Low cost hydel generator demonstrated

GANGTOK, 23 May: Hydroger, a small and low cost hydropower generator developed by Nagaland Empowerment of People through Energy Development [NEPeD], has been set up near Hazam Khola in Lower Martam for demonstration. This two-day demonstration was inaugurated by Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, PD Rai today.
The demonstration is the part of the 2nd Sustainable Mountain Development Summit of the Indian Mountain Initiative [IMI], which is being organized by the Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim [ECOSS] and co-organized by Central Himalayan Environment Association [CHEA] on 25 and 26 May here at Chintan Bhawan.
The hydroger is being demonstrated by NEPed members in association with ECOSS and Lower Martam GPU. The main idea is to demonstrate hydroger to delegates coming for the summit and to the local people here as well. More than 250 delegates from eleven mountain and hill States including Darjeeling hills are expected to attend the summit.
Hydroger comprises of cylindrical cast iron casing housing an alternator which is connected to the turbine through the shaft. Hydro power is used to turn the turbine to generate energy. There are basically two types of turbines, impulse and reaction. It is informed that a tiny 5 KW hydroger unit can meet the lighting requirement of a small village.
A NEPeD member, Yanger Inchen mentioned that hydroger is very beneficial for rural people as it can generate electricity supply by utilizing a small amount of water and uses low cost technology. He informed that the hydroger put in demonstration here is of single phase and generates 3 Kilowatt electricity, which is sufficient for lighting and other uses.
Speaking on the response of hydroger in Nagaland, Mr Inchen mentioned that the NEPeD has been getting encouraging response from the people of Nagaland especially the people of rural and remote corners. It was mentioned that the hydroger offers an apt solution to achieving improved social and economic livelihood options for the rural people of Nagaland. Hydroger was initially started five years ago and around 250 units have been installed in different parts of Nagaland so far, informed Mr Inchen.
Speaking to media persons today, MP, Mr Rai mentioned that after seeing the hydroger, it surpasses his expectation and would be useful and beneficial for far flung and remote areas as it generates 3 KW with its simple installation. He mentioned that it was not easy to take power to the remotest pockets so adaptation of hydroger is beneficial in such areas.
Mr Rai informed that this demonstration unit would be handed over to the local Panchayat unit to be used for different purposes and would also act as a demo unit for the whole state. He also thanked and congratulated the government of Nagaland for this initiative.
Local Panchayat member of Chuja ward, Manip Chettri expressed his gratitude to MP, Mr Rai for his decision to hand over this hydroger to them. He mentioned that they would try to use this hydroger for emergency purposes in the area and for revenue generation as well.
Adding that the hydroger is a good innovation that can help rural people he said that locals are showing interest in this project. He further informed that they would also use this hydroger as a model for the whole state so that people could set it up in their own areas if required.