Events in 2014

[ 1 ] Industrial visit to Moozhiyar power station

Moozhiyar power station is situated in Pathannamthitta, Kerala. On 13/1/2014 an Industrial Visit was organized by the student branch chapter of IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS). A group of 21 students and 4 faculties were a part of the visit. Sabarigiri (Moozhiyar) power station which is having an installed capacity of 380 MW (4*55 MW + 2*60MW) is the second largest hydroelectric generating station in Kerala. The generating station was commissioned in 1966 and renovated in 2009.

[ 2 ] Award Function and Technical Talk

The second venture of IEEE IAS SBC was “Award Function and Technical Talk” scheduled on 23/01/2014. Mr. Blake Lloyd, President IEEE Industry Applications Society and Dr. Peter Magyar, Fellow IEEE, IEEE IAS Chapters and Membership Development Chair were the chief guests for the event. Mr. Murali Krishnan, former chairperson was honored with the “Outstanding Contributions Award” for the exemplary service to the IAS activities of our chapter in the year 2012-‘13, by Mr. Blake Lloyd. Mr Kiran P, former member was honored with the “Academic Excellence Award” by Dr. Peter Magyar, for scoring highest marks among the IAS members in the academic year 2012-‘13. Prize for the winners of “Yauktika” and “Samazya” (contests conducted during 1st Anniversary celebration of IAS SBC) were also distributed. This was followed by the talk on “IAS Benefits and Opportunities” by Dr. Peter Magyar. The morning session ended with the Technical Talk on “Effects of Modern Variable Speed Drives on Motor Winding Insulation” by Mr. Blake Lloyd, President IAS.

After lunch, a boating trip was organized for the IAS members with Mr. Blake Lloyd and Dr. Peter Magyar in the beautiful back waters of Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam. This trip was a new experience and a great opportunity for all the members to interact with guests.

[3] Workshop on Energy Efficient Machines

As part of Vidyut ’14, National Level Multi Fest of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, IEEE Student Branch in association with Industry Applications Society conducted a two day workshop on “Energy Efficient Machines” on 30th and 31st Jan, 2014. The sessions were handled by Engineers Ms. Uma S., Mr. Prabhu, and Mr. Muthu Murugan from VI Microsystems, Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. Around 102 students from different branches of Engineering participated for the workshop.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. P. S. Chandramohanan Nair, Chairman, Electrical and Electronics Engineering  Dept. of Amrita School of Engineering, Amritapuri, and Dr. P. Kanakasabapathy, Vice Chairman, , Electrical and Electronics Engineering  Dept. of Amrita School of Engineering Dept., ASE Kollam. The sessions commenced after the inaugural function.

On 30th Jan introduction to drive technology, its importance and classifications, types of motors, power converters in drives, and drives for dc and ac motors were discussed. Afternoon session dealt with the energy efficient machine BLDC, its construction and working principle. Demo was also shown.

The second day topics were control techniques, DSPIC and working with demo kits – downloading programs, and programming.

[4] Girl’s day celebration

As a part of the Girl’s day celebration at KMEA Engineering College, Ernakulam,  Miss Preethy V. Warrier, Secretary, Women  In Engineering, (Vice Chair – IAS AVV SBC)  was invited as a guest to deliver a talk. She addressed the gathering on the benefits of IEEE Women in Engineering (WiE), carrier opportunities for the students, the various awards and recognition given by WiE and WiE Student-Teacher and Research (STAR) program. She replied to many queries put forward by the IEEE Student Members and provided various suggestions on how they can better their activities inside and outside.

[5]IAS  AVV SBC General Body Meeting – March’14

We, SBC of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham had our General Body meeting of this month on 13th  March’14. The meeting commenced at 4.40pm with agenda of welcoming new members and sharing milestones of our SBC. Also we had a discussion on upcoming events. Meeting started when our Advisor of SBC, Mr. Srikanth V (Asst.Professor, EEE Dept.) addressed the gathering and continued with an introduction to IAS SBC and minutes of last meeting by ViceChair of SBC, Ms. Preethy V Warrier. She gave a brief idea about the annual activites and introduced current Executive Committee to the new members. Also she gave speech on achievements of AVV SBC till date. It encouraged the new members immensely that they asked about our upcoming events. Then Mr. Aneesh Rajeev (Web master) and Mr. Aneesh S gave an idea about future plans of our SBC. Mr. Aneesh S gave a briefing on activity planned for this month, March. It includes Public Awareness programme on “Energy Auditing for Conservation Drive” at a nearby village in collaboration with EMC (Energy Management Centre) and KSEB (Kerala State Electricity Board) to be carried out in last week of March. Our Advisor, Mr. Srikanth V gave clarification on the views and purpose of SBC and its activities. Followed by Vote of Thanks by Mr. Athul M V, Newsletter Editor of SBC. Meeting dispersed at 5.30pm and planned to meet on 2nd Wednesday of every month.

[6]Energy Awareness Campaign-One day training session

 Our IAS SBC of AVV scored on more milestone on 3rd April’14. A one-day workshop on ‘Energy Awareness and Auditing’ was hosted by IAS SBC in association with PES SBC of AVV, IEEE Educational Activities Board and IEEE Kerala Section. The Workshop was taken by Energy Technologists from Energy Management Centre (EMC), Govt. of Kerala. The Event comprised of forenoon session with a presentation on Energy status in Kerala and methods to save energy at the end user level. Afternoon session focused on training volunteers in Energy auditing for our upcoming event, Energy Conservation Drive at Kadambanad village

[7]Energy Awareness Campaign- Onsite

As a part of our regular activities, IEEE IAS SB chapter conducted an Energy Awareness and Auditing Campaign at a nearby village – Kadambanad which is located in Adoor Thaluk.  The event was planned in association with PES SBC of AVV, IE/IA/PELS Joint Chapter Kerala Section, IEEE Educational Activities Board, EMC-Kerala and IEEE Kerala Section. The agenda of the campaign was to create an awareness among villagers about the importance of energy saving and energy saving devices. The campaign was inaugurated by the Sri. Chittayam Gopakumar, Hon’ble. Adoor MLA. Many dignitaries’ form the Adoor Thaluk and KSEB were present for the inaugural function.

[8]Humanitarian Project Nilambur Tribal Colony  – Phase II

 Vettilakolli is a tribal colony situated in Nilambur, Malappuram District, in the midst of dense forest. One can only travel by a four wheel drive, that too to some extent and the rest has to be on foot. Wild elephants are found here a plenty. About 65 people from 24 families reside in 15 houses in this colony. During monsoon the life here takes a toll on these people. These people prefer to remain within the forest cut off from rest of the world. No proper clothing, unhealthy food habits, alcohol consumption are the major observations. Phase II of this project was carried out by a team of 6 members of IAS SBC AVV who visited the colony on 11th of June 2014. 

As a kick start for the installation of solar panels for the street lighting, we analyzed the terrain and distribution of houses in the colony. A sketch of the location was made. 65 people reside in 15 houses, with a cluster of maximum three. Six solar panels would suffice the lighting of streets, except at one location where the sunlight is not ample enough to generate electricity. A total of 1 high mast panel and 5 short panels can serve the purpose