Energy

Generation

The history of Hydropower development in Kerala begins with the commissioning of Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project in 1940. Next few decades saw the progressive developments of various schemes. Sabarigiri in 1966 and Idukki in 1976 are milestones in the endeavour of power development of Kerala State Electricity Board. There are 24 Hydel Projects owned by KSEB and 2 by private agencies. The Wind Farm located at Kanjikkode with an installed capacity of 2.025 MW is the only one utilising the non-conventional energy source. The Brahmapuram and Kozhikode Diesel Power Plants with an installed capacity of 106.6 MW and 128 MW uses LSHS as fuel and are owned by KSEB.

The Kerala State Electricity Board has an installed capacity of 2087.23 MW on its own with another 570.016 MW contributed by NTPC and Private Sector producers taking the total installed capacity of State to 2657.24 MW.

The other plants that are catering to the energy demands of the state are the Kayamkulam plant of NTPC with an installed capacity of 359.58 MW and the BSES, Kochi Plant with an installed capacity of 157.00 MW. The 20.44 MW plant of KPCL, Kasaragod is the latest entrant in the IPP segment of generation. The balance is met through import of power from the Central Sector.

Growth of Power System in Kerala

Source : KSEB

Transmission

The Kerala power system consists of 13 hydel stations, 11 small hydel stations, 2 captive power plants, 2 thermal stations, 3 IPPs, and 1 wind mill. The grid is connected to the Southern Region Transmission system through two 400kV double circuit lines at Madakkathara and Trivandrum. There are 5 major inter-state transmission lines. The major substations include one 400 KV sub-station, and fourteen 220 KV substations and four 220kV substations under construction. The main grid comprises of the 220 KV system.

The net energy requirement for the year 2006-07 is estimated to be 14,687mu. Out of this about 7,457mu is expected from hydel sources, 7804 from central generating stations, and from the remaining sources. The present peak load demand is about 2700MW and is expected to increase up to 2,800 MW during April/May. The hydel potential is about 6130MU if the inflow is normal. We have a storage capacity of 4083MU.

Distribution

KSE Board is the sole distributor of the Electrical Energy for the state of Kerala except Thrissur Corporation and Munnar where the distribution is managed by licensees. In Thrissur, City Corporation and in Munnar M/s Tata Tea Ltd are the licensees. The system as on 29/02/2009 are as follows:

LT Consumers As on 29.02.2009

(Source: www.kseboard.com , Economic review 2005)

Simple steps to save energy

I. LIGHTING:

1. Do not forget to SWITCH OFF lights and fans when not required.

2. Utilise the SUNLIGHT wherever and whenever available.

3. A house should be designed in such a way that maximum sunlight and ventilation are obtained.

4. Light coloured walls reflect more light and hence minimum lamps are enough.

5. As far as possible, use task lighting which focuses light where it is needed.

6. Make use of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) in place of incandescent lamps.

7. 36 Watt slim tube lights give equivalent light output as that of 40 Watt tube lights.

8. Use electronic ballasts / electronic choke against conventional electromagnetic ballasts tube lights for they consume less power.

9. A so called zero watt bulb consumes 12 to 15 Watts / hour. CFL’s are available in 5,7,9,11 watts capacities and they give better light output.

10. Many automatic devices can help in saving energy used in lighting. Consider employing infrared sensors, motion sensors, automatic timers, dimmers and solar cells wherever applicable, to switch on/off lighting circuits.

11. Clean bulbs and tubelights periodically to avoid reduction in illumination.

II. FANS AND MOTORS:

1. Use light weight / energy efficient fans.

2. Use electronic regulators for fans for they consume less power and provides fine control.

3. Avoid rewinding of motors.

4. Clean fan blades periodically.

5. Lubricate bearing of motor periodically.

III. GRINDERS:

1. Use energy efficient motors for grinders.

2. Always use nylon belt in grinders.

3. Use grinder to its full capacity.

4. Clean and lubricate grinder parts periodically.

IV. WASHING MACHINE:

1. Use washing machine to its full capacity.

2. Avoid using dryer in washing machines whenever possible.

V. AIR-CONDITIONER:

1. Use correct capacity air-conditioner to suit the requirement.

2. Avoid frequent opening and closing of air-conditioned room.

3. Clean the AC filters periodically.

4. Air-conditioned room must be leak proof.

5. Set the thermostat of room air conditioner at 25° (77° C F) to provide the most comfort at the least cost.

6. Use energy efficient star labeled new air conditioner in place of older ones which need repair.

VI. IRONING:

1. Avoid ironing one or two clothes daily and adopt large scale ironing.

VII. REFRIGERATOR:

1. Keep refrigerator away from the wall to allow air to circulate around the refrigerator.

2. Avoid frequent closing and opening of refrigerator door.

3. Allow heated food stuff to cool down to normal temperature before refrigerating.

4. Make sure foods are covered before they are kept in the refrigerator.

5. Defrost regularly to keep freezers working their best.

6. Thermostat control in refrigerators should be adjusted

7. Use energy efficient star labeled refrigerators.

VIII. WATER PUMPS:

1. Use energy efficient water pumps.

2. Use correct size PVC piping system in water lines.

3. Arrest leakage of water in taps / joints.

4. Use capacitors for water pumps to improve power factor.

5. Use level controllers for tripping of water pumps while pumping of water to overhead tanks etc.

IX. WATER HEATERS:

1. Use solar water heaters wherever possible.

2. Avoid water leakage in taps / joints.

3. Always insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.

X. COMPUTERS:

1. Turn off your home office equipment when not in use. A computer that runs 24 hours a day, for instance, uses - more power than an energy-efficient refrigerator.

2. If your computer must be left on, turn off the monitor; this device alone uses more than half the system's energy.

3. Setting computers, monitors, and copiers to use sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by approximately 40%.

4. Screen savers save computer screens, not energy. Start-ups and shutdowns do not use any extra energy, nor are they hard on your computer components. In fact, shutting computers down when you are finished using them actually reduces system wear - and saves energy.

XI AGRICULTURAL

1. Substitute rusted G.I suction/delivery pipes by low friction rigid PVC pipes of correct diameter.

2. Replace substandard foot valve by ISI marked foot valve.

3. Replace substandard pumpsets by energy efficient pumpsets.

4. Use correct size pumpsets and associated accessories.

5. Provide and maintain capacitors in good condition.

6. Avoid operation under low voltage conditions.

7. Install, repair pumpset motors and wiring by competent electrical personnel.

8. Ensure adequate water availability when pumpsets are operated.

9. Avoid rewinding of motors.

(Source: www.kseboard.com)