Power from the sea: Udupi to set up 5kv unit

UDUPI: Unlike most people who visit the seashore for a swim or savour the sight of a sunrise or sunset, Vijay Kumar Hegde gazes at the sea only to study the waves.

For, these waves are a source of energy. He has been studying these waves and conducting various experiments for over three decades, and is on the threshold of commercial production of tidal power.

Vijay Kumar Hegde, who runs Susi Global Research Centre in Shivalli (Udupi district), is all setup to install a 5 KV tidal power unit in the sea near Kemmannu in Udupi district by October end. Ahead of this key milestone, he intends to establish tune up plants (of 1 KV, 5 KV and 25 KV) to prove the commercial feasibility and viability of the project.

The 5 KV unit is the second successful one being setup by Hegde. In April he had installed 1 KV unit in the sea which produced power during high tide.

“This is an advanced unit that would produce power even in low tide and thus generate power 24 hours. The power produced will be used to light up the unit in the sea. In next two months, a more advanced 25 KV unit would be ready. Based on the performance of the fine tune up plant units, DPR would be prepared and submitted before the government to commercial produce tidal power and provide power to the grid. I am confident of providing power at much less price compared to solar units,” he told Deccan Chronicle.

Hegde, who has a craze for inventions since childhood, has designed a calling bell which works without electricity, when he was in primary school. After completing his course in automobile, sheet metal and mechanical engineering, Hegde setup Susi Global research in Udupi in 1979.

"My aim is to create alternative energy and minimise fuel use. Thus, I came up with inventions like gas saving LPG stoves (which saves 60 per cent gas), diesel bike and battery operated car. There are various other inventions and many which are in the pipeline. Fifteen proposals for various patents have been submitted by me and are pending for clearance," says Hegde who holds the patent for tidal power. He has managed to fund his efforts aimed at designing new gadgets. "I am doing well with the help of Akkaya Kitchen solutions. I lead a simple life and my demands are less. Thus, I am able to use a good amount of money from my business for my research," he added.