These Women Innovators are Making the Earth a Sustainable Place to Live

By: WE Staff

Climate change and global warming are officially no longer a problem of the future. According to an ongoing India Meteorological Department study, the number of heat wave days has been steadily increasing in India over the last few decades. Since the India Meteorological Department (Met Department or IMD) began keeping records, the month of March this year was the hottest in 122 years. Climate change, increased concretisation, deforestation, and changes in land use are the main causes of this. Mitigation is an immediate concern in the face of high summer temperatures and subsequent heat waves.

“The sooner we realize this, the better for our future generations, because we are trying to rob from them by not using renewable energy sources. We don’t have the right to either choose from them or choose for them. We do not have the authority to make decisions for them. When policies are met with action, we can create change. We are in desperate need of action, no matter how ineffective or partial it may be,” believes Monikha Jha, the founder & CEO of Cydee Technologies, a company which aims at making developing countries safer with their unique lighting concepts which optimizes illumination and helps in 30% energy and 40% monetary savings.

As Monikhapoints out, sustainable energy is the only solution to meet present needs without risking future generations' ability to meet their own. The breadth of technological innovation in renewables over the last decade has been game-changing, making the future appear brighter, and one such breakthrough is that of Monikha.

India is the world's third largest power consumer and third largest renewable energy producer, with renewable energy accounting for 38 percent of installed energy capacity in 2020 (136 GW out of 373 GW).

Her startup, Cydee Technologies Pvt Ltd, aims to improve the lighting infrastructure in public areas in underdeveloped countries. Monikha states "Light brings hope. It brings with it opportunities, self-assurance, and, most importantly, progress. It has become the initial step in a society's development." Cydee's patented lighting concept can help you save 30% on your energy bill and 40% on your money. 5 conventional LED lights can be replaced by 3 Cydee Lights. Instead of 20 meters between poles, Cydee lights can be positioned 35 meters apart. This is owing to the lighting idea of high dispersion. The company plans to drastically reduce CO2 emissions by combining sustainable and hybrid lighting solutions.

India had a renewable energy capacity of 150 GW in November 2021, which included solar (48.55 GW), wind (40.03 GW), small hydro (4.83 GW), bio-mass (10.62 GW), large hydro (46.51 GW), and nuclear (6.78 GW).  By 2030, India plans to have 450 GW of renewable energy capacity.

We hear about significant advancements, game-changing inventions, and tremendous investment and deployment in the sector on a regular basis. From the earth beneath our feet to the clothes off our backs, forward-thinking minds are inventing new and fascinating ways to harvest solar energy.

"I had the chance to come across a solar-operated light with its own mini panel. That was enough for me to spend the rest of my year looking into the solar energy sector of India." This was the beginning that led Vanshika Khandelwal to dive into the aspects of solar energy and eventually find out Delsin Power.

Vanshika recognized an opportunity to install many megawatts of solar power generating systems to the total space of all the rooftops in Delhi at a time when the entire solar sector was focused on the commercial side of the market. "There was a need in the market that I was determined to fill," she recalls.

Delsin Power is a growing entrant in the renewable energy sector that aims to deliver solar energy solutions. Delsin Power vows to carry on its operations with international standards of quality, reliability, and performance. Delsin Electricity, in line with today's cutting-edge technology, has the potential to enable solar power everywhere.

"Delsin Power is a “startup” that allows us to focus all our energy on work, showcasing our enthusiasm and showcasing our love for solar. It is not just a business but a way of life for us. Delsin Power is a venture aimed to provide solar energy solutions throughout the nation. We started small, but with the thirst to grow to the next level.We want to create a legacy, beating all the odds. Illuminating infinities, changing lives one solar panel at a time," says Vanshika.

While renewable energies such as solar are one way to sustainable development, waste generated in a number of ways through which energy is created is also a means of sustainable development. “As we can see how the world is suffering from climate change. There is a need to use sustainable energy. Our company focuses on waste to energy. We are trying to use energy from waste to wealth,” says DebashreePadhi, Founder of DD Bio Solution Technology.

Paddy straws are the waste that the company uses. After paddy cultivation, the straw is burned in the field. DD BIO transforms paddy straw into fuel pallets. Pallet can be used as a fuel in a high-temperature catalytic chamber developed by the company. "Our combustion chamber is smokeless. Due to high temperature, complete combustion takes place, so there is no incomplete burning and hence, there is no carbon monoxide," says Debashree. This product is suitable for both industrial and domestic usage and contains no particulates. This technology helps to make the world a greener place.

India's developing economy, population, and rising living standards have resulted in a constant increase in her need for quality and quantity energy services. As the economy grows, so will the demand for energy. There is a need to encourage, execute, and embrace technologies that enable the development of the sustainable energy sector, given the energy security issue and commitment to a "Low Carbon Growth Strategy."