Future of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in India

Mr. M. B. Kulkarni (mbkulkarni@coe.sveri.ac.in), Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SVERI’s COE, Pandharpur

Present Energy Production Scenario in India

            The standard of living and the quality of life in any nation is indicated by the consumption of energy by the people and usually referred to as ‘per-capita consumption’. As per the internet data, India’s per-capita energy consumption is about one-third of the global average [4]. Though India accounts for around 18% of world’s population, it uses only around 6% of the world’s primary energy. India’s per capita energy consumption equals 0.6 tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) as compared to the global per capita average of 1.8 toes.

            As per the survey by The Economic Times, India needs to quadruple its per-capita energy consumption to meet the rising aspirations of its citizens [2]. This will also enable India to achieve the human development status of an upper-middle-income country. Obviously, this will require enormous utilization of energy resources that would also need to increase with time.

            India is one of the countries with the largest production of energy from renewable sources. As of 2019, 35% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity is from renewable sources, generating more than 16% of total electricity in the country.

Role of Non-conventional and Renewable Energy Sources:

            The conventional non-renewable energy sources like coal and oil are characterized by limited availability, environmental nuisance and ever rising prices of such energy sources (fuels). Thus, to meet the unprecedented energy demands of the modern World as well as the nation, increased and more efficient use of the non-conventional/renewable energy sources is the need of time. Many of the researchers have therefore focused their attention on aforementioned aspects of these energy sources.

Details of the Power Generation in India from Various Sectors [1]

            Here is a brief description of two prominent non-conventional energy sources in India:

1. Solar Energy:

Solar energy contributes around 2.9% of the total energy generation in India. The solar power sector is witnessing installations at a rapid pace in the country. As per the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India has finally bagged the tag of the lowest cost producer of solar power globally. The country-wise average for the total installed costs of utility scale solar PV in 2018 ranged from a low of $793 per Kilowatt (Kw) in India to a high of $2,427 per Kw in Canada.

Further, IRENA conducted an analysis of the decline in the cost of setting up solar PV projects between 2010 and 2018 across eight major markets including China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, UK and the US. The costs were found to have dropped at the fastest pace of around 80 per cent in India.

Detailed Breakdown of PV Total Installation Costs in Various Countries [3]

            Experts attribute India’s status of lowest-cost producer of solar power to multiple reasons including high solar potential that leads to improved asset utilization and lower cost of modules sourced from China. “Also, from a regulatory standpoint, utilities solar PV procurement is price driven. That means developers bring in maximum efficiency in procurement of equipment and financing costs. In addition, the cost of land and labour is cheaper than rest of the world.

Thus, one can expect further rapid growth in the sector of solar electricity generation in India, which is also encouraged and promoted by the Indian Government.

• Bio-Energy

Biomass in India is either wasted or used for burning, and thus remains underutilized in the power generation sector. The total bio-power generated in India is around 2.6%, and thus poses a huge potential for efficient utilization in the energy sector. Plants like Jatrophacurcas, Neem, Mahua and other wild plants are identified as the potential sources for biodiesel production in India. The policies for generation and technology development need to be streamlined and the farmers who can contribute to this sector should be taken into confidence by assuring minimum support price for production of biodiesel in India.

An Overview of  Biomass Sources [6]

Also, huge quantity of waste material is available in India in the form of agricultural, industrial and municipal waste. Increased conversion of ‘waste to energy’ by generation of biogas and its subsequent use for electricity generation can also be a viable option to raise the electricity generation in the country.

Conclusion:

            In order to improve the standard of living and to accelerate the pace of development in India, increased and efficient use of the non-conventional energy sources can play a vital role. Use of such resources will minimize dependency on the fossil fuels and reduce environmental emissions. Education of the end users in terms of awareness and encouragement about the non-conventional energy sources is definitely satisfactory and important step towards development of the nation.

References/Sources:

1. The Economic Times
2. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/india-needs-quadrupling-per-capita-energy-consumption-to-get-into-upper-middle-income-country-club-economic-survey/articleshow/70070107.cms?from=mdr
3. https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/india-becomes-lowest-cost-producer-of-solar-power/69565769
4. Mittal, S.; Ahlgen, E.; Shukla, P., (2018). Barriers to biogas dissemination in India: A review. Energy Policy, 122: 361-370
5. Bharathiraja, B.; Sudharsana, T.; Jayamuthunagai, J. ; Praveenkumar R.; Chozhavendhan S.; Iyyappan, J., (2018). Biogas production – A review on composition, fuel properties, feed stock and principles of anaerobic digestion. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev., 90:570-582.
6. An introduction to biomass energy