Dr. P.S. Chandramohanan Nair, Professor and Chairman, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, is guiding Amrita PhD students in finding new and innovative ways to reduce power losses from the grid.

He estimates that if some of his recommendations are implemented the Kerala State Electricity Board alone can annually save Rs. 315 crores.

Perhaps that is why the Government of Kerala bestowed the Energy Conservation Award on the professor last year.

It was not the first time he received this honor. In 2004 and in 1997 also, he was chosen to receive the same award.

His recent innovations include a tamper-proof energy metering system and a drainage power recovery scheme for distribution transformers. The professor explained the latter in detail.

“Delta-star type distribution transformers are generally used for power distribution. Power losses are high in these transformers due to harmonics. This power loss can be recovered and utilized by an additional winding in the transformers. We can thus improve energy efficiency, power factor and the life of the transformers.”

Dr. Chandramohanan’s student, Ms. Preetha P.K. traveled to Manchester, UK during December 2011 to present this research work at the IEEE International Conference on Innovative Smart Grid Technologies. She added, “The cost required to install this feature can be recovered by saving power lost due to harmonics in less than a year.”

“Harmonics and harmonics related losses in the power grid can also be reduced,” Dr. Chandramohanan further explained. Harmonic losses also occur in motors and this research can find useful applications for improving their efficiencies as well.

Not only is the professor committed to research that solves societal problems, he is also a teacher par excellence. Recently, he received the Prof. K.M. Bahauddin Award for his committment to the profession of teaching.

The award presented by the NIT Calicut Alumni Association carried a prize money of Rs. 1 lakh. The professor donated the prize money so that it can be used for giving scholarships to poor students.

Dr. Chandramohanan obtained his PhD from the Centre for Energy Studies, IIT Delhi. He has authored some 64 research papers, of which nearly 50% were published in international journals.

As former Director of ANERT (Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology), he has gained a lot of experience in the area of energy management.

March 2, 2012
School of Engineering, Amritapuri