‘Suryotsava: Nutan Aarambh’ pilot project launched marking milestone in clean cooking

Funded by EKI Energy Services Ltd, the project, for the distribution of ‘Surya Nutan,’ developed and patented by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, aims to provide underprivileged and tribal beneficiaries in rural and semi-urban areas with a sustainable and cost-free solution for clean cooking.

‘Suryotsava: Nutan Aarambh,’ the inaugural event for the pilot project distributing the revolutionary indoor solar cooking device, ‘Surya Nutan,’ has been successfully launched at Kandipura Village in Dhar District of Madhya Pradesh.

Funded by EKI Energy Services Ltd, the project, for the distribution of ‘Surya Nutan,’ developed and patented by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, aims to provide underprivileged and tribal beneficiaries in rural and semi-urban areas with a sustainable and cost-free solution for clean cooking.

The event witnessed the distribution of a substantial number of ‘Surya Nutan’ devices to enthusiastic beneficiaries in Kandipura Village. The technology, developed by IndianOil, combines solar PV with thermal storage and auxiliary support from grid power, ensuring 24×7 cooking solutions. The occasion was graced by several eminent personalities of the region, including Kalu Singh Thakur, MLA Dharampuri constituency.

‘Surya Nutan’ is a stationary, rechargeable, and always kitchen-connected indoor cooking solution capable of cooking a variety of Indian food items involving boiling, steaming, frying, and “roti” making. Suitable for a family of 4 people, ‘Surya Nutan’ offers modularity to fulfill cooking requirements, stores solar energy to overcome intermittent, and is safe in operation with minimal maintenance.

Key Highlights:

• ‘Surya Nutan’ aims to discourage the use of traditional mud stoves or three-stone cookstoves, reducing carbon emissions by 7-8 tons annually.
• This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to green technology transition.
• The launch initiated with EKI distributing a symbolic 25 indoor solar cooking systems to beneficiaries in Kandipura, and aims to take this number to 500 in the village. EKI hopes to touch the lives of a total of 2 million families with this project.
• The technology developed by IndianOil combines solar PV with thermal storage and auxiliary support from grid power, ensuring 24×7 cooking solutions.

Manish Dabkara, Chairman and Managing Director, EKI Energy Services, expressed, “As we embark on the journey of ‘Suryotsav: Nutan Aarambh,’ we envision a future where sustainable energy reaches every corner, transforming lives and safeguarding the environment. This initiative aligns with our commitment to innovation and inclusivity, aiming to provide clean cooking solutions to the underprivileged by channelizing global carbon finance.”

Dr. Umish Srivastava, Executive Director of Research and Development at IOCL, expressed, “After dedicated efforts spanning 4-5 years, the IOCL R&D center has successfully developed an innovative technology integrating solar power with a thermal battery system for indoor use. This groundbreaking system eliminates the use of polluting fuels, significantly improving in-house air quality. Its impact is particularly profound for the health of women and children. Moreover, the technology plays a crucial role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with our commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly solutions.”

Others who were present at the event, included, Priyank Mishra, Dhar District Magistrate, Shashwat Sharma, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Pithampur region, and Osamu Iwamoto, Senior Vice President, Natural Gas and Power Solution, Mitsubhishi Corporation India Pvt Ltd. The guests present there underscored the significance of the project in sustainable development.