India - Small wind turbine to produce 500 MW of wind energy

A small windmill that can generate 500 watts of electricity even at low wind speeds has been developed by a Gujarat innovator. Shrilal Jha has already invented a tricycle for the physically challenged and a computerised Braille language laboratory for the visually impaired, for which he has received national awards from the president. Jha, a technical director in the physics department of the Sardar Patel University in Vallabh Vidyanagar, some 80 km from here, got the idea for the small windmill at a seminar he attended in Sri Lanka. "The windmill, which I call a small wind generator, costs just Rs.65,000 ($1,432). Windmills generally are large and can operate only in high wind speeds," Jha told IANS. His windmill can generate electricity even when the wind speed is as low as 10-12 km per hour.

"My windmill is small and can be productive at low wind speeds. It can be installed at small farms, factories, bungalows, on fishing boats and even at army camps where electricity can't be supplied," he said. Among his other inventions are a bulletproof beacon for vehicles, electronic police siren and security alarm system.Impressed by Jha's work, Gujarat Governor Kailashpati Mishra has informed President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam of his many inventions. "After he came back from Sri Lanka, Jha told me about his concept of a small windmill. I appreciated his idea but did not know he would realise it so soon and so well," said Sardar Patel University Vice Chancellor P.J. Patel. Jha created the prototype of the small windmill in just 25 days, however, only after much thought had gone into it.