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Renewable Energy development programme has emerged as a viable option to achieve the goal of sustainable development. Power generation from renewable energy sources has assumed significance in the context of environmental hazards posed by the excessive use of fossil fuels.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has called upon planners, scientists and engineers to work for achieving the goal set in the Government’s Common Minimum Programme to electrify all villages in the next 5 years.
Currently, renewable energy contributes about 5000 MW, representing almost 4.5 per cent of the total installed generating capacity from all sources. Of this, wind power alone accounts for 2483 MW, while biomass power accounts for 613 MW and small hydros, 1603 MW. Biogas and solar lighting have reached 3.5 million and one million households respectively.
An additional 4000 MW of power from renewable sources is to be added during the Tenth Five Year Plan period (2000-07). Further, the country has set a goal of elevating the share of renewable energy sources in power generation to 10 per cent by 2012. In addition, electrification of all remote villages through renewable energy by 2007 and all households in such villages by 2012 have been planned.
Today, the country has the largest decentralized solar energy programme, the second largest biogas and improved stove programmes and the fifth largest wind energy programme in the world. A substantial manufacturing base has been created in a variety of renewable energy technologies placing India in a position to export technologies as well as offer technical expertise to other countries.
Wind Power
Among the renewable energy sources, wind power has attracted great attention globally due to its techno-commercial viability and environment-friendly nature. Therefore, it is popularly known as ‘Green Power’. The special features of wind energy that make it attractive are zero cost fuels, low gestation period, quicker benefits and usefulness for sustainable economic development.
With an installed capacity of 2,483 MW as on March 31, 2004, India is now the fifth largest wind power producing nation in the world after Germany, USA, Spain and Denmark, Today, India has earned recognition as a new Wind Super Power.
One of the largest renewable energy sources in the country, the gross wind energy potential is estimated at 45,000 MW.
The capital cost of wind energy projects in the country ranges from Rs. 4 crore to Rs. 4.5 crore per MW. The cost of power generation is estimated to be Rs. 2 to Rs. 2.50 per KWh, depending on the site. The cost per unit of power comes down to 50 KWh, five years after the project commissioning due to the cost of fuel being nil.
Thereafter, for the next 15 years, it would stay at this level, as the only recurring cost would be on the operations and maintenance of the plant. Therefore, wind harvested power is both cheaper and reliable than other conventional sources of power.
States with high wind power potential are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Many Indian Companies have tied-up with foreign and turbine companies for joint venture or licenced production of wind generators.
Biogas
Biogas which contains about 55 per cent to 70 per cent inflammable methane gas, is a clean and efficient fuel for rural areas. It is produced when organic materials, such as, cattle dung and leafy biomass are decomposed in the absence of oxygen. It is used as cooking and lighting fuel in specially designed stoves and lamps respectively. It can also be used for replacing diesel oil in duel-fuel engines for generation of motive power and electricity.
The National Project on Biogas Development (NPBD) seeks to provide clean and convenient fuel for cooking and lighting purposes in rural area. Some 36.5 lakh biogas plants have been installed till March 31, 2004, which is over one-fourth of the estimated potential of 12 million plants in the country.
Improved Chulhas
Energy-efficient wood-burning cook-stoves, popularly called improved Chulhas are scientifically designed for optimal regulation of heat and better fuel utilization. The National Programme on Improved Chulhas (NPIC) was initiated in 1986-87 for fuel wood conservation and elimination/reduction of smoke in the kitchen. Some 350 lakh improved Chulhas have been promoted till March 31, 2004.
More than 30 models of fixed and portable improved Chulhas are now available for family, community and commercial applications.
Small Hydros
The focus of the Small Hydro Power (SHP) programme is on promoting commercialization and active private sector participation. It has a database of over 4000 potential sites with a total capacity of 10,071 MW for projects upto 25 MW.
So far, around 500 small hydro-electric projects (upto 25 MW) capacity each with a total capacity of 1603 MW have been installed. Besides these 158 projects with a total capacity of 454 MW are under various stages of implementation. These projects are spread throughout the country in hilly regions as well as on canal drops.
Biomass Power
Currently, biomass contributes 15 per cent of the total energy supply worldwide and 40 per cent of this energy is consumed in developing countries, mostly in the rural and traditional sectors of the economy. The various applications of biomass energy include thermal or heat, mechanical water pumping for irrigation and power generation including village electrification.
Fuel wood (200-300 million tons), animal waste (80-100 million tons) and crop residues (100-120 million tons) annually are consumed as the main biomass fuels. The Prime power generation technologies using biomass are Gasification, Cogeneration and Direct Combustion. Official estimates reveal that with an investment of Rs. 20 lakh, the energy needs of 100 households of a village can be fully met. The Government is planning a programme that would cover around 25,000 remote village and 1,75,000 forest fringe villages. Utilization of available biomass resource and its production through the plantation of fast growing tree species along with oil-bearing trees, raised by the local community, would form the basis of the programme.
The programme would generate employment opportunities for at least 25 persons per village. The programme objectives are in line with those of the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government for creating new jobs in rural areas.
Solar Energy
Solar energy utilization through thermal and photovoltaics routes has been growing over the last two decades. Today India has the largest decentralized solar energy programme in the world.
Solar photovoltaics systems (SPV) have found applications in house holds, agriculture, telecommunications, defence and railways. About 151 MW stand alone SPV system have been installed including export of 75 MW capacity system.
The country has a strong manufacturing base for solar cells modules and systems. It can provide consultancy services in the setting up of manufacturing units and projects in rural electrification, water pumping, SPV power plant, refrigeration training, testing and evaluation.
Covering all key aspects, a comprehensive renewable energy policy has been formulated by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources. Indian renewable energy programmes, however, need more thrust at this stage. This can be achieved only through the support of the Central and State governments. Renewable energy needs to be categorized and declared as a priority sector as being done in some European countries. The country needs a Green Power Policy by taking into consideration the benefits to both new investors and those who have already invested in renewable energy projects.
*Freelance Writer
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