ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

[THERMAL]

BANNARI AMMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,

SATHYAMANGALAM.

AUTHORS:

E.HARIHARAN – II MECH (harihara1992@gmail.com)

Ph: 9790591617

S.GIRIDHAR – II MECH (giridharsankar@gmail.com)

Ph: 9488038521
 ABSTRACT

This paper is about the Energy and the Environment. This paper at first lists the various
types of energy and then gives you the gist of various forms listed. Then the facts about each energy,
i.e. their availability, advantages and disadvantages are given. The difficulties in producing energies
from these sources follow.

The same things about various energies, their availability and other things in the Indian
scenario have been discussed. It is seen that not only India but the whole world has lots of potential in
producing energies from these renewables, the cleanest forms of energies. But the cost involved in
producing them matters. But the thing that gives pleasure is that on a long run these sources prove
advantageous over the non-renewable energy sources.

It is seen that India is a major contributor in reducing the atmospheric pollution. India
ranks among those top 5 nations that produce their energy from renewable energy sources. It is
estimated that about 60% of India’s power would come from these renewable resources at the end of
2030. We have extracted only a meager amount of the renewable energy sources for power production.
We are installing for the targeted amount and soon will accomplish it.

Moreover we can see that the wind speed and rates are high in the off shore. Wind mills
can be set up in some of the places indentified in the mid sea. Yet it is costlier on a long run it is more
efficient than the wind mills in the on shore. There are also been talks on wooden turbines replacing
the metal ones as the former has good mechanical properties than the latter. These things are
effectively described in this paper.
 CONTENTS

 Introduction

 Non renewable resources

 Demand for clean energy

 The availability of Energy

 Renewable Energy Sources

 Indian Power Scenario

 Renewables in India: Potential & Perspective

 Additional Information

 Innovative
 INTRODUCTION
Energy can be considered in two categories:

 renewable and
 non-renewable

 Renewable energy sources include solar, wind and wave energy, biomass (wood or crops such as
sugar), geothermal energy and hydro power.
 Non-renewable energy sources include the fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas, which together
provide over 80% of our energy today, plus uranium.

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Fossil fuels
These have served us well. Coal was the first to be widely used industrially and to
increase people's standard of living. It is abundant and world production is about 3.5 billion tonnes per
year, with an estimated reserve of one trillion metric tons is mostly used for electricity. It dominates
the scene, and produces 38% of all electricity worldwide, while uranium produces 16%. Oil is a
convenient source of energy. Because of its easy availability and low price, it played an important role
in the economic development of many countries during the past century. It remains vital for much
transport. Natural gas is widely used alongside coal and oil, as a very versatile fuel. 

Nuclear Power and Uranium

Uranium is also abundant, and technologies exist which can extend its use 60-fold if
demand requires it. World mine production is about 35,000 tonnes per year, but a lot of the market is
being supplied from secondary sources such as stockpiles, including material from dismantled nuclear
weapons. Practically all of it is used for electricity.

Advantages of Nuclear Energy
 The Earth has limited supplies of coal and oil. Nuclear power plants could still produce electricity
after coal and oil become scarce.
 Nuclear power plants need less fuel than ones which burn fossil fuels. One ton of uranium
produces more energy than is produced by several million tons of coal or several million barrels of oil.
 Coal and oil burning plants pollute the air. Well-operated nuclear power plants do not release
contaminants into the environment.
 Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
The nations of the world now have more than enough nuclear bombs to kill every
person on Earth. The two most powerful nations -- Russia and the United States -- have about 50,000
nuclear weapons between them. What if there were to be a nuclear war? What if terrorists got their
hands on nuclear weapons? Or what if nuclear weapons were launched by accident?

 Nuclear explosions produce radiation. The nuclear radiation harms the cells of the body which can
make people sick or even kill them. Illness can strike people years after their exposure to nuclear
radiation.
 One possible type of reactor disaster is known as a meltdown. In such an accident, the fission
reaction goes out of control, leading to a nuclear explosion and the emission of great amounts of
radiation.
 In 1979, the cooling system failed at the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor near Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania. Radiation leaked, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee. The problem was solved
minutes before a total meltdown would have occurred. Fortunately, there were no deaths.
 In 1986, a much worse disaster struck Russia's Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In this incident, a
large amount of radiation escaped from the reactor. Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to
the radiation. Several dozen died within a few days. In the years to come, thousands more may die of
cancers induced by the radiation.
 Nuclear reactors also have waste disposal problems. Reactors produce nuclear waste products
which emit dangerous radiation. Because they could kill people who touch them, they cannot be
thrown away like ordinary garbage. Currently, many nuclear wastes are stored in special cooling pools
at the nuclear reactors.
 The United States plans to move its nuclear waste to a remote underground dump by the year
2010.
 In 1957, at a dump site in Russia's Ural Mountains, several hundred miles from Moscow, buried
nuclear wastes mysteriously exploded, killing dozens of people.
 Nuclear reactors only last for about forty to fifty years.

Some disadvantages of non-renewable energy sources

 The main source of energy today is fossil fuel. However, there are two main problems associated
with this type of fuel: the limited availability of fossil fuels and climate change. There are also safety
concerns linked to the use of nuclear power and the radiation that is produced.
 Limited availability of fossil fuels
 Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy, so they could one day run out. Alternative
sources of energy are needed. As supplies decrease, the cost of buying fossil fuels may increase
causing economic problems as well.
 Climate change
 When fossil fuels are burnt they produce the gas carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is known
as a greenhouse gas because it traps heat from the sun, much like the glass in a greenhouse, preventing
it from escaping out of the Earth’s atmosphere into space. Greenhouse gases are found naturally in the
atmosphere and they are essential for keeping the Earth warm. However, through the activities of
humans, mainly as a result of burning fossil fuels, the amount of these gases in the atmosphere is
increasing. As a result, global warming is occurring as the temperature of the Earth rises.

DEMAND FOR CLEAN ENERGY

There is a fundamental attractiveness about harnessing such clean forces in an age
which is very conscious of the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels and sustainability is an
ethical norm.

So today the focus is on both adequacy of energy supply long-term and also the
environmental implications of particular sources. In that regard the near certainty of costs being
imposed on carbon dioxide emissions in developed countries at least has profoundly changed the
economic outlook of clean energy sources.

THE AVAILABILITY OF ENERGY

There is no shortage of energy. The sun pours abundance on to our planet each day. We
see this energy in a variety of forms, ranging from solar radiation, through wind and waves, to trees
and vegetation which convert the sun's rays into plant biomass. In addition, there is an enormous
amount of energy in the materials of the earth's crust, the fossil fuels also storing energy from the sun.

Uranium is an energy source which has been locked into the earth since before the solar
system was formed, billions of years ago. The challenge today is to move away from our heavy
dependence on fossil fuels and utilise non-carbon energy resources more fully. Concerns about global
warming are a major reason for this.
(SUN- Primary Source)

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Hydro-electric
The hydro electric energy generating facilities have the attraction of providing
electricity without polluting the atmosphere. They harness the energy of falling water, which can occur
naturally, but more often has to be engineered by the construction of large dams with lakes behind
them. The advantages of hydro-electricity have long been appreciated and today it provides 18% of the
world's power. Hydro-electric power, using the potential energy of rivers, is by far the best-established
means of electricity generation from renewable sources. The chief advantage of hydro systems is their
capacity to handle seasonal (as well as daily) high peak loads. In practice the utilisation of stored water
is sometimes complicated by demands for irrigation which may occur out of phase with peak electrical
demands.

Solar energy
It has considerable logical and popular appeal. However, for electricity generation solar
power has limited potential, as it is too diffuse and too intermittent. First, solar input is interrupted by
night and by cloud cover, which means that solar electric generation plant can typically only be used
to a small proportion of its capacity. Also, there is a low intensity of incoming radiation and
converting this to high-grade electricity is still relatively inefficient (less than 20%), though this has
been the subject of much research over several decades.

On a small scale (and at relatively high cost) it is possible to store electricity. On a large
scale any solar electric generation has to be worked in with other sources of electricity with full back-
up. While it is true that sunlight itself is free, the capital, energy and materials costs of conversion,
maintenance and storage are extremely high. The main role of solar energy in the future will be that of
direct heating.

Wind Energy
Wind like the sun, is 'free' and is increasingly harnessed for electricity. About 20,000
megawatts capacity is now installed around the world. However, in meeting most electricity demand,
similar back-up issues arise as for solar. It is not always available when needed, and some means is
required to provide substitute capacity for windless periods.

Utilization of wind energy has increased spectacularly in recent years, with a 29%
increase in installed capacity during 2008 capping similar rises in previous years. This brought total
world wind capacity to 121 GW, with tens of thousands of turbines now operating. Wind turbines of
up to 5 MW are now functioning in many countries, though most new ones are 1-2 MW. The power
output is a function of the cube of the wind speed, so doubling the wind speed gives eight times the
energy potential. In operation such turbines require a wind in the range 4 to 25 metres per second (14 -
90 km/hr), with maximum output being at 12-25 m/s (the excess energy being spilled above 25 m/s).
While relatively few areas have significant prevailing winds in this range, many have enough to be
harnessed effectively and to give better than a 25% capacity utilisation. Alternative power sources
allow the system to cope with calmer periods.

Geothermal

This energy comes from natural heat below the earth's surface. Where hot underground
steam can be tapped and brought to the surface it may be used to generate electricity. Such geothermal
sources have potential in certain parts of the world, and some 8000 MW of capacity is operating.
There are also prospects in other areas for pumping water underground to very hot regions of the
earth's crust and using the steam thus produced for electricity generation.

Geothermal - pumping water underground to regions of the Earth's crust which are very
hot or using hot brine from these regions. The heat - up to about 250°C - is due to high levels of
radioactivity in the granites and because they are insulated at 4-5 km depth. They typically have 15-40
ppm uranium and/or thorium, but may be ten times this. The heat from radiogenic decay is used to
make steam for electricity generation.

Biomass

Most forests and agricultural crops are technically capable of being converted into
some form of energy, even if the primary purpose of the crop is to provide food. There are also some
'energy farms', where crops are produced solely for energy production. Such farms however compete
with other crops for water, fertilizer and land use, thus requiring some choice between fuel and food.
Biomass does provide a useful and growing source of energy, especially for rural communities in third
world countries, and organic waste and water plants can be used to produce methane or 'biogas'.
Nevertheless, it is only likely to play a very small role overall.

Thus as we head into a new century, the only energy resources available for economic
large-scale electricity generation are likely to be gas, coal and nuclear.

Ocean Current Energy

Useful energy can be generated from marine currents using completely submerged
turbines comprising of rotor blades and a generator. Water turbines work on the same principle as
wind turbines by using the kinetic energy of moving fluid and transferring it into useful rotational and
electrical energy. The velocities of the currents are lower than those of the wind, however owing to the
higher density of water (835 times that of air) water turbines are smaller than their wind counterparts
for the same installed capacity.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

If we can use one percent of the energy [generated by OTEC] for electricity and
other things, the potential is so big. It is more than 100 to 1000 times more than the current
consumption of worldwide energy. The potential is huge. There is not any other renewable energy
that can compare with OTEC.
 Despite the sound science, a fully functioning OTEC prototype has yet to be
developed. The high costs of building even a model pose the main barrier. Although piecemeal
experiments have proven the effectiveness of the individual components, a large-scale plant has
never been built.

Moreover, OTEC is highly vulnerable to the elements in the marine environment. Big
storms or a hurricane like Katrina could completely disrupt energy production by mangling the OTEC
plants. Were a country completely dependent on oceanic energy, severe weather could be debilitating.
In addition, there is a risk that the salt water surrounding an OTEC plant would cause the machinery to
rust or corrode fills up with seaweed or mud.

INDIAN POWER SCENARIO

 Total Installed Capacity: India's total installed capacity of
electricity generation has expanded from 105,045.96 MW
at the end of 2001–02 to 1, 57,229.48 MW at the end of February, 2010. In fact,
India ranks sixth globally in terms of total electricity generation.

 Source-wise: Thermal power - 64.6 per cent of the total

installed capacity, producing 1, 00,598.40MW.

Hydel power plants come next with 24.7 per cent of

the total an installed capacity of 36,863.40 MW. Renewable
energy sources contribute around 10% to the total power
generation in the country producing 15,789 MW (as
on31.1.2010).

• Energy Shortage about : 8%

• Electricity demand growing @ 8% annually

• Capacity addition of about 92,000 MW required in the next 10 years

• Challenge is to meet the energy needs in a sustainable manner

Nuclear Energy
 India has a flourishing and largely indigenous nuclear power program and expects to have 20,000
MW nuclear capacity on line by 2020 and 63,000 MW by 2032. It aims to supply 25% of electricity
from nuclear power by 2050.
 Because India is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons program, it has
been for 34 years largely excluded from trade in nuclear plant or materials, which has hampered its
development of civil nuclear energy until 2009.
 Due to these trade bans and lack of indigenous uranium, India has uniquely been developing a
nuclear fuel cycle to exploit its reserves of thorium.
 Now, foreign technology and fuel are expected to boost India's nuclear power plants considerably.
All plants will have high indigenous engineering content.
 India has a vision of becoming a world leader in nuclear technology due to its expertise in fast
reactors and thorium fuel cycle.
 India plans to add 25 new reactors by the year 2020. Of these, four Reactors (Kaiga-4, KK-1&2
and FBR) are in advanced stages of construction and those will be added by 2012 progressively. 
 Nuclear power is a 'sustainable development' technology because its fuel will be available for
multiple centuries, its safety record is superior among major energy sources, its consumption causes
virtually no pollution, its use preserves valuable fossil resources for future generations, its costs are
competitive and still declining and its waste can be securely managed over the long-term.
 Nuclear power is a 'sustainable development' technology because its fuel will be available for
multiple centuries, its safety record is superior among major energy sources, its consumption causes
virtually no pollution, its use preserves valuable fossil resources for future generations, its costs are
competitive and still declining and its waste can be securely managed over the long-term.

Coal
The Indian coal industry is the fourth largest in terms of coal reserves and third largest
in terms of coal production in the world. But despite its huge resource base, till date, India has not
been able to minimize its coal deficit. 

Coal accounts for about 70% of total electricity generation in India and is likely to remain a
key energy source for at least the next 30-40 years. A significant growth in India's coal use is predicted
in consonance with the country's continued development. Such an increase must occur through
environmentally and socially sustainable development of this sector. The main challenges to such a
transition pertain to (a) high demand for coal in the power sector, which would speed up coal
exploration and extraction, and (b) current and past socio-environmental concerns. Areas that need
particular attention include managing the demand for coal, strengthening data collection and analysis,
developing a technology and policy roadmap for efficient extraction, along with a visioning exercise,
and (d) better resettlement & rehabilitation and environmental impact assessment policies.

Some Disadvantages
 Nuclear explosions produce radiation. The nuclear radiation harms the cells of the body which can
make people sick or even kill them. Illness can strike people years after their exposure to nuclear
radiation.
 One possible type of reactor disaster is known as a meltdown. In such an accident, the fission
reaction goes out of control, leading to a nuclear explosion and the emission of great amounts of
radiation..
 Nuclear reactors also have waste disposal problems. Reactors produce nuclear waste products
which emit dangerous radiation. Because they could kill people who touch them, they cannot be
thrown away like ordinary garbage. Currently, many nuclear wastes are stored in special cooling pools
at the nuclear reactors.
 Nuclear reactors only last for about forty to fifty years.
 The main source of energy today is fossil fuel. However, there are two main problems associated
with this type of fuel: the limited availability of fossil fuels and climate change. There are also safety
concerns linked to the use of nuclear power and the radiation that is produced.
 Limited availability of fossil fuels
 Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy, so they could one day run out. Alternative
sources of energy are needed. As supplies decrease, the cost of buying fossil fuels may increase
causing economic problems as well.
 Climate change
When fossil fuels are burnt they produce the gas carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is known as a
greenhouse gas because it traps heat from the sun, much like the glass in a greenhouse, preventing it from
escaping out of the Earth’s atmosphere into space. Greenhouse gases are found naturally in the
atmosphere and they are essential for keeping the Earth warm. However, through the activities of humans,
mainly as a result of burning fossil fuels, the amount of these gases in the atmosphere is increasing. As a
result, global warming is occurring as the temperature of the Earth rises.

Sustainable Development

India is one of the fastest growing countries in terms of energy consumption.

Currently, it is the fifth largest consumer of energy in the world, and will be the third largest by
2030. At the same time; the country is heavily dependent on fossil sources of energy for most of its
demand. This has necessitated the country to start aggressively pursuing alternative energy sources
- solar, wind, biofuels, small hydro and more.

The Global Wind Energy Council in its report – “ Indian Wind Energy Outlook
2009” estimates that there is a potential of around 90,000 MW for power generation from different
renewable energy sources in the country, including 48,561 MW of wind power, 14,294 MW of
small hydro power and 26,367 MW of biomass. In addition, the potential for solar energy is
estimated for most parts of the country at around 20 MW per square kilometer of open, shadow free
area covered with solar collectors, which would add to a minimum of 657 GW of installed capacity.

Power Growth Perspective

The average per capita consumption of energy in India is around 500 W, which is
much lower than that of developed countries like the United States, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.
However, this figure is expected to rise sharply due to high economic growth and rapid
industrialization. Government of India aims to increase the per capita consumption of electricity to
1,000 units by year 2010, envisaged a capacity addition of 100,000 MW to meet the mission of
‘Power for All by 2012. India’s energy demand is increasing with the robust growth in economy. A
steady forecasted growth for manufacturing sector would need more power generation in future.
However, power generation through fossil fuels raises serious concern over the depleting resources
and environmental pollution.
 Energy security is important for India, which is largely dependent on fossil fuel
imports to foster its economic growth. According to the World Energy Outlook report, India will
become the third largest net importer of oil before 2025 after the United States and China. This will
not be sustainable in the long run given the high volatility of international crude oil prices.
Coal imports are also likely to increase from 12 percent in 2005 to 28 percent in 2030. In order to
insulate itself from any future supply disruption and price shocks of fossil fuels and to achieve
energy security and also meet global climate change objectives Renewables have indeed caught
the imagination of India.

Riding on the crest of a high growth trajectory and in pursuit of sustainable sources to
meet its rising domestic energy demand and access to energy for overall development the country
is focusing on harnessing renewable energy production through maximizing the utilisation of
renewable energy. The Government of India is convinced that Renewable source could make it
possible to generate off-grid power to bridge this electricity deficit.

RENEWABLES IN INDIA: POTENTIAL & PROSPECTS

India is the 4th largest country with regard to installed power generation
capacity in the field of renewable energy sources and much is waiting to be discovered by it. Wind,
Hydro, Biomass and Solar are main renewable energy sources. India has tremendous potentialities
to harness the much-needed energy from renewable sources and considered as one of the
ideal investment destinations for renewable energy equipment manufacturers and service
providers. Wind energy has posted the highest growth. India could become top player in world's
solar market.
India intends to provide a reliable energy supply through a diverse and
sustainable fuel mix that addresses major national drivers. These include security concerns,
commercial exploitation of renewable power potential, eradication of energy poverty, ensuring
availability and affordability of energy supply and preparing the nation for imminent energy
transition.

The country has an estimated renewable energy potential of around 85,000 MW from
commercially exploitable sources: Wind, 45,000 MW; small hydro, 15,000 MW and
biomass/bioenergy, 25,000 MW. In addition, India has the potential to generate 35 MW per square
km using solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy.

The Government of India has outlined ambitious capacity expansion and investment
plans for the eleventh five year plan period (FY 2007- FY 2012). It has proposed an addition of
15,000 MW of Renewable Energy generation capacities during the period. Wind Power projects
form 70 percent (10,500 MW) of the proposed capacity addition, while Small Hydro Projects (SHP)
accounts for 9.3 per cent (1,400 MW). The total investments on development of RE during the plan
period is expected to be about USD 2 billion.

The Greenpeace International, European Renewable Energy (EREC) in its report

released in March, 2009 has projected that by 2050; about 69% of the electricity produced in India
will come from renewable energy sources. ‘New’ renewables – mainly wind, solar thermal energy
and PV – will contribute almost 40%. The installed capacity of renewable energy technologies will
grow from the current 38 GW to 1,659 GW in 2050, a substantial increase over the next 42 years.
Upto 2030, wind will remain the main new power source. After 2020, the continuing growth of wind
will be complemented by electricity from biomass, photovoltaics and solar thermal (CSP) energy.

Solar Energy:

Solar energy development is supported by Government of India incentives and,

more recently, is spurred by the ruling high fossil fuel prices. Generation of electricity from Sun is a
flagship programme of the Government of India. The solar energy market potential is huge, while
only a fraction of the aggregate potential has so far been realised.

India has one of the world’s largest programmes in solar energy which include
R&D, demonstration and utilisation, testing & standardization, industrial and promotional activities.
Processed raw material for solar cells, large capacity SPV modules, SPV roof tiles, inverters,
charge controllers all have good market potential in India as do advanced solar water heaters, roof
integrated solar air heaters; and solar concentrators for power generation (above 100 KW). But India
hopes to move from near-zero to 20,000 megawatts of solar electricity by 2022, as part of the
National Action Plan on Climate Change.

Wind Energy:

The onshore wind power potential has been estimated at about 48,500 MW,
assuming 1% land availability in potential areas for setting up wind farms @ 12ha/MW in sites
having wind power density greater than 200/W/sq.m at 50 m hub-height. Thus far only 10,464 MW
or 21.6 percent of India’s potential is being generated. The growth of wind energy in India has been
consistent with the global trends. In 2008 India added 1800 MW taking the total wind energy
installed capacity to 9645 MW, making it fifth top country in the world, after USA, Germany, Spain
and China for wind energy installed capacity.

India is implementing the world's largest wind resource assessment program

comprising wind monitoring, wind mapping and complex terrain projects. This program covers 800
stations in 24 states with around 200 wind monitoring stations in operation at present. Wind Electric
Generators are being manufactured in the country by a dozen manufacturers through (i) joint
ventures or under licensed production (ii) subsidiaries of foreign companies under licensed
production and (iii) Indian companies with their own technology. The current annual production
capacity of domestic wind turbine is about 3,000 MW. IREDA-sponsored wind power development
program provides financial assistance for the project and extends equipment financing.

Biomass Energy and Cogeneration:

Globally, India is in the fourth position in generating power through biomass and with
a huge potential, is poised to become a world leader in the utilisation of biomass. Biomass power
projects with an aggregate capacity of 773.3 MW through over 100 projects have been installed in
the country. For the last 15 years, biomass power has become an industry attracting annual
investment of over Rs. 1,000 billion, generating more than 09 billion unit of electricity per year.
More than 540 million tons of crop and plantation residues are produced every year in India and a
 large portion is either wasted, or used inefficiently. By using these surplus agricultural residues,
by conservative estimates more than 16,000 MW of grid quality power could be generated
through Biomass. In addition, about 5,000 MW if power can be produced, if all 550 sugar mills in
the country switch over to modern techniques of cogeneration. Thus the estimated biomass power
potential is about 21,000 MW.

Small Hydro Projects (< 25 MW):

With numerous rivers and their tributaries in India, small hydro RE presents
an excellent opportunity with an estimated potential of 15,000 MW with only 17 percent of this
sector exploited so far. Over 674 projects aggregating to about 2558.92 MW generating capacity has
been set up in the country as on 31.12.2009. Of the estimated potential of 15,000 MW of small hydro
power in the country, 5415 potential sites with an aggregate capacity of 14,292 MW have been
identified. Most of the potential is in Himalayan States as river-based projects and in other
States on irrigation canals.

The GOI is encouraging the development of small hydro projects and aims to
double the current growth rate that leads to a capacity addition of 500 MW per year with total
installed capacity of 4,000 MW by the end of 2012. The GOI is providing concessions for existing
hydro projects including financial support for renovation, modernization and capacity upgrading of
aging small hydro power stations.

Energy from Wastes:

The rising piles of garbage in urban areas caused by rapid urbanization

and industrialization throughout India represent another source of non-conventional energy. An
estimated 50 million tonnes of solid waste and approximately 6,000 million cubic meters of liquid
waste are generated annually in the urban areas of India. Good potential exists for generating
approximately 2,600 MW of power from urban and municipal wastes and approximately 1,300 MW
from industrial wastes in India. A total of 48 projects with aggregate capacity of about 69.62 MW
have been installed in the country thereby utilising only 1.8% of the potential that exists.

Indian Geothermal Energy

Indian geothermal provinces have the capacity to produce 10,600 MW of power- a

figure which is five times greater than the combined power being produced from non-conventional
energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass. But yet geothermal power projects have not seen the
sunlight due the availability of 192 billion tones of recoverable coal reserves. With escalating
environmental problems with coal based projects, Indian has to depend on clean, cheap, rural based
and eco-friendly geothermal power in future. Due to technical and logistic problems with other non-
conventional energy sources, present industrialists’ mood is upbeat and IPPs are showing keen interest
in developing geothermal based power projects. With the existing open economic policies of the
Govt., and large incentives given to non-conventional energy sectors, the future of geothermal energy
sector in India appears to be bright.

The estimated power shortage in India in the next five years is about  43,000
MW. This demand will increase in the coming years due to economic globalization.  Though India
boasts of generating eco-friendly energy sources during the coming millennium, the present power
generated through non-conventional sources is far less than the installed capacity of the power plants
(Table 1). Thus the total installed capacity from renewable stands at 1313 MW which is 2.6 % of the
total potential.  Though capital subsidy and financial incentives are given by the Govt. of India, non-
conventional energy sources are not able to bridge the gap between demand and supply of power.

Geothermal energy, a non-conventional energy source, has not so far put to use
though its power generating capacity is of the order of 10,600 MW.  Neither the Govt. bodies nor the
independent power producers (IPPs) are aware of this vast resource in the country.  When non-
conventional energy sources have the potential of generating about 60,600 MW power, which is more
than the required amount for the next five years, then why Indian is not keen in developing this source
in bridging supply-demand power gap?  The answer lies in the 192 billion tones of recoverable coal
reserves which is encouraging coal based power projects and hampering the healthy growth of non-
conventional energy programs. In addition to coal, availability of naphtha in the world is adding fuel
to the fire!

OTEC

India with largest manpower has the largest brain power. Large land with large
population could make large success in economic if properly utilized. Govt of India could initiate large
study and practical projects with their resources around their country. Ocean thermal energy
conversion in India is feasible to meet their energy demand. OTEC energy is free and with massive
production, the demand of energy is met. OTEC is 5 times cost effective compared to the solar panels.

ADDITIONAL

Table below demonstrates the renewable energy achievements in India as on 31.12.2009 and
potential.

Sl.No Sources Potential Achievements

1 Biomass Power 16,881 MW 834.50 MW

2 Wind Power 48,500 MW 10925.00 MW
3 Small Hydro Power 15,000 MW 2558.92 MW
4 Cogeneration-bagasse 5,000 MW 1302.00 MW
5 Waste to Energy 2,700 MW 65.01 MW
6 Solar Power 50 MW/sq.km 6.00 MW
TOTAL 88,081 MW 15691.43 MW
 This is a medium term projection and does not include quantification of the
huge solar potential. India has huge potential of producing electricity from renewable sources.
India’s cumulative achievement (renewable electricity generation) up to 31.12.2009 is about
15,692 MW, around 9% of the total installed capacity, as against estimated medium term (up to
2032) potential of 87,200 MW in the country from wind, small hydro, solar, agro-residues, co-
generation, waste to energy and biomass. The possibility of technology leapfrogging in the
renewable sector is also considerably great. Even at the conservative total estimated potential of
1,72,000 MW (without considering the solar energy sector), the investment potential in the
country is Rs.8,600 billion.

The 48,500 MW potential of Wind Power is a conservative estimate and with the
growth in unit size of turbines, greater land availability, and expanded wind resource exploration,
this potential should go up significantly.

India also has considerable potential for production of biofuels. The current
estimates may seem to be over-optimistic. But if properly planned and executed, India’s investment
potential in biofuels can grow to the same levels as in renewable power generation technologies.

Other potential investment destinations include a whole host of

downstream production facilities, components development for renewable power technologies,
manufacture of silicon cells and films for solar panels, co-gen applications in industries, solar
thermal devices, etc.

India receives the highest global solar radiation on a horizontal surface. According
to solar energy experts, India has considerable scope for solar energy production. India receives on a
daily average over the year of 520-630 W/m2; 1660-1990 Btu/ft2 and 6.8-8.3 GJ/m2 annually. The
desert areas in India have the solar radiation required for CSP production. A 60 km x 60 km area can
produce 1, 00,000 MW of power. India has a desert area of 2, 08,110 sq kilometres in Rajasthan and
Gujarat. Even if India uses only 15,000 sq. kilometres of the desert, it can produce 3, 00,000 MW of
power.

Government of India is currently envisaging large-scale expansion of solar

power capacity by 2022. The government is gearing up to provide 20 million un-reached rural
households to access light energy. In addition, the government plans 20 million sqm to be built up
for green buildings and 20 million sqm for heating applications by 2022.

In the past few years the cost to produce photovoltaic cells and modules has
dropped significantly, opening the way for large-scale deployment. Various cell types exist, but the
least expensive modules today are thin films made of cadmium telluride.

Shortages of finance, efficiency and human cadre are the main obstacles to
optimal renewable energy usage, according to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
India can be the hub for manufacturing renewable energy equipment if foreign manufacturers come
forward to manufacture their products in India by way of joint ventures, technology transfer and
exports as India has a tremendous manpower available at very economical costs.
 INNOVATIVE

The speed of winds in the off shore is 15-20% higher than in the on shore. If the
wind mills are set up in the middle of the sea or near the sea the power produced from this offshore
wind energy plant will be much higher than that produced in the on shore. Even though the cost is
high, once installed on a long run it would be effective.

Wood has not been used in modern turbine blade designs for decades. Wood is a
porous, homogenous material so it has better mechanical and hydrological characteristics than today’s
conventional materials such as composites and steel. The major challenge is the actual assembly
process.