NVVN hackathon to find agro pollution solution

A Green Charcoal Hackathon was launched on December 1 in the pursuit of reducing carbon footprint by producing renewable energy out of the agro residue and cleaning the air by eliminating farm fire, thereby increasing the income of the farmers and promoting local entrepreneurship. The hackathon was launched by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and its wholly- owned subsidiary company, NVVN (NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam). Addressing the competitors of the Hackathon, RK Singh, the in-charge union minister of state for Power and New & Renewable Energy, mentioned that the process of converting agro residue to charcoal should not generate any emissions and the cost of machines, and that charcoal production should be economical. The burning of agro residue by local farmers has turned into a major contributor towards the increasing air pollution in the country. Torrefaction is a process via which agro residue can be converted into green charcoal to be used in power plants. This technology is not easily accessible to small entrepreneurs lack of sufficient manufacturers and highest cost of imported machines. As soon as it is developed in India, it will be made accessible for these entrepreneurs. A provision for cash prizes worth Rs 24 lakh has been made to encourage the participants.