IEEE PES HAC Mini-Project Update: Renewable and Sustainable Empowerment for the Needy
The IEEE SB NSSCE in association with Power and Energy Society (PES) received the opportunity to do the IEEE PES Humanitarian Activities Committee Project (PES-HAC project) “Renewable and sustainable empowerment for the needy”. The project was proposed by a team of five student members – Ms Sreelakshmi S Aji, Ms Thanusha J, Ms Annmary Joseph and the Current Vice-Chairman of IEEE NSSCE SB Chapter Mr. Abhiraj V S. The team won the IEEE PES-HAC competition on 10th October 2018 and was one among the three internationally selected projects. The project was successfully commenced on the 30th of March 2019. With the full support from the Chapter Advisor, Assistant Professor Mrs. Nimitha Muraleedharan and from the mentor, the current Chairman of IEEE SB Chapter, Mr. Abhinav R, the project was successfully completed.
Due to flood effects in Kerala, most of the tribal villages nearby had lost their homes and access to the daily utilities. In light of this prevailing situation, it was planned to provide lantern kits (8-10) to the needy students. The kits were decided to be made by the volunteers of IEEE SB which provided an exposure to technology works. Also, giving more preference to women empowerment, the women members were engaged more in the manufacturing of the lanterns. In addition, a half day awareness class to the youth of the tribal community was also conducted.
First the circuit was finalized and then the best components were searched for. The whole team then worked on full swing to complete the projects. After that, an appropriate place was searched, surveyed and the nearby tribal society “AYYAPANPOTTA” affected by flood was selected. On the interest of the group and their consent, the team approached the ward member, Mrs. Sali Varghese and they got their full support.
The IEEE SB organized a 2-day long hands-on cum assembling workshop of solar lamp and led kit assembling on 21st and 22nd of March to give all the volunteers and members of the SB the basic idea of the project. About 15-20 members attended the workshop and were actively involved. Firstly, the aim and the reason for doing the project were briefed. Ms. Thanusha explained the concept behind the solar panel, the way to choose the appropriate solar panel with the rated values and the disadvantages of the panel with practical demonstrations. Ms. Sreelakshmi S Aji handled the session on battery charging circuit designing of the led lamps. The session was organized very well, explaining the volunteers about the way to choose the appropriate components to get the required output. With all this the volunteers were made to assemble the circuit and solder it on the board. The bulb assembling session where the volunteers were shown the various components of a bulb along with the explanation of their functions was taken by Ms Anmary Joseph. With this the workshop was concluded and was a success where the circuits got ready and lamp assembled by the fellow volunteers.
The project inauguration was done by Mr. Abu john, Assistant Engineer of KSEB Malampuzha, Mr. Sunil Kumar, Sub-Engineer on KSEB Malampuzha and ward member Ms Sali Varghese. Mr. Abu john and Mr. Sunil Kumar took a session where they covered topics that would help the residents understand the basics of power and energy and also gave them the general overview of generation, transmission and distribution of electric power supply by making use of diagrams, presentation and charts.
Through this session they discussed the various hazards caused by electricity and corresponding methods of safety and precautions. This knowledge enabled the tribals to handle electricity with caution and care. This also equipped them with the basic precautions that have to be taken under such condition.
A demonstration & hands-on session was held basic electric fittings like bulb fitting, fuse wiring, grounding etc. This helped them attain basic practical experience in dealing with electrical fittings.
There was a presentation on renewable energy resources and its advantages over conventional energy resources. This helped them understand the importance of having a sustainable approach towards project undertaken. A solar emergency lamp kit was provided to them with an appropriate demonstration on its use and maintenance. This served as a small practical example of a sustainable device working on renewable energy i.e. solar energy, in this case, this helped them relate to the topic of sustainability.
Finally, the residents were made to assemble the LED kit under the guidance and training of the volunteers. This gave them an exposure to some elementary processes like assembling and soldering etc. This session involved their active participation and boosted their self-esteem. The session was completed by 2.00 pm and ten solar emergency lamps, assembled and manufactured by IEEE volunteers, fifty 9 W lamp kit was distributed to the families in Kava.
The session officially came to end by 3.00 pm. The event was made a grant success by the coordination of the residents in Kava, along with the dedication of our members. The success of the IEEE PES Humanitarian Activities Committee Project (HAC project) was possible with the good will and dedication of all the crew members and the guidance of our mentors. This project would always be an achievement for the IEEE SB of the college and also the beginning of a new revolution and stories about the success that are yet to be carved.