Kochi: Now, get ready for a green challenge

KOCHI: The Kerala Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs’ and Promoters’ Association (KREEPA) has decided to rope in students at the school and college levels in a big way for the promotion of renewal energy by taking campaigns to schools and colleges.

As part of launching this programme, the association will organise a student trainer workshop for school students as part of the three-day KREEPA Green Power Expo 2019, which is scheduled to be held at Bolgatty Event Centre, Kochi, from Friday. The students will be trained in solar technology under the Skill Build Programme, the initiative being launched by KREEPA.

The workshop is being organized under the Gandhi Global Solar Yatra (GGSY), which is the brainchild of Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki, professor at the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay. The objective of the workshop is to sensitise students about sustainable energy options and emerging energy alternatives. It is expected to witness participation of students from various schools in Kochi city. “The idea is to promote growth of renewable energy with students and sensitise them about renewable energy. The students should get first hand info about energy because they are the people who are going to face the impact of climate change,” said Sivarama krishnan, co-ordinator, KREEPA.  

The participating students will be given a training kit, containing a solar panel, a small LED bulb and a small lithium battery, free of cost. They will also be given training to assemble a solar study lamp. After that the students will be thrown a challenge to assemble one solar study lamp each by themselves. Those who successfully assemble the lamp and light it up will be given certificates as master trainers and given it for free.

“When back in the school, the students can demonstrate what they learnt in the workshop in their school environment clubs or science clubs. Each participating student will become ambassador of renewable energy. It’s not just students who will be given certificates but schools will also be given certificate,” added Sivaramakrishnan.

Jose Kallookkaran, president, KREEPA, said that after this year’s event, the campaign will be taken to schools across the state and colleges. “We will form groups and fan out to schools and train them to assemble the solar lamp and at the same time conduct workshop for them on the importance of renewable energy and other aspects. In colleges only awareness workshops will be held since their level is higher,” he said.
(Contact no: 98957 01785)