Madhu Vajrakarur, an electrical engineering pupil from the Anantapur region in the state of Andhra Pradesh, is also amongst the people who are deprived of proper access to a nonstop supply of electricity or hygienic drinking water.

Building a wind turbine has been Madhu’s dream since the second grade when he first studied about it. In October 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat session spoke about windmills that can generate water and also explained how these wind turbines are deployed in other countries. This inspired madhu to make one. By watching videos on Youtube he learned more about making a wind turbine that can generate water and electricity.

The 15-foot tall wind turbine gathers moisture from the atmosphere. This is directed through a copper pipe, like the ones used in refrigerators, and finally reaches a three-stage filter.

“The moisture in the wind is directed into the wind turbines frame using a blower placed at the back of the fan. Once this cool air goes into the long frame, the moisture is directed into the cooling compressor which condenses the air into water. The water is then directed through copper pipes into a three-stage filter with membrane filters, carbon filters, and UV filters to collect any dust particles present. Finally, the clean water is accessed through a tap placed on the frame,” says Madhu adding that the water is also collected in an external tank with 40 litres of capacity.

Madhu stated that he took birth and grew up in Vajrakarur village where the major source of water supply is via borewells and water tankers. To make use of the borewell water, it is first heated up and then utilized for drinking. When there is a lack of rains, the level of groundwater declines and they have to hinge upon the water they buy from tankers.

He added that his father is an agriculturalist and his mother is a house maker and their monthly income is not too high. Sometimes they even could not have enough money to purchase the water from tanks and at that time, they depend upon borrowing from neighbors.

How does it work?
The 15-foot tall wind turbine gathers moisture from the atmosphere. This is directed through a copper pipe, like the ones used in refrigerators, and finally reaches a three-stage filter.

“The moisture in the wind is directed into the wind turbines frame using a blower placed at the back of the fan. Once this cool air goes into the long frame, the moisture is directed into the cooling compressor which condenses the air into water. The water is then directed through copper pipes into a three-stage filter with membrane filters, carbon filters, and UV filters to collect any dust particles present. Finally, the clean water is accessed through a tap placed on the frame,” says Madhu adding that the water is also collected in an external tank with 40 litres of capacity.

The wind turbine is connected to an inverter with 30-kilowatt capacity and Madhu (23) uses this to power fans, lights, and plug-points in his home.

#India #innovation #rural #windenergy #water #solar #power #bharat