Hyderabad: In a significant push toward sustainable energy, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) is intensifying its focus on non-conventional energy sources. After successfully setting up a solar energy plant at its Sultanpur college, which has already led to substantial savings in electricity costs, the university is now planning to produce biogas from kitchen waste generated at its hostels on the Hyderabad campus, reports India Today.
Currently, the university’s hostels—Gautami, Kinnera, Majira, and Kamala Nehru—generate between 750 to 900 quintals of kitchen waste daily, all of which is sent to municipal dumping yards. However, senior officials believe that converting this waste into biogas will not only reduce gas expenses but also help the university earn green energy credits. These credits are crucial for securing NAAC and NBA accreditations, which are prioritized in the evaluation process for educational institutions.
The Central and State governments are actively promoting green energy initiatives by offering a 50% subsidy on the cost of setting up biogas plants. While this subsidy is currently available only for large-scale plants, there are discussions to extend it to small and medium-sized plants as well.
Srinivas, a JNTU alumnus and researcher in biogas production, highlighted the additional benefits of converting kitchen waste into biogas. He explained that the residual waste from the process can be turned into compost, creating an additional source of income. He also suggested that setting up a biogas plant with a capacity of 1,000 kg on the campus could transform JNTU into a zero-waste institution.
University officials estimate that producing biogas from hostel kitchen waste could save up to Rs. 4.32 lakh annually. A plant capable of processing 1,000 kg of waste daily can generate 52 kg of gas, reducing the need for three LPG cylinders per day. With each cylinder costing approximately Rs. 1,000, this would result in monthly savings of Rs. 36,000 and annual savings of Rs. 4.32 lakh. Over five years, the total savings could reach around Rs. 22 lakh.
In addition to the financial benefits, professors believe that a biogas plant would provide valuable opportunities for research students, further enhancing the university’s academic and environmental credentials.
JNTU’s efforts to adopt sustainable energy solutions reflect its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting green energy, setting an example for other educational institutions to follow.
For detailed information and further insights, please refer to BioEnergyTimes.com, which provides the latest news about the Biogas IndustryÂ
