Clean Cooking Project
Providing Access to Reliable Power for Cooking through Clean Energy
Every day, hostel kitchens prepare meals that support the education and well-being of students. Behind every meal are cooks who spend long hours working in hot kitchens and the institutions that struggle with rising fuel costs. Access to clean energy can improve everyday life. The Clean Cooking Project was created to help hostels and residential institutions move towards cleaner, safer, and more sustainable cooking practices.
IEEE India Philanthropy works with institutions, technical partners, and communities to demonstrate how clean energy solutions can improve daily operations while creating long-term social and environmental benefits.
Why Clean Cooking?
Creating Change Through Clean Energy
The project combines solar energy generation, battery storage, and induction cooking technology to provide a reliable alternative to LPG-based cooking. By harnessing solar power for daily cooking needs, institutions can:
How the System Works
Instead of LPG, the kitchen draws power from the sun. The setup includes:
The system is tailored to the number of meals prepared each day and the kitchen’s size. Cooking routines remain the same, but the environment changes completely.
Impact at a Glance (In just 6 months)
What Has Changed?
Supporting Climate Action
The project generated over 934 kWh of clean solar energy in a 7-month period and helped avoid approximately 667 kg of carbon emissions. This is equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting around 11 trees.
Building Awareness and Inspiring Communities beyond the kitchen
Built Confidence among cooks to use new Technology
Lower Fuel Consumption and Cost Savings
The hostel has reduced its LPG consumption approximately by one cylinder every month. Over a seven-month period, the project helped save more than ₹7,000 in fuel-related expenses. These savings can support other hostel needs and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the facility.
Better Working Conditions for Cooks
For many kitchen staff, the most visible change has been the kitchen environment itself. Cooking is now carried out with less heat, no open flames, and significantly reduced smoke. This has created a safer and more comfortable workplace for the people who spend hours preparing meals every day.
First Implementation at BCM Hostel 45, Vijayapura
The first Clean Cooking Project was implemented at BCM Pre-Matric Boys Hostel in Vijayapura, where meals are prepared daily for 50 students. The hostel kitchen now uses a solar-powered cooking system that supports daily meal preparation while reducing dependence on LPG. The project demonstrates how a simple act of cooking can reduce environmental impact. The model can be adapted and scaled for more schools, hostels, and institutional kitchens based on their size and energy needs.
Want to be part of the change?
Our Stories of Impact
Initially, even after the training session, I was hesitant to use the induction stove. However, once I started using it, I found it simple, efficient, and suitable for preparing all our regular meals, including fritters. The timer feature allows me to focus on other kitchen tasks while cooking. Unlike LPG stoves, which can produce smoke and discomfort while cooking for long hours, induction cooking is clean and comfortable. I am happy with the experience and would recommend this system to other institutions. – Hostel cook
