Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Off-grid electricity generation using animal power....is it possible?
I have been thinking on this idea since past couple of years now, but I myself was not sure if it is workable based on the fact that I am ignorant how modern-day turbines work...
I understand there are 2 major components that are essential to generate electricity, i.e. turbine and energy to rotate it, may it be water, steam, etc..
My idea stems from a thought of offering off-grid solution to the remote villages and putting check to pestering issues of power failure.
Traditionally, buffalos, ox, etc. were used to pull water from wells as below or were used in groundnut oil production process, these animals have great energy to perform such tasks..
I m pasting a picture below to convey what i mean...
The idea is, WHAT IF THE WHEEL IS REPLACED WITH AN ELECTRICITY TURBINE.....
after all its energy that is needed to rotate the turbine, may it be in the form of water or animal...
As far as RPM of turbines is concerned, I think that can be stepped up with the present practices in mechanics...but mating the required gears to work with the animal power is a challenge...
But in order to explore this idea, I presume we need mechanical and electrical engineers inputs...
and if it is a workable idea, we can always look into stepping down and using old-generation turbines to meet the goal...
I think there will be ways to reduce load on the animals...
As far as ethics are concerned, well, animals can be employed in batches to work and income generated can take care of these animals...however, exploitation lies in human nature, so that angle needs to be looked into as well...
As far as ethics are concerned, well, animals can be employed in batches to work and income generated can take care of these animals...however, exploitation lies in human nature, so that angle needs to be looked into as well...
Will it serve as an off-grid solution for electricity generation?
Has there been any research on such an idea?
Assuming its workable with some further brainstorming and research, the benefits in terms of environment are obvious and for off-grid electricity generation are immense.
Labels: animal power, electricity generation, Off-grid, turbines
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