Spotlight

New Delhi, 8 May 2007

SATELLITES ON SOLAR POWER

NEW DELHI, May 9 (INFA): India’s power scenario could indeed witness a revolution in solar power generation if an ambitious programme involving solar satellites developed and tested by the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), the US, becomes a reality.

These satellites located 22,000 miles up in space, are made up of sheets of small solar cells which capture the Sun’s rays and send them to earth in the form of microwave signals.

These signals are then converted into electricity. The advantage of placing solar collectors in space is that they would receive an unobstructed view of the Sun, unaffected by the day and night cycles, weather, or seasons.

The US-based Space Island Group Inc, is all set to begin delivering this clean and safe mode of electricity to India from 2012 onwards.

Apart from the power benefits that India would receive, the Space Island Group is also planning to set up a manufacturing hub in India for building the receiving antennae and solar satellite components.

This is intended to be done with support from the World Bank, which has expressed keen interest in the project. The cost of launching the satellite in space would be entirely borne by Space Island Group Inc.

The company would also try to involve Central ministries and institutions like the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) as partners in the project. The partnership requires no financial investment but only an expression of intent of the country to purchase electricity.

The power purchase agreement would involve buying the energy for a fixed price of the US 10 cents of per kWh from 2012 to 2025, with no inflation or other escalation. The company is also planning to tie up with private firms on the same terms. ---INFA

RADIATION TECHNOLOGY SOON

HYDERABAD, May 9 (INFA): If used irrationally, it could cause the effect of a Neutron bomb. If used in controlled environs; it has the ability to cure cancer. The same technology is the need for processing fruits and other agro-products to enhance their shelf-lite.

The radiation process using cobalt istope will become available in Andhra Pradesh market by mid-May.

The technology which is already in use in six locations in India, is being tried out in Andhra Pradesh by Gama Agro-Medical processing jointly with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. The technique called irradiation can be used for sterlisation and disintestation. ---INFA