Renewable energy is still a minnow in the power pool but its potential is
impressive
Amidst the big fish on the energy scene, there is a minnow called renewable
energy that has tremendous potential and great benefits if implemented on a wide
and sustainable basis. Internationally, almost all energy requirements are met
by burning non-renewable resources like coal, fuel-oil, LNG, and to a lesser
extent nuclear fuels. But these projects are gas guzzlers which have
repercussions for the environment. Green is in, as is the realization that in
countries like India, where access to grid power is not always possible
(especially in far-flung areas), local projects using renewable resources like
biomass, wind, solar energy or water may better meet the needs of the people.
At present, out of a total installed capacity of almost 100,000 MW, only 3,000
MW is generated using various renewable resources. But international comparisons
show India up very favourably: installed wind power capacity is 1,267 MW, India
ranks fifth, small hydal power capacity is 1,341 NW, India ranks tenth,
biomass-based power is 273MW and our rank is fourth, biomass gassifiers generate
35MW and we rank first. Interestingly, the approximate potential of renewable
resources is 100,000 MW! India has one of the largest demonstration programes in
the world. So what prevents the conversion of this potential into actual
installed capacity?
Firstly renewable resources are positioned as complements to traditional
sources; wherever grid power is difficult to reach, non renewable resources are
tapped. Secondly the technology for exploiting renewable resources is expensive,
and, as in all initial developmental projects, costs can only go down if there
are economies of scale. Even if costs are competitive, there are climatic
factors that are crucial to power generating capacity; photovoltaic cells don't
work on a cloudy day, and windmills don't mill the wind without a breeze. Yet,
wind power can be provided at Rs.3-3.50 per unit. But to generate enough
wind-based power to supply to the grid, acres of space along with high cost
equipment is required. On the up side, one has to do nothing at all to generate
electricity, just wait for the wind.
The government has recognized the various aspects of exploiting renewable
sources of energy, and under the New Renewable Energy policy (NREP), it
envisages that by 2012, 10 per cent of total addition to generation capacity
will be from renewable resources. Given that the government wants to add another
100,000MW by 2012, this means between 10-12,00MW from renewable fuels, about
13-15,000MW in all. This is still 6-7.5 per cent of all power generated. Is this
an achievable target? Going by impressions of people concerned with renewable
energy, the target is optimistic, and can only be achieved if various enabling
mechanisms are put in place. "Marketing products like solar cells, lanterns and
street lights, biogas plants etc needs awareness and education about the various
aspects of green energy. For example in many villages, people refuse to believe
that solar power is `real' power. They want `real' power that comes over
transmission lines. Clearly a lot needs to be done before renewable resources
become widely used, though non-renewable resources will continue to occupy
central status in power generation.
Total Installed power capacity : Almost 100,000MW
Amount generated by
renewable resources : 3,000MW
Installed wind power capacity : 1,267MW(India
ranks 5th in the world)
Small hydal power capacity : 1,341 MW (India ranks
10th in the world)
Biomass-based power generation : 273 MW (India ranks 4th)
Generation by niomass gassifiers : 35MW (India ranks 1st)
Approx potential
of renewable resources : 100,000MW
