SSDG 07 (2024)

Affordable and Clean Energy

PREAMBLE

Sustainable Development Goal 7 aims in ensuring affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy for all. About 16% of the world’s population has no access to modern electricity. The majority of cooking is still done by over 2.3 billion people using polluting fuels such as wood, charcoal and generates greenhouse gases that affect the climate. The current share of India in global primary energy consumption is 6.1%. Energy disparity is greater in rural areas, and that hinders the progress. The advancement in technology and changes in government policies aim to reduce the cost of renewable energy. Ensuring access to clean, affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy will help improve health, reduce poverty, mitigate climate change’s effect, and benefit the environment.

Proactive steps taken by NU

Clean energy usage

University has the strong vision to reduce the usage of conventional energy and switch to clean energy usage in phased manner. Currently solar panels of capacity 519.69 KW are installed by the university on roof top on strategic places to harness maximum solar energy. University has signed an open access agreement Hydro, wind, and solar energy with M/s. Solarsys Non-conventional Energy Pvt Ltd, M/s. AMR Power Pvt Ltd, M/s. ReNew Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd. to use clean energy. During the year 2024, 51% of the total energy requirement were met by clean energy in the university and reached the benchmark of 2/3rd energy consumption from clean energy.

Solar energy generated within the campus

Solar panel installed on roof top

Biogas production plant

Kitchen waste generated on campus is utilized for biogas production through a 200-liter biogas digester installed next to the university’s central kitchen. This system supports sustainable waste management and renewable energy generation.

Biogas plant installed at Central kitchen

Link to video:https://youtu.be/JN_sFHBzgIg?si=DBzu3sHre0s378W6

Biodiesel production plant

Biodiesel centre is equipped with a pilot scale chemical reactor to produce 50 litres of biodiesel from oil source per batch in about 20-24 working hours through a chemical process in the presence of a catalyst. Seed decorticators are available to remove outer cover and recover seed kernels (30-40 kg/hr).

The oil from the non-edible seeds is extracted through a mechanical expeller (20-30 kg/hr seed crushing capacity) later the oil is filtered using Plate and Frame filter assembly and then used in the production of biodiesel.

Used cooking oil is used for biodiesel production. Biodiesel is separated and purified for engine usage. The centre also houses a laboratory for biodiesel testing where major 5 fuel parameters (acid value, viscosity, density, flash point and copper strip corrosion) are tested. A portable Biogas unit (0.5-1 cubic meter capacity) with 2-3 kg waste handling per day is also installed in the Bioenergy centre

Saving energy

LED bulb: Incandescent light fixtures are replaced with energy-efficient LED bulb. Hostel building is equipped with solar water heaters.DG sets on all campuses, a synchronisation panel/load management has been installed to guarantee the best possible use of electricity generation. Periodic maintenance of electrical equipment, panels are covered under annual maintenance contract.

Energy audit: Periodically energy audits are conducted by the university to assess the usage of energy brought about by its rapid expansion. The goal of the energy audit is to provide an information base for the overall.

Electric vehicle: Electric vehicles are deployed in the university for staff to commute within and outside the campus. Battery-operated buggy to carry students from hostels to their college and hospital classrooms.

Cycle: In the strategic location of the university, cycles are placed for staff and students to commute within the campus.

Blending biodiesel: Provision to blend biodiesel up to 10% with diesel in vehicle is provided by the university. Selected buses and staff are blending biodiesel produced in the biodiesel centre for personal vehicles.

Academics and Research

University has started M. Tech in Electric Vehicle Technology program in collaboration with industry to cater skilled human resource in the field of clean energy.

University has open elective courses; each subject is benefitted by approximately 60 students.

Open elective courses

Research activities are carried out in line with SDG7. During the year 2024, total 47 research articles are published in the affordable and clean energy theme. Total 7 book and book chapters are published.

Awareness and Outreach

✓ University celebrated world biofuel day on 12th August 2024. Sapling of biofuel plants were carried out by staff and students.

✓ An SDG guest lecture on Sustainable Bioenergy for Climate Change was organized by Udupi District Bioenergy Research Information & Demonstration Centre and Renature – Biotech Student Nature Club on 15th March 2024.

✓ Demo programme on Biodiesel usage was conducted on 4th October 2024.

✓ International conference on Advances in Renewable energy and electric vehicles – 6th& 7th February 2025

World Biofuel Day - 2024

Guest Lecture on Sustainable Bioenergy

Demo programme on Biodiesel Usage

Research Grants

Studies on Enhanced Piezoelectric, Dielectric, and Magnetic Properties of Bismuth Ferrite- Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Nanocomposites for Energy Harvesting, Flexible Sensors, Electronics, and Water Purification

Sanction No.: N/RG/NUFR1/NMAMIT/2024/04

Principal Investigator : Dr.Murari M S, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics

Amount Sanctioned:Rs. 1,35,000/- (Received for the year 2024)

Status : Ongoing

Institute : NMAMIT

Description:

Bismuth ferrite (BFO), a multiferroic material, offers ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, and ferrotoroidic properties, making it ideal for multifunctional applications. Incorporating BFO into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) enhances the electroactive β-phase, improving piezoelectric performance in nanogenerators. These BFO/PVDF nanocomposites are flexible, lightweight, and capable of generating output voltages up to 90 V, making them suitable for wearable electronics and energy harvesting. Their stability under repeated use supports their integration into self-powered devices, aligning with the growing need for sustainable, IoT-compatible technologies.

Enzymatic hydrolysis and biobutanol production via ABE fermentation in batch/fed batch reactor with in-situ solvent recovery system

Sanction No.:N/RG/NUFR1/NMAMIT/2024/08

Principal Investigator : Dr. Sandesh K, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biotechnology

Amount Sanctioned:Rs. 1,50,000/- (Received for the year 2024)

Status : Ongoing

Institute : NMAMIT

Development of a Renewable Energy Source Operation Simulator for Grid and Off-Grid Analysis

Sanction No.:N/RG/NUFR2/NMAMIT/2024/03

Principal Investigator : Dr. N S S Ramakrishna, Assistant Professor, Dept. of EEE

Amount Sanctioned:Rs. 1,50,000/- (Received for the year 2024)

Status : Ongoing

Institute : NMAMIT

Description:

This project aims to develop a user-friendly simulation platform to optimize solar and green hydrogen energy for both grid-connected and off-grid systems. The tool will model energy generation, storage, and consumption to support the design of cost-effective, reliable, and low-emission systems. A key focus is on simulating hydrogen production via solar-powered electrolysis, enabling the replacement of fossil fuels. This simulator will aid engineers, researchers, and planners in evaluating hybrid renewable systems and accelerating clean energy adoption in diverse environments.

Green and sustainable process to regenerate electrodes for super- capacitors applications

Sanction No.:N/RG/NUFR2/NMAMIT/2024/05

Principal Investigator : Dr. N S S Ramakrishna, Assistant Professor, Dept. of EEE

Amount Sanctioned:Rs. 1,50,000/- (Received for the year 2024)

Status : Ongoing

Institute : NMAMIT

Description:

The project titled “Hydrothermal synthesis of spinel Nano-hybrid structures for supercapacitor application” focused on developing VN@RGO nanocomposite electrodes for energy storage. The electrodes demonstrated excellent pseudocapacitive behavior, retaining 78% and 69% capacitance over 2000 and 10,000 cycles in half- and full-cell modes, respectively. The symmetric full cell exhibited an energy density of 4.99 Wh/kg and a power density of 11.06 W/kg. The results highlight VN@RGO’s potential for high-performance, thermally driven supercapacitors, offering a pathway for advanced energy storage and photo responsive device applications.

Bioenergy Research Information and Demonstration Centre (BRIDC) – Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board (KSBDB) Fund, Govt. of Karnataka

Sanction no. :

Investigator : Dr.Ujwal P., Professor & Head, Dept. of BT, NMAMIT

Co-ordinator : Dr. Santhosh Poojary, Assistant Professor, NMAMIT (Assistant)

Amount Sanctioned :Rs. 3,00,000/- (Received for the year 2024)

Status : Ongoing

Institute : NMAMIT

Description:

The Udupi District BRIDC, is one among 32 information and demonstration centres instituted by Karnataka State Government Bio-energy Development Board (KSBDB). The centre educates the scientific community, students, farmers and general public about biofuels and produces biodiesel from wasted cooking oils and various non-edible seeds that available in Udupi district. It also exhibits the technical know-how involved in producing biodiesel. Utilisation of environmentally friendly fuels rises as a result of the production of biodiesel from leftover cooking oil and locally available non-edible oil seeds.

Book/Book Chapter:A total of six book/book chapters with respect to affordable and clean energy were published by the faculty of NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT).

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Affordable and Clean Energy