Dr Murmuji : Your Opportunity Knocks

 

Dr Murmuji : Your Opportunity Knocks

{ Director – CMERI  /  director@cmeri.res.in  }

 

 

It is said >  Luck happens when hard work meets opportunity

Here is how :

YOUR HARD WORK :

Some 3 years ago , CMERI developed a Solar Tree , which occupies very little space as compared to traditional flat panel configuration of Roof Top Solar panels of identical capacity

( A )  Capacity

Ø  11.5 Kw [ 35 solar PV modules of with a capacity of 330 W each, with annual capacity to generate 12,000 – 14,000 kwh of clean power / Each solar tree has the potential to save 10 – 12 tons of Carbon Emission when compared with fossil fuel

( B )  Cost 

Ø   Rs 7.5 lakh

 

YOUR OPPORTUNITY :

On 22^nd Jan, PM Shri Modiji announced Surya Ghar : Muft Bijlee Yojana , to install 3 Kw Roof top Solar installations for 1 crore ( 10 million ) households.

Two days ago , Ministry of New and Renewable Energy ( MNRE ) has issued amendments to Electricity Rules ( listed below ), in order to accelerate installation of these 1 crore Roof Top Solar panels

PROBLEM :

In all towns / cities, most buildings are having 10 / 15 stories , housing 20 / 30 ( or even more ) tenants

Roofs of these buildings are about 1000 / 1500 sq ft , capable of accommodating only 3 / 5 installations (3 Kw ), each requiring 300 sq ft area . Following factual table compiled by me will explain my point :

Family Location	Ave Units/Month	No of flats in Bldg	Terrace Area( Sq ft )	@300 sq ft ( 3Kw ),terrace area sufficient for no of flats
Andheri	450	24	1500	5
Vile Parle	500	20	1500	3
Powai	350	54	3000	10
Kandivali	350	16	2200	7
Chandivali	220	49	2000	7

 

Given this situation, I am afraid Surya Ghar Yojana may not work well for city dwellers

 

SOLUTION :

We need to find a way to sqeeze in ( say ) 20 installations ( 3 Kw each ) needing 6,000 sq ft , on a roof area of 1,000 sq ft

That is where CMERI innovation of Solar Tree , could be the PERFECT solution . “ Grow Vertical “ is the answer

I could not find any latest information about this Solar Tree

But, NOW is the time to seize this opportunity and come up with a perfected / commercial version proto-type , on the double ( 4 weeks ? ) , with features / specifications which are equal to or better than the following American Solar Trees :

https://smartflower.com/

 

https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/solar-flower-smartflower-solar-tracker

 

https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/solar-tree-your-guide-to-this-fast-growing-solar-trend#:~:text=Spotlight%20and%20Beam%20Global%20are,similar%20product%2C%20a%20solar%20flower.

 

Dr Murmuji ,

Under Surya Ghar yojana, Govt has estimated the “ Sale Price “ of a 3 Kw installation at Rs 1.2 lakh

Four of these ( 12 Kw ) will sell for Rs 4.8 lakh ( as against CMERI estimate of Rs 7.5 lakh for 11.5 Kw )

But if EESL / CESL are mandated to conduct a MASS PURCHASE ( 25 lakh “ Solar Trees “ , each of 12 Kw ) , then, I am sure that price can be brought down to Rs 4.5 lakh

And consider this :

CARBON EMISSION SAVED / CARBON CREDIT EARNED :

An 11.5 kW solar tree can generate approximately 20,987 kWh of electricity per year (assuming an average of 5 hours of sunlight per day ).

The average carbon emission factor for electricity generation in India is around 0.8 kg CO2/kWh.

If these figures are closer to reality, then the carbon emission saved by each tree could be close to > 16.8 tons

Hence total saving = 25 lakh trees x 16.8 tons / year = 420 lakh tons / year

If each ton saved, earns $ 10 by way of Carbon Credit, then annual earning :

Ø   420 lakh tons x $ 10 = $ 4200 lakh = $ 420 Million =  420 x 8.24 = Rs 3486 crore / year  

 

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  25 Feb 2024

Related Reading :

Context :

Govt tweaks electricity Act to promote EVs and solar panels……….. 23 Feb 2024

Extract :

In a bid to promote electric vehicles and solar energy, the Indian government has made some crucial changes in the electricity Act.

According to Union minister for power and new & renewable energy R. K. Singh, the amendments will facilitate easier and faster installation of rooftop solar systems by :

Ø  Exempting systems up to 10 kW from the requirement of a technical feasibility study

Ø  Reducing the timeline for systems above 10 kW from twenty days to fifteen days.

These changes will also strengthen consumer rights and promote the adoption of renewable energy.

Under the new regulations, consumers are now able to obtain separate electricity connections specifically for EVs.

Additionally, the amendments seek to streamline the process for new electricity connections, substantially reducing waiting periods across different areas. For instance, the waiting period has been shortened from seven days to three days in metropolitan areas, from fifteen days to seven days in municipal areas, and from thirty days to fifteen days in rural areas, with the exception of rural hilly terrains where it remains at thirty days.

Furthermore, distribution companies are now responsible for the system strengthening of rooftop solar PV systems up to 5 kW at their own expense.

The timeline for commissioning these systems has been halved from thirty days to fifteen days.

In a bid to offer more flexibility and transparency to consumers residing in residential colonies and flats, the amendments introduce the option to choose between individual connections or a single-point connection for the entire premises. This choice is to be determined through a transparent ballot conducted by the distribution company, ensuring fairness in tariffs and separate metering, billing, and collection for individual electricity consumption, backup power, and common areas.

To address complaints regarding meter readings, distribution licensees are now mandated to install a check meter within five days to verify electricity consumption for a minimum period of three months, aiming to ensure billing accuracy and enhance consumer confidence.

Minister Singh emphasized that the government, prioritizing consumer interests, introduced the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules in December 2020. He further stated that these latest amendments aim to empower consumers drive renewable energy adoption, and elevate service standards within the electricity distribution sector.

https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/solar-energy-storage-system-sweden/

 

If you can’t lick them , join them

 

 

Context :

Digital Nagriks’ not to be experimented with ‘unreliable’ AI models, govt tells Google India .. BT .. 24 Feb 2024

 

Extract :

The Indian government, through the Centre, has issued a stern warning to Google India, cautioning against the experimentation with 'unreliable' algorithms or AI models on India's digital citizens, termed 'Digital Nagriks'. This warning comes as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (IT) prepares to issue a notice to the tech giant regarding what it deems as "problematic and illegal" responses generated by Google's Gemini AI.

Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express the government's stance, stressing that the legal responsibility to ensure safety and trust rests squarely on internet and digital platforms.

Chandrasekhar emphasised, "Our 'Digital Nagriks' are not to be experimented on with 'unreliable' platforms/algorithms/models."

He reiterated that ensuring safety and trust is a legal obligation for these platforms and that simply apologising for unreliability does not exempt them from the law.

The minister's response was prompted by Google's acknowledgement earlier in the day, where the tech giant admitted to addressing the issue of controversial responses generated by its AI platform, Gemini, particularly concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A spokesperson for Google stated, "We've worked quickly to address this issue. Gemini is built as a creativity and productivity tool and may not always be reliable, especially when it comes to responding to some prompts about current events, political topics, or evolving news." The spokesperson added, "This is something that we're constantly working on improving."

The controversy arose when Google's generative AI platform, Gemini, responded in an "objectionable" manner to a prompt involving PM Modi.

Chandrasekhar, in a statement on Friday, highlighted that such responses constitute "direct violations of Rule 3(1)(b) of Intermediary Rules (IT rules) of the IT Act and violations of several provisions of the Criminal code."

In response to the uproar, Google has announced a temporary pause on Gemini AI's ability to generate images of people, as the company works to address the concerns raised by the Indian government and users alike.

 

 

My Take :

 

Dear Shri Chandrasekharji ,

 

So well-articulated, when you talk of “ Our Digital Nagriks “

Of course, Google ( Gemini ) – ChatGPT – Anthropic – Meta – Microsoft etc, will find a way to prevent recurrence of such abusive attributions to our celebrities ( Politicians – High ranking Ministers – Actors – Sportspersons – Authors – Artists – Editors etc )

But then it is a matter of a few months before anybody – and everybody – is enabled by AI , to generate DEEP FAKE videos / audios ( cloned voice like original , ala A R Rahman’s recent experiments ? ), and flood the social media , while leaving NO TRACE of the originator !

These fake “ Digital Nagriks “ will jump ( get forwarded ) from one smart phone to another , till it swamps a BILLION phones / tablets / PCs and , before long , TV screens – Alexa – and many gadgets / devices found in each home

It will be a Tsunami unlike any found in nature ! Unstoppable – because Untraceable !

And the first to get “ drowned “ will be the celebrities

What can they do ?

Beat the fraudsters at their own game .

By creating / launching their REAL “ Digital Nagriks “ before someone else does . Their own DEEP REAL

Like my own Digital Avatar  >  www.HemenParekh.ai { - even though I am no celebrity }

In this regard , you may want to look up my following earlier e-mails :

Ø  Dear PM - Here is your BRAHMASHTRA for 2024 ……………. 28 Feb 2023

Ø  AI Chatbot : Brahamashtra for 2024 Elections ? ……………… 23 Mar 2023

Ø  Dear PM : Introspection won’t help / Technospection will . 13 May 2023

Ø  Anuragji , how about this NEW TECH ?  ……………………………. 17 May 2023

Ø  Feedback is Good : Dialogue is Best …………………………………. 13 Jan 2024

 

Dear Shri Chandrasekharji ,

 

You are a technocrat – and quite capable of envisaging the future trends

And what I have said above is no “ Rocket Science “ either

You are also in a position to carry my voice to dear Narendrabhai

To create his DIGITAL – REAL NAGRIK , should not take more than a week !

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  25 Feb 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuclear or Solar ? Choice is clear

 

 

Context :

India seeks $26 bln of private nuclear power investments, sources say   ..  Hindu  … 20 Feb 2024

Extract :

Central government will invite private firms to invest about $26 billion in its nuclear energy sector to increase the amount of electricity from sources that don't produce carbon dioxide emissions, two government sources told Reuters.

This is the first time India is pursuing private investment in nuclear power, a non-carbon-emitting energy source that contributes less than 2% of India's total electricity generation. The funding would help India to achieve its target of having 50% of its installed electric generation capacity use non-fossil fuels by 2030, up from 42% now.

The government is in talks with at least five private firms including Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power and Vedanta Ltd to invest around 440 billion rupees each, ( $ 5.3 billion ) the two sources, who are directly involved in the matter, said last week.

The federal Department of Atomic Energy and state-run Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) have held multiple rounds of discussions with the private companies in the past year on the investment plan, the sources said.

With the investment, the government hopes to build 11,000 megawatts (MW) of new nuclear power generation capacity by 2040, said the sources, who did not want to be identified as the plan is still being finalised.

NPCIL owns and operates India's current fleet of nuclear power plants, with a capacity of 7,500 MW, and has committed investments for another 1,300 MW.

The sources said under the funding plan the private companies will make the investments in the nuclear plants, acquire land, water and undertake construction in areas outside the reactor complex of the plants.

But, the rights to build and run the stations and their fuel management will rest with NPCIL, as allowed under the law, they said.

The private companies are expected to earn revenue from the power plant's electricity sales and NPCIL would operate the projects for a fee, the sources said.

"This hybrid model of nuclear power project development is an innovative solution to accelerate the nuclear capacity," said Charudatta Palekar, an independent power sector consultant who formerly worked for PwC.

The plan will not require any amendment to India's Atomic Energy Act of 1962 but will need a final go-ahead from the Department of Atomic Energy, said one of the two sources.

Indian law bars private companies from setting up nuclear power plants but allows them to supply components, equipment and sign construction contracts for work outside of the reactors.

New Delhi has not met its nuclear power capacity addition targets for years mainly because it could not procure nuclear fuel supplies. However in 2010, India struck a deal with the United States for supplies of reprocessed nuclear fuel.

India's stringent nuclear compensation laws have hampered talks with foreign power plant builders such as General Electric and Westinghouse. The country has deferred a target to add 2,000 MW of nuclear power from 2020 to 2030.

 

My Take :

 

I think it would be far better for India to spend this money on grid-scale Solar power , rather than on Nuclear plants

Following tabulation supports my argument . I request Energy Experts to confirm ( or disprove ) these figures :

 

Parameter	Surya-Ghar Scheme	Nuclear Power Scheme
Capacity Envisaged ( GW )	30 GW ( 3 Kw x 1 crore families )	11 GW
Investment Estimate ( Rs )	120,000 cr ( @ Rs 1.2 L / 3 Kw )	1,56,200 cr
Investment per GW ( Rs )	4,000 cr	14,200 cr
Expected Completion Time ( Yrs )	4	16 ( Target completion by 2040 )
% cost borne by the Govt	60 %	NIL
% cost borne by Installer	40 %	100 %
Est. generation cost ( Rs / kwh )	FREE	15 ( latest Jaitapur plant )
No of homes to be served	1 crore	1 lakh ?
Import Content	Nil	Enriched Uranium ?
Safety Record	Excellent	Excellent - but around the World, Nuclear plants are closing down
International Compliance Reqd	None	Several ( including inspection )
Supply of Fuel	Plenty of Sun-shine (300 days/yr)	Enriched Uranium in short supply
Reduction in GHG per year ( after full implementation of 1 crore )	210,240,000 tons	?
Earnings @ $ 10 / carbon credit	$ 210,240,0000 ( Rs 17430 cr / year  = 14.5 % on investment of Rs 1.2 lakh*crore )	?
Adverse Factors	Multi-story City buildings have roof area for only 10 % of the tenants of a building( for 300 sq ft / 3 Kw )	# Very high investment / GW # Very high price / Kwh # Long time to install #  Opposition from local people #  Reluctance of Funding Agencies

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  /  24 Feb 2024