Integrating Village - Industry with Human and Animal Power
 

Pedal Power Electricity Generator (Battery Charger)
A large number of users usually meet the shortages in grid-supplied electricity by kerosene/petrol gensets. However, the gensets are often expensive for use by poor households. A Pedal-powered generator provides a method of generating electricity by means of a suitably modified bicycle. Human / mechanical energy is converted into electricity by means of a Direct Current (DC) generator that is connected by a chain to the flywheel. The energy created by the DC generator can be stored in various types of dry/lead-acid batteries. Also, energy that is stored within the battery can be utilized as DC current for use in DC appliances such as those found in automotive mobile homes. If Alternating Current (AC) appliances are in place, then an inverter must be used to transfer the 12 volts of DC current into the standard 230 volts of AC for usage by these appliances. The unit can generate 80W power by pedaling for 1hr @40-50rpm, which is enough to light two lamps (10W) for four hours. Supported by KVIC (Mumbai), a prototype of this type of generator has been recently field-tested at Yusuf Meherauli Centre, Tara Village, Raigad (Maharashtra) and is currently being used at the site of Dapoli Engineering Works in Konkan area of Maharashtra.

Reciprocating Double Acting Water Pump
This device consists of two reciprocating pumps, a flywheel, cycle frame, chain and sprocket drive, and connecting rod. A single person can operate the pump. Each pump can produce a discharge of about 24 lit/min. Discharge of 48 lit/min (2880 lit/hour) can also be obtained at normal operational (pedaling) speed. In the remote rural areas, where neither electricity supply nor diesel engines are easily available, such pedal driven pumps can be used as alternative / standby for electric or diesel pumps for pumping the water from well or tank or nala (with a maximum suction head of 20 ft.). CTARA at IIT Bombay has identified several sites in the Konkan area, where although water is available for use, electrical pumps are beyond reach of the consumer. In such instances, pedal-powered pumps can be put to use. Field performance of these newly designed pumps will be assessed at one of these sites soon.

Animal Driven Electricity Generator
This variant of the pedal-powered electricity generator uses animal motion as the productive source. The prototype unit has been developed and tested within the framework of a KVIC-Technology Interface unit project at IIT Bombay. The Proof of Concept (POC) design was installed at Aarey Milk Colony (Mumbai) for the initial testing. The team working on this project is exploring joining a partner animal farm nearby to further test the feasibility of the machine. The device requires a pair of bulls or buffalos for providing the input power. Some of the attractive features of the contraption are as follows:

  • Ergonomically suitable for animals.
  • A permanent magnet DC generator generates about 120 W (with single bull), which can be used for lighting through CFL lamps or battery charging.
  • An inverter can be used to run conventional AC gadgets.
  • Components used are easily available in the market and can be fabricated and/or repaired at a small fabrication shop available in villages.

Organization (NGO or individuals or entrepreneurs) desiring to utilize the prototypes for further testing and dissemination can contact CTARA.
Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076

Contact: nshah@iitb.ac.in