SDMC ropes in Bhabha atomic centre to generate power from cow dung
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) along with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is planning to set up a biogas plant to produce electricity from cow dung to address the twin problem of waste disposal and power generation.
The SDMC plans to use the cattle waste generated in Nangli Dairy, Goyala Dairy and Kakrola Dairy and two cow shelters — Manav Gau Sadan Rewla Gaushala and Ghuman Hera Gramin Gaushala in Najafgarh.
South Delhi mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat said officials of BARC inspected the dairies under the jurisdiction of SDMC last week.
There are over 20,000 cattle in the dairies and cow shelters and generate over 400 metric tonnes of waste which will be used to generate power by the plant.
“During the inspection, the officials suggested to first construct a boundary wall around these dairies,” she said.
The boundary wall construction has started, she said.
A senior official of the South Corporation said that the plant in Najafgarh, would be equipped to manage 150 metric tonnes of waste. He said SDMC along with BARC will also explore the possibility of using kitchen or biodegradable waste.
BARC has successfully set up many biomethanation plants that convert garbage into gaseous fuel to produce electricity. This will also reduce the load on the landfill sites filled beyond capacity.
Around one tonne of waste has the capacity to generate 60 cubic metres of gas which can be used to produce electricity to power 200 streetlights for 8 hours. Sehrawat said these dairies are struggling to cope with the knee-high level of dung on their premises and the corporation is clueless about how to dispose of the waste.
“Besides, solving the problem of disposal, it will help us generate power which can be used to light street lamps among othes things,” he said.
The biogas plant is likely to be set up near Goyala Dairy Road in Najafgarh zone of SDMC. However, the final decision is yet to be taken, he said.