Project (CIICP):

Through the CIICP program, a 10kw Solar Power Plant is installed in our

premises at a cost of Rs. 7,00,000.

2. Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC)

3. Centre For Testing and Consultancy (CTC)

4. The Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE)

5. National Cadet Corps (NCC)

6. National Service Scheme (NSS)

7. Students Chapter of India Chapter of American Concrete Institute

8. The Community Polytechnic Scheme sponsored by the Ministry of Human

Resources Development (CDTP)

9. SC/ST Cell

10. Women in Development

11. Staff Development Cell

12. Placement Cell

13. Youth Red Cross (YRC)

14. Literary and fine arts

15. Readers Club

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EXPERTISE AVAILABLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THIS PROGRAMME

TENTATIVE EXPERTS LIST

S.No. Name Designation and Address

1 Dr. S. Iniyan Professor,

Institute for Energy Studies,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Anna University, Chennai
2 Dr. Joseph Daniel Associate Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Vellore Institute of Technology,
Chennai
3 Dr. L. Kumararaja Associate Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Pondicherry Engineering College,
Puducherry, India
4 Dr. N. Kalaiselvan Postdoctoral Researcher,
National Institute of Technology,
Tiruchirappalli
5 Mr. K. G. Maheshwaran Teaching Fellow,
Institute for Energy Studies,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Anna University, Chennai
6 Mr. Prabhakaran Dasan Managing Director,
JP Solar,
No. 464 -1A, Sirunkundram Road,
Chennai

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DETAILS OF EMPLOYMENT / REVENUE GENERATION

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 TECHNO - ECONOMIC VIABILITY/ COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS

Techno - Economic Viability

This short-term awareness and training program are to explore the

opportunities available in the renewable energy technologies for enhancing the
agriculture activities. The existing literatures clearly shows that the renewable
energy innovative technologies like solar water pumping system, solar powered
irrigation system, solar powered fencing, agrivoltaics, solar dryer and water
heating system, solar street lighting system, solar powered robot for agriculture,
biomass conversion and biogas plant, wind power water pumping and its
applications are

• Technically feasible
• Financially viable
• Risk Free Investment Option

Cost-Benefit Analysis

The Cost-Benefit analysis will be done with two important parameters ie.,
payback period and internal rate of return. The internal rate of return (IRR) is a
metric used in financial analysis to estimate the profitability of potential
investments. The renewable energy technologies implementation in agriculture is
a proven technology and existing literatures clearly shows that the implementation
of this technology in agriculture will obtain lower payback period and a higher
internal rate of return.

Comment on the possibility of this activity becoming self-sustainable

The renewable energy technology in agriculture is a self-sufficiency, not

only saves the money on agriculture, it protects from the vicissitudes of life and
also helps to protect the environment. This activity gives the farmers with intrinsic
rewards like a sense of achievement, self-esteem and self-confidence.

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 PART-II

BIO DATA OF CO-ORDINATOR

1. Name : Dr. N. Thangavelu

2. Designation : Principal-in-Charge & HOD
3. Department : Department of Mechanical Engineering
4. Institute/University : Sakthi Polytechnic College
(Govt. Aided Institution)
5. Address : Nachimuthupuram,
Appakoodal,
Sakthi Nagar
6. PIN : 638315
7. Telephone : 04256 246254
8. Email : [email protected]
9. Date of Birth : 09.05.1966
10. Sex : Male
11. Educational Qualification : M.E., Ph.D.,
12. Teaching Experience : 32 Years 09 Months
13. Papers Published (List) : Enclosed
14. M.Phil/Ph.D Produced (list) : Nil
15. Books published (list) : Enclosed
16. Patents taken (list) : Nil
17. List of other ongoing/ : Enclosed
completed projects
18. Any other relevant information : Enclosed

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Details of Publications/Papers presented in Seminars/Conferences:

Journal Publications
1. Thangavelu, N & Mohandas Gandhi, N 2013, ‘Design and CFD Analysis on Heat
Transfer in a Shell and Tube Condenser’, International Review of Mechanical
Engineering (I.RE.M.E), vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 1094-1102, ISSN 1970-8734.

2. Thangavelu, N & Mohandas Gandhi, N 2013, ‘Enhancement of Condensation Heat

Transfer Coefficient of Copper Tube in a Shell and Tube Condenser’, International
Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT), vol. 2, no. 11, pp. 25-36,
ISSN 2278-0181.

Papers Presented in Conferences

1. Thangavelu, N & Mohandas Gandhi, N 2014, ‘CFD Analysis on Heat Transfer in a
Shell and Tube Condenser’, National conference on Innovations in Mechanical,
Mechatronics and Building Sciences (NCIMMBS 2014) at Kongu Engineering College,
Erode. 7th March 2014.

2. Thangavelu, N & Mohandas Gandhi, N 2014, ‘Numerical Simulation for Enhancing

Condensation Heat Transfer Coefficient of Copper Tube in a Shell and Tube
Condenser’, National conference on Recent Advances in Mechanical Engineering
(RAME – 2014) at M.P. Nachimuthu M. Jaganathan Engineering College, Erode, 22nd
March, 2014.

3. Thangavelu, N & Mohandas Gandhi, N 2012, ‘Enhancement of Condensation Heat

Transfer Co-efficient of Copper Tube in a shell and Tube condenser’, National
Conference on Advances in Mechanical Sciences (AIMS2012) at Kumaraguru College
of Technology, Coimbatore, 21st & 22nd March, 2012.

Book Publications
1. Thermal Engineering I (English), SKS Publications, Salem.

2. Thermal Engineering I (Tamil), SKS Publications, Salem.

3. Thermal Engineering II (English), SKS Publications, Salem.

4. Thermal Engineering II (Tamil), SKS Publications, Salem.

5. Renewable Energy (English), SKS Publications, Salem.

6. Renewable Energy (Tamil), SKS Publications, Salem.

7. Power Plant Engineering (English), SKS Publications, Salem.

8. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Tamil & English), SKS Publications, Salem.

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Sponsored Projects undertaken:
Amount
S.No Title of the Project Name of the Funding Agency
Sanctioned (Rs.)

1. Integrated Rural Energy Tamilnadu Energy Development 1,87,342.00

Programme (IREP) Agency (TEDA) & District Rural
(2005-2006) Development Agency (DRDA)
2. Tailoring Training given to Tamilnadu Adi Dravidar 2,60,000.00
Young Women Development Corporation
(2003-2007) (THADCO)

3. Tailoring and various Mahalir Thittam, Erode District 8,00,000.00

Automobile Training given to
Women
4. Industrial Training to Rural District Industrial Investment 5,00,000.00
people Corporation & Appakudal Town
Panchayat

Membership in Professional Bodies

1. Convener, Syllabus Committee, Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering (New
Programme), DOTE, Chennai.
2. Member, Syllabus Committee (L Scheme) for DME, DOTE, Chennai.
3. Member, Syllabus Revision Committee for DME Thiagarajar Polytechnic College
(Autonomous), Salem.
4. Member, ISTE

Membership in Social organizations : Executive Member, Integrated Rural Energy

Programme (IREP) conducted by Ministry of
New and Renewable energy (MNRE), Erode
District. Member, Rotary Club of Sakthi Nagar.

Special Responsibilities undertaken :

1. Programme Officer, National Service Scheme, Sakthi Polytechnic College, from

1992 to 2013 (21 years).
2. Project Officer, Community Polytechnic Scheme, Sakthi Polytechnic College
(Sponsored by MHRD, Govt. of India), from 2002 to 2013 (11 years).

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 3. Programme Officer, DTBU, IREP under Tamilnadu Energy Development Agency
(TEDA), (2005-2006).
4. Programme Officer, Red Ribbon Club, Sakthi Polytechnic College, from 2006-2013
(07 years).
5. Process Champion, Canada India Institutional Co-operation Project, Sakthi
Polytechnic College, from 2006-2013 (07 years).
6. Co-Ordinator, Driving School, Sakthi Polytechnic College, from 2008 to till date (13
years).
7. Transport In-charge, Sakthi Polytechnic College, from 2008 to till date (13 years)

Achievements
1. Best NSS Programme officer, 1998
2. Best NSS Unit, 2011
3. Best NSS Volunteer, 2011
4. Best RRC implementing Polytechnic College in Erode District, 2009-2010
5. ‘Ezhakkiya Nayiru’ by Tamizhayya Kalvi Kazhagam, Thiruvaiyaru, 2001.
Extra-curricular activities
1. Co-Ordinator, Literary & Fine Arts Club from 1997 to 2013 (16 years).
2. Co-Ordinator, Sakthi 2000, Youth Festival conducted in the year 2000 for celebrating
millennium year.
3. Co-Ordinator, Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Sakthi Polytechnic College & Youth
Festival, 2006.
4. Co-Ordinator, Alumni Association.
5. Co-Ordinator, “Sakthi 2020”, a State level Technical Symposium conducted in the
year 2020.

Place :
Date : Signature of the Co-ordinator

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 PART - III

BUDGET

SI.No. Item of the Expenditure Amount (Rs.)

1. Honorarium to Resource Persons 24,000

(Rs.2000/session for 12 sessions)
2. TA/DA to Resource Persons 6,000
(Rs.1000/Persons, Total 6 persons)
3. Refreshment and Lunch 13,500
(Rs. 90/head for 50 participants for 3 days)
4. Reading material to participants 1,000/-
(Rs. 20/head for 50 trainees)
5. Honorarium to Co-ordinator 4,000/-

6. Contingencies, Consumables & Office expenditure 1,500/-

Total 50,000/-

Programme Co-ordinator Head of the institution

Date: Date:

OFFICE SEAL

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