Renewable Energy Resources

What are renewable resources?

Renewable resources are the natural resources with their ability that once used they can be replaced by some natural process within a certain period of time. They constitute our natural environment and form our ecosystem. Any natural resource can qualify as a renewable resource if its quantity can be increased over a period of time.

Types of renewable resources:

1. Solar power: It is the technology used to obtain solar energy in the form of light. Solar energy is used in various applications such as heat (geysers, cooking), generation of electricity, desalination of sea water. 2. Wind power: It is the conversion of wind energy into more useful forms. Most of the wind power is generated in the form of electricity by converting the rotation of turbine blades into electrical current by means of an electrical generator. 3. Hydropower: It is the energy conversion of moving water in other useful forms. It is used in various areas such as irrigation, sawmills but the most important is generation of electricity as its a very cheap process. 4. Biomass: It is a biological material from living organisms. It is carbon, hydrogen and oxygen based. Biomass energy is derived from five distinct energy sources: garbage, wood, waste, landfill gases, and alcohol fuels. It can be used to generate electricity and make industrial products such as fibre or industrial chemical such as biofuel.

Solar power

Solar Land Area

Resources used by different countries

Wind farm

What is the need of renewable resources?

In todays world the major sources of energy are non renewable resources of energy. These are polluting, and being depleted at a very fast rate these days. The following shows the usage of non renewable resources by the most developed country in the world.

Reasons behind the need of renewable resources

1. Industrial revolution: The 20th century saw a rapid twentyfold increase in the use of fossil fuels-first coal, then oil and gas. Many new products are launched and used. Due to the excessive use of energy produced by fossil fuels they are depleting at a very faster rate. According to the U.S energy information administrations breakdown of total energy consumption of 2004, fossil fuels supplied 86 percent of the worlds energy. 2. Global population: The population is increased over a period of time and analytically it will go up in future. The reason behind this is that death rates are controlled massively by new technologies in medication. Then more population will need energy resources which cannot be satisfied using current resources.

3. Environment degradation: Excessive use of coal, petroleum and natural gases are degrading our environment. It is polluting the environment giving rise to new diseases which can be very harmful. Humans are pouring carbon dioxide into the atmosphere much faster than plants. 4. Global Warming: Burning of fossil fuels creates another problem known as Global Warming. Some examples of global warming are as follows: a) According to NASA, average temperature has climbed by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. b) The rate of warming is increasing and the last 2 decades of twentieth century are considered to be hottest. c) Arctic ice is rapidly disappearing and the region may have its first ice free summer by 2040 or earlier. Polar bears and other indigenous cultures are already suffering from ice loss. d) Glaciers and mountain snows are rapidly melting. For example, Montanas glacier National park now has only 27 glaciers versus 150 in 1910. 5. Price rise of resources: Due to the excessive use of fossil fuels their price is increasing rapidly. According to the Hotelling Rule, quoting from Khanna In a competitive market where there are a large number of sellers, and each seller can sell any quantity at the going market price, each resource owner would be faced with the same options and would follow the same logic. The result is that in this market the quantity extracted will be such that resource price will rise at exactly [the interest rate] r per cent per year.... If it were to rise slower, resource owners would begin to sell off current stocks and the current market price would fall. If the resource price were to increase at a rate faster than r per cent per year, all owners of the resource would hold on to their stock, decreasing the current supply in the market, thereby inducing the current market price to rise. The equilibrium price trajectory for a non-renewable resource would, therefore, be rising exponentially as shown in Figure.

KYOTO PROTOCOL
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions .These amount to an

average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012. The major distinction between the Protocol and the Convention is that while the Convention encouraged industrialized countries to stabilize GHG emissions, the Protocol commits them to do so.

Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity, the Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The major distinction between the Protocol and the Convention is that while the Convention encouraged industrialized countries to stabilize GHG emissions, the Protocol commits them to do so. Under the Protocol, countries actual emissions have to be monitored and precise records have to be kept of the trades carried out.

The Kyoto mechanisms

Under the Treaty, countries must meet their targets primarily through national measures. However, the Kyoto Protocol offers them an additional means of meeting their targets by way of three market-based mechanisms. The Kyoto mechanisms are:

Emissions trading known as the carbon market" Emissions trading, as set out in Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol, allows countries that have emission units to spare - emissions permitted them but not "used" - to sell this excess capacity to countries that are over their targets. Clean development mechanism (CDM) Joint implementation (JI). The mechanism known as joint implementation, defined in Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol, allows a country with an emission reduction or limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to earn emission reduction units (ERUs) from an emission-reduction or emission removal project in another Annex B Party, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting its Kyoto target.

The mechanisms help stimulate green investment and help Parties meet their emission targets in a cost-effective way.

Clean Development Mechanism

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), provided for under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol, enables developing countries to participate in joint greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation projects. Under this Protocol, Annex I countries (developed countries and economies in transition) are required to reduce GHG emissions to below their 1990 levels. The CDM enables these countries to meet their reduction commitments in a flexible and cost-effective manner. It allows public or private sector entities in Annex I countries to invest in GHG mitigation projects in developing countries. In return the investing parties receive credits or certified emission reductions (CERs) which they can use to meet their targets under the Kyoto Protocol.

While investors profit from CDM projects by obtaining reductions at costs lower than in their own countries, the gains to the developing country host parties are in the form of finance, technology, and sustainable development benefits. The basic rules for the functioning of the CDM were agreed on at the seventh Conference of Parties (COP-7) to the UNFCCC held in Marrakesh, Morocco in October-November 2001. Projects starting in the year 2000 are eligible to earn CERs if they lead to "real, measurable, and long-term" GHG reductions, which are additional to any that would occur in the absence of the CDM project. This includes afforestation and reforestation projects, which lead to the sequestration of carbon dioxide.

At COP-7, it was decided that the following types of projects would qualify for fast-track approval procedures: Renewable energy projects with output capacity up to 15 MW Energy efficiency improvement projects which reduce energy consumption on the supply and/or demand side by up to 15 GWh annually Other project activities that both reduce emissions by sources and directly emit less than 15 kt CO2 equivalent annually. The CDM will be supervised by an executive board, and a share of the proceeds from project activities will be used to assist developing countries in meeting the costs of adaptation to climate change.

INDIA AND UNFCCC

India signed the UNFCCC on 10 June 1992 and ratified it on 1 November 1993. Under the UNFCCC, developing countries such as India do not have binding GHG mitigation commitments in recognition of their small contribution to the greenhouse problem as well as low financial and technical capacities.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodal agency for climate change issues in India. It has constituted Working Groups on the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. Work is currently in progress on India's initial National Communication (NATCOM) to the UNFCCC.

The Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC was adopted in 1997 and requires developed countries and economies in transition listed in Annex B of the Protocol, to reduce their GHG emissions by an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels. Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol provides for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). India acceded to the Kyoto Protocol on 26 August 2002. The following are key elements of the Indian stand on the CDM :1. The use of flexible mechanisms to meet commitments should be supplemental to domestic effort and an upper limit to their use should be defined. 2. Sinks should not be included in the CDM. 3. Criteria for CDM projects a) Host country to be sole judge of the national sustainable development criteria. b) The project activity shall promote transfer of technology. c) Capacity building should be incorporated in all CDM projects. d) Baselines will be defined on a project-to-project basis. e) Funding for project activity shall be additional to ODA (official development assistance), GEF (global environment facility), and other financial commitments of developed country Parties. 4. The share of proceeds from certified project activities shall be a stipulated percentage of the differentials of the costs incurred by the developed country party in reducing GHG through a project activity in a developing country and of the project costs that would have been incurred had the GHG reduction activity taken place in the developed country funding the project. 5. The terms and conditions for sharing CERs (certified emissions reductions) and funding will be mutually agreed upon by the developed and developing country Parties. 6. The operational entities to certify emission reductions shall be designated by the COP/MOP (conference of parties to the Convention serving as the meeting of parties to the Protocol). 7. A national system of monitoring, verifying and reporting under the CDM shall be established.

INDIAs INITIATIVES
Renewable energy sector growth in India during the last four years has been significant, even for electricity generation from renewable sources. The grid connected systems with installed capacities in the MW range indicate a growth of 96% for wind power, 26% in small hydro, 234% for biomass/co-generation power and 200% for solar photovoltaic power. Even for the decentralized systems, the growth for solar home lighting systems has been 300%, solar lanterns 99% and solar photovoltaic water pumps 196%. This is a phenomenal growth in the renewable energy sector mainly for applications that were considered to be supplied only through major electricity utilities. Renewable energy systems are also being looked upon as a major application for electrification of 20,000 remote and unelectrified villages and hamlets by 2007 and all households in such villages and hamlets by 2012. India has undertaken numerous response measures that are contributing to the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). India's development plans balance economic development and environmental concerns. The planning process is guided by the principles of sustainable development. Reforms in the energy and power sector have accelerated economic growth and enhance the efficiency of energy use. These have been complemented by notable initiatives taken by the private sector.

PROJECTS
The section features a compilation of Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ) and climate change related Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects in India. For each AIJ project, information is provided on project name, type, investor, project details and contact information. For each GEF project, information is provided on project name, implementing agency, project details, and contact information. AIJ projects GEF projects AIJ projects The UNFCCC allows Annex I Parties to implement policies and measures jointly with other Parties to help them stabilize their emissions at 1990 levels. At the first COP, a 'pilot phase of activities implemented jointly' (AIJ) was launched, under which, Parties may implement projects on a voluntary basis that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or enhance removals of greenhouse gases by 'sinks', in addition to what would have occurred otherwise, in the territories of other Parties. However, no credits may accrue to any Party for such reductions or removals. The pilot phase is intended to build experience through 'learning by doing', for example in establishing baselines and estimating the environmental benefits of the project. DESI Power: biomass gasification Hybrid renewable energy project in Rajasthan Integrated Agricultural Demand Side Management with the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Board GEF projects The Global Environment Facility (GEF) helps developing countries fund sustainable development projects that also protect the global environment. Established in 1991, GEF focuses on six planet-wide concerns: biodiversity loss, climate change, international waters, ozone layer depletion, land degradation, and persistent organic pollutants. GEF brings together 166 member governments, leading development institutions, the scientific community, and a wide spectrum of private sector and non-governmental organizations on behalf of a common global environmental agenda. Alternate energy Biomass energy for rural India Coal-bed methane recovery and commercial utilization Development of high-rate biomethanation processes as means of reducing GHG emissions Enabling Activities for the Preparation of India's Initial National Communication to the UNFCCC Energy efficiency Fuel cell bus development in India Optimizing development of small hydel resources in hilly regions Selected options for stabilizing GHG emissions for sustainable development Solar thermal-electric

Sources of renewable energy available in India: What renewable energies are in the Indian market?

S.No.

Programmes

Potential

Utilization As on 12.10.99 As on 12.10.03 Growth during the last four years (%)

A. GRID CONNECTED SYSTEMS 1 2 3 4 5 Wind Power (in MW) Small Hydro Power (in MW) 45,000 15,000 1022 1218 171 2 1 2414 2002 1530 571 26 3 4132 96 26 234 1200 200 71

Biomass/Cogeneration Power (in MW) 19,500 Urban and Industrial Waste Power (in MW) 2,500 Solar Photovoltaic Power (in MW) 20

TOTAL B. DECENTRALIZED SYSTEMS 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Biogas Plants (Nos. in million) Community/Institutional/Night-Soil based Biogas Plants (Nos) Improved wood stoves (Nos in million) Solar Home Lighting Systems (Nos.) Solar Street Lighting Systems (Nos.) Solar Lanterns (Nos. in million) SPV Pumps (Nos.) Solar Water Heating Systems (lakh sq meter collector area) 140 12.0 120

2.88 2,673 25 64,000 32,920 2,.22,000 2,160 0.57

3.55 3,902 35 2,60,000 43,470 4,42.000 6,400 0.7

24 46 40 300 32 99 196 22

a) Hydro power In India, small hydro is the most utilized renewable energy source for energy production. Some key figures concerning small hydro in India: It takes less than 25 MW in the small hydro designation There is a potential of 15,000 MW Installed is 1,520 MW to date 4,096 potential sites have been identified b) Wind Energy India is surpassed only by Germany as one of the world's fastest growing markets for wind energy. By the mid 1990s, the subcontinent was installing more wind generating capacity than North America, Denmark, Britain, and the Netherlands. The ten machines near Okha in the province of Gujarat were some of the first wind turbines installed in India. These 15-meter Vestas wind turbines overlook the Arabian Sea. Now, in 2006, there is an installed capacity of 4,430 MW; however, ten times that potential, or 46,092 MW, exists. (see page 12)

Wind Energy in India

c) Solar energy Photovoltaic systems based on solar energy have been put to a variety of uses in rural electrification, railway signalling, microwave repeaters, power to border outposts and TV transmission and reception. Grid-connected PV power plants with an aggregate capacity of 1900 kWp have been set up for demand-side management or tail-end voltage support. A 140 MW integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) plant is being set up based on solar thermal technology and liquified natural gas. Solar lanterns, home- and street-lighting systems, stand-alone power plants, and pumping systems are being promoted. So far, 9,20,000 SPV systems with an aggregate capacity of 82 MWp have been installed in the country.

d) Biomass energy India is very rich in biomass. It has a potential of 19,500 MW (3,500 MW from bagasse-based cogeneration and 16,000 MW from surplus biomass). Currently, India has 537 MW commissioned and 536 MW under construction. The facts reinforce the idea of a commitment by India to develop these resources of power production. The potential available and the installed capacities for Biomass and Bagasse Source Biomass Potential 16,000 MW Installed 222 MW

Bagasse (Cogeneration) in existing 3,500 MW sugar mills

332 MW

The position of India in the world potential renewable energy

Major Achievements of India

Indias major achievements renewable energy development can be summarized as follows: Over 4200 MW grid power from wind, small hydro, biomass and solar energy. 7 lakh sq.meter collector area solar water heating systems installed. Largest solarsteam cooking system for 15,000 persons/day set up at Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam. 3.5 million biogas plants installed for cooking and lighting applications. 35 million improved wood stoves in rural homes. Integrated Rural Energy Programme Implemented in 860 blocks Demonstration of the use of ethanol, bio-diesel and hydrogen for vehicles and stationary applications. Zero emission vehicles including two, three and four wheelers and passenger buses being promoted under research and development and demonstration programmes. Fuel cell vehicle developed and demonstrated for the first time outside the USA, the European Union and Japan. Bangalore declared solar thermal city with Thane in Mumbai to follow soon. 30 MW capacity Solar Photovoltaic products exported to various developed and developing countries. Constitution of Hydrogen Energy Board for drawing up and implementing the National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap. 280 Energy Parks set-up in educational institutions for demonstration of renewable energy systems and devices Rs.25,000 million direct subsidy given so far to beneficiaries/users of renewable energy systems and devices, including subsidy for grid connected renewable power projects. Rs. 32,000 million loan provided so far by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited for 1600 renewable energy project.

What is Energy efficiency?

Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal of efforts to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature. Installing fluorescent lights or natural skylights reduces the amount of energy required to attain the same level of illumination compared to using traditional incandescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights use two-thirds less energy and may last 6 to 10 times longer than incandescent lights. Improvements in energy efficiency are most often achieved by adopting a more efficient technology or production process.

Why do we need to improve Energy Efficiency?

There are various motivations to improve energy efficiency. Reducing energy use reduces energy costs and may result in a financial cost saving to consumers if the energy savings offset any additional costs of implementing an energy efficient technology. Reducing energy use is also seen as a key solution to the problem of reducing emissions. According to the International Energy Agency, improved energy efficiency in buildings, industrial processes and transportation could reduce the world's energy needs in 2050 by one third, and help control global emissions of greenhouse gases.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy are said to be the twin pillars of sustainable energy policy. In many countries energy efficiency is also seen to have a national security benefit because it can be used to reduce the level of energy imports from foreign countries and may slow down the rate at which domestic energy resources are depleted. Making homes, vehicles, and businesses more energy efficient is seen as a largely untapped solution to addressing the problems of pollution, global warming, energy security, and fossil fuel depletion. Many of these ideas have been discussed for years, since the 1973 oil crisis brought energy issues to the forefront. In the late 1970s, physicist Amory Lovins popularized the notion of a "soft energy path", with a strong focus on energy efficiency. Among other things, Lovins popularized the notion of megawatts the idea of meeting energy needs by increasing efficiency instead of increasing energy production. Energy efficiency has proved to be a cost-effective strategy for building economies without necessarily growing energy consumption. For example, the state of California began implementing energy-efficiency measures in the mid-1970s, including building code and appliance standards with strict efficiency requirements. During the following years, California's energy consumption has remained approximately flat on a per capita basis while national U.S. consumption doubled. As part of its strategy, California implemented a "loading order" for new energy resources that puts energy efficiency first, renewable electricity supplies second, and new fossil-fired power plants last. The impact of energy efficiency on peak demand depends on when the appliance is used. For example, an air conditioner uses more energy during the afternoon when it is hot. Therefore, an energy efficient air conditioner will have a larger impact on peak demand than off-peak demand. An energy efficient dishwasher, on the other hand, uses more energy during the late evening when people do their dishes. This appliance may have little to no impact on peak demand.

Which are the concerned fields and what consequence does energy efficiency have on them?
1) BUILDING DESIGN Effective energy-efficient building design can include the use of low cost Passive Infra Reds (PIRs) to switch-off lighting when areas are unoccupied such as toilets, corridors or even office areas out-ofhours. In addition, lux levels can be monitored using daylight sensors linked to the building's lighting scheme to switch on/off or dim the lighting to pre-defined levels to take into account the natural light and thus reduce consumption. Building Management Systems (BMS) link all of this together in one centralised computer to control the whole building's lighting and power requirements. - Energy Efficiency in Government Buildings Bureau of Energy Efficiency has undertaken Energy audit studies in 8 Government buildings to set up an example for private buildings to pursue similar efforts. The buildings included - Rashtrapati Bhawan, Prime Ministers Office and Defence Ministry blocks in South Block, Rail Bhawan, Sanchar Bhawan Shakti Bhawan, Transport Bhawan, R&R Hospital, Terminal I, Terminal II and Cargo Sections of Delhi Airport, and AIIMS. Energy savings potential between 23 to 46 % has been identified in the above buildings. Energy audit study has been implemented in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Implementation work in PMO, Sharam Shakti Bhawan is underway.

2) INDUSTRIES Various industries generate steam and electricity for subsequent use within their facilities. When electricity is generated, the heat that is produced as a by-product can be captured and used for process steam, heating or other industrial purposes. Conventional electricity generation is about 30 percent efficient, whereas combined heat and power (also called co-generation) converts up to 90 percent of the fuel into usable energy. Advanced boilers and furnaces can operate at higher temperatures while burning less fuel. These technologies are more efficient and produce fewer pollutants. Over 45 percent of the fuel used by US manufacturers is burnt to make steam. The typical industrial facility can reduce this energy usage 20 percent (according to the US Department of Energy) by insulating steam and condensate return lines, stopping steam leakage, and maintaining steam traps. Electric motors usually run at a constant speed, but a variable speed drive allows the motors energy output to match the required load. This achieves energy savings ranging from 3 to 60 percent, depending on how the motor is used. Motor coils made of superconducting materials can also reduce energy losses. Motors may also benefit from voltage optimisation. Industry uses a large number of pumps and compressors of all shapes and sizes and in a wide variety of applications. The efficiency of pumps and compressors depends on many factors but often improvements can be made by implementing better process control and better maintenance practices. - Energy Efficiency in Indian Industry Industry is the major energy consumer utilising about 50% of the total commercial energy use in India. The six key industries namely aluminium ,cement ,fertilizers, pulp& paper, petrochemicals and steel consumes about 65% of the total energy use in India. The energy intensity in some of these industries is reported to be higher than the industries in developed countries. One of the main reasons for higher energy use is the presence of obsolete and energy inefficient processes in some of these sectors. To promote adoption of energy efficient processes, they are identified as designated consumers under Schedule to the Energy Conservation Act. By complying with various provisions of EC Act, as applicable to designated consumers- namely meeting specific energy consumption norms, conduct of regular energy audits and implementation of techno economic viable recommendations and establishment of energy management system through appointment of certified energy manager -is expected to boost adoption of energy efficient processes and technologies 3) VEHICLES The estimated energy efficiency for an automobile is 280 Passenger-Mile/106 Btu. There are several ways to enhance a vehicle's energy efficiency. Using improved aerodynamics to minimize drag can increase vehicle fuel efficiency. Reducing vehicle weight can also improve fuel economy, which is why composite materials are widely used in car bodies. More advanced tires, with decreased tire to road friction and rolling resistance, can save gasoline. Fuel economy can be improved by up to 3.3% by keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve cars fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent on older vehicles. On newer vehicles (1980s and up) with fuelinjected, computer-controlled engines, a clogged air filter has no effect on mpg but replacing it may improve acceleration by 6-11 percent.

Innovative Energy Management Solutions

Energy management solutions can be broadly classified into demand side and supply side management. While the former deals with making specific changes in energy consumption patterns to reduce power cost without affecting the existing output levels, the latter involves cost-effective and reliable supply of power. The choice of innovative energy management systems in the industries that work best for an enterprise to reduce its power bills and optimize its profit margin are highly specific to the particular firm or production unit. In service and manufacturing sector, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, electric motors Overall, the objective of the energy management program is to identify and study the potential areas and to carry out analysis with measured data in order to evaluate the energy cost savings potential and the investment required to implement the innovative energy management solutions. With today's technologies your businesses has the scope to cut their energy consumption by up to 40% which can translate into a 10% reduction in overall operating costs and proportionate increase in the profit margin! In India, many early adopters of Energy Monitoring and Management Systems (EM&MS) in both manufacturing and service sectors through the providers of energy management services, have seen results in the form of considerable reduction in electricity costs that seem to suggest that the payback period for availing such services is actually in weeks and months and not in years.

IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION

In a scenario where India tries to accelerate its development process and cope with increasing energy demands, conservation and energy efficiency measures are to play a central role in our energy policy. A national movement for energy conservation can significantly reduce the need for fresh investment in energy supply systems in coming years. It is imperative that all-out efforts are made to realize this potential. Energy conservation is an objective to which all the citizen in the country can contribute. Whether a household or a factory, a small shop or a large commercial building, a farmer or a office worker, every user and producer of energy can and must make this effort for his own benefit, as well as that of the nation. PROGRESS MADE IN ENERGY!

GROUP 2, MBA-Tech TELECOM, 3rd year, Roll nos. :401, 423, 402, 403.