IIT Madras launches Carbon Zero Challenge

CHENNAI: IIT-Madras, along with Industrial Waste Management Association and US Consulate General in Chennai, has launched the Carbon Zero Challenge, a renewable energy innovation competition on Thursday. The idea behind the innovation challenge is to encourage new ideas for minimising carbon emissions. While launching the competition, Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) chairman Jagmohan Singh Raju said, “We have to wisely utilise the locally available energy sources like solar and wind for reducing the dependency on non renewable energy resources. We need technology innovation to make our villages habitable. Currently, TEDA is working towards a hybrid model where all energy resources can be mixed to power the villages,” he said.

Industrial Waste Managment Association chairman S.Mani said, “If we have a triangular relationship that is between government industry and institute like IITs, it will give a solution for the carbon zero challenge.” IIT Madras director Bhaskar Ramamurthi said, "In early stages of innovation, students will not be sure of whether to pursue their ideas. So participating in competitions and getting their ideas validated by experienced people is important. Many important solutions have come out from such challenges."

Aerial Pollock, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Chennai expressed hope that India and US collaboration can provide insights in the field of renewable energy. The participants have to develop a renewable energy system for any of the five thematic areas - agriculture, urban housing, transport, industries, water and wastewater - using a combination of one or more renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biogas, geothermal, ocean, and hydro).  They can submit their proposals on or before April 30. For more details, they can visit http://www.carbonzerochallenge.org/