South-Korean tech giant Samsung has announced that its R&D centre in Bengaluru has switched to solar power for its campus in the IT capital of India.
The campus which houses over 3,000 R&D employees will draw 88% of its power requirement from a solar farm in Kalburgi district in Karnataka, around 500 kilometres away from Bengaluru.
How does it work with the farm 500 kilometers away?
In December 2018, Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru (SRI-B), which is Samsung’s largest R&D centre outside Korea, adopted the green energy solution through a method called ‘energy wheeling’.
The solar farm by Bagmane Green Power LLP based in Kalburgi has a tie-up with SRI-B. Through ‘energy wheeling’, the solar farm adds the required power to the state electricity grid and SRI-B in turn, receives an equal amount of power from the local electricity grid.
This method reduces transmission and distribution losses, thereby making it more energy efficient.
Why solar?
Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru initiated the process of going solar in March 2016 as part of its Go Green Initiative to increase usage of non-conventional energy sources for its campus. This would reduce SRI-B’s reliance on the traditional power grid, making that energy available for other uses.
Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru then began seeking solar power suppliers to partner with, for its electricity requirements. Since December 2018, the R&D centre has drawn 8 lakh units of solar power, instead of depending on energy derived from traditional sources such as coal.
“Our switch to solar power is an embodiment of Samsung values of being a socially and environmentally responsible citizen. Through this initiative we have not only reduced our dependency on conventional sources of energy but we will also have a positive impact on the environment by reducing our carbon footprint and passing on a greener planet to the next generation,” said Dipesh Shah, Managing Director, SRI-B.
SRI-B has conducted various campaigns over the years to promote environment-friendly behavior among its employees. It ran a campaign recently to reduce usage of single-use plastic water bottles in the company. Last year, it ran multiple tree plantation drives as well as multiple events that encouraged employees to reuse and recycle waste items.