Global Recession, Energy Crisis and Opportunity with Renewable Energy.

Today we are facing acute energy shortages, resulting in power shading from 4 to 10 hours every day at different locations in India. This is high time, we must work out solutions over energy crisis with additional advantages if possible.
The average per capita consumption of energy in India is around 500 units per annum. In spite of high rate of development these figures are very low, compared to developed countries. (Middle East 10,000+, USA 8000+, Europe, Australia, Japan etc 4000+)
In our country major contribution to electrical energy generation is by coal and oil based power generation plants, followed by hydro and nuclear power generating stations.

Fossil Fuel position Today :

Oil & Natural Gas : Many experts believe that by 2015 the supply of oil and natural gas production would be at peak by 2015. In a few years crude oil Price might shoot to the $150 per barrel level and higher. The impact on our import bill will be very serious.

Coal: Coal has a similar story, but may last for a longer period of time. A recent study predicts global peaking of production of coal by 2025.
The use of coal in power industry contributes sizable amount of CO2 emissions and fly ash pollution within few kilometers around the power plant.


Nuclear Power : Our uranium reserves would be adequate only for meeting 10,000 MW of Nuclear power capacity for next 30 years. In addition, due to the safety problem of nuclear plants (Chernobyl incident), nuclear power is always controversial.

The consumption of electricity is growing on the worldwide basis. Energy is a necessity and clean renewable energy is an obligation to the earth and our future.

A transition from conventional energy systems to those based on renewable resources is necessary to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy and to address environmental concerns.

The widely accepted long-term option is
large scale application of “Renewable Energy”

The Sun is the source of almost all forms of energy including fossil, hydro-electric, wind and solar energy. India is blessed with an abundance of sunlight, water and biomass.

‘Renewable Energy’ is further classified as

1. Solar Energy
2. Wind Energy
3. Hydro Electric
4. Bio Energy
5. Tidal wave Energy

1. Solar Energy
‘There is enough potential energy in just one hour of ‘SUNLIGHT’ to power the electrical needs of the entire world for a full year.’ Solar energy is also a clean source with no emissions. With the recent developments in technology, solar energy systems are scalable for large and small uses, and they require minimum maintenance. Most importantly, with government tax incentives and rebates, solar energy could be made financially viable. Hence it is time to start adopting solar energy systems.
Solar electricity is generation of electricity from the power of the Sun, via photovoltaic cells (pv). When particles of sunlight (photons) fall on pv cells, there is direct conversion to a usable electric current.

As an average 100 to 130 watts energy is generated from one square meter of the solar panel. Now a days estimated life of the Solar Panel is more than 20 years and needs very simple maintenance like weekly surface cleaning. A battery pack with controller is necessary for storing generated energy. The stored energy can be used as and when required, through inverter. An exclusive solar generation system of capacity of 250 to KWH units per month would cost around Rs. 5 Lacs, with present pricing and taxes.

Most of the developed countries are switching over to solar energy as one of the prime renewable energy source. Latest trend of Architecture keep provision of Photovoltaic cells and necessary circuitry while making building plans.

2. Wind Energy.

Today wind turbines are making a major contribution to the production of renewable energy. Developments in harnessing wind power continually improved, and during the last decade a sizeable growth has happened in the wind energy industry. Wind Turbines have become larger, efficiencies and availabilities have improved and wind farm concept has become popular.

Wind energy is now attractive for many reasons – it is renewable, clean and scalable.
A bright future for wind energy

India now ranks as a "wind superpower" having a net potential of about 45000 MW only from 13 identified states.

3. Hydro Electric Power:
Theoretically speaking, India has a huge hydro power potential, out of which around 20% has been realized so far.

4. Bio- Energy:

Biomass

Biomass is organic matter produced by all livings on the earth. The solar energy trapped in the biomass can be converted in to fuel or electricity.
Burning wood to heat or cook is one of the least efficient ways to use bio-energy. Still it is the most important energy source for some three billion people in the world. The most efficient way of using biomass is gasification.
Biomass power is the largest source of renewable energy as well as a vital part of the waste management infrastructure.

Bio-Diesel from oil seeds.

Bio-Diesel is extracted from specific quality oil seeds. Plantation of such oil seeds generally assumed on waste lands.
Ethanol is one of the successful by-product of agro industry, identified to promote in transportation industry.

Bio Fuel from Algae.
Latest development and pilot plant trials have shown ‘ALGAE’ as good source of bio fuel, which gives many times higher yield of bio-oil compared to any oilseeds. However results of commercial scale production are awaited.
Energy from Bio Waste.
Waste-to-energy plants offer two important benefits of environmentally safe waste management and disposal, as well as the generation of clean electric power. Especially municipal councils can take benefit of this technology, which may ease challenges of waste disposal.

5. Tidal Energy.
Recently there are a few successful demonstrations abroad for Tidal energy generation from sea / ocean waves. However, due to limited amount of energy generation, tidal may not be appealing for commercial electricity generation.

Renewable Energy facilitates Decentralized Energy Generation
Microgeneration, also called “micropower”, is the generation of zero or low-carbon electrical power by individuals, small businesses and communities to meet their own needs.
The wider benefits of microgeneration are now being recognized.
A recent study shows that microgeneration actually acts as a catalyst for cultural changes in consumer attitude, and provides evidence of the important impact that microgeneration has on consumers’ attitudes and behaviors regarding energy production and use. Microgeneration technologies include small wind turbines, biomass gasifires, solar power, micro-hydro, may be with any combinations etc.

Can we use ‘Renewable Energy’ as an opportunity?
‘Companies in renewable energy business today are growing as fast as Microsoft did in the 80’s!’
Developed countries from Europe, USA, Australia, Japan, China and many others have laid down intensive planning and actions to use renewable energy resources to great extent. For example USA has announced massive renewable energy program, to generate large share of total energy requirement from renewable energy sources by 2025, which will create 5 million new job opportunities in various areas of Renewable Energy. (2.7 trillion US $, ambitious plan would provide real benefits to USA www.25X25.org)
What we can do?
As Consumers :
Explore possibility to make our own power house, by means of solar / wind / biomass etc. with whatever feasible renewable energy source. Determine to use government / utility company electricity supply, only incase of emergency or unavoidable circumstances. Prima-facie renewable energy may appear a bit costlier than the conventional source of energy, but looking at the benefit of continuous power availability and great contribution against global warming, it is worth. We will not only save money on our electricity bills by generating our own electricity, but it will also significantly increase the value of our property.
* No more wastage of energy anymore. Every WATT energy is most valuable.
* Energy saving by using low wattage / high luminous lamps (CFL / LED),
* Use of Power Factor Improvers.
* Keeping all the electrical equipments well serviced, in order to minimize consumption.
* Avoid using inverters and large storage batteries (except emergency), as it is almost 50% criminal waste of valuable energy while charging the batteries and reusing the power from batteries through inverters.
* Industrial consumers can go for stepper control capacitors (Intelligent Power factor Correctors) to minimize energy losses in capacitor at lower load conditions.
* Insist on Frequent Energy Audits

As Policy Makers (Government):
* Form teams of teachers, engineers and scientists committed for Renewable energy education. Promote ‘Renewable Energy’ education aggressively right from grass root level. It can be routed through NGOs’, Adult Educations, Schools, ITIs, Diploma and Degree institutions.
* Looking at the magnitude and paramount importance of the topic, it will be also worth while to promote countrywide special cell on education on ‘Renewable Energy’.
* Encourage Research on Renewable conversion on highest priority
* Increasing the targets for electricity generation from renewable sources.
* Installation of solar / wind energy generation systems and energy saving devices with all possible, government semi government / corporations building, which will demonstrate and inspire private consumers to go for Renewable Energy generation.
* Curb on using large battery energy storage systems as around up to 50% of energy is lost while charging and reusing the energy through inverters.
* Compulsory installation of solar water heating systems for all urban residential and commercial establishments. ( We must congratulate Municipal Council of ‘Saswad’, a small town near Pune has made a resolution for mandatory installation of ‘solar water heating system’ in all the residential and commercial buildings having area above 1500 Sq. Feet.)
* Mandatory renewable energy systems provision for all coming-up residential, commercial and industrial constructions.
* Offer attractive incentives to consumers for installation of Renewable energy equipment. . (An incentive of $2.50 per watt is offered by US Govt. for business customers that install solar electric systems larger than 10 kilowatts.)
* Simplification and abolishing taxes duties / import duties for all types renewable energy generating plants / equipments and components up to 20 KW capacity.
* Encourage biomass growth on all kinds of unused lands.
* Encouraging use of Bio- diesel / Bio-fuel for transportation industry.
* Soft Loans for purchase of any Renewable Energy equipment for actual use.
* Soft Loans for setting up Renewable Energy businesses.
* Special additional incentives for buyers and manufacturers of renewable energy equipment in rural areas.


As Research Professionals :
Massive research developments are happening all around the world. We need to modify and adapt available technologies considering techno / social aspect in our country.
However primary focus on high priority expected on development of :
* Full fledged educational and awareness systems on ‘Renewable Energy’ for all levels of the society
* Cost effective and Longer Life Photo Voltaic (pv) Cells, and to improve conversion efficiency of Solar (pv)Cells.
* Energy efficient Wind Turbines from 300 watts to 10 Kilowatts capacity to generate wind energy even at lower wind velocity & Wind forecasting.
* User Friendly, small capacity and improved efficiency Gasifies with electricity generating systems for rural population.
** Initiate research on affordable ‘Fuel Cells’ the next generation energy winner
Conclusion :
** Fortunately, we are blessed with abundant Sun energy, which is the prime source of all the energies on planet earth. We must make a commitment to make optimum use of the available natural energy resources like Sunlight, Water and Biomass etc. to become a prosperous and rich nation.
** The transition to Renewable energy has the potential to create over “Ten millions of new green-collar jobs," at local levels in our country. This will help to improve income levels and living standards of millions from suburban and rural India.
**We will withstand global recession with un-parallel contribution towards ‘Green Environment’
** With proper emphasis on presenting facts and figures of Renewable Energy potential, international investments and, low cost international funding would be feasible for this massive ‘Renewable Energy’ revolution in India.


Submitted by :
Ravi Soparkar, Electrical Engineer from Mumbai. 40 + years experience in engineering business. Working on micro-generation feasibility in renewable energy for past five years. Participated in numerous national and international conferences and workshops all over the world. Presently associated as vice president of M/s. Watersmart Environmental Inc.USA . Watewrsmart is the world’s first company to take up municipal solid waste to energy in large scale operations.
Soparkar House, 36/2 Kondhwa Budruk, Pune 411048. 020 26934300, 9325014999, renewableenergy@in.com