final corrected report nabard
TRANSCRIPT
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DECLARATION
I, Ashwani Gupta hereby declare that the project “Potential of Renewable Energy in
Rural areas of Punjab and difficulties in its implementation” undertaken during my
summer placement at the NABARD as the partial fulfillment of the Master of Business
Administration (Infrastructure) degree at TERI University, New Delhi, is the original work
done by me and the information provided in the study is authentic to the best of my
knowledge. The facts and figures provided are true and information is not copied from
anywhere.
The study has not been submitted to any other institution or university for the award of
any other degree.
Ashwani Gupta
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Preface
The importance of energy is expressed by our Prime Minister as
“Energy is an important input for economic development. Since exhaustible energy sources in the country are limited, there is an urgent need to focus attention on development of renewable energy sources and use of efficient technologies. The exploitation and development of various forms of energy and making energy available at affordable rates is one of four major thrust areas.”
- Dr. Manmohan Singh Prime Minister of India
All Indian`s today facing the heat of soaring fuel cost. Still our Oil Marketing companies
are in loss. The only reason is that huge subsidy provided by our government for LPG,
Kerosene and Diesel. International oil and gas prices are achieving higher and higher
level. As fossil fuels are scarce resources, it is natural that fossil fuels alone can’t meet
the energy needs of growing population. India is the second highly populated country
after China. But compared to developed country and even China our per capita energy
consumption is low. The current per capita commercial primary energy consumption in
India is about 350 kgoe/year which is well below that of developed countries. It is just
4% of USA and 20% of the world average. Percapita Electricity consumption in India is
631 kwh compared to 16279 in Canada, 8076 in Japan, 12924 in USA , 8176 in
Singapore and 10720 in Australia etc. World average of 2500 kWh. Higher per capita
consumption reflects high level of economic and social development.
However, India’s Energy demand is also increasing day by day. Punjab is one of the
most advanced states of India. Its agriculture practices also highly mechanized. Punjab
irrigation system is either through canals or through tube wells. In Punjab about 9.35
lacs numbers of tubewell installed as on year 2001. So agriculture is one of the major
consumers of electricity. If electricity is not available than the farmers have to use DG
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sets. As diesel price is also increased subsequently not only the profit margins of
farmers decreasing but it also contributes to food inflation.
As far as Punjab’s own power generation is concerned, availability of power from the
State’s Own Resources by 2010 is 23000 million kwh of Power and the anticipated
demand for power is 34000 million kwh. The population of Punjab is increasing so
subsequently energy demand will increase. Also power demand is increasing as more
and more people are using electrical and electronics goods.
Punjab already exploits Hydro sources to the maximum. Its location is not favoring for
Coal or Oil & Gas based power plants, as transportation of fuel also cost is much, the
availability of land for big thermal power plants is also an issue as Punjab’s maximum
land is fertile and used for agriculture.
In such a scenario renewable and non-conventional energy is best suited for Punjab.
Punjab has sufficient agro and bio waste, that can be utilized for producing both
electricity and cooking fuel. Solar- energy is also the suitable for Punjab. Also since per
capita income of Punjab is high it can afford also, as at present solar technology is
costly.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A project is never an endeavor of a single person who bears the credit, but it is
an outcome of joint effort of several people. So it is my moral responsibility to
acknowledge the help, I have received, though it is impossible to account the invaluable
assistance driven from each and every person.
I would like to acknowledge the contribution of late Shri S C Kaushik, CGM
(Punjab) NABARD for selecting me and provided me the chance to work with NABARD.
I would like to very special thanks to Mr. D K Mazumdar, AGM NABARD my mentor for
this project from the depth of my heart for his inspiring suggestion and constructive
criticism throughout the course of this study and believing in my capabilities to do the
due project work. The generous support from Mr. Surinder Singh, DDM Amritsar
NABARD particularly helped in arranging the in-depth interview with various officials
and farmers.
I would also like to show my gratitude to my friends who have been always with
me throughout the study work to extend out their selfless help in getting me the project
work completed. I would thank all the villagers and their families who discuss the
matter and share their valuable views.
Ashwani Gupta
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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
1. BPGP: biogas based Power generation programme
2. DDM: District Development Manager
3. DG: Diesel Generator
4. Kgoe: kilogram of oil equivalent
5. MNRE: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
6. NABARD: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
7. NRSE: New and Renewable Sources of Energy
8. OMC: Oil Marketing Companies
9. PEDA: Punjab Energy Development Agency
10.PNB: Punjab National Bank
11.RES: Renewable Energy Sources
12.RET: Rural Energy Technologies
13.RIDF: Rural Infrastructure Development Fund
14.SHS: Solar Housing System
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About NABARD
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Head Office: Plot No. C-24, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (E) Mumbai
400051.
Website : www.nabard.org
Establishment: 12 July, 1982
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Mission
Promoting sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development through
effective credit support, related services, institution building and other innovative
initiatives.
In pursuing this mission, NABARD focuses its activities on:
Credit functions, involving preparation of potential-linked credit plans annually for all
districts of the country for identification of credit potential, monitoring the flow of ground
level rural credit, issuing policy and operational guidelines to rural financing institutions
and providing credit facilities to eligible institutions under various programmes
Development functions, concerning reinforcement of the credit functions and making
credit more productive
Supervisory functions, ensuring the proper functioning of cooperative banks and
regional rural banks
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History and Genesis of NABARD
NABARD is set up as an apex Development Bank with a mandate for facilitating credit
flow for promotion and development of agriculture, small-scale industries, cottage and
village industries, handicrafts and other rural crafts. It also has the mandate to support
all other allied economic activities in rural areas, promote integrated and sustainable
rural development and secure prosperity of rural areas. In discharging its role as a
facilitator for rural prosperity NABARD is entrusted with
1. Providing refinance to lending institutions in rural areas
2. Bringing about or promoting institutional development and
3. Evaluating, monitoring and inspecting the client banks
Besides this pivotal role, NABARD also:
• Acts as a coordinator in the operations of rural credit institutions
• Extends assistance to the government, the Reserve Bank of India and other
organizations in matters relating to rural development
• Offers training and research facilities for banks, cooperatives and organizations
working in the field of rural development
• Helps the state governments in reaching their targets of providing assistance to
eligible institutions in agriculture and rural development
• Acts as regulator for cooperative banks and RRBs
• Extends assistance to the government, the Reserve Bank of India and other
organizations in matters relating to rural development
• Offers training and research facilities for banks, cooperatives and organizations
working in the field of rural development
• Helps the state governments in reaching their targets of providing assistance to
eligible institutions in agriculture and rural development
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• Acts as regulator for cooperative banks and RRBs
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Some of the milestones in NABARD's activities are:
The total production credit disbursed, at end- March 2011, was Rs. 34,196 crore During 2010-11, Short-term Seasonal Agricultural Operation (SAO) credit limits
were sanctioned to 21 State Co-operative Banks (SCB) aggregating Rs. 23,759 crore, as against `18,109 crore sanctioned to 20 SCB during 2009-10.
During the year, the total investment credit (including co-finance) disbursed was Rs. 13,485.87 crore, as against the target of Rs. 12,980 crore. The achievement against target was 103.90 per cent.
The annual allocation under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) was Rs. 16,000 crore during 2010-11 taking the cumulative allocation to Rs.1,16,000 crore.
The total financial resources of NABARD increased to Rs. 1,58,872 crore, as on 31 March 2011, registering an increase of 16.57 per cent, over the previous year.
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Au
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dited Financial Results for the year ended 31st March,2011
Sr. No. Particulars
Year ended 31 March 2011 Audited
Year ended 31 March 2010 Audited
1 Interest earned (a)+(b)+(c)+(d) 9112.38 7909.00a Interest on loans and advances 8169.14 6653.31b Income on investments 943.24 1255.69
cInterest on balances with Reserve Bank of India and other inter bank funds 0.00 0.00
d Others 0.00 0.002 Other Income 89.63 55.803 Total Income (1+2) 9202.01 7964.804 Interest Expended 6193.87 4988.465 Operating Expenses (i) + (ii) 1148.14 571.75(i) Employees cost 914.19 335.20(ii) Other operating expense 233.95 236.55
6Total Expenditure (4+5) excluding provisions and contingencies 7342.01 5560.21
7Operating Profit before Provisions and Contingencies (3-6) 1860.00 2404.59
8Provisions (other than tax) and Contingencies 0.00 132.14
9 Exceptional Items 0.00 0.00
10Profit (+)/Loss (-) from Ordinary Activities before tax (7-8-9) 1823.86 2272.45
11 Tax expenses 544.65 714.19
12Net Profit (+)/Loss (-) from Ordinary Activities after tax (10-11) 1279.21 1558.26
13 Extraordinary items (net of tax expense) 0 0
14Net Profit (+) / Loss (-) for the period (12-13) 1279.21 1558.26
15 Paid-up capital 2000 200016 Reserves excluding Revaluation 11482.72 10207.54
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Reserves17 Analytical Ratios (i) Capital Adequacy Ratio 21.76% 24.95%(ii) Earnings Per Share (EPS) NA NA18 NPA Ratios (a) Gross NPA 69.15 50.73(b) Net NPA 29.8 18.76
(c )% of Gross NPA to Gross loans & advances 0.0496 0.0421
(d) % of Net NPA to Net loans & advances 0.0214 0.0156(e) Return on Assets 0.88% 1.23%
Notes:
1The above result were reviewed by ACB and approved by Board of Directors at its meeting held on 30 May 2011.
2Reserve Bank of India has transferred 71.5% of share holding of NABARD to Government of India as on 13 October 2010
3
Pursuant to revision in salary of employees of the bank, Rs. 277.09 crore has been provided for arrears of which Rs. 177.34 crore pertains to the period prior to 01 April 2010. Further, an additional Provision of Rs.216.09 crore has been made towards superannuation benefits of the employees based on the revised salary.
4 Previous figures are regrouped / rearranged wherever necessary.
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Punjab
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Fig. 1 Political Map of Punjab
Punjab, the richest state in India that throbs with the lively culture of equally vibrant
people, has always moved on the path of prosperity despite all odds. A state where
dreams of moving with the times have blossomed among the lush green fields and
productive soil. With its matchless style of transforming every potential opportunity into
a success story through enterprise and endeavor Punjab has always been at the
forefront in the development story of India.
Punjab – “The Food basket and Granary of India", has been awarded National
Productivity Award for agriculture extension services for consecutively eight years from
1991-92 to 1998-99 and again 2000-2001 to 2003-04.
Punjab is now well on its way to rapid industrialization through coordinated development
of Small, Medium and Large scale industries. Punjab has been declared as one of the
best States in India in terms of rail, road and transport network as per National Council
of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), 2007. Ludhiana (Punjab) has been adjudged
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as the best place for doing business in India as per the World Bank Study, 2009. With
the up-gradation of Amritsar International Airport & another International Airport coming
up in Mohali, Punjab is geared to be one of the finest and easily accessible tourist as
well as business destination in South Asia. State Government has undertaken setting
up of new power projects at Gidderbaha, Talwandi Sabo, Rajpura and Goindwal Sahib
which will make Punjab a power surplus state by 2012. Punjab is already home to many
large Indian Companies & MNCs like Ranbaxy, Hero Group, Avon Cycles, Gujarat
Ambuja, Trident Group, Rail Coach Factory (Kapurthala), Sonalika, M & M, Godrej,
Phillips, Oswal Woolen Mills, HCL, Nestle, Smithkline Beecham, ICI, Quark, Dell, IDS
Infotech, etc. to name a few.
Geographical area
The geographical area of Punjab is 50,362 sq. km (It lies in North-west of India. Its
average elevation is 300 m from the sea level.
Due to the presence of a large number of rivers, most of the Punjab is a fertile plain.
The southeast region of the state is semi-arid and gradually presents a desert
landscape. A belt of undulating hills extends along the northeastern part of the state at
the foot of the Himalayas.
The State can also be divided in to 3 Agro climatic zones.
1. NORTHERN ZONE:
This is located in the foothills of Shivaliks and extends from Derabassi block of Mohali
district to Dhar block of Gurdaspur district falling in Ropar, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib,
Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts.
2. CENTRAL ZONE:
It is comprises of Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Nawanshahar, Kapurthala and Amritsar
districts. This zone is the most developed area of the State. The lands are leveled and
under ground water are available for irrigation. The over exploitation of sub-soil water is
causing ground water depletion in this zone at an alarming rate.
3. SOUTHERN ZONE
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This comprises Sangrur, Barnala, Bathinda, Mansa, Mukatsar, Moga, Faridkot and
Ferozepur districts. In this region the sub soil water is generally brackish and unfit for
irrigation. Irrigation water is available from network of canal system which has been
carried to the fields by constructing lined water courses and also through under ground
pipe line system.
State Capital
The state capital of Punjab is Chandigarh.
Cities/ Towns
There are 14 cities and 157 towns in Punjab. Punjab has some very valuable historical,
colorful great cities .The major cities in Punjab are Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar,
Patiala, Mohali, Bathinda. The State of Punjab in western India is one of the most fertile
regions of the earth. The cities have rich culture of self dependence, self reliance and
hard work.
Literacy Rate
The literacy rate in Punjab is 69.7%
Literacy Rate Male Female
General 75.23% 63.36%
Urban-Rural ratio
Being an agricultural state, approximately 66% of people live in rural areas while the
rest 34% are urban resident.
Climate
Punjab’s climate comprises of three seasons. They are the summer months that spans
from mid April to the end of June. The rainy season is from the months of early July to
end of September. The winter season in Punjab is experienced during the months of
early December to the end of February. The transitional Seasons in Punjab are the post
monsoon season and the post winter season.
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Population of Punjab is 2,43,58,999 out of which 1,29,85,045 are males and
1,13,73,954 are females.
Estimated number of Rural Households in Punjab is 29,84,700 out of which 18,44,200
are farmers (see Annexure IX). Also about 65.4% farmer HHs are indebted (National
Sample Survey 59th Round (January-December 2003)).
Table 1. Classifiaction of workers-2001
Total
Population
Total Working
Population
Total main
Workers
Total
marginal
Workers
Total Non
Workers
Male
Population
Male
Working
Population
Male
Main
workers
Female
Population
Female
working
Population
Female Main
Workers
Punjab Total 24358999 9127474 7835732 1291742 15231525 12985045 6960213 6426028 11373954 2167261 1409704
Rural 16096488 6360351 5248225 1112126 9736137 8516596 4589049 4161003 7579892 1771302 1087222
Urban 8262511 2767123 2587507 179616 5495388 4468449 2371164 2265025 3794062 395959 322482
Source: Regisrar General of India
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Table 2. Major crops yield (Kg/hectare) of Punjab (2009-10)
Total food grains 4148
Rabi food grains 4304
Kharif food grains 4148
Wheat 4314
Rice (kharif) 4010
Sunflower 1762
Linseed 500
Rapseed and Mustard 1290
Rabi Oil seeds 1477
Kharif Oil seeds 582
Total Oilseeds 1335
Tur 957
Gram 1000
Total Pulses 893
Maize (kharif) 3417
Source: Director, Agriculture, Punjab
Punjab Electricty consumption for Agriculture purpose is 10022.20 GWh, which is sixth
highest among all state in India, after Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Tamilnadu and Karnataka (see Annexure X), in 2007-08. It is clear that Punjab
agriculture is highly dependent on electricity. It is share 33.53% of total electricity
consumption which is 29886.86 GWh.
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Table 3. Net Area Irrigated by different Sources In Punjab
Unit: (,000 Hectares)
Year 2000-01
District
Government
canals
Private
canals
Tubewells
and Wells
Other
sources
Total Percentage
of Net Area
irrigated to
Net area
sown
Gurdaspur 22.9 - 194.6 - 217.5 74.5
Amritsar 198.0 - 241.5 - 439.5 98.5
Kapurthala 1.2 - 133.5 - 134.7 99.8
Jalandhar 7.2 - 229.5 - 236.7 99.5
Nawanshehar 2.7 - 80.7 - 83.4 82.6
Hoshiarpur 20.0 - 165.9 2.4 188.3 86.4
Rupnagar 1.7 - 91.4 - 93.1 73.9
Ludhiana 10.2 - 294.0 - 304.2 100.0
Firozpur 143.7 - 327.2 - 470.9 99.1
Faridkot 89.8 - 39.0 - 128.8 97.6
Muktsar 4.3 - 213.2 - 217.5 92.9
Moga 32.4 - 165.0 - 197.4 99.7
Bathinda 230.5 - 64.4 - 294.9 98.6
Mansa 144.5 - 54.5 - 199.0 98.0
Sangrur 81.3 - 341.2 - 422.5 92.7
Patiala 10.0 - 279.7 - 289.7 95.3
Fetehgarh
Sahib
1.4 - 101.2 - 102.6 99.6
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Total 1001.8 3016.5 2.4 4020.7 1588.7
Source: Director of Land Records, Punjab
Table 4. Tubewells in Punjab
Unit: in lacs
Year Diesel operated Electric operated Total
1970-71 1.01 0.91 1.92
1980-81 3.20 2.80 6.00
1990-91 2.00 6.00 8.00
1997-98 1.75 7.35 9.10
1998-99 1.70 7.45 9.15
1999-2000 (P) 1.70 7.55 9.25
2000-2001 (P) 1.70 7.65 9.35
Source: Director, Agriculture, Punjab
It is clear from the above figures that electric operated tubewells are increasing while
diesel operated tubewells remain constant. This clearly indicates the dependence of
Punjab’s agriculture on electricity.
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Power status of Punjab
Electricity is a critical infrastructure on which the socio-economic development of the
State depends. Reliable, quality, and affordable power supply is one of the key drivers
for a state's industrial and commercial growth.
The State at present is facing acute power shortage. Accelerated addition to generation
capacity is required to meet the demand and to achieve higher growth rates.
Punjab is far away from the coal mines/fuel sources. Higher freight on the coal/fuel
substantially enhances the cost of power.
Table 5. Electrical energy availability (in million kwh)
Year Thermal
Generation
Hydro
Generation
Purchased Total
1991 5426 7540 2515 15481
1996 7534 7557 4972 20063
1997 8978 7616 5084 21678
1998 9424 6806 6647 22877
1999 9989 8808 6296 25093
2000 12641 7739 6008 26388
2001 13217 7063 6892 27172
2002 13198 6967 6830 26995
Source: Punjab State Electricity Board / SDR
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Table 6. Annual Per Capita sale of Electricity in Punjab 1970-71 to 2008-09 (KWH)
Year 1970-
71
1980-
81
1990-
91
2000-
01
2004-
05
2005-
06
2006-
07
2007-
08
2008-
09
Domestic 10.31 30.10 80.80 174 197 198 208 229 229
Commercial 8.06 8.43 16.24 38 50 54 59 67 67
Industrial 104.9 150.91 244.74 331 347 355 372 392 381
Public
lighting and
bulk
0.52 1.10 1.29 19 25 25 25 26 26
Agriculture 34.73 111.97 254.02 228 251 274 303 362 362
Note: (i) Public lighting included in Bulk Supply
Table 7. Conceptual Framework of Availability of Power from the State’s Own Resources by 2010
Generation Units
Thermal at 68% PLF 16000
Hydel 7000
Non-conventional resources, micro-hydel 1000
Enhancement of PLF to 80% plus 1500
Minus T&D losses @ 10% 2550
Total 23000
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Table 8. Anticipated Demand for Energy (in million kwh)
Sector Demand in 2010
Domestic 8500
Commercial 3500
Industrial 12000
Public lighting and
bulk
1500
Agriculture 8500
Total 34000
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About Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is derived from an energy source that is rapidly replaced, or
renewed, by a natural process
Under the category of renewable energy or non-conventional energy are
such sources as the sun, wind, water, agricultural residue, firewood, and
animal dung. The non-renewable sources are the fossil fuels such as
coal, crude oil, and natural gas. Energy generated from the sun is known
as solar energy. Hydel is the energy derived from water. Biomass –firewood, animal
dung, biodegradable waste from cities and crop residues- is a source of energy when it
is burnt. Geothermal energy is derived from hot dry rocks, magma, hot water springs,
natural geysers, etc. Ocean thermal is energy derived from waves and also from tidal
waves.
Through the method of co-generation a cleaner and less polluting form of energy is
being generated. Fuel cells are also being used as cleaner energy source. In India a
number of initiatives have been taken. A good example is the model village of Ralegaon
Siddhi.
When you burn a piece of wood it turns into ash. Can you use this ash to again light a
fire? No, You cannot do this. This is exactly what happens to the non renewable
sources of energy such as coal, natural gas and oil. Once you burn them they cannot be
reused. Other than this it also causes extensive damage to the environment.
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Solar energy
Solar energy is the most readily available source of
energy. It does not belong to anybody and is, therefore,
free. It is also the most important of the non-
conventional sources of energy because it is non-
polluting and, therefore, helps in lessening the
greenhouse effect.
Solar energy has been used since prehistoric times, but in a most primitive manner.
Before 1970, some research and development was carried out in a few countries to
exploit solar energy more efficiently, but most of this work remained mainly academic.
After the dramatic rise in oil prices in the 1970s, several countries began to formulate
extensive research and development programmes to exploit solar energy.
When we hang out our clothes to dry in the sun, we use the
energy of the sun. In the same way, solar panels absorb the
energy of the sun to provide heat for cooking and for heating
water. Such systems are available in the market and are being
used in homes and factories.
In the next few years it is expected that millions of households in the world will be using
solar energy as the trends in USA and Japan show. In India too, the Indian Renewable
Energy Development Agency and the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources are
formulating a programme to have solar energy in more than a million households in the
next few years. However, people’s initiative is essential if the programme is to be
successful.
India is one of the few countries with long days and plenty of sunshine, especially in the
Thar desert region. This zone, having abundant solar energy available, is suitable for
harnessing solar energy for a number of applications. In areas with similar intensity of
solar radiation, solar energy could be easily harnessed. Solar thermal energy is being
used in India for heating water for both industrial and domestic purposes. A 140 MW
India receives solar
energy equivalent
to over 5000 trillion
kWh/year, which is far
more than the total energy
consumption of the
country.
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integrated solar power plant is to be set up in
Jodhpur but the initial expense incurred is still
very high.
Solar energy can also be used to meet our
electricity requirements. Through Solar
Photovoltaic (SPV) cells, solar radiation gets
converted into DC electricity directly. This
electricity can either be used as it is or can be
stored in a battery. This stored electrical energy
then can be used at night. SPV can be used for
a number of applications such as:
a.domestic lighting
b. street lighting
c. village electrification
d. water pumping
e. desalination of salty water
f. powering of remote telecommunication
repeater stations and
g. railway signals.
If the means to make efficient use of solar energy could be found, it would reduce our dependence on
non-renewable sources of energy and make our environment cleaner.
The availability of abundant solar energy enables
organizations to meet the energy challenge and provides
an opportunity to offer new and cost effective solutions. In
the solar photovoltaic sector, the photon chasing has
moved from expensive silicon wafers (owing to paucity of
polysilicon worldwide), to the growth of technologies such
as thin film-based high concentration photovoltaics,
concentrating solar power (CSP) and nanosolar.
Form of Energy: Solar Thermal
energy
This energy is used for:
Cooking/Heating, Drying/Timber
seasoning, Distillation,
Electricity/Power generation,
Cooling, Refrigeration, Cold storage
Some of the gadgets and other
devices:
Solar cooker, Flat plate solar
cookers, Concentrating collectors,
Solar hot water systems (Domestic
and Industrial), Solar hot air systems,
Solar Dryers, Solar timber kilns, solar
stills, Solar photovoltaic systems,
Solar pond, Concentrating collectors,
Power Tower, Air conditioning, Solar
collectors, coupled to absorption,
Refrigeration systems
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India has today only around 33-35 grid interactive solar photovoltaic power plants with aggregate
capacity of around 2-2.5 MW, that generate around 2.5 million units of electricity in a year, in sharp
contrast to the estimated potential of 50,000 MW (assuming a generation of 20 MW per square km).
Most of the existing capacity today is off-grid and for standalone applications in lighting,
telecommunication, small power requirements, battery charging, water heating, cooking etc. There are
currently around 14-15 lakh solar PV systems in operation and around 6 lakh solar cookers in use.
Around 200,000 square meter collector area has been installed for solar water heating applications.
The
Government
of India has
launched
the National
Solar
Mission. The
main
features of
the Mission
are:
Make India a global leader in solar energy and the mission envisages an
installed solar generation capacity of 20,000 MW by 2022, 1,00,000 MW
by 2030 and of 2,00,000 MW by 2050.
The total expected investment required for the 30-year period will run is
from USD 19 bn to USD 23 bn.
4-5GW of installed solar manufacturing capacity by 2017
Between 2017 and 2020, the target is to achieve tariff parity with
conventional grid power and achieve an installed capacity of 20 gigawatts
(Gw) by 2020.
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Types of Solar Cells
Solar Cells are broadly classified into three types, as shown below:
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Uses: Solar Power Generation to Pump Water
Pumping water is a universal need around the world and the use of photovoltaic power
is increasing for this application. PV powered pumping systems offer simplicity,
reliability, and low maintenance for a broad range of applications between hand pumps
and large generator driven irrigation pumps. The solar PV powered water-pumping
system (DC Surface suction, DC floating, and DC or AC submersibles) can offer a
veritable panacea to the problem of finding power to pump water for irrigation in India.
Typical pump systems in India are of the DC surface suction type (approximately 86%
of solar pumping systems installed in India), DC submersible type (2%), DC floating
type (2%), and AC submersible (10%). The system for solar pumping depends on the
nature of the well: deep well, bore well, open well etc.
Regardless of the type of pump used, water is usually stored in a tank or reservoir for
use at other times. Most pumping systems do not include batteries for on-demand
water. However, batteries are sometimes used in systems where pumping time must be
controlled because of low water demand or low source capacity.
India has about 15 million grid-powered pump-sets and close to 7 million diesel-
powered pumps. However, only about 7500 solar pumping systems have been installed
for agricultural use in India.
The problems with the grid-powered pumping systems are:
Demand for electrical energy far outstrips supply, and the gap continues to widen
It is proving increasingly difficult for the government to continue subsidizing the
rising costs of generation, transmission and distribution losses, pilferage, etc (to
deliver 3600 kWh to a farmer to pump water, 7000 kWh is required to be
generated, assuming a diversity factor 2). The loss of revenue to the government
is colossal.
The capital cost to the government to provide an electrical connection for a single
pump-set of 3 hp capacity (sufficient for 2 hectares) is estimated at Rs 1.37 lakh
by Andhra Pradesh Transco (2002 figures)
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The costs and tariffs of electricity continue to rise – the marginal farmer is unable
to pay for the electricity
Grid power is unreliable and of poor quality, often leading to motor burnouts at
the tail end.
In a coal-fired thermal generating station, 1 kWh of electrical energy generated
translates to 11.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission a year.
Applications
Irrigation
Village Water Supply
Stock Watering
Drinking water
Agriculture related use
Horticulture
Animal Husbandry
Poultry farming
High value crops
Orchard
Farming
Users
Farmers /Ranchers
Villages
Solar Water Heating System
A solar water heater consists of a collector to collect solar energy and an insulated
storage tank to store hot water. Based on the collector system, solar water heaters
can be of two types:
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Solar water heaters based on Flat plate Collectors (FPC based SWH)
Here the solar radiation is absorbed by flat plate collectors which consist of an
insulated outer metallic box covered on the top with glass sheet. Inside there are
blackened metallic absorber (selectively coated) sheets with built in channels or riser
tubes to carry water. The absorber absorbs the solar radiation and transfers the heat
to the flowing water.
Figure2. Flat Plate Collector based Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters based on Evacuated Tube Collectors (ETC based SWH)
Here the collector is made of double layer borosilicate glass tubes evacuated for
providing insulation. The outer wall of the inner tube is coated with selective
absorbing material. This helps absorption of solar radiation and transfers the heat to
the water which flows through the inner tube.
Figure 3. Evacuated Tube Collector based Solar Water Heater
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Solar water heating is now a mature technology. Wide spread utilization of solar water
heaters can reduce a significant portion of conventional energy being used for heating
water in homes, factories and other commercial & institutional establishments.
Internationally too the market for solar water heaters has expanded significantly
during the last decade. It is estimated that over 107 million sq.m. of collector area has
so far been installed world wide for heating water. In India, the collector area so far
installed for water heating is also over 1.00 million sq.m. Ministry of New and
Renewable En ergy has plans to add another 1.00 million sq. m. in next two years.
Solar Water Heaters
* Hot water at 60-80 C for hotels, hospitals, restaurants, dairies, homes, industry etc.
* Solar water heaters (SWHs) of 100-300 litres capacity are suited for domestic
application.
* Larger systems can be used in restaurants, canteens, guest houses, hotels,
hospitals etc.
Fuel Savings:
A 100 litres capacity SWH can replace an electric geyser for residential use and
saves 1500 units of electricity annually.
Avoided utility cost on generation
The use of 1000 SWHs of 100 litres capacity each can contribute to a peak load
shaving of 1 MW.
Environmental benefits
A SWH of 100 litres capacity can prevent emission of 1.5 tonnes of carbon-dioxide
per year.
Life : 15-20 years
Approximate cost: Around Rs.22000 for a 100 litres capacity SWH
Rs.110-150 per installed litre for higher capacity systems
Payback period: 3-4 years when electricity is replaced
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4-5 years when furnace oil is replaced
6-7 years when coal is replaced
Though the initial investment for a solar water heater is high compared to available
conventional alternatives, the return on investment has become increasingly attractive
with the increase in prices of conventional energy. The pay back period depends on
the site of installation, utilization pattern and fuel replaced. To offset the high initial
investment for solar water heaters, the Ministry is currently implementing a soft loan
scheme through seven designated banks and Indian Renewable Energy
Development Agency (IREDA), which has now been extended to all kind of Financial
Institutions.
Solar Power Vs Diesel Generator
We know that solar powered generators are in existence. But are they really effective?
Are they useful, economic? Why do we need to opt for solar powered generators when
simple, diesel generators are in existence?
1. Cost
People generally prefer diesel generators over solar powered ones due to the initial cost
of installation. But if one can sit and think about the future expenses that would be in
store, the individual would, without doubt, prefer solar generators. Diesel generators
would need a constant supply of fuel – with increased expenditure, owing to the ever-
increasing price of fuel. Add to that the amount of time each day or week spent making
sure the generator does not run out of fuel.
2. Pollution
The solar generator not only conserves power, but also reduces pollution. The diesel
generator would produce continuous noise, whereas the solar generator doesn’t.
3. Efficiency
When using a diesel generator, the device would go on and on, not considering the
amount of power consumed. This can be avoided on a solar powered generator.
29
The only drawback with the solar powered generator could be the amount of sunlight
the locality receives. Though the system would run on charged batteries, once the
cloudy season sets, there are chances of the batteries going dead.
4. Reliability
In warm/hot countries , solar generators are more reliable. But in countries where there
is less sunshine and more rains and winds, solar energy doesn’t come in handy.
However, in Germany, solar energy is used at a much higher level than in North
America. Hence, reliability is not an issue when it comes to solar powered gensets.
Major Obstacles in the Captive Solar industry
Captive power generation is plagued with some issues. The main idea behind setting up
solar based captive power plants was to get uninterrupted power supply and reduce the
diesel cost. Industrial users who have the required resources to set up their own power
plants for internal consumption can put up SPV captive power plant. But, there are
certain issues in setting up solar based captive power plants.
Uncertainty in weather: The design of a solar power generation system involves either
the use of historical weather data or weather forecast methods to predict the future
temporal evolution of the solar energy system. Despite the use of such methods, the
behavior of weather conditions always involves high uncertainty. Unless such
uncertainty is accounted for during the system design, the performance of the solar-
based system will only be optimum within the range of the considered weather
conditions. Potentially unpredictable weather fluctuations will inevitably result to
suboptimal system operation.
Solar irradiance: Solar irradiance is one of the most important factors in the operation
of the PV systems and it can have a significant impact on the efficiency and power
quality response of the whole system. The variable power flow due to the fluctuation of
solar irradiance and temperature are some of the parameters that affect the power
quality of photovoltaic systems. With high connection densities of photovoltaics in the
distribution grid, low irradiance can lead to undesirable variations of power and supply
quality (voltage and current) at the connection point which might even exceed
29
acceptable limits. The system injects a highly distorted current (with respect to the
fundamental frequency current) to the distribution network during low solar irradiance
conditions. It has been found that low solar irradiance has a significant impact on the
power quality of the output of the PV system.
Initial Cost: The high initial cost of solar PV systems is one of the most significant
barriers to PV adoption. However, as the initial cost of PV system decreases and the
cost of conventional fuel sources increases, these systems will become more
economically competitive.
Surplus Power: In India, net metering system is currently not available and thus the
surplus power generated from renewable energy sources cannot be sold to the utilities.
When it is not connected to the grid, excess energy that is generated is not fed out to
the utility to give you an energy credit (this can happen with on-grid systems). Off-grid
systems must use the surplus or lose it.
Energy Storage: Offgrid PV systems typically use batteries for storing energy, and the
use of batteries could increase the size, cost and complexity of the system.
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Banks and Institutions that Support Renewable Energy Financing in India
The websites of commercial banks and financial institutions actively involved in RE
financing and provide subsidy are given below.
ADB http://www.adb.org
DEG http://www.deginvest.de
DBS http://www.dbs.com
ICICI Bank http://www.icicibank.com
IDFC http://www.idfc.com
IFC http://www.ifc.org
IL&FS http://www.ilfsindia.com
IREDA http://www.ireda.in
PFC http://www.pfc.gov.in
Proparco http://www.proparco.fr
Rabobank http://www.rabobank.com
SBI http://www.statebankofindia.com
SBI Caps http://www.sbicaps.com
Yes Bank http://www.yesbank.in
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Bio Energy
Bio-Energy is often referred to as alternative energy, green energy, renewable energy,
renewable power sources, sustainable energy, etc.
Bio-Energy is renewable energy obtained from biological materials derived from
biological sources. It is the energy derived from biomass, which is agri-residue such as
baggase, prosopis, cotton stalk, elephant grass, coconut shell and forest organic
residue such as wood, plants, etc. Bio-Energy can be used to generate electricity,
produce heat, and also for the production of Bio-Fuels.
Different types of Bio-Energy
Biomass
Biomass refers to agriwaste and organic forest residue, which includes wood, wood
waste, straw, sugar cane left overs, garden waste and crop residues like baggase,
prosopys, cotton stalk, elephant grass, coconut shell etc. It is a renewable energy
source based on the carbon cycle, unlike other natural resources such as petroleum,
coal, and nuclear fuels.
Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from the
carbonaceous waste of various human and natural activities. It
is derived from numerous sources, including the by-products
from the timber industry, agricultural crops, raw material from
the forest, major parts of household waste and wood.
Biomass does not add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it absorbs the same amount
of carbon in growing as it releases when consumed as a fuel. Its advantage is that it can
be used to generate electricity with the same equipment or power plants that are now
burning fossil fuels. Biomass is an important source of energy and the most important
fuel worldwide after coal, oil and natural gas.
Traditional use of biomass is more than its use in modern application. In the developed
world biomass is again becoming important for applications such as combined heat and
29
power generation. In addition, biomass energy is gaining significance as a source of
clean heat for domestic heating and community heating
applications. In fact in countries like Finland, USA and
Sweden the per capita biomass energy used is quite
higher.
Biomass fuels used in India account for about one third
of the total fuel used in the country, being the most
important fuel used in over 90% of the rural households
and about 15% of the urban households.
Instead of burning the loose biomass fuel directly, it is more practical to compress it into
briquettes (compressing them through a process to form blocks of different shapes) and
thereby improve its utility and convenience of use. Such biomass in the dense
briquetted form can either be used directly as fuel instead of coal in the traditional
chulhas and furnaces or in the gasifier. Gasifier converts solid fuel into a more
convenient-to-use gaseous form of fuel called producer gas.
Scientists are trying to explore the advantages of biomass
energy as an alternative energy source as it is renewable
and free from net CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions, and is
abundantly available on earth in the form of agricultural
residue, city garbage, cattle dung, firewood, etc. Bio-
energy, in the form of biogas, which is derived from
biomass, is expected to become one of the key energy
resources for global sustainable development.
At present, biogas technology provides an alternative
source of energy in rural India for cooking. It is particularly
useful for village households that have their own cattle.
Through a simple process cattle dung is used to produce
gas, which serves as fuel for cooking. The residual dung
is used as manure.
Half a kilo of dry
plant tissue can
produce as much as 1890
KCal of heat which is
equivalent to the heat
available from a quarter of
kilogram of coal.
Form of Energy: Chemical
energy
This energy is being used for:
Cooking, Mechanical,
Applications/Pumping, Power
generation, Transportation
Some of the gadgets and
other devices: Biogas
plant/Gasifier/Burner, Gasifier
engine pump sets, Stirling
engine pump sets, Producer
gas/ Biogas based engine
generator sets,
Ethanol/Methanol
29
Biogas plants have been set up in many areas and are becoming very popular. Using
local resources, namely cattle waste and other organic wastes, energy and manure are
derived. A mini biogas digester has recently been designed and developed, and is being
in-field tested for domestic lighting.
Indian sugar mills are rapidly turning to bagasse, the leftover of cane after it is crushed
and its juice extracted, to generate electricity. This is mainly being done to clean up the
environment, cut down power costs and earn additional revenue. According to current
estimates, about 3500 MW of power can be generated from bagasse in the existing 430
sugar mills in the country. Around 270 MW of power has already been commissioned
and more is under construction.
Bio-Pellets
Bio-Pellets is a refined and densified form of biomass, which is completely made from agri-waste and
organic forest residue. Bio-Pellet industry has considerably grown in Europe in recent years and is
gaining importance quickly across the globe due to its carbon neutral properties.
Bio-Diesel
Bio-Diesel is produced from oils or fats using transesterification. Feedstock for Bio-
Diesel include animal fats, vegetable oils, soy, rapeseed, jatropha, mahua, mustard,
flax, sunflower, palm oil, hemp, field pennycress, pongamia pinnata and algae. Pure
Bio-Diesel is by far the lowest emission diesel fuel. Since Bio-Diesel is an effective
solvent and cleans residues deposited by mineral diesel in engine, it also effectively
cleans the engine combustion chamber of carbon deposits, helping to maintain
efficiency.
Bio-Ethanol
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Bio-Ethanol is the most common Bio-Fuel worldwide. It is produced by fermentation of sugars derived
from wheat, corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, molasses and any sugar or starch that alcoholic beverages
can be made from. Ethanol can be used in petrol engines as a replacement for gasoline.
Bio-Oil
Oils and fats can be hydrogenated to give a diesel substitute. Hydrogenated oils can be
blended with diesel in all proportions. Hydrogenated oils have several advantages over
Bio-Diesel, including good performance at low temperatures, no storage stability
problems and no susceptibility to microbial attack. It is estimated that 19 million tons of
oil would be available from biomass by 2020.
Bio-Gas
Bio-Gas is produced by the process of anaerobic digestion of organic material by
anaerobes. It can be produced either from biodegradable waste materials or by the use
of energy crops fed into anaerobic digester to supplement gas yields. The solid
byproduct can be used as a Bio-Fuel or a fertilizer.
Punjab is predominantly rich in agriculture and contributes the major share to the grain
basket. It has surplus production of major crops. Punjab has been meeting its electrical
requirements primarily through conventional thermal and hydro power generation.
However, Hydro power generation has a tendency to fluctuate depending on the
availability of water. Thermal power generation has to depend on coal which has to be
transported from eastern part of India involving large distances. Cost of generation from
coal continuous to escalate and moreover it is polluting.
Benefits of Bio-Energy
As concerns grow over both climate change and the fast depleting reserves of fossil
fuels, Bio-Energy has a prominent role to play in the provision of clean burning fuels. An
added advantage of Bio-Energy is that it also encourages the planting of forests as
carbon sinks.
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Economic Benefits
•
Cost competitive fuels- biomass offers a cost-effective alternative to burning fossil
fuels for some users. For example - In saw milling, the users can burn the wood
waste produced on site.
•
Waste minimization- Using agri-waste, organic forest residue, etc., as fuel converts
waste to a value proposition.
•
Rural Development - Biomass is a local resource; it is produced, processed and
consumed locally. It, therefore, emphasizes on the self sufficiency model and
encourages sustainable development in the villages thereby generating more
employment and income for the villagers and contributing to nation building.
•
Energy storage – Unlike wind, wave and solar, biomass is a storable form of
renewable energy. It is capable of being transported and utilized at any time.
Environmental Benefits
•
Carbon neutral- As a renewable energy source that can be grown and used
sustainably, burning biomass has zero net greenhouse effect as carbon dioxide given
off during combustion is absorbed by the growth of the next crop of biomass.
•
Renewable energy source – Unlike fossil fuels, biomass fuels are renewable and
therefore contribute to a more sustainable, clean and green future for human beings.
•
Across the globe, hundreds of millions of acres of once-productive agricultural land lie
abandoned, according to a new report from researchers at Stanford University and
the Carnegie Institution for Science. This land can be used to grow crops for
conversion into BioEnergy; it could help ease the energy crunch without worsening
the world food shortage or contributing to global warming.
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More about Biogas
Biogas is a well-established fuel for cooking and lighting in a number of countries. It is a
gas mixture comprising around 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide that is formed
when organic materials, such as dung or vegetable matter are broken down by
microbiological activity in the absence of air, at slightly elevated temperatures (most
effective between 30 - 40°C or 50 - 60°C). This is the same process as that which
occurs naturally at the bottom of ponds and marshes and gives rise to marsh gas or
methane.
China has over 7.5 million household biogas digesters, 750 large- and medium-scale
industrial biogas plants, and a network of rural 'biogas service centres' to provide the
infrastructure necessary to support dissemination, financing and maintenance. India
has also had a large programme, with about three million household-scale systems
installed (Martinot 2003). Other countries in the South with active programmes include
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and several countries in Latin America. As carbon emission
levels of greater concern and as people realise the benefits of developing integrated
energy supply options, biogas becomes increasingly attractive option.
The biogas process is known as anaerobic (without air) digestion, and provides a clean
cooking and lighting fuel that can be produced on a scale varying from a small
household system to a large commercial plant of several thousand cubic metres. Biogas
can be used for electricity generation and powering farm equipment. There are two
main types of electricity generation equipment:
Microturbines are small gas turbines that burn methane, mixed with compressed
air. As they burn, the hot pressurized gases are forced out of the combustion
chamber and through a turbine wheel, causing it to spin and turn the generator, thus
making electricity.
Reciprocating gas engines that have been modified from natural gas engines but
which can handle the larger quantities of carbon dioxide and contaminants that are
29
found in biogas. They work on a much larger scale, burn efficiently, and deliver
between 1MW and 2 MW of electrical power.
The digestion of animal and human waste yields several benefits:
The production of methane for use as a fuel, which reduces the amount of
woodfuel required and thus reduces desertification.
The waste is reduced to slurry that has a high nutrient content, making an ideal
fertiliser.
During the digestion process, dangerous bacteria in the dung and other organic
matter are killed, which reduces the pathogens dangerous to human health.
Carbon emissions
In some cases, anaerobic digestion is used to produce fertiliser as the main product,
and the biogas is merely a by-product which is vented from the digester. This has
serious negative environmental impacts as methane is a damaging greenhouse gas.
Conversely, when the gas is burnt, it is one of the few energy processes that is ‘carbon
negative’ in that it reduces the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the raw material
(dung emits methane), making it an attractive option for those seeking carbon funding
for wide-scale dissemination.
Technical issues
There are several technologies for obtaining biogas:
The most common is the fermentation of human and/or animal waste, diluted to
slurry, in specially designed digesters.
Where water is scarce, an adapted technology uses a drier mix with high yields
and more manageable residues. A recent approach using starches from waste
foods and grain in much smaller quantities has created a small-scale technology
appropriate for both urban and rural communities.
Where there is no cattle, new technologies show that fuel crops can yield biogas
in a larger-scale.
29
However, when building a biogas digester, certain criteria must be met if it is to be
successful, for example:
Sufficient raw feedstuffs must be available on a long-term basis and
over the whole year, or supplies will be inconsistent and people will lose
confidence in the technology
The temperature has to be high enough to cause the digestion
process to work or additional building work to create a warm environment may
make it prohibitively expensive
For fixed-dome type digesters, the quality of the building materials
must be high as the biogas is held under pressure within the dome
Skills and know-how are needed both to build and to maintain biogas
plants. Many units built in the past have been abandoned for lack of servicing
skills
Social
Biogas is a clean fuel, thus reducing the levels of indoor air pollution, a major
cause of ill-health for those living in poverty .
Lighting is a major social asset, and already there are estimated to be over 10
million households with lighting from biogas (Martinot, 2003). Improved lighting
is associated with longer periods for work or study
Where biogas is substituted for woodfuel, there are two benefits: a reduction in
the pressures on the forest, and a time-saving for those who have to collect
wood – usually women and children
If a biogas plant is linked to latrines in a sanitation programme, it is a positive
way of reducing pathogens and converting the waste into safe fertilizer where
biogas is linked with sales of the resultant fertilizer, it is an excellent source of
additional income
Fertilizer can be used on crops to increase their yield. In China and India
biogas plants are produced in great numbers by local artisans. In Kenya,
where biogas technology is still in its early stages of dissemination, local
29
manufacturers have been quick to realise the potential and get involved with
the production of biogas plants.
Biogas can be used to generate electricity, bringing with it the possibilities of
improved communications; telephone, computer, radio and television for
remote communities
Fuel produced locally is not so vulnerable to disruption as, for example, grid
electricity or imported bottled gas
It is more likely to succeed if there is a market for the end product e.g.,
fertilizer, this supply chain should be part of the planning stage of biogas
introduction
Even if the set-up costs are subsidised, those who will use the gas should
have some financial stake in the construction or they may not have sufficient
sense of ownership to maintain the plant
Handling animal and human waste is a sensitive cultural issue and even the
use of the gas may be unacceptable in some societies
Collection of dung may be problematic if the livestock is not held in a fixed
place but is allowed to wander freely
Promotion and dissemination of the benefits of biogas will be needed if it is to
be accepted in the rural areas where feedstock is available
The use of human waste appears to be more successful when it is associated
with an institution such as a school or a hospital, rather than an individual
home
NGO involvement can ensure that technologies are appropriate and
acceptable to the target community
Financial / political
Government promotion and involvement can assist in dissemination.
This can be a win-win solution as it provides clean energy and reduces
problems associated with waste.
Private sector investment will support long-term sustainability
29
Set-up costs are relatively high so it may only be affordable to those
with higher incomes Micro-credit can be used to reduce this problem. Credit
schemes, or well-targeted subsidies, will enable a larger number of people to
access biogas technologies and thus stimulate the market. For example,
USAID’s Nepal Biogas Microfinance Capacity Building Program has
established appropriate financial institutions to help, continue and sustain the
development of biogas sector in Nepal. The Asia Biogas Program has set up
various credit and loan systems, including an innovative carbon finance
mechanism for credit in Vietnam.
Household-level technologies
The most widespread designs of digester are the Chinese fixed dome digester and the
Indian floating cover biogas digester (shown in figures 4 & 5). The digestion process is
the same in each digester but the gas collection method is different. In the floating
cover type, the water sealed cover of the digester is capable of rising as gas is
produced, where it acts as a storage chamber, whereas the fixed dome type has a
lower gas storage capacity and requires good sealing if gas leakage is to be prevented.
Both have been designed for use with animal waste or dung.
The waste is fed into the digester via the inlet pipe and undergoes digestion in the
digestion chamber. The temperature of the process is quite critical - methane producing
bacteria operate most efficiently at temperatures between 30 - 40°C or 50 - 60°C - and
in colder climates heat may have to be added to the chamber to encourage the bacteria
to carry out their function. The product is a combination of methane and carbon dioxide,
typically in the ratio of 6:4. Digestion time ranges from a couple of weeks to a couple of
months depending on the feedstock and the digestion temperature. The residual slurry
is removed at the outlet and can be used as a fertiliser.
From a household perspective, the gas should always be available, so those digesters
which allow continuous addition of feedstock which displaces spent feedstock is likely to
be the most appropriate and acceptable. Both systems, which require the physical
29
removal of slurry every few days and the addition of new feedstock are both labour
intensive.
Figure 4: Fixed dome digester.
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Figure 5: Floating cover digester
Biogas digesters where water is a constraint
This digester, developed by the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal,
India, is a modification of the fixed-dome type and it allows fresh undiluted cattle dung to
be used. The modified design requires very little or no water for mixing with the cattle
dung, generates about 50% more biogas for each kilogram of dung loaded into the
system, and does not require slurry drying time before it can be used as fertiliser.
The main changes to a conventional fixed dome digester are an increase in the bore of
the inlet feed, greater reinforcement of the chamber to withstand the higher gas
pressures, an enlarged slurry chamber outlet and a smooth widened outlet channel to
streamline the flow of the slurry (Shyam, 2001).
Compact biogas digester using waste foodstuffs
For those without cattle or within urban centres, a conventional digester may not be
appropriate. The Indian Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI) has introduced a
small biogas digester that uses starchy or sugary wastes as feedstock, including
waste flour, vegetable residues,waste food, fruit peelings, rotten fruit, oil cake,
rhizomes of banana, canna (a plant similar to a lily but rich in starch), and non-edible
seeds. The compact plants are made from cut-down high-density polythene (HDPE)
water tanks, which are adapted using a heat gun and standard HDPE piping. The
standard plant uses two tanks, with volumes of typically 0.75 m3 and 1 m3. The smaller
tank is the gas holder and is inverted over the larger one which holds the mixture of
decomposing feedstock and water (slurry).
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Figure 6: Compact biogas digester.
The feedstock must be blended so that it is smooth using a blender powered by
electricity or by hand. Two kilograms of such feedstock produces about 500 g of
methane, and the reaction is completed with 24 hours.
An inlet is provided for adding feedstock, and an overflow for removing the digested
residue. The digester is set up in a sunny place close to the kitchen, and a pipe takes
the biogas to the kitchen. (ARTI, 2006)
Larger-scale biogas plants
Industrialized countries commonly use biogas digesters where animal dung, and
increasingly fuel crops, are used as feedstock for large-scale biogas digesters. Brazil
and the Philippines lead the world in crop-based digesters using sugar-cane residues as
feedstock.
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Interest and public support in biogas has been growing in most of the European
countries. After a period of stagnation, caused by technical and economical difficulties,
the environmental benefits and increasing price of fossil fuel have improved the
competitiveness of biogas as an energy fuel. This has been seen in both small and
large scale plants in Denmark, Germany (with over 3000 plants producing 500MW
electricity and 1000MW of heat) and Switzerland, and as a transport fuel in Sweden
(where vehicles using biomass were voted environmental cars of the year in 2005).
There have been interesting biogas projects in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
Despite this, the use of biogas in Europe is modest in relation to the raw-material
potential, and biogas produces only a very small share of the total energy supply.
Several countries are experimenting with dedicated biogas energy crops, such as newly
bred grass varieties (Sudan grass and tropical grass hybrids) or biogas ‘super maize’
developed in France. The crops are developed in such a way that they ferment easily
and yield enough gas when used as a single substrate. Biogas crops can be used
whole, which allows for the use of far more biomass per hectare.
When produced on a large scale, biogas can be fed into the natural gas grid and enter
the energy mix without consumers being aware of the change. A select number of
European firms have already begun doing so, while farmers who generate excess
biogas on their farms make use of incentives to sell the electricity they generate from it
to the main power grid. In Germany, electricity from biogas is an integral part of the
energy market. In 2005, biogas units produced 2.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity
(NAWARO).
India is planning to deal with one of its major problems – air pollution from transport,
through the use of compressed biogas (CBG). Since over 70% of the world's longterm
(2030) growth in demand for automotive fuels will come from rapidly developing
countries like India this is highly relevant and is currently in the research phase
(Biopact)
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Uses of biogas
Biogas has a wide variety of applications. It can be used directly for cooking and
lighting, or for heat generation, and for electricity production and fuel for cars.
Studies in China have shown that when it is used to heat and light greenhouses it
boosts carbon dioxide levels, which boosts photosynthesis in the greenhouse plants
and increase yields.
Experiments in Shanxi Province have shown that increasing carbon dioxide four-fold
between 6 am and 8 am boosts yields by nearly 70 percent. A biogas lamp gives both
light and warmth to silkworm eggs, increasing their rate of hatching as well as
cocooning over the usual coal heating.
At industrial level, the methane and carbon dioxide mix in biogas can be used to inhibit
picked fruit from ripening too early as it inhibits metabolism, thereby reducing the
formation of ethylene in fruits and grains. It also kills harmful insects, mould, and
bacteria that cause diseases (Kangmin, L. & Ho, M-W)
Table 1 shows some typical applications for one cubic metre of biogas.
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Table 9. Some biogas equivalents
Application 1 cubic metre biogas equivalent
Lighting
Cooking
Fuel replacement
Shaft power
Electricity generation
Equal to 60 –100 watt bulb for 6 hours
Can cook 3 meals for a family of 5 – 6
0.7 kg of petrol
Can run a one horse power motor for 2
hours
Can generate 1.25 kilowatt hours of
electricity
Source: adapted from Kristoferson, 1991
Since more and more farmers are now shifting their dairies far away from their home in
their farms, and piping cost would be very high, the bottling of biogas has huge
potential. Biogas consists of 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide. This biogas can be
purified (upto 96% of Methane) to match CNG standards.
Biogas (CBG) Purification and Bottling
By an approximate formula, 100 cows will give/day 1000/Kg of cow dung, this in a bio
digester will yield about 40 M3 of Gobar gas. After removing impurities such as CO2,
Sulphur, Moisture etc it will yield about 20M3 or 17Kg of pure methane gas.
However, it is only now that, a technology has been developed by us, enabling the use
of this gas from Bio digester. Gober gas is purified of all impurities and moisture. Pure
Methane gas is than Compressed. This Compressed Bio - Gas is capable of running
Power plants & Vehicles.
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Brief description & operation of the plant is as under
This Project is designed for
Bottling Biogas
Generating power using non-conventional energy
Driving conventional vehicles using non-conventional energy
The Project has two parts.
Ist part Deals in separating impurities such as moisture, Carbon dioxide and Hydrogen
sulfide and generating pure Methane from Biogas.
IInd part Deals in Filtering, compressing and filling Methane in a Gas Bottle i.e. a CNG
Dispenser making it suitable as an IC Engine fuel.
Ist part
Biogas is an economical, renewable and an eco-friendly fuel. Biogas is produced in an
anaerobic digester i.e. a Gobar gas plant. Biogas in its natural self consists of Moisture,
Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen sulfide and Methane gas. Methane has a high calorific value
in its pure stage. Due to the presence of impurities Biogas becomes a very low calorific
value fuel and hence finds a very limited application even though it is cheap and easily
available.
We have to extract pure and high calorific value fuel methane from low calorific fuel
Biogas to make it an IC Engine suitable fuel. Once pure Methane is available in suitable
quality and quantity it finds a wide range of applications from running an oil engine,
driving a Motor car Engine to operating a Gas Turbine for rural power generation.
Biogas generated from the digester is allowed to flow through moisture traps. This
process drains out the Moisture present in the gas. The gas is than allowed to counter
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flow in a specially designed Sulfide extractor. This filter drains out Balance Moisture
along with the present sulfides.
Treated gas is pressurized with the help of a primary compressor. The filters mounted
drain out any present moisture and Oil present post compression.
The pressurized clean gas is than passed through a Physical Separation Device. The
Physical Separation Device is a specially designed modern high pressure combined
directional flow device for cleaning Biogas of it high impurities.
A measuring device is fitted after the filters to gauge the quantum of clean Methane gas
collected in the collecting tank.
IInd part
This part of our system now deals in bottling this clean Methane gas into a standard
CNG bottle. Gaseous Fuel generates maximum efficiency when it is injected into any
CNG converted Internal combustion Engine with the desired constant pressure.
The cleaned Methane gas is than taken into a 3-Stage high-pressure compressor.
The compressor compresses the gas from
a) Atmospheric to 10Kg/cm2 in stage I
b) 10Kg/cm2 to 60Kg/cm2 in stage II
c) 60Kg/cm2 to 250Kg/cm2 in stage III
This pressure is considered suitable to fill up a CNG bottle rack. This CNG Bottle Rack
can than be connected to a standard CNG Dispenser unit. Now this purified Gobar gas
is ready to be used as Fuel in a motor car, or run a Gas Turbine or any CNG converted
Internal combustion engine connected to an alternator to produce electricity.
This Purified Biogas has been renamed as CBG - COMPRESSED BIOGAS.
The whole System from Input of Biogas into the Machine till Filling CBG into a Vehicle
or Bottles consumes less than 5Kva of Power for a system designed to treat 200 M3. of
gobar-gas.
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This system aims on reducing Capital cost, Operational costs and space requirements.
This system has been designed keeping Indian rural conditions in mind. It is so flexible that it can be
mounted on a Tractor Trolley (if required), the most common utility vehicle in all rural areas.
Due to this, mobile CBG unit, can cater to more than one Biogas plant in a rural area, due to local
conditions, it may not be possible to have all the Bio-waste Digesters in one area. The Trolley mounted
machine with the help of a tractor can be transported to the Bio Digester which is filled up with the
unrefined gas. The machine after refining the CBG can fill up the bottles which can be stored or
transported to the required place with ease, causing an uninterrupted supply of high calorific value CBG
gas.
A properly coordinated movement could result in complete conversion of Vehicles from fossil-based fuel
to abundantly available Methane. This movement would change the face of Indian economy forever.
The size & cost of the plant depends upon the total quantum of Gobar available.
A line diagram explaining the entire process is attached.
Figure 7 : BIO GAS PURIFICATION AND BOTTLING
UNIT LAYOUT DRAWING
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1. GOBAR GAS PLANT
2.1ST STAGE
PURIFICATION
3.PRIMARY
COMPRESSION
4.PHYSICAL SEPERATION
5. 3RD STAGE
PURIFICATION
6. SECONDARY
COMPRESSION
7. BOTTLING RACK
Biogas based power generation:
Mninistry of New and Renewable Energy (Bio-energy development group) sanctioned
Biogas based power generation programme (BPGP) during the financial year 2010-11
at a total outlay of Rs. 5 cror. Biogas technology provides an alternative source of
energy mainly from organic wastes.It is produced when bacteria degrade organic matter
in the absence of air. Biogas contains around 55-65% of methane, 30-40% of carbon
dioxide and small quantities of hydrogen, Nitrogen, Carbon Monoxide, Oxygen and
Hydrogen Sulphide. The calorific value of biogas is appreciably high (around 4700 kcal
or 20 MJ at around 55% methane content). The gas can effectively be utilized for
generation of power through a biogas based power-generation system after dewatering
and cleaning of the gas. In addition, the slurry produced in the process provides
valuable organic manure for farming and sustaining the soil fertility.
1. Components of a Biogas Based Power Generation System (BPGS)
• Biogas Plants
• Gas Cleaning System
• Engine with alternator
• Control Panel
• Machine Room / Shed
• Manure management system / protocol
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2. Biogas plants
Standard KVIC floating drum model (vertical or horizontal type) would be supported by
Khadi and Village Industries Commission. The eligible item associated with a biogas
plant includes:
• Digester, gas holder and accessories
• Feed / slurry handling system (composed pits) with water supply and storage
• Initial feed
• Gas outlet
3. Gas Cleaning System
The biogas contains hydrogen disulphide gas. Concentration of hydrogen disulphide in
access of 0.1 % is harmful to the engine. Hence it is necessary to remove hydrogen
sulphide before the gas is taken to the engines.
4. Engine with alternator
• 100% biogas engines
• Micro-turbines
• Standard dual fuel engines preferably with bio-diesel in place of diesel.
5. Control / Monitoring Panel
BIS Standard control / monitoring panel would be supported.
6. Machine Room / Shed
A proper machine room with shed would be planned as per standard practices. The
biogas generated in the digester, if necessary can be stored in a suitable storage unit
or membrane type storage balloon
7. Manure management system /protocol
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Manure management is an integral part of a biogas based power generation system for
arriving at an economically feasible operation level. Marketing strategy of the biogas
slurry or the value added bio-manure is required to be defined
8. Any new efficient system for production of biogas, cleaning of the gas and conversion
of the gas to electricity, etc. can also be used subject to prior approval of the Ministry.
9. Fixed dome / Deenbandhu and other approved models of biogas plant up to capacity
of 10 – 90 cubic meter per day may also be propagated as per design dimensions and
standards for the same developed at BDTC, PAU, Ludhiana, Punjab and medium and
large capacity approved models of Biogas plants for digestion of cattle dung and other
suitable biomass. Approval of MNRE may be sought for any new model of Biogas plant
before submission of project proposal(s) under these guidelines.
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About Punjab Renewable Energy
Punjab economy is mainly agriculture based. It is estimated that about 22.65 million
tons of agro residues and agro industrial/ processing waste is produced annually. It is
mostly either underutilized or wasted, though it holds promising potential for generating
decentralized power of more than 1500 MW. The state government is committed to
support and facilitate harnessing this potential by the year 2020. These biomass power
projects shall be allocated through competitive bidding route and only one project
allocated in Tehsil (Taluka) in the state so as to provide for a sufficient command area
for biomass resource as fuel for the project.
Punjab has adopted its own “ New and renewable energy sources of Energy (NRSE)
Policy – 2006” aiming at a sustainable economy based on conventional as well as
renewable energy. Under the NRSE policy – 2006, the Government of Punjab offers
financial and fiscal incentives described hereinafter:-
Objective of the policy:
Punjab has considerable potential in NRSE sector, which is yet to be harnessed, with a
view to maximize its utilization of the potential of these resources, this policy is
formulated to achieve following objectives:
To enhance the contribution of renewable energy for socio-economic
development.
To meet and supplement minimum rural energy needs through sustainable
NRSE programmes.
To provide decentralized energy supply for agriculture, industry, commercial and
Households sector.
To improve the quality of grid power generation through NRSE projects.
To reduce and mitigate the environment pollution caused by fossil fuels.
To support development, demonstration and commercialization of new and
emerging technologies project in renewable energy sector such as fuel cell,
hydrogen and chemical energy, alternate fuel for transportation etc and to
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support establishment of linkages for collaborative and cooperative projects with
national and international institutions.
To create conditions conducive for the involvement of private investors in NRSE
projects.
To create public awareness through vigorous publicity drive in the mass media.
To create direct and indirect employment opportunities for the youth in
appropriate NRSE projects in the state.
Punjab Energy Development Agency : -was formed in Sept. 1991 as a state nodal
agency for promotion and development of renewable energy programmes/projects and
energy conservation programme in the state of Punjab. PEDA is registered as a Society
under the Societies Act of 1860
State Nodal Agency for promotion & development of Renewable Energy
programs / projects in the state of Punjab
Designated Agency by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power,GOI, for
implementation of Energy Conservation Act-2001
State nodal agency for facilitating project for availing carbon credits under Clean
Development Mechanism.
State Nodal Agency to Co-ordinate the activities related to Bio-Fuels production
policies in the State.
Punjab Energy Development Agency is operating in the following broad functional
areas :
Promotion and Development of Small/Micro Hydel projects on canal falls.
Promotion and Development of Biomass/Agro residue based power projects.
Co-generation power project in Sugar Mills and Paper industry
Promotion and Development of Solar Photovoltaic and Solar thermal power
projects.
Promotion and Development of Waste to Energy projects.
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Promotion and Development of Solar Photovoltaic based technologies
Promotion and Development of Biomass based gasifiers
Promotion and Development of Solar thermal systems
Implementation of Energy Conservation Act
Biogas development programme through setting up large size Institutional/Night
Soil based biogas plants and Family Size biogas plants.
Energy conservation
Solar Passive Architecture
Fabrication of Mobile Exhibition Vans
Creating Awareness & Publicity in masses to adopt Non-conventional Energy
Sources and Energy Saving / Conservation
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Number of Solar Systems installed in Punjab
Year Domestic
Water
Heater
No. of
sytems.
Solar
Photovolatic
pumpsets
Solar
Cooker
Domestic
home
light
system
Solar
drier
Solar
Street
light
SPV
lantern
1990-
1996
243 82 11000 - - 150 100
1999-
2000
699 5 1000 500 5 300 1500
2004-
2005
- - - - - - -
2005-
2006
- 150 - - - - -
2006-
2007
- - 14 1040 - 800 -
2007-
2008
25 - 14 400 - 500 -
2008-
2009
23 - - 2600 - 500 2500
Source: Punjab Energy Development Agency
Biomass Power projects have the following inherent advantages over thermal power
generation:
1. It is environment friendly because of relatively lower CO2 and particulate
emissions.
2. It displaces fossil fuels such as coal.
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3. It is decentralized load based means of generation because it is produces and
consumed locally, losses associated with transmission and distribution are
reduced.
4. It offers emlpyment opportunities to locals.
5. It has a low gestation period and low capital investment.
6. It help in local revenue generation and upliftment of the rural population.
7. It is an established and commercially viable technology option.
8. Substantial availability of biomass/ agrowaste in the state is sufficient to
produce about 1500 MW of electricity. PEDA has planned to develop some of
the available potential talukas/ tehsils with the aim to promote and install
biomass/ agro waste projects. PEDA has so far allocated 30 sites / tehsils for
setting up 337 MW capacilty biomass / Agrowaste based power projects under
three phases.
Challenges:
Despite the significance and potential of biomass as an energy source,
development of a reliable feedstock supply chain has not occurred. Developers
understand that a stable, long-term feedstock agreement is essential to
procuring financing for any biomass project.
Demonstrating to a landowner or farmer that the economic and other benefits of
producing biomass (the production of which is often a multi-year commitment)
outweigh the current land use can be a challenge without an established
demand for the feedstock.
Current land use, such as row crops, hunting habitat or Conservation Reserve
Program acres, competes with biomass crops. Creating demand for feedstock
also requires construction of conversion facilities, which require financing in
addition to the financing of the generation facilities. And, in the true spirit of the
chicken and the egg conundrum, lenders and investors require a reliable, long-
term feedstock source before financing a project.
Prohibitively high costs are often cited as a major driver behind decisions to
abandon biomass projects. Research into cost saving processes is currently
underway. For example, it has been shown that denser fuel pellets offer cost
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savings but the drawback is that often the pelletization process results in
significant feedstock loss. At the same time, the storage and transportation costs
of denser pellets are significantly lower than other densification options, such as
baling.
Efforts to integrate biomass with traditional agriculture, for example through the
use of crop rotation and agricultural intensification may lead to yield increases
and price reductions.
Sustainable harvesting techniques, such as one-pass harvesting, can reduce
harvest site fuel consumption significantly. Further, developing synergies
between harvest and transport, for example by using self-compacting wagons for
both harvesting and transportation, may also provide cost savings.
Satellite processing may save costs by allowing certain preprocessing of the
biomass to occur before transportation to the conversion facility. Drying and
densification of the feedstock with mobile equipment that can be located close to
the feedstock can reduce transportation costs.
The establishment of regional processing centers that aggregate, process, store
and supply biomass to the region could also provide significant cost reductions.
In addition to drying and densification, regional centers could perform other
preprocessing procedures to homogenize feedstock from several sources.
Developers could decrease expenses associated with having multiple feedstock
contracts. The aggregator, given its size, should be able to provide a more
reliable supply, as a result of the large quantities it can handle. According to the
chief executive officers of several major biofuel companies, advanced biofuel
commercialization is only a few years away, even though many argue that this is
overly optimistic. Biomass projects will need to find the right combination of the
type and location of feedstock, cost effective harvest and transportation methods
and demand for output
With an increasing number of states adopting or expanding their renewable
portfolio standards, utilities can help drive demand for biomass projects. Often
utilities assign more value to biomass projects because unlike wind or solar, it is
base-load power.
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As technology evolves, we will see maturation of the supply chain through the
introduction of satellite and regional processing facilities. These advances, in
conjunction with more effective harvest techniques, the development of high-
yield energy crops and advancements in processing and conversion technology
can all work to move the industry forward.
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ABOUT AMRITSAR DISTRICT
Location of District :-
Amritsar district is situated in northern part of Punjab State of northwestern India.
Geographical Location :-
Geographically Amritsar is located at 31°63’ north Latitudes and 74°87’ east Longitude.
Structurally Location :-
Amritsar district covers an area of 5075 Sq. km. Amritsar is situated northwest of state
capital Chandigarh and is very close to India's western border with Pakistan.
Administration Setup :-
District Amritsar is divided into 4 Tehsils, 5 Sub-Tehsils, 8 Blocks, 11 Assembly
Constituencies and 1 Lok Sabha constituency.
Economic Condition :-
The main commercial activities include tourism, carpets and fabrics, farm
produce, handicrafts, service, trades and light engineering. The city is known for its food
and culture.
Anaj Mandi Details :-
The Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board, Amritsar is having 8 marketing
committee in Amritsar, Ajnala, Attari, Chowan, Gehri, Majitha, Mehta, Rayya.
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Figure 8. Map of Amritsar
Climate
The climate of the district is characterized by general dryness except in the brief south –
west monsoon season, a hot summer and bracing winter . The year may be divided in
four seasons. The cold season is from November to march. The period from April to
June is the hot season. The south-west monsoon season is from about the beginning of
July to the first week of September. The succeeding period lasting till the beginning of
November is the post-monsoon or transition period .
Rainfall
The average annual rainfall in the district is 541.9mm.The rainfall in the district
increases generally from the south-west towards the north-east and varies from 435.5
mm at Khara to 591.7 mm at Rayya. About 74 per cent of the annual normal rainfall in
the district is received during the period June to September and as much as about 13
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per cent of the annual rainfall occurs during the period December to February .The
variation in rainfall from year to year is large .In the 50 year period 1901 to 1950,the
highest annual rainfall amounting to 184 per cent of the normal occurred in 1917, while
the very next year was one with the lowest annual rainfall which was 54 per cent of the
normal. In this 50 year period, the annual rainfall in the district was less than 80 per cent
of the normal in 13 years
On an average, there are 30 rainy days (i.e. days with rainfall of 2.5mm or more)in a
year in the district. This number varies from 24 at Khara to 34 at Rayya.
The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours recorded at any station in the district was 457.2 mm at
Khara on 5 October 1955 .
Temperature
There is a meteorological observatory in the district at Amritsar and the records of this
observatory may be taken as representative of the meteorological conditions prevailing
in the district in general. From about the end of March, temperatures increase steadily
till June which is the hottest month with mean daily minimum at 25.20c.The heat during
the summer is intense and the hot dust laden winds which blow during the afternoons
add to the discomfort .with the onset of monsoon in the district by about the end of June
or the beginning of July, there is appreciable drop in the day temperature. The nights
are, however as warm during the monsoon as in summer and due to the increased
moisture in the monsoon air, the weather is often oppressive. After the withdrawal of
monsoon early in September while the day temperatures remain as in the monsoon
season, nights become progressively cooler. From October, there is a rapid drop in
temperatures. January is generally the coldest month with the mean daily maximum at
4.5c. During the cold season, the district is affected by cold waves in the rear of passing
western disturbances and the minimum temperature occasionally drops down to a
degree or two below the freezing point of water. Frosts are common during the cold
season.
The highest maximum temperature recorded at Amritsar was 47.7 C on 21 May
1978..The lowest minimum was 3.3 C on 25 December 1984.
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Humidity
Relative humidity is generally high in the mornings, exceeding 70 per cent except during
the summer season when it is less than 50 per cent. The humidity is comparatively less
in the afternoons. The driest part of the year is the summer season when the relative
humidity in the afternoons is about 25 per cent or less.
Cloudiness
The skies are generally partly to heavily clouded and occasionally overcast during the
monsoon and for brief spells of a day or two in association with passing western
disturbances during the cold season .During the rest of the year, the skies are mostly
clear or lightly clouded.
Winds
winds are generally light with some strengthening in the summer and early part of the
monsoon season. In the post-monsoon and cold season, winds are light and variable in
direction in the morning and mostly from the west or north-west in the afternoons. In
April and May, winds are mainly from direction between north-west and north-east in the
mornings and between west and north-east in the afternoons. By June, easterlies and
south –easterlies also blow and in the south-west monsoon season. winds are more
commonly from directions between north-east and south-east.
Special weather phenomena
Western disturbances affect the weather over the district during the cold season,
causing widespread rain and gusty winds. Dust-storms and thunderstorms occur in the
summer season. Occasional fog occurs in the cold season.
Population
According to 2001 Census total population of District Amritsar is 2152182 .Rural
population is 1050102 out of which schedule caste population is 358580 .Urban
population is 1102080 out of which 229418 is schedule caste population.
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Table 10. Blockwise Rural Population
Sr.No Name of Block Population SC Population
1 Ajnala 130890 27166
2 Chogawan 131278 35699
3 Gandiwind(38 Villages) 51733 19733
4 Harsha Chhina 85854 28802
5 Jandiala 124867 53627
6 Majitha 137204 54484
7 Rayya 159877 56380
8 Tarsika 115887 38915
9 Verka 112512 43774
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Objective of the research:
1. To study the potential of Renewable Energy sources in Rural areas of
Punjab in context of Solar and Bio energy (Biomass and Biogas).
2. To evaluate the performance and usability of renewable energy (solar or
Biomass or Biogas) under field conditions in rural Punjab.
3. To analyze the various constraints at the local level for implementation of
renewable energy
4. To analyze the socio-economic impact of adopting renewable energy
(solar and Biomass)
Hypothesis:
H1: Punjab has surplus agri-waste that can be utilized for biomass energy.
H2: The cattle populations in villages are sufficient to produce biogas and that
is very economical in comparison to other fuels. Biogas also a good substitute
for diesel in DG set.
H3: The banks find Renewable Energy projects bankable.
H4: The technology for solar energy is still costly to be adopted in villages at
mass level.
H5: The awareness and maintenance issue are major concern in success of
RES adoption.
29
Research Methodology:
Research include the evaluation of solar and bio-energy by
Part - I
1. Studying the different available technology in solar and bio-energy.
2. Studying the environment of solar and bio-energy.
3. Analyzing the case study.
4. Analyzing the success and failure story related to Solar and bio-energy.
Part - II
Qualitative research is designed for survey.
The objectives of the study were accomplished through a combination of secondary and
primary research. In-depth interviews were conducted as part of qualitative survey
across target segments like subject experts, farmers, user industries, government
departments, NGOs, farmer cooperatives, local Govt. offices, mandis etc. I had visited
the villages and directly interacted with the target segments.
The present energy consumption in cooking, lighting, other domestic activities,
agriculture allied activities, rural industry and transport has been worked out. An effort
has been made to evaluate the present energy resources in the cluster and
surplus/deficit in terms of energy resources has been worked out.
Structured interviews were conducted among farmers and talked about the various
aspects of power. The quantitative survey was executed across 5 villages of Punjab
state by me.
Over 50 interviews were conducted as part of the study.
In-depth interviews conducted with:
1. Mr. Raminder Singh, DM, PEDA
2. Mr. Gurbej Singh, BDPO Verka
29
3. Mr. Kuldeep Singh, Agriculture Development Officer
4. Dairy Development Board
5. Lead Developmenet Bank Manager, PNB
6. RRB Officials
7. Co-operative Bank Officials
8. Manufacturer of Biogas Plant (2)
9. Sarpanches: 10
10.Shopkeepers: 3
11.Solar Housing System Owner (1)
12.Biogas Plant Owner (2)
13.Solar Distributor (1)
14.NGO (1)
15.Villagers (50)
29
Limitations of the study
1. The findings are based on the opinions of the farmers and the officials of
concerned department. Therefore the accuracy of findings purely depends
on the the opinions of the respondents.
2. As the survey is conducted in only one district of Punjab state; therefore
the research methodology opted is qualitative in nature.
3. As renewable energy still is in nascent stage, so sample size for those
who adopted for solar energy is very less, so socio-economic impact of
renewable energy especially solar energy is difficult to establish.
29
Findings
Among all the renewable energy sources biogas plants are most feasible source
and successful in Punjab. Still there is huge potential for that also, as still most of
animal- waste is not properly utilized. Also biogas is utilized only for cooking
purpose and not for generating power and lighting purpose, which is another
area which have huge potential.
Most of the farmers are dependent on electricity for irrigation. So there is
potential for Solar Pumps, but the design of Pumps should be done keeping the
geographical condition in consideration.
Awareness about renewable energy is not there.
No awareness camp organizes in context of renewable energy and its promotion
in all the five sample villages visited.
Banks are not able to say anything about renewable energy based projects, the
only one response gets from banks till now they did not receive any proposal
regarding renewable energy. The banks also do not have any target for financing
renewable energy based projects.
The officials of PEDA and agriculture department said that they have organized
awareness camp on regular basis. So only two possibilities are there either the
camps are not attended by farmers or they are not intensive.
For biomass the availability of continuous fuel supply (agri-waste) is a major
issue. Also land availability is also a huge issue in Punjab, as most land comes
under cultivated land.
Coordination among different agencies like PEDA, Agriculture department dairy
development board, BDPO, Financial Institutions (banks, RRBs, Co-operative
banks) are required. It is observed that renewable energy is not a focus area
among other departments except PEDA.
29
Majority of the farmers are not satisfied with the current electricity availability.
Those who are satisfied also said this year power availability is good and for the past
years.
The availability of power for agriculture is for 6-8 hrs only and this is not sufficient. They
have to depend on diesel generator set. And diesel is quite costly and this affects their
profit margin hugely.
Also for household the electricity department not following any pattern of power cut, and
so people are not able to plan any of their work.
Those who can afford have invertors in their houses, but those who cannot afford still
suffering from heat.
Also if there any default occurs, it takes time to rectify. Some times they have to
manage own their own, and villagers take risk to rectify the fault. This is costly affairs in
sense that it can take toll of the person who is doing that job also to transformers.
Even the electricity bill for few poor households seems quite high.
Graph 1. Satisfaction level of Villagers for Power supply
29
Are you aware about the solar energy?
Most of the people either don’t know about the solar energy or if they know they only
there is solar energy but beyond that their knowledge is nill. The people who know
about it mostly are general category also rich and literate.
The major reason for this lack of awareness is:
1. No awareness camp organized in the villages regarding solar energy.
2. Also no such system is installed or working in the villages.
So an intensive awareness camp should be required. Also in each village there should
be sample solar system is installed.
Graph 2. Awareness level villagers about solar energy
29
About biogas plants:
1. Only family based biogas plants are successful in villages, the
reason for that may be:
Community based plants create moral hazards problems as
few people not contributing to the plant as a resultant conflict
arises. Day to day operation people are not able to co-
ordinate.
Another problem is the usage, as it required metering
system which at present does not have.
2. The household who installed biogas plants is very much satisfied
with its working except few cases.
3. Some complaint that during winters the production of gas is less,
but that can be manageable at the local level. Some cover the
dome with thick layer of grass to keep it warm.
4. The major usage of biogas is only for cooking.
5. Villagers are not aware about other usage of biogas like lighting,
for running DG set which can save 80% of diesel.
6. Some farmers did not install biogas plants because their dairy is far
from their house and for laying pipeline to their house is costly
affair. In such case bottling of biogas is good solution.
29
Role of financial assistance and subsidy
Without subsidy solar energy applications like solar pumps and SHSs are not getting
acceptance as the cost of these system is quite high.
Subsidy also has psychological effects, as subsidy attracts farmers.
Also even economic of Biogas is very much feasible even without subsidy still a small
subsidy attract the villagers to install biogas plants.
As far as financial assistance is concern, there is huge scope for banks and financial
institutions (especially microfinance institution) to provide credit for renewable energy
projects.
As an example a 10 Cu M biogas plant requires Rs. 20,000 (approx.) capital input
required, Government give subsidy of Rs. 3000 to 4000 (depend upon the category).
Now rest of the amount i.e, Rs. 16,000 can be credited by banks. This will not only help
villagers to install biogas plant, but also a great business for banks. Also financial
assistance in form of credit and subsidy make biogas plant very much successful.
In case of solar Housing system and Solar Pumps, already MNRE provides huge
subsidy upto 90%, which is must to promote solar energy.
From the survey it is clear that villagers are very much attracted by subsidy.
Out of 100 villagers almost 90% of them asked about government subsidy schemes.
Also from the study of existing financial model working for renewable energy, the easy
installments in form of EMIs can also very successful, especially for solar lanterns.
Like a solar lanterns cost about Rs. 2400 than a EMI of 200 Rs. for is very much
feasible.
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NGOs and its role in promotion of renewable energy
Based on consultations amongst themselves, the NGOs recognized the biogas as a
viable means for solving domestic rural energy problems, which would also fit in very
well within their existing integrated agricultural and rural development programmes.
While the dung (manure) from the domestic farm animals could be efficiently recycled
through a biogas plant giving non-polluting & convenient cooking fuel to rural women
removing their drudgery, on the other hand the biogas digested slurry would provide
enriched organic manure for farming.
Some of the lessons learned, based on the experience of INSEDA members in the
promotion of renewable energy technologies (RETs) for two decades in rural India,
which are key to the success in implementation of any RETs are summarized below:
a). RETs are new & aliens to rural people, as they are developed outside the
rural environment, therefore be first viewed with skepticism by the villagers.
b). Any new RE technology selected for promotion should be fully matured before
it is transferred, demonstration, and promoted for rural applications.
c). In the initial stages of demonstration of RETs in rural areas of developing
countries, failure of even one unit could create negative impact in villages,
within a radius of 20-30 KMs and its short-comings would be spread like a
wild fire. Therefore it is always important to first demonstrate the new RETs
involving the local field agencies or NGOs who have implemented other
successful developmental programmes as well as established their credibility
with the local people/communities.
d). Once the people are convinced about the benefits of technology, which
should also be affordable then it can succeed very well. This requires a longer
gestation period, either for a new technology or for the field application of a
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new technological concept, for acceptance and internalization by the local
people in rural areas.
e). As opposed to purely marketing approach for promotion of RE Technologies
(RETs), the best strategy to follow in rural areas would be- “Extension-cum-
Semi-commercial Approach”, treating Renewable Energy Technology (RET)
as the ‘Means’ for ‘empowering’ the ‘local people’ and the ‘community’, rather
than treating (RET) as an ‘End’ in itself. This new strategy, in the long run, will
automatically help in developing a ‘sustainable RET market’.
f). Instead of treating rural areas solely as market place for RETs, the RE
implementation programmes should be used for ‘creating employment’ for
villagers, especially for unemployed rural youth by promoting ‘skills
development training’ and over all ‘capacity building’ of ‘village community’; as
well as for ‘strengthening village economy’ by starting village level, tiny
‘ancillaries units’, which could be easily managed by the local people.
g). The RE promotion should be integrated with other developmental
programmes so that it could promote ‘sustainable human development’,
linked with quantitative as well as qualitative growth of the local people,
leading to their empowerment, and in the process would also become a
marketable commodity to sustain its own growth.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF PEOPLE ORIENTED
RENEWABLE ENERGY BASED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Based on the analysis of the experiences of promotion of various renewable energy
technologies, some of the important issues are presented below, which would help in
the planning and initiating appropriate decentralised rural energy programmes,
especially for implementing people’s centered, electric power generation, focusing on
empowering target groups & communities in developing countries:
a). The implementation organization should recognize the richness of the socio-cultural
diversity of the local population, which needs to be respected and preserved while
promoting RETs; as well as RET based developmental programme. This could only be
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done by following a process-oriented approach, comprising demonstration, awareness,
education, capacity building through training, technical literacy and skills development in
renewable energy.
b). The process-oriented approach, even though slow in the beginning but essential,
and would play the crucial role in acceptance, adoption, assimilation, absorption and
internalization of sustainable energy options for a better future of the local people/
communities, treating them as one of the main partners and stakeholders.
c). Critical awareness of the local people about the pros and cons of the RET based
programmes as well as the implications of such programmes to them is a must. Local
people (the target group/community) should be treated as the primary stakeholders in
any decentralized projects meant for their benefits, rather than treating them only as
beneficiaries of the project.
e). Programme should create employment and self-employment for local people.
f). The technology as well as the technological solutions should be de-mystified so that
people can operate, manage, maintain, service and repair it locally and their spare parts
should be easily available.
g). Capacity building of the different actors involved is the key to the success of the RET
programmes for rural applications.
h). Promoting and strengthen the decentralized structures (End Users Cooperatives and
MLPIs- Micro Level People’s Institutions) for installation, generation, operation, service,
repair & maintenance and management of electrical power & energy services in a
decentralized manner, especially for rural & far-flung areas of the developing countries.
i). Integrating energy programme with the other developmental programmes of the
villages, which could also give the local people revenue for re-paying the operating cost
of the energy system as well as opens up the best possibilities for utilization of the
surplus energy generated, with the local economic growth.
j). The RE promotion should integrate with the other community development
programmes, to meet the most important non-economic needs of the individuals rural
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families and the village communities as a whole, and in the process it should also
promote Sustainable Human Development (SHD).
k). Removing drudgery of women in fetching of water for domestic purposes, collection
of fire wood and health problems associated with these activities,
l). Saving in time for the women which could be used by them for resting and relaxing
(from cooking, domestic chores and other related activities),
One of the best way to implement renewable energy activities in rural areas is to
integrate it with the eco-food production for regenerating the micro-agro-eco system, by
promoting sustainable energy based eco-village systems as a strategy for long-term
development as well as conservation & preservation of rural environment
Flexible funding of RE programmes for development of human resources in rural areas
and linking them with entrepreneurship development programme and creation of a large
number of bare foot managers, and barefoot technicians for installation, repair and
maintenance
Appropriate trainings of rural people in skill development, repair & maintenance, rural
entrepreneur development for implementation of RET programme, should be taken-up
on massive scale, for decentralized implementation, maintenance and repairs etc. Such
programme should be aimed at providing sustainable income to women, rural
unemployed youths, landless peasants, local artisans and masons. This should be
backed by adequate supply of gadgets/ appliances/ equipments etc. with the RET
Resource Centres established with the NGOs operating at the grass roots levels, on
self-supporting
Experience of NGOs in the promotions of appropriate renewable energy technologies
(RETs) in the rural areas for over two decades have shown that there are several
problems yet provides challenging opportunities for the implementation of RETs in
villages. These problems need to be studied and analyzed properly in the context of the
given socio-cultural realities, and the local people/communities are adequately
motivated and prepared, before the introduction of any new RET otherwise there would
be good chances of its failure, as these technologies are new & aliens to rural
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people. It would require a process oriented approach and longer gestation period, for a
new technology or a new technological concept, for the acceptance and internalization
by the rural people. Once the villagers are convinced about their benefits viz. a viz. their
existing local technology, and if they can also afford then the new RETs can be
accepted and adopted very well.
From the calculations in table 1 & 2, it can be seen that by installing average size of 2
M3 capacity household biogas, which would utilize 750 million kg of dung per day from
domestic farm animals, at present being dumped in heaps or in open pits for making
organic manure, and was responsible for releasing methane (CH4) emission in the
atmosphere would be abated Therefore, by installing all the potential 20 million
household plant of 2 M3 average capacity, rural India would be able to abate 660 million
tones (@ 66 million tones per year of with average plant working days of 330 per year)
of carbon dioxide equivalent of methane emission in their “Useful Working Life” of 10
year of these plants. In addition to preventing release of green house gas to the
atmosphere and thus creating positive environmental impact, these household BGPs
would also become instrumental in promoting ecological agriculture, using enriched
organic manure from the BGPs, in rural India. Thus there is a strong case for North-
South collaboration in the implementation of household plant in rural India.
Any technology programme launched in the developing countries must be critically
analyzed in respect to the socio-cultural and the socio-technical aspects, treating
technology only as a means and not the end in itself, so that the needs of such un-
served areas or regions could be met effectively, using a developmental approach,
which is the only way to empower the local people.
For this purpose a new and alternate strategy, focusing on people centered
development, which will have to recognize the rural people as the primary stakeholders
in their own development. Such a strategy will have to integrate rural poverty alleviation
programme and increased food production with the focus on appropriate agro-
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ecological and renewable energy development based on sound environmental
principles and approach.
Conclusion:
7. Awareness about renewable energy is very less among villagers of
Punjab.
8. The installation of solar systems in the district is quite less, to
create awareness already working model is quite useful as it
motivates others to go for RES.
9. There is huge scope for renewable energy in Punjab both in
biomass and solar but, financial linkage is required for both
individual HHs system and large power generating system.
10. In Punjab the ground water is depleting at very fast rate and water
table is going down from 30-50 cms annually and has reached a
stage where farmers have to deepen their tubewells and install new
turbine pumping system with higher power requirements and
electric motors so that they can go further deep to draw water to
irrigate their crops. In such a scenario the current solar powered
pumps are ineffective and the cost increase subsequently if we
further increase the panel size.
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Comments:
India took a big leap foreword in the encouragement of renewable energy,
especially the two most appropriate rural based technologies, namely, biogas
and smokeless & efficient biomass stoves, but other RETs though have large
potentials are yet to make any noteworthy dent and impact in terms of reach and
acceptability in Indian villages.
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Suggestion:
1. Best practices manuals for dissemination of information about success
stories.
2. Manuals/ brochures giving tech./ equipment details for different
application.
3. Project Development Documents for sample projects for CER
mechanisms
4. Bio-Energy is one of the most promising alternatives and holds a great
potential to meet the rural energy needs of the country. India has
formulated and implemented a number of innovative policies and
programs to promote Bio-Energy technologies. However, according to
some preliminary studies, the success rate is marginal compared to the
potential available. This limited success is a clear indicator of the need for
a serious reassessment of the Bio-Energy programs on a large scale.
Further, a realization of the need for adopting a sustainable energy path to
address the above challenges will be the guiding force in this
reassessment.
5. Among the available types of renewable energy, biomass is unique in its
ability to provide solid, liquid and gaseous fuels which can be stored and
transported
6. Most important task in order to promote renewable energy and to ensure
its success proper awareness camps should be organized.
7. From the Government side it should be promoted to use solar energy.
Solar system should be installed in public premises like schools, street
lights, clinics.
8. Solar energy products like solar lanterns, solar Pumps, Solar Housing
Systems that is individual targeted, that should be properly credit linked
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and innovative model should be adopted to finance. Like EMIs should be
provided so that consumer did not feel the pinch.
9. For community cooking like mid-day meals in schools, Gurudwaras, in
solar energy option, I will recommend a direct cooking system, Scheffler
concentrator of 16 sqm size. This is capable of cooking up to 100 people
easily. This is a bit expensive cooker, costs around Rs. 1.6 lakhs, but this
is autotracking and can work throughout the day. This cooker also has a
facility to cook indoores. Concentrator is outdoors while the focus is
indoors.
10. If the budget does not permit this, then one can go for 2.3 m dia. dish
community solar cooker. This cooker is capable of only boiling
applications and can cook for 40 people and costs around Rs. 25000/-.
This is manually tracked and outdoor application. But I will not recommend
this system, as this is difficult to handle.
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Questionnaire for farmers/ Villagers
Village Name:
Name:
Educational Qualification:
Family Size:
Occupation:
Land Holding:
No. of cattle:
Fuels used for cooking:
1. LPG
2. Kerosene
3. Wood
4. Cow Dung cake
5. Any other
Approximate expenditure in fuel for cooking?
Your monthly electricity bill:
What are your views about current power status in your village?
How many hours electricity available for HHs usage?
How many hours electricity available for Agriculture usage?
If in case of any fault in power e.g, in transformer, is electricity department quick in
response?
How you utilize agro-waste?
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How you utilized animal waste?
Have you installed biogas plant?
If yes,
How you came to know about it?
Have you got any subsidy for that?
For what purpose you are utilizing:
Cooking
Lighting
Diesel generator set
What are the benefits you get after its installation?
Is functioning satisfactorily?
What are the problems you faced while its operation?
If No,
Why?
Are you aware about solar energy?
If yes,
What you know about it?
How you got the knowledge about it?
Are you using any application of solar energy?
If yes,
1. Which one you are using?
Solar Housing System
Solar Pump
Solar Lantern
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Solar Cooker
Solar water heater
2. Are you satisfied with its functioning?
If yes, what are the benefits you get?
If no, what are the difficulties you are facing or faced?
Is there any awareness camp organized in recent past regarding renewable energy?
What are you expecting from any solar device?
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Important findings from the In-depth interview with PEDA district manager.
Only Biogas is sustainable on its own in Punjab. Even if Subsidy is not provided
still people will go for biogas plants.
Solar technology is quite costly and much more innovation is required to reduce
the cost of solar PV system
Solar water heating system is also successful, but its application is only at
industrial level. So at village level no solar heating system installed till now.
About solar cooker he said that handling of solar cooker is quite pathetic.
As far as human excreta usability is concern two important impediments came
out:
o Social issue – as people not want to handle human excreta at all. Also
they think anything associated with human excreta should not be used for
cooking purpose.
o Ph value disturbed because to flush human excreta water requirement is
more than animal waste.
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Findings from the in-depth interview with solar housing system user
Beneficiary Name: Gur Avtar Singh
Age: 37
Occupation: Agriculture
Family Size: 5
No. of cattle: 10
According to him power is available for agriculture for 6 hours during paddy season for
three months and for rest of months it is available for only 3 hours. Highly dissatisfied
with current power status despite acknowledging the power status is improved from past
year.
He installed 1 plate with battery in 2009, cost:- Rs. 5,300 (with subsidy)
One more plate in 2010, Cost:- 6,500
He came to know about SHS through a friend who is working in Government
department. Than went to PEDA district office and they installed system.
Observation 1: The Solar Housing system not functioning, picture below shows the PV
plates.
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Picture: PV plates
1 SHS consists of 1 battery and a solar panel, meant for 1 DC fan and a CFL.
According to him one plate system is not sufficient for his daily requirement. He
manages to get 1 more plate.
He also told us one of his known person installed Solar Pump of 2 KW but later on he
dismantle that system. Now a days he is using that system for lighting purpose. The
reason for that is the pump is not performing satisfactorily. The water it pump is less.
The reason is that water table goes down. The boring should be done upto 200 foot.
Another problem the user of Solar Pumps is facing the maintenance. First, the
mechanics are not available. Second, the parts are not easily available.
He also installed Biogas plant 3 years back.
Cost of the plant is Rs. 25,000
Biogas only used for cooking.
He is very much satisfied with the working of Biogas plant.
He also have diesel generator set. Cost of DG set is Rs. 70,000 and for 1 hr. Rs. 2000
diesel burnt.
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Picture - . Actual Biogas Plant
Agri-residue
The residue of wheat is used as fodder for cattle.
Residue of Paddy is sold by him.
Tudi (residue of Paddy) is sold at price of Rs. 250-300 per quintal. In 1 kila about 10
quintal of residue is collected.
Still 30% of the agri-residue burned because of difficulty in collection.
He have three tubewell connection as according to him electricity is available only for 8
hrs. so 3 tubewells solve his purpose.
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Picture 1. Two page pamphlet distributed to one of the beneficiaries of solar housing system.
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References
11.Ministry of New and Renewable Energy , Official Website, Govt. of
India
www.mnre.gov.in
12.PEDA :: Punjab Energy Development Agencies
peda.gov.in
13.National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development - NABARD
www.nabard.org
14.TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute
www.teriin.org/
15.A Bibliography on Carbon Sequestration and Biomass Estimation,
Forest Carbon Monitoring Program Working Paper 96/03, Winrock
International Institute for Agricultural Develop
16.Bio Energy Council of India
http://www.bioenergyindia.org
17.Census 2011
18.Government of India, Department of Agriculture & cooperation ...
agricoop.nic.in/
http://eands.dacnet.nic.in/latest_2006.htm (agri-statistics 2010)
19.Punjab State Electricity Board
http://www.pseb.gov.in