Chennai, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to implement biogas plants in various schools, aiming to promote clean energy for cooking and enlighten students about sustainable waste management.

The initiative will primarily target educational institutions with centralized kitchens that cater to several schools, maximizing the use of kitchen waste and the biogas produced.

According to Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, the municipal body plans to partner with interested non-governmental organizations, community members, and residents’ welfare associations to bring this project to fruition.

This initiative is anticipated to decrease reliance on LPG cylinders and lower cooking fuel expenses within schools.

As a trial, the GCC is contemplating the establishment of biogas plants at four cloud kitchens where significant amounts of vegetable and food waste are produced daily. These units will be integrated with composting facilities and biogas systems, designed to be cost-effective and requiring minimal maintenance, as stated by the commissioner.

This plan follows the successful installation of a biogas plant at a Corporation higher secondary school in South Chennai last month. The unit, with a capacity of 75 kg, was set up at a cost of Rs 5.7 lakh, supported by a local residents’ association and a service organization. The school’s kitchen prepares breakfast for approximately 10 Corporation schools. Currently linked to a single stove, the system processes around 15 to 20 kg of food waste daily, generating sufficient gas to cover part of the cooking needs.

The biogas system is projected to save one LPG cylinder every two months. Approximately 250 students on the campus directly benefit from this initiative, and they are also educated about the plant's operations as part of environmental awareness programs.

A similar biogas facility was inaugurated last year at another Corporation school in Adyar, supported by a residents’ association and an environmental group. Staff members reported that this plant helped save seven LPG cylinders over a span of 10 months.

During this timeframe, around 3,200 kg of food and wet waste were diverted from disposal, and the biogas produced was utilized for cooking for nearly 270 hours.

In addition to reducing LPG consumption, biogas plants produce slurry that can be converted into compost. This organic fertilizer can be employed for gardening and small-scale agricultural projects on school premises, fostering a self-sustaining system that harmonizes waste management, energy production, and environmental education.