The production of bio-gas from kitchen waste is a viable solution to the scarcity of cooking fuel said engineers at a brainstorming session hosted by the Library and Publications Standing Committee of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) and the Electrical, Electronic, and Telecommunication Engineering Sectional Committee at the Wimalasurendra Auditorium.
They said a well-developed home-bio gas unit can not only provide enough fuel to meet the house’s daily needs, but it can also produce liquid fertiliser as a byproduct, which can be used in home gardens or sold at the market. Several prototypes were presented during the session, and the units’ performance was supported by scientific research conducted on already installed units.
According to one developer, bio-gas is becoming increasingly popular in homes. One of the most significant challenges that bio-gas has faced in the country is that people are hesitant to embrace new technologies, even though they have been proven to be safe, secure, and productive.
Solar energy generation, on the other hand, has been around for a while but has yet to receive a positive response from households.
Solar panel building materials and development technologies are available in Sri Lanka. However, due to bureaucratic issues, these were not implemented, and production was limited to importing raw materials from other countries. As the country moves toward more sustainable energy solutions, these industries must be examined and supported.
Not all the aspects of the problem can be addressed through engineering.
But majority of the issues can be tackled through engineering solutions.
Therefore, IESL, as the governing body for professional engineers, has a role to play in this situation. Using counters developed on the basis of engineering, such as Germany, Sri Lanka must come up with viable solutions.
There must be a policy in action that is consistent over time.
Innovation and invention should not be the limit to papers. Industries must incorporate them and put them to use.
Eng. (Prof.) Ranjith Dissanayake, Vice President and Chairman of the IESL’s Library and Publications Standing Committee, said that finding solutions to the energy crisis is critical because the economy is heavily reliant on consistent energy supply.
The concept of sustainability advocates for the development of local energy sources to meet local needs. He said that it is critical to thoroughly understand the current situation before seeking solutions, and sessions like these provide us with background information on the crisis we are currently facing.
The session was mainly focused on finding ways to implement renewable energy solutions at household level.