How to Become Energy Atma-Nirbhar (Self-reliant)
By: Akshay Harikumar
Tags: Battery, Clean Energy, Solar Energy, Self Reliance, Narendra Modi

Technology, post-COVID grid architecture, and a tale of two speeches.

On 12 May 2020, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, laid out a potential path out of the COVID-19 crisis. Within minutes, “Atma-Nirbhar Bharat,” or self-reliant India, went viral.

Narendra Modi emphasised Self-Reliance as a way for India to lead the reconstruction of the Post-COVID world.

But I would like to begin by drawing attention to another recent, much talked-about speech. On the ninth of April, as Indians prepared to turn off their lights at 9 PM in response to the Prime Minister’s speech, some sections raised questions on the stability of the Electric Grid. There were worries that a sudden drop in load demand would destabilise the Electric Grid. Fortunately, and helped by staff at Load Dispatch Centres working round the clock, nothing of that sort happened. However, the event did raise pertinent questions about the architecture of our present electricity generation and distribution systems (the ‘grid’).

Like A House of Cards

Photo by Aditya Joshi on Unsplash

The process of delivering electricity to households is long and complex- and with every step comes vulnerability and uncertainty- political instability could threaten fuel supplies; changing climate patterns can dry up waterbodies and empty dams; Power plants, with their thousands of closely calibrated moving parts, can break down; and trees falling on overhead cables, or transformers blowing spectacularly, are common causes for entire localities to be blacked out.

What happens when you flip a switch depends on so many factors out of your control. And it’s scary when the availability of such an essential commodity is so vulnerable.

Solar Panels and Building Blocks

The energy supply chain, and the route from producer to consumer, sometimes spans different countries and even continents. Taking more control would require bringing the generators and the consumers of energy closer to each other. But how close can we realistically and practically get?

Today, it is possible to generate energy in your own house, and become truly and completely self-reliant!

Generators that run on diesel or gas are quite common, while alternative solutions like small rooftop wind turbines also exist. But the most promising solution is one that does not need external fuel supply, or customised sizing and manufacturing- Solar Panels!

Solar Panels are like Energy Building Blocks. Photo by Science in HD on Unsplash

Solar Panels are modular, just like building blocks. Fitting together similar building blocks, you can make a spaceship or a castle. Likewise, fitting together solar panels- be it just one panel, or one million- can create a system for any desired size and usage.

But What Happens at Night?

The obvious issue with solar panels is that they do not generate power at night. There is also another, less apparent drawback- almost all the solar panel systems installed today require a reference signal from the utility grid, and therefore do not generate power during a power failure.

The solution for both these issues is the same- Batteries. Batteries enable Solar Energy to be stored so it can be used at night or during a power outage. When installed with batteries and our very own device, Nucleus, solar energy can take care of all your energy needs.

What is Nucleus?

Nucleus is a smart controller that integrates solar panels and battery storage efficiently and inexpensively.

Nucleus- A smart gateway device that integrates batteries and solar panels

Unlike other systems, Nucleus ensures availability of clean, reliable power, 24x7. It also seamlessly fits with any type of battery system- meaning you don’t need to buy new, expensive, and customised battery banks.

With an accompanying app to monitor the status of your system, Nucleus gives you a transparent picture of your system and its functioning.

The best part? Nucleus is made with ❤ in Bangalore, so there’s no need to worry about where your system comes from, and where your data is stored!

Vocal for Local

While adopting solar energy definitely makes you self-reliant, does it fit in with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) movement?

Every component in the system, right from the Solar panels, to nucleus, down to the cables and connectors, has reliable manufacturers in India. When you choose the right installation partner, you support a local small business owner. More importantly, you contribute to generating high-value employment for local youth.

Training programs empower local youth to take up future-ready careers.

And, once your system is up and running, you can generate enough power to not only power your home, but also sell surplus power back into the grid! Yes, you read that right- not only would you become self-reliant, you also make a small contribution to your neighbours’ energy consumption, and even get paid for it. Atma-nirbhar, and more!

How can I know if I am self-reliant?

Nucleus gives you full visibility of where your power comes from. The Power Flow feature on the accompanying app shows you just that- where your power is flowing! No jargon, no technical gibberish, just an animation that speaks a thousand words!

The Powerflow animation on the Nucleus App lets you know where your energy is coming from.

What Next?

The COVID-19 crisis can act as a catalyst towards a new, decentralised energy grid and self-reliant energy consumers contributing towards the economy.

If you believe in the movement towards Self-Reliance, Solar Energy should be on the top of your list. Click here to contact us and initiate your Solar journey today!

Also, support us and our journey by following us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Medium and Twitter.

See you on the other side, the right side of Self-Reliance!