Vizhinjam 4.58

Vizhinjam is a natural port located close to international shipping routes in Thiruvananthapuram city in the Indian state of Kerala. Kovalam beach lies from Vizhinjam while the area is known for its Ayurvedic treatment centers and internationally acclaimed beach resorts., the population was 18,566.Seaport developmentVizhinjam International Seaport is an international deepwater multi-purpose shipping hub in its initial stages of development. The total project expenditure is pegged at Rs 6000 crores over three phases and is proposed to be developed on the landlord model with a view to catering to passenger, container and other clean cargo. The Kerala cabinet has decided to award the multi-thousand crore Vizhinjam international port and deep-water container transshipment terminal to Adani Ports and SEZ.Wave energyVizhinjam harbour is the site of a unique demonstration plant that converts energy from waves to electricity using Oscillating Water Columns (OWCs). The electricity generated is then fed into the local grid. A caisson was constructed on the site in December 1990 and two generations of power modules have so far been tested. The plant was first commissioned in October 1991. The physical processes involved in the energy conversion are now much better understood, which has led to a threefold increase in power output from the plant.At present, more than 80% of the cost of the wave energy plant has been in the construction of concrete caissons. Considerable cost savings can be obtained using the concept of multi-functional breakwaters wherein a power module forms an incremental addition to a caisson breakwater. It is proposed to demonstrate the utility of this concept with the design and construction of a breakwater with a number of power modules.