IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - Fall 2013 - 70

Fig.3. Near a biogas unit in Bysanivaripalle.

Bysanivaripalle is a model of development and will inspire other villages." she said.
Bysanivaripalle has progressed
in agriculture as well, and its
farmers are exposed to some of
the latest technologies such as
drip irrigation and sprinkler systems. This advancement is a result
of their regular interactions with
educated urban communities and
social activists who visit Bysanivaripalle to learn about its sustainable renewable energy projects. In
return, experts share their insights
and knowledge with the villagers. Information is power and
Bysanivaripalle inhabitants have

learned how to use it. for example, a few years back the village
hosted an international conference on RETs, attracting attendees from Germany, Australia, Sri
Lanka, and many parts of India.
The delegates of this conference
suggested that the villagers use
more modern irrigation techniques
like drip irrigation which was one
of the development milestones of
the village. Because of awareness
and open mindedness, the village
has progressed; each family owns
cattle, all the village children go
to school, and many farmers are
sending their children to pursue
higher education.

Biogas Composition

Volume (%)

CH 4 (Methane)
CO2 (Carbon dioxide)
N2(Nitrogen)+H2S(Hydrogen Sulphide)

55-70
30-35
<2

8 m3
0.25 m3
4000-5000 kcal/m3
1.6-1.9 psi
9m

Fig.4. Technical specifications of biogas plant in Bysanivaripalle.
70

Public Health Situation
Health of residents of Bysanivaripalle is much better compared to
the residents of Semera village.
The main reason behind the better health in Bysanivaripalle is that
people are not exposed to as much
smoke and fumes. Women in Bysanivaripalle have fewer complaints
of chronic back pains compared to
their counterparts in Semera. Their
drudgery has been reduced and life
styles have significantly improved.
In totality, people are healthier in
Bysanivaripalle compared to those
in a typical Indian village.

Challenges Faced in
Implementing RETs

Technical Details
Volume of Digester
Volume of Mixing Chamber
Calorific Value
Internal Pressure (inside fixed dome)
Average distance of plant from kitchen

Environmental Situation
Conventional cooking fuels like
firewood are polluting and hazardous. In Bysanivaripalle alone,
burning firewood in traditional
stoves used to release over 104 000
kg of CO2 every year. According
to NEDCAP, the use of renewable
energy for cooking saves the villagers nearly 15 000 kg of firewood
and 1100 kg of cooking gas per
year. This has lead to a cleaner and
healthier environment.
furthermore, organic farming has improved soil quality and
enhanced the fertility of their farmland. farmers have also started
fish farming in paddy fields since,
earthworm cultivated soil called
humus in these fields holds water
better compared to the otherwise hilly red soils found in these
regions.

The main challenge in disseminating
RETs in any rural area is to encourage
villagers to disconnect themselves
from conventional cooking fuels and
switch to RETs. This challenge can
be overcome by giving insightful
workshops and live demonstrations
to villagers. In the case of Bysanivaripalle, Sadashiv, who was the first
villager to install a biogas plant, led
by example and his success motivated
others. The next challenge after motivating villagers and installing RETs

IEEE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY MAGAZINE

fALL 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - Fall 2013