Increased demand of energy has created the need to search other alternatives. Fortunately India is blessed with abundance of Renewable Energy Resources like Solar energy, Wind energy, Ocean energy etc. Inspite of this, lack of awareness has hindered the wide spread use of the Renewable Energy Resources. In order to create awareness about New & Renewable Sources of Energy, it’s various systems and devices among the Engineering College Students, Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) through Renewable Energy Agency of Pondicherry (REAP) has set up “Renewable Energy Club” in Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology, Pondicherry. This club member with the awareness of Renewable Energy can in turn become brand ambassador for propagating and promoting the use of Renewable Energy Sources among the Public at large.
Renewable Energy Club Inauguration
     Renewable Energy Club (REC) was formed on 08/08/2006 with Dr. A. Venkatraman, Principal as its President, Shri. V. Baskaran, Administrator as Vice President and Mr. A. Srinivassan, Sr. Lecturer in Chemistry as its Co-ordinator with 12 Staff members and 120 Student members of various disciplines.
     The club was inaugurated by Tmt. D. Selvi, Project Director, REAP on 10/08/2006. In her address she has highlighted the importance of such club and the Government initiative to propagate the awareness about Renewable Energy. During the inauguration, Jetropha plant samplings were planted in the college campus by the club members to create awareness about Biofuels.
Renewable Energy Day Celebration
     Renewable Energy Day was celebrated in the college on 19/08/2006 in commemoration of Birth Anniversary of our Late Prime Minister Shri. Rajiv Gandhi. A Symposium was organized on that day which was inaugurated by Shri. P. Mukundan, Chairman, Rural Energy Division, ENFUSE, Chennai. In his inaugural address he outlined the importance of carrying the message of Renewable Energy Sources to the rural areas.
     In the symposium, Prof. I. Vijayakrishna Rapakka, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Pondicherry Engineering College has presented a lecture on “Ocean Energy”. Mr. L. Ramachandran, Lecturer, Dept. of Mechanical Engg., Mr. A.P. Sivachandar, Lecturer, Dept. of EEE and Ms. D. Vennila, Lecturer, Dept. of Civil, of RGCET have presented their Research papers on Renewable Energy. About 18 papers were presented by students from different departments on various themes of Renewable Energy. More number of students took part actively in various events like Essay writing, Elocution, Painting and Quiz during the Symposium.
     Twenty Five club members participated in the Rally on 20/08/2006 on Renewable Energy Day celebration organized by REAP.
Vision of the Renewable Energy Club
     To create awareness about New and Renewable Energy Sources among students and staff and inculcate the habit of energy conservation among the Indian Public.