India’s first Smart- Island at Kudagaon in Angul district, Odisha.
SunMoksha has implemented India’s first Smart-Microgrid on an Island at Kudagaon in Angul district of Odisha. Kudagaon is an island in Mahanadi river, Odisha, located in Athmallik Tehsil, Angul District. It has a population of 301 with 157/144 males/female ratio, and 47 children. The island is cut-off from the mainland for all infrastructure, especially energy services. DISCOM can’t reach this village, depriving the community of access to energy, and related services. Even though the village has access via a mud-road through the river bed, the path gets flooded and washed away every year during rains – grid electricity just can’t reach there. Moreover, despite the availability of 400 acres of farmland, the villagers engage in agricultural activities only during the monsoon season, due to lack of irrigation facility.
Kudagaon island had no access to power till SunMoksha’s intervention through Smart Nanogrid™. With the implementation of 20kW solar power plant and 72kWh battery backup, for the very first time, the villagers have become recipients of reliable and predictable source of power. Along with lighting system, the power plant has been designed to support the village developing a Micro-Economic Zones, especially in the agricultural sector. Sufficient electricity is available for the villagers to support the irrigation and other microenterprises during the day and reliable power for lighting, fans, TV, etc. at night. Smart Nanogrid™ system caters to the needs and desires of the community with the help of scheduling. The 24×7 power supply with scheduling and load limits has reduced the size of the plant, and hence the CAPEX & OPEX, without compromising on the quality or reliability. Moreover, timing of supply is determined by the consumers, empowering them to allocate the power generation as per their priorities.
Within a few months since the installation of the plant, significant changes in lifestyle were observed. Previously reluctant to do so, many families have set evening studying hours for their children, and are happy and hopeful to have a tuition centre in the village so that their children get the necessary guidance. One of the mothers always wanted her daughter to become an Anganwadi teacher, and now is certain that her dream can come true! Household lights and streetlights have enabled movement in the village without being afraid of snakes. Streetlights have enabled socialising and entertainment in the evening – men play cards, women watch TVs, relatives visit and stay longer and more often since now they have light, can use fans and coolers, watch TV, and relish their time with the family. Women are the happiest lot as they can now complete tasks at their pace.
As agriculture is the primary occupation in the village, and many are now hoping to have a steady source of water supply through electric pumps energized by the microgrid, and eventually lead to reverse migration of those who migrate out of the village in search for work. The women want to learn new skills such as tailoring and tuition training to increase household income and contribute to the village development. Some want to start flour and rice mill and cold storage in the village. One youth is already employed as operator for the microgrid by the Village Energy Committee, who would have otherwise migrated out.
