Club Activities:

District Bio Fuel Demonstration and Information Center JNN College of Engineering, Shimoga:

Bio Fuel means Bio Diesel or ethanol produced from non edible oils, juice of plants and animal fat. Bio diesel is produced from non edible oils such as Pongamia, Neem, Jathropa etc. by transesterification process. The advantages of bio fuel are many.

1. Employment for rural sector and additional income generation.
2. Good quality manure for agriculture land
3. Helps large scale Aforestation
4. Prevents soil erosion and helps to improve soil fertility  and water table
5. It is renewable and eco friendly
6. No engine  modification required for the use of biodiesel
7. Engine life increases and less lubricant is required
8. Lesser quantity of polluting gas emissions.
9. Helps to reduce global warming
10. Saves import of crude petroleum

Considering the above advantages, Government of Karnataka has formed Biofuel development board under which district level “Biofuel Demonstration and Information centers have been set up in various districts. Shimoga district center has been set up at JNN College of Engineering. This information centre has been conceptualised as a showcase to study, promote & demonstrate all aspects of the bio-fuel business namely,

1. Providing information on Bio Fuels.
2. Various sources of oil.
3. Agronomic practices for these sources.
4. Post-harvest technologies like de-cortication, oil expelling etc.         
5. Treatment & uses of oils.
6. Trans-esterification methods & efficiencies.
7. Quality control of seeds, oils & blended bio-diesel & ethanol.
8. Optimisation of usage of straight vegetable oils (SVO`s) & blended bio-fuels.
9. Exploration of various business models w.r.t. Bio-fuel secto.r
10. R&D and extension services.

It is  functioning since one month and has produced 400 literes of Bio Diesel so far. Test runs on vehicles have been carriedout.
For more information contact:

Dr. Sreepathi L K,
Coordinator, Bio fuel Demonstration and Information Center,
JNN College of Engineering,
Shimoga. (M) 944800064

Few tips for energy conservation:

1. Switch off lights, TV, computer etc., when not in use. Don’t put them in stand by mode.
2. Use bright light at reading room. At other places low Wattege lights are sufficient.
3. Use CFL/LED lights.
4. Use solar lights.
5. Solar water heater saves both money and energy.
6. Harvest rain water and use directly or recharge the ground.
7. Either walk or cycle for distances less than 3km.
8. Use public transportation for long distance travel.
9. Use passive cooling techniques to build the house.
10. witch off the vehicle engine at traffic signals.
11. Maintain the proper air pressure in tires of vehicles.
12. Reduce Reuse and Recyle.
13. Plug the leaking taps.

Objectives and activities of the Club

1. To create awareness about the environmental impact of conventional fuels among the public.
2. To create awareness about renewable energy sources.
3. To communicate the importance  of energy saving and methodologies.

To conduct demo, lecture and competitions on renewable energy sources for  school children

Available Devices/CD’s/Books

1. Solar cooker (Box type)
2. Solar cooker (Dish type)
3. Butterfly solar cooker
4. Solar street lamp
5. Solar water heater
6. Bio mass gasifier with Gas Engine for power generation..
7.  High efficiency  chulas
8. Bio Diesel plant
9. Hand operated water Pump
10. Rain water harvest model
11. Wind-Solar hybrid system

CD’s and books on environmental problems.