Alstom’s initiative to electrify rural India [June 2012]

By admin June 20, 2012 12:10 pm IST

Alstom announced the launch of a project – ‘Dry Gasifier’ in India in collaboration with Husk Power Systems (HPS). Launched under the aegis of Alstom Foundation, the grant will be used for bridging funding gaps for two identified ‘critical success’ factors/areas that will enable HPS to become truly scalable in rural electrification business. A part of the grant from Alstom Foundation will be used in finalising a Dry Gasification process for low-cost manufacturing and retro-fitting these dry gasifiers at the existing 65 power plant sites of HPS in Bihar. Another part of grant will be used for developing a semi-automated machine for volume production of incense sticks and deployment of such systems at existing power plant sites. Part of the funding will also go into providing vocational programmes and training for women for a consistent and high quality manufacturing.

The dry gasification system are designed to result in dramatic reduction in water uses by over 80 per cent and are also expected to result in reduction of operational expense. “The cost benefit is then directly translated to customers who get electricity from HPS power plants. The project will also create employment opportunities thereby increasing the local economic activities fuelled by renewable energy. This also enables HPS to scale faster and hence light more off-grid villages”, a company statement said.