TODAY -

An attractive alternative "Electricity from Rice Husk"

MS Khaidem *

Rice Husk
Rice Husk



Non availability of electricity / load shedding is a talk of the town and a tale of the villagers in Manipur. We have read and heard through local print and electronic media all about these issues pertaining to power supply in the State. Still, if we are a State Government employee it is mandatory to pay monthly taxes for the power connections we have irrespective of the power units consumed or not.

Anyway, presently on one side, the only option left is to depend on Korea made Inverters or Generators depending on the affordability and satisfy ourselves, on the other, in addition to the professional tax paid by each employee, the power tax paid is a contribution to the state for being a Government servant. But the big question is how long the system will continue? It has become a universal truth that availability of electricity what we call power supply is the only catalytic agent to facilitate participation in the global development trend.

Yes, there is a saying "necessity is the mother of invention and availability is the father".

Now, here is an attractive alternative to address the power issues at least to some extent particularly in rural areas who suffers most! Although, the application of biomass as a sustainable electricity source seems promising, it is still seldom perceived as an option for providing electricity for the rural poor. In order to generate electricity, biomass can be combusted, gasified, biologically digested or fermented, or converted to liquid fuels for propelling generators. Rice husk is one available in plenty coupled with technologies and equipment. There is huge potentials for generating power from rice husk where rice mills are installed and husks are produced in plenty.

In fact rice mill owners have been facing problems for disposal of these husks as these byproducts contains very low nutrient and takes longer time to decompose due to high silica content ranging from 90-97% thereby not favouring to use as manure. Although, 5% of the quantities of husks have been utilized for bedding by the poultry farmers and 15-20% as cooking materials for fuel, however the remaining 75-80% goes to wastes by way of burning in the open atmosphere causing immense environmental pollution. Besides many other feasible applications viz. raw materials for fabricating building materials as Panel Boards, Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as cementing materials and as biofuel for gasification; all these potentials remains untapped. The reason could be because we have never felt the necessity.

In Manipur, the area under rice is 1.95 lakhs hectare that yields around 5.85 lakhs tons of Paddy assuming at an average yield of 3 tons per ha. When milled these paddy produces about 1,17,000 tons of Husks at the conversion ratio of 5:1 by weight of Rice: Husk. Now, assuming 50% utilization of the total husks produced as biofuel for gasification i.e 58,500 tons will possess captive power to generate 37,440 MW.

The principle behind this generation of power from rice husk is nothing but a process of biomass gasification which means incomplete combustion of biomass resulting to production of highly combustible gases consisting of Carbon monoxide (CO), Hydrogen (H2) and traces of Methane (CH4). This mixture is called Producer Gas. Producer Gas can be used to run internal combustion engines (both compression and spark ignition). In short, this Producer Gas is used to run modified diesel engines to generate electricity."Roughly 1.5 kg of rice husk generates1 KWh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity via an alternator and delivered in three phases at 220 volts" said Chip Ransler, Chief Strategy Officer of Husk Power System told IANS.

Husk Power Systems (HPS) Company is the brain child of an Indian born engineer Gyanesh Pandey together with his friends Ratnesh Yadhav, Manoj Sinha and Charles Ransler, that came into existence in Bihar since 2008 with support from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, USA. After five months of R&D, they developed a system that could produce 32 kilowatts of power by burning 50 kilograms of rice husk per hour. As of March 2011, the Company have installed more than 60 biomass mini-plants across Bihar, providing power to more than 32,000 rural households. Through this unique green technology, villages get uninterrupted power for up to 6-12 hours per day primarily at night at the affordable rates by setting up mini plants at different locations within the radius of 2 km.

Environmental and Social impacts.

1. Husk Power Systems are cost effective and can provide reliable, and affordable electricity to rural population.

2. Husk Power generates electricity from rice husks, avoiding the use of fossil fuels. The use of rice husks for fuel does not create competition with food crops since the rice husks would otherwise be agricultural waste.

3. Power transmission may be done through insulated wires upto maximum distance of 2 km to avoid voltage loss. Locally available bamboo posts can be utilised very effectively to support the transmission wires.

4. No pre-experienced technicians would be required but can be locally trained to operate the plant once units are set up thereby creating opportunities for employment.

5. The power delivery system could be completely decentralised i.e run and maintained by the locals where the plants are installed.

6. Project Implementing Agency (PIA) can be a partner in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) program so that the Power Plant can sell carbon credits for the emissions reduced by the plants. (i.e abandoning fossil fuel run generators by gasifying the husks thereby preventing the release of a considerable amount of methane gas,one of the world's most potent greenhouse gasses.)

7. During the process of gasification of rice husk the byproduct obtained is the Carbonized Rice Husk (CRH).To produce CRH, normally raw husk is burned without air so that it will not turn into ash.CRH is sterile and is free from disease organisms.CRH is also very useful in rice farming. It could be plaughed in during land preparation. This will make the land not only more porous for better plant growth, it will also enable the soil to retain the moisture much longer. Rice grown in fields enriched with CRH also produce more profuse tillers that will bear more grains.

8. Each Mini power plant of 32KW can serve 400-450 households using 4-5 nos. of 15W CFL and 8-10 small business establishments.

Such prototype projects have been launched not only in Bihar but also in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkhand by the NGOs, Group of Entrepreneurs, Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Cooperative Societies with support from Financial Institutions. For setting up such type of innovative and green energy projects, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India also extends support.

Successful implementation of any type of project depends on the following basic factors;

* continuous availability of raw materials at the cheaper rates;
* availability of infrastructures with proven technologies for the end product;
* required human resources;
* market of the products / end users / consumers.
* capital.

Now, the choice is ours - Whether we should exploit these abundantly available bioresources for generating income and employment or Not; which otherwise will go to waste !!

For more details on Project Consultancy Services, Equipment manufacturers etc. please log on http://manipursfac.com/agri-business/


* MS Khaidem wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is Project Coordinator, Manipur Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium and he can be reached at contact(at)manipursfac(dot)com
This article was posted on July 04 2012



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Lamtanganba, Adum , Mahaiso : eMing
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • The Weeping Gods of Manipur :: Poem
  • Disarming Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO
  • Why nurses deserve more recognition, pay
  • The hidden truths of our social media lives
  • MMTU stand bang on target: Recapping May 3
  • Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Sustainable development - climate action #1
  • RIST Talk- 62 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • "Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
  • Makar Sankranti : vibrant customs & traditions
  • Why gold is a strong hedge but ...
  • Delhi date on January 17
  • Onus of addressing tribal issues on new Guv?
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • Barak Festival advocates Peace, Progress
  • 'Yu', not fully liberalised
  • Article 355 equals Governor's Rule ?
  • Calls to vote with conscience
  • Zingtun academy leading by example
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Is Kuki-Zo community pushing Nagas to edge?
  • Will drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue ?
  • Smart Cities, dustier roads ?
  • ST of NE & Dalits of mainland India
  • That May :: Poem
  • Understanding Red, Yellow, Green
  • Cong posers on Govt aid to SoO group
  • Culturals @Tri-Nation Football #1 : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai festival of Kabui/Rongmei
  • 40 Years & 04 Stations- Part IV (Madras)
  • Manipur Gold: 34th Sr Natl Sepaktakraw C'ship
  • Public Health Risk Management Training
  • The Power of Poppy - 64 :: Poem
  • The Science of Success #4
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • A Hymn for Goddess Emoinu
  • Are the foods we eat, correct ?
  • Gangtok, Sikkim (1983 till 1988) : Gallery
  • The Taste of Dreams : Teaser Unveiled
  • Be a child of courage & conquer obstacle
  • Hans Renal Care Centre in Guwahati
  • Focus on pre-May 3, 2023 period
  • Conundrum over the genesis of crisis
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • North-East Students invited to JEE Main 2025
  • Empower the State else avoid blame on CM
  • Obituary : Thaunawjam Brajamohon
  • Hope :: Poem
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #3
  • Winter makeup tips for dry skin
  • Imphal, Delhi still groping in the dark
  • Tension over assault case, land claims
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #1 : Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • Indigenous Pottery Making @Imphal : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • "Connections", art exhibitt @ DC : Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #4 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Indigenous People Cultural Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #1: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet