All geared up to buy the latest iphone at an extremely inflated exorbitant price? What if we told you that you could get free electricity all your life at the same rate? Avante Grande Innovations, founded by two brothers from Kerala, Arun and Anoop George, is all set to bring a revolution in the field of renewable with their extremely pocket-friendly wind power project.
When India imports turbines from abroad it costs close to INR 2 lakhs, but the George brother’s cost effective venture comes at a cost of INR 50,000 only. The size of a ceiling fan, this wind turbine has the potential to produce three to five kilowatt hours of electricity.
India currently ranks fourth in the global wind energy installation list, with about 1271 MW installed capacity estimated on 28 February 2001, a figure placing it right behind Germany, Denmark and the United States. Wind energy is a clean fuel source that doesn’t pollute the air like power plants that rely on combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas - neither does it produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain or greenhouse gases either.
In India, power cuts during summers is a handicap to most industries, especially in regions such as Tamil Nadu. Incidentally, the wind generation during the summer months is at its peak. Hence, this proves to be the best solution to the grievances of people.
“We have made this turbine at a cost that is almost unheard of in the country so far. Whatever power they produce for the rest of the life of the wind turbine - which is around 20 years - will be free electricity to them,” says Arun George, the CEO-Founder of Avant Garde Innovations.
Arun says he plans to introduce the wind turbine to the market for a little more than $750.
In terms of the future of wind power in India, several sites have been discovered to commence projects. Many engineers from colleges such as IIT are gaining training and expertise to manage them too. There is absolutely no environmental backlash and the societal response among people has only been overwhelming and positive.