Vol 2, Issue 4- Feb 2009

from the editor’s desk

Chief PatronVilas MuttemwarMinister for New and Renewable Energy,New Delhi

PatronDeepak GuptaSecretary, MNRE, New Delhi

EditorArun K TripathiMNRE, New Delhi

Editorial BoardN P Singh, Chairman K P SukumaranBibek BandyopadhyayPraveen SaxenaB BhargavaD K KhareParveen DhamijaB S NegiP C PantD MajumdarR K Vimal

Production teamMadhu Singh Sirohi, Ambika Shankar, R Ajith Kumar, R K Joshi, and T Radhakrishnan, TERI, New Delhi; N Ghatak, MNRE, New Delhi

Editorial officeArun K TripathiEditor, Akshay UrjaMinistry of New and Renewable EnergyBlock No. 14, CGO Complex, Lodhi RoadNew Delhi – 110 003Tel. +91 11 2436 3035, 2436 0707Fax +91 11 2436 3035, 2436 2288E-mail [email protected] Web www.mnre.gov.in

Produced byTERI PressTERI, Darbari Seth Block, IHC ComplexLodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003Tel. +91 11 2468 2100, 4150 4900Fax +91 11 2468 2144, 2468 2145E-mail [email protected] www.teriin.org

Printed atBrijbasi Art Press LtdE46/11, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase IINew Delhi – 110 020, India

Publisher and PrinterMinistry of New and Renewable Energy,New Delhi

DisclaimerThe views expressed by authors including those of the editor in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the MNRE.

Volume 2 • Issue 4 P February 2009

Published, printed, and edited for and on behalf of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, from B-14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, by Dr Arun Kumar Tripathi. Printed at M/s Brijbasi Art Press Ltd, E46/11, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi – 110 020, India

Dear Reader,

Energy has always been a driving force in the development of human culture, living style, and the overall development since ages but it reached new heights during the later half of the 20th century and at its peak during first decades of the 21st century. One can’t predict its height and peak of development and thus it is a continuing process. If we go back to the history of energy utilization, it can be broadly categorized into the wood era, coal era, and the present oil era based on the utilization of energy sources.

Although energy was present in many forms since inception of life on earth or even before it, its end-use applications have been discovered and modified from time-to-time by the mankind. For example, when the wheel was invented, it was given energy by human beings and later on by draught animals. Using the then available known form of energy has always influenced the invention for the use of mankind. For example, the diesel engine was designed to function by using peanut oil as fuel; a bicycle was invented for using human energy; aeroplane was invented that uses aviation fuel; and so on. There has always been a quest to exploit various forms of energy and in this context many inventions have been made. For example, the energy available in nature around us, that is, sun, wind, flowing water, woody material from tree, crop waste, and so on is being utilized for various end use applications since ages but their mode and methods of utilization have changed/improved as the technologies developed from time to time.

The present use of renewable energy available from sun, wind, flowing water, woody material, and waste involves the developed technologies, systems, and devices commercially available in the market. There is a need for changing the attitude in adopting renewable energy devices in our daily life, which will also ensure our contribution towards mitigating GHG emissions and global warming as well. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has taken new initiatives by introducing three schemes, that is, demonstration programme on tail-end grid-connected solar power plants, rooftop SPV systems and national rating system, and energy-efficient green buildings. The present issue contains information on these schemes.

Akshay Urja has also been providing information on the availability of renewable energy systems and devices that are useful in our daily life and are commercially available in the market. The current issue focuses on solar cookers. The articles on biogas and geothermal heat pumps are quite informative. On the behalf of the entire team of Akshay Urja, I promise to keep you abreast with the latest developments taking place globally and in our country as well in renewable energy. Please continue to support Akshay Urja with your encouraging response.

ARUN K TRIPATHI<[email protected]>

A bi-monthly newsletter of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy,Government of India

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2009�

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Being a geography teacher, it gave me immense pleasure to go through Akshay Urja. This is indeed a very useful and informative magazine published by the Government of India. The material published is very relevant. I feel that such useful reading and learning material/matter should be reaching the hands of students specially those belonging to the rural areas. It is a humble request to the ministry in this regard and oblige. Many good wishes for more success.

B R ParmarPGT Geography, Kendriya Vidyalaya,

Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh

Ekgksn;]vkids }kjk lEikfnr if=dk v{k; ÅtkZ dh ,d izfr bl okfguh dks fdlh ek/;e ls bl dk;kZy; dks izkIr gqbZ ftls i<+dj lkSj ÅtkZ ds laca/k esa foLr`r tkudkjh izkIr gqbZ] 34oha okfguh] Hkkjr frCcr lhek iqfyl cy dh uo xfBr okfguh gksus ds dkj.k bl okfguh esa bl if=dk ds laca/k esa vHkh rd dksbZ tkudkjh ugha gS rFkk eglwl fd;k x;k fd okfguh ds vf/kdkfj;ksa] v/khuLFk vf/kdkfj;ksa ,oa tokuksa ds Kkuo)Zu gsrq okfguh iqLrdky; esa bl if=dk dh furkUr vko”;drk gSA vr% vuqjks/k fd;k tkrk gS fd v{k; ÅtkZ if=dk dh izfr;ka fu;fer :Ik ls 05 izfr;kas esa bl dk;kZy; dks Hkstus dh dìk djsa rkfd tokuksa dks lkSj ÅtkZ ds laca/k esa tkudkjh izkIr gks ldsA ftlesa nks izfr;ka vaxzsth ek/;e esa gksaA

Jh iou efyd 34oha okfguh] Hkkjr frCcr lhek iqfyl cy

I happened to read the recent issue of Akshay Urja. Really, it is a wonderful and the only magazine which bears 100% renewable energy news and information in our country. I would like to congratulate the editorial team and other members involved in it. The RE statistics gives me a proud look on our government’s achievements. In general, each and every page of the magazine is a way forward in educating people of the achievements and the

Thank you very much for your encouragement. The editorial team of Akshay Urja will make every effort to make this newsletter highly informative and useful to all our readers. We welcome your suggestions and valuable comments to make further improvement in terms of content and presentation.

EditorAkshay Urja

importance of RE in their daily lives. The information available in this magazine helps me a lot in knowing about the latest development on RE. Once again I would like to congratulate the team members and express my heartfelt thanks to you all.

M KesavanDepartment Incharge, Department of

Instrumentation and Control Engineering, C S I Polytechnic College, Salem, Tamil Nadu

egksn;]lfou; mDr fo’k; ds ckjs esa fuosnu gS fd geus vkids }kjk fudkyh xbZ if=dk v{k; ÅtkZ geus i<+hA gedks dkQ+h vPNh yxhA eSa mijksDr if=dk fgUnh Hkk’kk esa eaxkuk pkgrh gwWaA dÌk;k gesa fuEufyf[kr irs ij lcLØhIlu Q+kWeZ Hkstus dh dìk djsaA

Jherh izQ+qykcsu MksMh;k pSrU;

caxyks>

lR; lkbZa gksLihVy jksM] QqyokM+h ikdZ ds ikl esa] jktdksV] xqtjkrA

We are a leading multinational organization. We found your magazine Akshay Urja very useful and informative in updating us on the latest trends in energy conservation and applications of renewable energy sources. We wish all the best to the team in its efforts.

Ashish ChauhanAssistant Manager – Energies, Aventis

Pharma Ltd, Ankleshwar, Gujarat

egksn;]Jheku th eSa fo|kFkhZ gwWa rFkk çfr;ksfxrk ijh{kk dh rS;kjh dj jgk gwWaA eSa vkids }kjk laikfnr ^ûohu vkSj uohdj.kh; ÅtkZ ea=ky;** Hkkjr ljdkj dh f}ekfld if=dk ^^v{k; ÅtkZ** fu;fer :Ik ls i<+uk pkgrk gwWa rkfd eq>s mi;ksxh vkSj lgh tkudkjh fey ldsA esjk vkils lfou; fuosnu gS fd eq>s ^^v{k; ÅtkZ** dk fgUnh rFkk vaxzsth esa fu;fer :Ik ls Hkstus dh dìk djsaA lkFk gh eq>s dqN iqjkus vad Hkh miyC/k djkus dh dìk djsaA eSa vkidk vkHkkjh jgwWaxkAJh iou dqekj xqIrk Tkekyiqj okys

:Ik uxj dkyksuh] u;s ljdkjh vLirky ds ihNs] fgUMu flVh] ftyk&djksyh] jktLFkku

We, the Hema Sri Agro Power Projects Ltd, have incorporated a company with the objective of generating power with non-conventional resources (biomass).Having registered with the MPUVN (Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam), we propose to establish a 20-MW biomass-based power project at Magrora Village of Dabra Tehasil in Gwalior District of Madhya Pradesh. In pursuit of our efforts, we have performed Bhoomi Pooja on 16 April 2008 in the presence of Sri Dileep Singh Shekawath, Chairman, MPUVN and Sri Narotham Mishra, Hon’ble Minister, Government of Madhya Pradesh and other distinguished guests. We came across your by bi-monthly newsletter recently at MPUVN office and found that it is very helpful to get acquainted with news about renewable energy sources. We would like to subscribe to it as well. We further request you to let us know about the details, if any, available with you regarding possibilities of setting up a biomass-based power plant in the state of Rajasthan.

P Chandra ReddyDirector, Hema Sri Agro Power

Projects Ltd, L B Nagar, Hyderabad

RE EVENTS Ushering in green buildings ... 40 Delhi Sustainable ... 41 Development Summit 2009

RE INSTITUTION Blending with nature: ... 42 Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town

CHILDREN’S CORNER . . . 44

BOOK REVIEW . . . 45

BOOK / WEB ALERT . . . 46

FORTHCOMING EVENTS . . . 47

RE STATISTICS . . . 48

SUCCESS STORY Solar drying in textile industry ... 37

CASE STUDY Solar refrigerator ... 38

Biogas enrichment and . . . 22 bottling technology for vehicular use Widening the reach of . . . 25 renewable energy: new initiatives an energy-efficient technology Prospects and potential of . . . 31 solar energy technologies in North Campus, Delhi University Geothermal heat pumps: . . . 34 an energy-efficient technology

Volume 2 • Issue 4 P February 2009contents

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Green billboard ready to light up

Times Square . . . 11 Eco-friendly portable gadgets from

smallest fuel cell . . . 11 Biogas to heat 50% of UK

homes . . . 11 Wind energy to cut 10 billion

tonnes of carbon emission by 2010 . . . 12

R E N E W S

N a t i o n a l Launching Nagpur as a model

solar city . . . 4 Iqbalpur is state’s first solar

village . . . 4 Pen power lights up village . . . 5 Bio-diesel to fuel IIT-Bombay’s

power aspirations . . . 5 Solar table lamps for rural

students . . . 6

RE TECH UPDATE Electricity from straw and other waste materials . . . 13

FEATURE ARTICLE Solar cookers: the how . . . 14 and where Plant it: bring good luck . . . 18 to people, energy, and environment

18

22

31

38

37


RE News

The MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) proposes to develop 60 solar cities during

the Eleventh Plan Period. At least one city in each state, to a maximum of five cities in a state, will be supported by the ministry. This scheme has been developed to meet the peak electricity demand of cities, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and expensive oil and gas for energy, and promote increased use of renewable energy. To set an example for other cities, the ministry has decided to develop two cities as Model Solar Cities. Financial support up to a maximum Rs 9.50 crore will be available to each of these for implementation of the Master Plan developed under the scheme from the ministry. The support will be on 50% cost-sharing basis from

Launching Nagpur as a model solar citythe respective municipal corporation/city administration/state government. The release will be made after the city identified for development as Model Solar City submits its Master Plan for which a separate support is available under the scheme as per above. As total funds of Rs 19 crore for developing the Model Solar City may not be sufficient, the city, in addition to this grant, will be eligible to draw separate support for installation of renewable energy systems from various ongoing schemes of the ministry wherein the present restriction on the number/ capacity of renewable energy systems/devices being supported in a city, if any, may not be applicable. MNRE launched a programme of developing Nagpur as a model solar city on 19 February 2009. The Union Minister

for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Vilas Muttemwar launched the project along with former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh. Nagpur will be the first solar city in the country. Nagpur will become a model solar city by 2012 under the scheme. Up to 10% of energy consumption of this city has been targeted to be met through renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Fifty per cent of the cost will be shared by the ministry where Rs 50 lakh will be provided for the master plan, solar city cell, and promotional activities. Major solar energy systems will also be installed including streetlights, garden lights, traffic lights, hoardings, and solar water heaters. Energy-efficient green buildings will also be promoted on a large scale in the city.

Iqbalpur is state’s first solar village

Iqbalpur village of Gurgaon district has become the first Haryana village

covered 100% by solar home-lighting systems. Deputy Commissioner Deepti Umashankar handed over a solar home-lighting system to the 201st customer of the village at a programme organized. The village has achieved this distinctive status with persistent efforts of the Gurgaon Grameen Bank, which has worked in collaboration with the Bharatiya Vikas Trust, Manipal, Karnataka and Tata BP Solar India. The bank provided 100% loan facility for the installation of solar home-lighting systems. Deepti Umashankar underlined the importance of non-conventional energy sources in the present-day power situation and asserted that the potential of solar

energy could be effectively used to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of electricity.

She lauded the role played by the Gurgaon Grameen Bank in making this village a 100% solar home-lighting village. ‘The village as well as the bank have set an example for others to replicate,’ she observed. Apart from honouring the first and 201st customers of the system, the Deputy C o m m i s s i o n e r also presented loan sanction letters to villagers and self-help groups of the

village. The Chairman of the Gurgaon Grameen Bank, Shri N T Hegde said that the bank had fixed a target of setting up 5000 solar home-lighting systems by the end of this financial year.

THE TRIBUNE

�VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2009

national news

Pen power lights up village

Small is beautiful. Who would have thought that the small white stem

of a ‘Reynolds’ pen could help generate electricity and light up a remote village in Kerala? The residents of Poovaranthodu, a village located on the eastern hills of Kozhikode district, are

thanking this branded pen and a youth named Martin for

illuminating their lives. Poovaranthodu folks

have been hearing about electricity

reaching their home from politicians and officials for decades n o w but nothing happened so far. Enter V T Martin, an ITI diploma holder and Radio-cum-TV mechanic who runs an electrical repair shop in the town. Martin combined his acquired knowledge of electrical currents and some native wisdom to produce a hydro-generator. Thanks to this youth, about 200-odd households now have either solar lighting or a hydro-generator.

Other than the pen, Martin’s generator is powered by two other key ingredients: the copiously flowing Poovaranthodu River and the dynamo of an Enfield motorcycle. The dynamo is modified to accommodate a magnet and a coil. The windings of the coil are done according to the consumer’s requirement of alternate current or direct current. So, how does it all work? ‘The water is brought downhill through a fibre-tube. As it reaches the dynamo-powered generator, the size of the tube is progressively reduced so that at the tip the water jets out through the white stem of the Reynolds pen,’ says Martin. This jet then hits the spikes of the dynamo wheel to power the system. An inverter and battery are also

attached to the mechanism to ensure uninterrupted power.

‘I tried out different tubes and pens to increase the speed of the water jet. It was only the long white body of a Reynolds pen that withstood the water pressure and delivered the right output,’ he explains. Martin can set up the generator, batteries, and an inverter for a one-time investment of Rs 20 000. The villagers are happy as they can light bulbs and make fans, iron box, computer, and even a mixer work. ‘Unlike in other parts of Kerala, we do not have power cuts or load shedding,’ says Chacko who runs a teashop at Poovaranthodu.

The number of households that have opted for the hydro-generator adds up to roughly 50 while about 150 have chosen solar power. ‘Those who are conveniently located to get uninterrupted water prefer an AC generator to a DC one while some people have solar panels too,’ says Martin. No wonder that when the nation debated the pros and cons of nuclear power, Poovaranthodu villagers were least bothered about it. They were busy watching the fun on TV from their homes perched in the hills.

THE DECCAN HERALD

Bio-diesel to fuel IIT-Bombay’s power aspirations

In a few months from now, IIT Bombay’s vehicles like buses, cars, and

ambulances could be well run by using fuel produced from the first campus bio-diesel plant in India—installed by the students of the institute’s chemical engineering department. Started in March 2008, the project called ‘Biosynth’ is the first-ever student initiative of setting up a self-sustained bio-diesel producing plant at an institute level. It uses waste vegetable oil as its primary raw material. ‘It’s an ambitious project. While we are currently at the design and production stages, the plant is likely to be ready for commissioning by May–June 2009,’ said professor Sanjay Mahajani, faculty coordinator for the project.

Subsequently, the plant will start producing bio-diesel to serve campus fuel and power requirements. ‘Initially, it will be used to run campus vehicles, which will be subject to approval by the institute,’ said Mahajani. The long-term vision is to develop an efficient technology that can reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels.

DNA, MUMBAI


Solar table lamps for rural students

HAREDA (Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency) has

come up with an innovative scheme to provide LED-based solar table lamps called Shikshadeep to the students who are facing difficulty in studying due to power shortages in the rural areas. He disclosed that Shikshadeep was basically a portable lighting device, which would work for four to five hours daily. The lamp and battery would be warranted for a period of five years whereas the solar panel would be warranted for 10 years. The approximate cost of one such lamp would be Rs 1600. He said that the girl students of the rural schools who top in their schools in the annual examinations of Class V, VIII, X, and XII would be provided Shikshadeep free of cost.

HAREDA has also decided to provide one solar educational kit per school in all 3000 secondary schools of the state on demonstration basis to popularize p h o t o v o l t a i c technology among the students. The cost of these kits would be shared by the state and central governments in the ratio of 50:50. According to the spokesman,

the state government has taken several steps to conserve energy. During 2008/09, solar water heating systems were installed in 29 social sector institutions at a cost of about Rs 1.25 crore.

THE HINDU

Gujarat announces solar power policy

To promote green and clean power in the state, the Gujarat

government is giving a thrust to solar power generation, offering a number of incentives under its new solar energy policy. The government would also put in place an appropriate investment climate leveraging the CDM (carbon trading mechanism) and conserve the State’s natural carbon energy resources and transform it into an ‘integrated solar generation hub’ of the country. Announcing the new Solar Energy Policy 2009–14, the

Minister of State for Industry, Mr Saurabh Patel, said initially,

the government would provide incentives to those installing a minimum SPG capacity of 5 MW in case of solar

photovoltaic or solar thermal means.Solar power generators

installed and commissioned during the operative period of this

policy (2009–14) would be eligible for incentives. Electricity generated from the SPGs for self-consumption or sale to licensees or third parties shall be exempted from payment of electricity duty. The energy generated from a solar power project shall be sold to the distribution licensees in

Gujarat at levelized fixed tariff per unit for a period of 25 years under a power purchase agreement.

THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE

Karnataka Power plans three solar power projects

Karnataka Power Corporation will be setting up three solar power projects

in Karnataka to tap natural resources. It is taking up the solar power projects on a pilot basis at an estimated cost of INR 225 crore. Mr B S Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka has laid the foundation stone for the country’s first ever, 3 MW solar photovoltaic power plant at Yelesandra in Bangarpet taluk of Kolar district on 9 January 2009. The power produced from the plant will be supplied to the state grid through an 11 kV transmission line, which is about 100 metres from the proposed plant. The cost of each megawatt will be in the range of INR 25 crore.

As per reports, the other two projects will be set up at Itnal village in Chikodi taluk of Belgaum district and in Shikaripur taluk of Shimoga district. Each

national news


national news

of these three projects will supply 3 MW of power during the day to the state grid, which is sufficient to charge about 400 irrigation pump sets and irrigate 1200 acre. KPCL has floated tenders for the projects in Kolar and Belgaum districts. So far, 24 companies, both domestic and international have participated in the tender including TATA BP Solar, BHEL, Sun Technics, Iso Photon of Spain, and Zecon Solar of USA among others. The report added that KPCL will use the solar photovoltaic modular crystalline technology for this entire project. For each plant the corporation requires 15 acre. The projects will be completed and commissioned by the next Kannada Rajyotsava falling on 1 November 2009.

THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE

Tata Power to set up geothermal, solar plants in Gujarat

Tata Group company Tata Power said it is looking at the possibility

of setting up a geothermal power plant and a solar power plant of 5 MW each at a suitable location in Gujarat, a move that will strengthen the renewable energy portfolio of the company. Tata Power has entered into an agreement in this regard with the Gujarat government ‘to explore the possibility of setting up a 5 MW geothermal power plant in phase I,’ the Tata group company said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. ‘The company also signed an MoU for developing a 5 MW solar power plant in Gujarat,’ the filing added.

‘We are happy about this strategic partnership with the Government of Gujarat. This partnership not only strengthens our renewable portfolio but also creates opportunities to expand our presence in the growing renewable energy market in India,’ Tata Power managing director Prasad Menon said. Tata Power is one of the

largest integrated private power and energy company with an installed generation capacity of over 2300 MW and a presence in all the segment of the power sector namely generation (thermal, hydro, solar, and wind), transmission, distribution, and trading.

WWW.LIVEMINT.COM

GEDA gives in principle approval for 25 biomass power plants

State-run GEDA (Gujarat Energy Development Agency) has given

in-principle approval to private groups for setting up bio mass power plants in 25 districts of the state, officials said. ‘We have given in principle approval to private entrepreneurs for setting

up biomass run power plants in 25 districts of the state for an estimated generation of 317 MW energy,’ a senior GEDA official told. The proposed biomass power plants will be of different megawatt capacities, and a different private group will set up the plant in these districts so that there are no clashes on procurement of raw material, he added.

‘The first-of-its-kind power plant in the state that uses 300 tonnes of biomass per day as fuel – cotton stalks, sesame stalks, and groundnut shells – is proposed to come up in Amreli district,’ Commercial Manager, Amreli Power Projects, I V S Sharma said. ‘We have purchased 5.5 acres of land for setting up the plant and invited all


national news

the stakeholders on 28 January at the site to discuss the modalities of commissioning the plant latest by May 2010,’ Sharma said. Energy generation using biomass as fuel has been high in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. ‘Over 46 energy projects using biomass as fuel has been sanctioned in Andhra Pradesh and followed by 10–15 projects in Karnataka,’ Sharma, who represents national consultant agency said.

THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS

NCL plans solar energy boost

The NCL (National Chemical Laboratory) will spend about Rs 50

to 75 crore in the next five years on a mega research project on solar energy in which the next generation of non-silicon solar energy material will be developed using institutional facilities at the campus, NCL director S Sivaram said on Wednesday.

‘Energy is a major issue of concern today. Solar energy is the most crucial source of alternate energy. However, solar energy is converted into power using solar panels, which are made of silicon. The problem with silicon is that it is very expensive and has a rigid structure. We are working towards finding alternative material for tapping solar power, which will be more affordable and flexible,’ Sivaram told reporters.

The NCL director said that the laboratory was also working on making a prototype for assembly of 1000 fuel cells for which it was talking to private sector companies for partnerships. About Rs 4 to 5 crore funding received for it would be spent on the fuel cell assembly project. According to him, about 100 acres of land have been made available by NCL to IISER (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research), Pune to set up a Rs 500 crore

campus for 3000 students, 200 faculty, and 500 PhD students. ‘The NCL has 380 PhD students, which is to be increased to 500 by end of the year 2009. A hostel for 135 students and laboratory of 65 000 square feet space are being set up, after which, NCL will be one of the largest campuses for chemical science in the country,’ he said.

WWW.SAKAALTIMES.COM

German assistance of 50 million euros to IREDA for RE & EE financing

KfW, Germany and IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development

Agency Ltd) signed an agreement for financing RE&EE (renewable energy and energy efficiency) projects in India under second line of credit of Euro 50 million at semi-commercial rate of Euribor minus 50 bps along with Euro 1 million technical assistance to IREDA. Earlier KfW had also extended a line of credit of Euro 61.36 million to IREDA, which was successfully utilized. A third line of credit of Euro 19.971 million at IDA terms for the promotion of biomass power generation project is also in advanced stages of consideration. This will be utilized for implementation of

seven model investment projects in the biomass energy sector.

The agreement was inked on 11 December 2008 by Shri Debashish Majumdar, CMD, IREDA and Mr Uwe Ohls, Senior Vice President, South Asia, KfW in the presence of Dr Praveen Saxena, Director, MNRE; Shri S P Reddi, Director (Finance), IREDA; Shri K S Popli, Director (Technical), IREDA; and Mr Christian Haas, Director, KfW Office, New Delhi. The Guarantee Agreement for the line of credit was also signed by DEA for the loan component, and by MNRE for the technical assistance component. The closing date for the loan shall be December 2014.

IREDA

The world’s only solar-powered music band sings for the planet

Their music is all about love and violence; after all they are an

American rock and roll band. However, they are a band with a slight twist—the love is for the planet, and the lyrics are about the harm being inflicted on it. Solar Punch, considered the only solar-powered music band in the world, doesn’t just talk green—all their instruments are powered by solar


national news

energy and their cars use green fuel. ‘Solar Punch is proof that each individual can be a solution to climate change. Our band uses simple solar technology to power our guitars, drum kits, and other instruments. We need to be extra diligent to keep the batteries charged, but there’s never been a problem.’

Their travel gear comprises four solar panels, amplifiers, and extra solar batteries ‘for cloudy days’. As fellow guitarist–vocalist T H Culhane tells an excited crowd, ‘Let the sun shine on the solar panels, or the music will die.’

EXPRESS NEWSLINE

World’s first large ship using solar power unveiledThe world’s first large ship partially using solar power for engine-related devices was unveiled in the Japanese port city of Kobe, with a ceremony to turn on the flow of energy from solar panels installed on the vessel’s deck. The ceremony for the Auriga Leader, a car freighter developed jointly by Nippon Yusen K K and Nippon Oil Corp. in an effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through the use of

solar energy, was held at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Nippon has said that the cargo vessel will be the first large ship in the world to be powered partly by solar generation. Solar energy has already been used in vessels for lighting in cabins.

THE STATESMAN

Toyota Motor developing solar-powered green car

Toyota Motor is developing a vehicle that will be powered solely by solar

energy in an effort to turn around its struggling business with a futuristic ecological car. The Nikkei newspaper, however, said that it will be years before planned vehicle is available in the

market. According to the newspaper, Toyota is working on an electric vehicle that will get some of its power from solar cells equipped on the vehicle, and that can be recharged with electricity generated from solar panels on the roofs of homes.

The automaker later hopes to develop a model totally powered by solar cells on the vehicle.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Centre proposes law to promote the use of renewable energy

The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has proposed a

law to promote the use of renewable energy, Mr Deepak Gupta, Secretary, MNRE said. The ministry has appointed a consultant to prepare a draft law, and the report is expected to be ready in six months. He was speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the two-day International Congress on Renewable Energy. The Congress was organized by the SESI (Solar Energy Society of India), the MNRE, IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency), the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency and the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On the occasion, Mr S Regupathy, Minister of State for Environment and Forests, presented the lifetime achievement award to Ms Lalita Balakrishnan, Head, Rural Energy Department, All India Women’s Conference.

THE HINDU

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 200910

Jayakumar, another volunteer, was an autorickshaw driver who has installed the system for about 60 vendors in Peenya and collects Rs 15–20 from each vendor. The vendors say the well-lit stalls attract more customers. ‘Most of our earnings were earlier spent on kerosene. Now, we save more,’ says Kalavathi, who runs a vegetable shop in Malleswaram. The NGO recently started this service in Bangalore and has got a good response. The organization seeks to create job opportunities with low investment and encourage youths to take up self-employment, says Aparna, Project Associate with the NGO. The institution, launched in Kundapur in Udupi district in 2004, has spread its activities to 15 locations in the state.

THE TIMES OF INDIA

national news

Jumbo jet flies on veggie oil

A passenger jet powered in part by vegetable oil has successfully

completed a two-hour flight to test a biofuel that could lower aircraft emissions and cut costs, according to Air New Zealand. One engine of a Boeing 747-400 was powered by a 50–50 blend of oil from jatropha plants and standard A1 jet fuel. While Air New Zealand couldn’t say whether the blend would be cheaper than standard jet fuel since jatropha is not yet produced on a commercial scale, the company expects the blend to be cost competitive. Tests show that jatropha has an even lower freezing point than jet fuel. The flight was the first to use jatropha as part of a biofuel mix.

DECCAN CHRONICLE

NGO lights up stalls with solar energy

Given the acute power shortage, an NGO in Bangalore is trying to save

power by taking the renewable energy route. SD3IDF has distributed solar battery-operated lamps to street vendors of Malleswaram, Peenya, Dasarahalli, Banashankari, and Bommanahalli. The NGO gives each volunteer Rs 2 lakh as a loan, with which he can purchase a battery and bulbs and light up street stalls. Vendors say they’d spend more money on gas and kerosene. From 5 pm, shops are lit up with these lamps and the batteries are charged the next day.

Ramesh, who used to sell milk, took a loan from the NGO and installed batteries for 70 vendors from Goripalya to Hosur. Now, his income has gone up to Rs 15 000–20 000 per month.

11VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2009

international news

Green billboard ready to light up Times Square

The world’s first billboard running solely on wind and solar power is

ready to make its debut in the capital of all billboards, New York’s Times Square. Wind whistling between the neighborhood’s skyscrapers should keep the giant billboard lit constantly, said the manufacturer, Japanese copy and photo giant Ricoh Company Ltd. The ‘Eco-Board’ weighs 35 000 pounds (15 800 kg) and will be powered by 16 vertical wind turbines and 64 solar panels. ‘We wanted to make a statement that we can put up a advertisement and not impact the environment, so that began the journey to Times Square,’ Ricoh spokesman Ron Potesky said. A highly congested part of midtown Manhattan, Times Square is home to hundreds of huge, brightly lit billboards and video screens.

Potesky said the power generated from the custom-built wind turbines will account for 95% of the energy needed to run the sign, which is 47 feet high by 126 feet long, and carries the company’s name in huge red letters. ‘On the corner of 42nd (Street) and 7th (Avenue) there is a lot of wind. So we

expect that this will be lit 24 hours a day seven days a week, mainly by wind power, a little bit by the sun,’ he said. The turbines, built specifically for the project by California wind technology company PacWind LLC, are installed vertically. PacWind CEO Mary Watkins said the design was extremely efficient in comparison to traditional propeller types.

THE TIMES OF INDIA

Eco-friendly portable gadgets from smallest fuel cell

From the world’s smallest working fuel cell created by chemical

engineers in the US, it may be possible to have eco-friendly and portable gadgets in the future. At just 3 millimetres across, future versions of the tiny hydrogen-fuelled power pack will be able to store more energy than batteries and that too in the same space. Still, it’s easier to make batteries at the small scale than the pumps

and control electronics of a fuel cell. In fact, small pumps tend to utilize more energy than they generate. ‘It’s not practical to make a pump, a pressure sensor, and the electronics to control the system in such a small volume. Even if they are magically made at that scale, their power consumption would probably exceed the power generated,’ New Scientist quoted Saeed Moghaddam at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as saying.

WWW.MEDIINDIA.NET

Biogas to heat 50% of UK homes

Up to half the UK’s domestic gas heating could be met by turning

waste into biogas, according to a report from National Grid. The report looks at how all the biodegradable waste streams such as sewage, food, and wood could be turned into biogas and injected into the gas distribution system. At the moment, there is a small quantity of production of biogas in the UK coming from landfill and sewage plants, but it is being used to generate

electricity. The National Grid says these valuable

waste resources could be used

more efficiently by turning them

into biomethane. This could meet 50%

of the domestic gas needs and help achieve

renewable energy targets for 2020.

Two processes are highlighted by the National

Grid for producing the biogas: anaerobic digestion which turns

wet waste such as sewage and animal manure into biomethane, and

gasification which is better suited to drier wastes and energy crops. In cost terms, it is estimated that biogas would


international news

be a similar price to other renewable energy sources. However, because the UK already has an extensive gas grid, there would be little need for disruptive infrastructure development. The report concludes that there are no insurmountable technical difficulties to delivering biogas. The main hurdle will be to get the right commercial incentives in place so waste can be turned into biomethane for gas grid injection rather than electricity. This needs to be allied with a comprehensive waste management policy.

WWW.RENEWABLEENERGYWORLD.COM

Wind energy to cut 10 billion tonnes of carbon emission by 2010

Wind energy can save the world from 10 billion tonnes of CO2

(carbon dioxide) emission by 2020, said GWEC (Global Wind Energy Council) at the COP14 (the 14th Conference of Parties) climate summit in the Polish city of Poznan recently. The coalition has launched a global campaign ‘Wind Power Works’, to spread the power of wind energy in combating climate change.

According to GWEC’s secretary general Steve Sawyer, the campaign intends to demonstrate to the global decision makers that wind energy is the leading power generation technology with the ability to achieve substantial cuts in CO2 emissions in the crucial timeframe up to 2020. By this time, global emissions need to peak and start to decline to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, he added.

The organization has unveiled a 5-km resolution world wind map, showing global wind resource and its spatial and temporal availability. This map is intended to accelerate the adoption of wind energy development by identifying the value of the wind resource at any location around the world. It will allow developers, financiers, and governments to identify the best regions in the world for wind energy development.

THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS

‘Corn belongs in the kitchen, not in biogas facilities’. Objections like this can be

heard more and more frequently. They are protesting against the fermentation of foodstuffs in biogas plants that generate electricity and heat. One thing the opponents are afraid of is that generating electricity in this way will cause food prices to escalate. In collaboration with several small- and medium-sized enterprises, research scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Dresden have developed the first-ever biogas plant that works entirely without edible raw materials.

‘In our pilot plant, we exclusively use agricultural waste such as corn stalks, that is, the corn plants without the cobs. This allows us to generate 30% more biogas than in conventional facilities,’ says IKTS Head of Department Dr Michael Stelter. Until now, biogas plants have only been able to process a certain proportion of waste material, as this tends to be more difficult to convert into biogas than pure cereal crops or corn, for instance.

This is not the only advantage. The time for which the decomposing waste material, or silage, is stored in the plant can be reduced by 50%–70%. Biomass is usually kept in the fermenter, building up biogas, for 80 days. Thanks to the right kind of pre-treatment, this only takes about 30 days in the new plant. ‘Corn stalks contain cellulose which cannot be directly fermented. But in our

Electricity from straw and other waste materials


RE tech update

plant, the cellulose

is broken down by

e n z y m e s before the

silage ferments,’ Stelter explains.

The researchers have also optimized

the conversion of biogas into electricity.

They divert the gas into a high-temperature fuel cell

with an electrical efficiency of 40%–55%. By comparison,

the gas engine normally used for this purpose only achieves

an average efficiency of 38%. What is more, the fuel cell operates at 850

degrees Celsius. The heat can be used directly for heating or fed into the district heating network. If the electrical and thermal efficiency are added up, the fuel cell has an overall efficiency of up to 85%.

The overall efficiency of the combustion engine is usually about 38% because its heat is very difficult to harness. The researchers have already built a pilot plant with an electricity output of 1.5 kilowatts, enough to cover the needs of a family home. The researchers will present the concept of the biogas plant at the Hannover-Messe on during 20–24 April 2009. In the next phases of the project, the scientists and their industrial partners plan to gradually scale up the biogas plant to two megawatts.

WWW.SCIENCEDAILY.COM


feature article

Solar cookers

Cooking is a common application of solar energy in India. A variety of solar cookers are available to suit different requirements. The MNRE has been implementing a programme for promoting the use of solar cooking in the country for over two decades. The programme also supports the development and demonstration of new types

of cooking systems. One of the advantages of solar cookers is that these do not pollute the environment, and conserve conventional energy.

Box solar cookerA box solar cooker cooks food with the help of solar energy, and helps save conventional fuel. This cooker can be used for the preparation of rice, dal, kadhi, vegetables, meat and fish dishes, snacks, soups, sweets, desserts, sauces, jams, pickles, biscuits, cakes, puddings, and so on. However, it cannot be used for frying or for baking chapattis. It supplements cooking fuel but does not replace it totally. It is an ideal device for domestic cooking during most of the year except on cloudy days. Typically, a box solar cooker measures about 60 cm x 60 cm, and is provided with four pots. Smaller models are also available. Hybrid models are also sold by various manufacturers, which are provided an electrical heater to serve as back up during non-sunshine hours. The cost of a box solar cooker varies from Rs 1800 to Rs 3000 depending on its size and features.

The ministry has been providing an incentive of Rs 200 per ISI-mark solar cooker for promoting the sale. The incentive for non-ISI-mark solar cooker is Rs 100 per cooker. In addition, the ministry provides financial support to organize promotional activities to increase sale of solar cookers and to the manufacturers for obtaining BIS approval.

the how and where

1�VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2009

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Dish solar cookerA dish solar cooker uses a parabolic dish to concentrate the incident solar radiation. This solar cooker is also known as ‘SK-14’ type of solar cooker. This model of solar cooker is useful for homes and small establishments. On a sunny day, the cooker can deliver power of about 0.6 kW, which can boil two to three litres of water in half an hour. The temperature achieved at the bottom of the vessel can reach 350–500 degrees Celsius, which is sufficient for roasting, frying, and boiling. The cost of the dish solar cooker may vary from Rs 5500 to Rs 7000 depending upon the type of reflector and other features. It can save up to 10 LPG cylinders per year upon full use at small establishments.

At present, the MNRE provides an incentive of up to 30% of the cost of the

cooker (subject to a maximum of Rs 1500 per cooker) to encourage

its use.

Community solar cooker for indoor cookingLike the dish solar cooker, the community solar cooker is also a parabolic reflector cooker. However, it is larger than the SK-14

type, and is commonly known as Scheffler cooker.

The unique feature of this cooker is that it makes cooking

possible with solar energy in the kitchen itself. The cooker has a large

reflector ranging from 7 to 12 m2 of aperture area. Cooking for about 40–50 persons is possible with this cooker. One dish may take about 60–90 minutes to cook, depending on the type of dish and solar insolation available. In areas with good solar insolation, it is possible to cook two meals a day with this cooker.

The cooker is provided with a mechanical clockwork arrangement that rotates the primary reflector outside to automatically track the sun. The community solar cooker is useful in schools, institutional kitchens, canteens, ashrams, hotels, hospitals, police and armed forces’ kitchen, and so on. The cost of this cooker is about Rs 50 000. The payback period is 4–5 years.

Solar steam generating system for cookingIt is possible to cook large quantities of food using the solar steam generated by solar heat. A solar steam generating system comprises automatically tracked parabolic concentrators; steam header assemblies with receivers, steam pipelines, feed water piping, steel structures, and civil works;

instrumentation like pressure gauges and temperature indicators; steam traps; and so on. The system is generally hooked up with a conventional steam generating system already available with the user, to make it reliable under all climatic conditions. This system can supply enough steam to prepare food for 15 000 people each day.

Availability and repair/servicingSolar cookers can be obtained and installed through manufacturers, their dealers, and ‘Aditya’ Solar Shops. The list of BIS-certified manufacturers is given in the following pages. Repair and servicing facilities are also available with them. The state nodal agencies also provide information on their availability. IREDA can be contacted for the financing schemes and soft loans.

Support from MNRE

Type of solar cooker Support to user (s)

Dish solar cooker 50% of the total cost, limited to Rs 2500 per cooker

Community solar cooker for indoor 50% of the eligible capital cost, limited to cooking Rs 25 000 per cooker

Steam cooking systems 50% of the eligible capital cost, as agreed upon by the MNRE

Note This support is subject to change.

World’s largest solar steam cooking system in Tirupathi


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List of BIS-certified manufacturers of solar cooker

M/s Universal Engineers EnterprisesGarg Bhavan, Prince RoadGandhi Nagar, Moradabad (UP)Tel. 0591 249 3619Fax 0591 249 9768

M/s Rural Engineering SchoolRojmal, Tal, Gadhada (SN)District Bhavnagar – 364 750 GujaratTel. 028 4729 4127Fax 028 4725 3535E-mail [email protected]

Khadi Gramodhyog Prayog SamitiGandhi AshramAhmedabad – 380 027Fax 079 2755 2469Mobile 9825484275, 9879784255

Sayala Taluka Khadi Gramodyog Seva Mandal Motiram BuildingBelow SBS Service Branch Phulchhab ChowkRajkot – 360 001Tel. 0281 247 7226Mobile 09825074591E-mail [email protected]

M/s J N EnterprisesF-12, Navin Shahdara New DelhiMobile 9350859119

M/s Vishvakarma Solar Energy Co.G T Road, Phillour, Distt Jallandhar PunjabTel. 0182 622 523, 0182 622 217

M/s Fair Fabricators142, Tilak Nagar, Near Post Office Indore – 452 018Fax 0731 249 1488Mobile 9425316707E-mail [email protected]

M/s Rohtas Electronics15/268-B, Civil lines Kanpur – 208 001Tel. 0512 230 5564Fax 0512 230 5390E-mail [email protected]

M/s Usha Engineering Works40-A, Trunk Road Madanur – 635 804Vellore District , Tamil NaduTel. 041 747 3613E-mail [email protected]

M/s Geetanjali Solar EnterprisesP/14, Kasba Industrial EstatePhase-I, E M By PassP O East Kolkata Township Kolkata – 700 107Tel. 033 2442 0773/2442 4027Fax 033 2442 0773E-mail [email protected]

Sharda Inventions94/1 MIDC Satpur, NashikTel. 0254 352 444, 353 844Mobile 9422245346

Essential EquipmentTakali Karyalaya, Bhide baagDeour, Dhule – 424 002Tel. 0256 22029/353844Mobile 98221876932

Gadhia Solar Energy Systems Pvt. LtdPlot No.86, Old GIDC GundlavValsad – 396 035GujaratTel. 026 323 6703

M/s Dhara EngineersOpp. Union Bank of IndiaChandra Colony CornerC G RoadAhmedabad – 380 006Tel. 079 644 7337

M/s Solar AlternativesSt Mary’s Church CompoundPhulwari Sharif, Patna – 801 505Tel. 0612 254 487

M/s Tinytech PlantsTagore RoadRajkot – 360 002Tel. 0281 468 485

Solar Thermal AppliancesPlot No.45, Rajpur Extn ColonyKhasara No. IIIMaidan GarhiNew Delhi – 110 068Tel. 011 630 1010

M/s Supreme Rays Solar SystemsShop No.8, Kumbhar BldgBehind Tekwale Petrol PumpOpp. AkashwaniHadpsar Pune – 411 028Mobile 9890655884

Clique Developments Pvt. LtdPlot No. 134 A/B, First FloorGovernment Industrial EstateNear Hanuman Mandir, CharkopKandivli (W) Mumbai – 400 067

Akson’s Solar Equipments Pvt. Ltd42/1, Sahajanand Society Gandhi Bhavan Kothrud, Pune Maharashtra Tel. 91 20 2538 0109 Mobile 9422000459 Fax 91 20 3090 0575

SU Solartech Systems (P) LtdSCO 184, Sector 7-C ChandigarhTel. 91 0172 279 2699 Mobile 9814014278 Fax 91 172 279 2576

Jay IndustriesD 64 MIDC, Miraj Area Maharashtra Tel. 91 233 264 4464 Mobile 09422041364 Fax 91 233 264 4464

Shiva Solar Systems Pvt. Ltd7378 Prem NagarGali No. 5, Subzi MandiNew Delhi – 110 007

Deep EngineersC 4/132, Sector 6RohiniNew Delhi – 110 032

Tarashma Engineers and Fabricators India7/19 Jwala NagarNew Delhi – 110 032

The Bharat Engineering Co.WZ 1, Phool BaughRampuraNew Delhi – 110 035


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J N EnterpriseVidhanpura, Navin ShahdaraNew Delhi

Brahma EnterprisesA/1/70A Lawrence RoadNew Delhi – 110 035

Classic Creations74, KhanpurNew Delhi – 110 062

Non-conventional Energy Systems521, Mahesh NagarAmbala Cantt

Lalgee SolarVPO GutkarMandi (HP)

R K Solar Power Systems6, 6th CrossMalleswaramBangalore – 560 003

Fair Fabricators142, Tilak NagarIndore – 452 001

Rawat Industries143, Tilak NagarIndore – 452 001

Thermal Systems1/1 Mohanpura, Jawahar MargIndore – 452 001

Sun N Shade4 Chauthmal ColonyIndore – 452 001

Summati Engineering WorksShed 3, MPLUN Sheds 1Industrial Area, GovindpuraBhopal – 462 003

Samta Udyam82/101 T T NAGARBhopal

Cook and Cool86–97 Amrit ComplexAshok GardenBhopal

Cosmo ProductsAshoka ComplexPachpedi Naka, Dhamtari Road,Raipur

Classic Solar DevicesGaneshpuri, SungrahaPanna Madhya Pradesh

Amika Screen Works12 Dev Sahab ki GaliTilak Road, Ujjain

Innovative Enterprises91 Jawahar MargNandlalpura ChaurahaIndore – 452 001

National Engineering WorksS/2 Industrial Area, RichhaiJabalpur – 482 009

Engees IndustriesSurya Centre, First FloorShop No. 5, Jail RoadIndore – 452 001

Vishal Industries415 Deen Building CompoundN M Joshi MargMumbai – 462 003

M Laxman and Co.320, Shaniwar PethPune – 411 030

Technical Research and Engineering Corp.Plot 172, MIDCNear Sainath Flour MillSolapur – 413 006

Surya Jyoti Devices India Pvt. LtdVillage ChanalonP O Kurali, Ropar

Rajasthan State Agro Industries Corp.Jhotwara, Jaipur

Usha Engineering WorksMadras–Calicut Trunk RoadMadhannur – 635 804

Solar Energy Systems14, 10th StreetTatabad GandhipuramCoimbatore – 641 012

Tamil Nadu Small Industries Corp.1 Whites RoadChennai – 600 014

Universal MFG Co.B 85, SECTOR 8, Noida – 201 302

Solar Equipment MFG Co.C 3, SECTOR 6Noida – 201 302

Ashish Import Export Pvt. LtdA 29, Sector 57Noida – 201 302

FRP POINTG-3 Sarojini NagarIndustrial AreaLucknow – 226 008

UP Instruments LtdAishbag RoadLucknow – 226 004

Rohtas Electronics15/260 Civil LinesKanpur – 208 001

Rampur Rural Development AgencyChair Darya KhanB/H Municipal BoardRampur

Surya FibresA 320, Indira NagarLucknow – 226 016

Yanthra VidyalayaP O Box 4Suruchi ComplexBardoli – 394 601

Pinball MFG Co.147 GIDCMakarpuraBaroda – 390 010

Solar Energy Enterprises17 Janvishram SOC, B/H Sahjanand College, AmbawadiAhmedabad – 380 015

Prototype Development Training CentreAJI Industrial EstateBhavnagar RoadRajkot – 360 003

DisclaimerThis is not an exhaustive list. Inclusion in this list does not imply approval or recommendation of any company or its products by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Kindly provide updated address in case of a change.


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With over 5000 applications, this should be considered the best

amongst other known biomass resources. However, it is still not used extensively. This is the world’s largest grass and already known to us for its thematic uses like in construction work, making furniture, utensils, fibre, and paper. It has got a huge potential to bring about a revolution as a bio-energy resource. The time has come to explore its usage as a renewable energy resource. However, it is not something newly explored. It is already tested but needs huge awareness buildup among the common people considering its importance as a biomass energy resource, environment protector, and poverty alleviator. This resource is bamboo. Though a non-wood plant, it is still considered a tree.

As a bioenergy resource, it can meet both thermal and electrical energy requirements and thus give energy security to rural people. From time immemorial, we are heavily dependent on

bring good luck to people, energy, and environmentPlant itPriyaranjan Sinha <E-mail [email protected]> and rajeSh BajPai

biomass resources for meeting our thermal energy requirements. We had these resources in abundance and thus, we used them indiscriminately

without giving much thought to their conservation. The result has been large depletion of the forest cover. In some areas, the situation is so worse that poor



villagers need to purchase fuel wood or walk miles to collect it.

Bamboo plantation is highly suitable for clean-cut forestlands, degraded lands, and non-agricultural lands. There are about 1500 bamboo species. Bamboo is also perhaps the fastest growing plant with some varieties growing at the rate of 5 cm per hour or 1.5 metres a day. Moreover, it is incredibly flexible. It bends in strong winds but rarely breaks. With a tensile strength superior to mild steel and a weight-to-strength ratio better than graphite, bamboo is the strongest contender among other known biomass species on earth. Therefore, it should be selected naturally as an alternative to other trees not only for reforestation but also for afforestation.

Utilization of this renewable fuel can save vast natural forest resources and fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. This would allow retention of carbon already sequestered in forests and in fossil fuels. Again, it can produce larger amount of biomass and 30% more oxygen than a hardwood forest of comparable size. Bamboo has been overlooked or ignored in the past by tropical foresters when compared with timber trees. All the energy generation options based on bamboo have the potential to alleviate poverty.

One of the most important reasons for limited income earning opportunities in rural areas is lack of electricity or availability of quality electricity. Biomass gasification technology can not only generate power but also

create employment in rural areas. This distributed power generation can cut down the limitations of centralized power generation. Biomass-based distributed power generation has a huge potential for electrifying the non-electrified villages.

A substantial number of villages in our country are either still not electrified or are not energy secure. Till now, we

have mostly used the conventional fossil fuels like coal and oil but their limited storage and p o l l u t i n g nature have

f o r c e d us to look for

alternatives. The situation is deteriorating in most of the developing countries. Bamboo has got the potential to tide over this problem and ensure energy security.

The availability of sufficient quantity of biomass resources on sustainable basis has been the concern in most of

the areas. The chosen biomass resource should not only be available but also affordable as far as the project sustainability is concerned. Uncultivable wasteland is not the problem in most cases. Therefore, the right type of tree should be selected for this. Short rotation forestry should be the choice. Some varieties of bamboo grow so fast that their cultivation can be considered as short-rotation forestry. Bamboo can be processed for thematic uses and the unused part can be used for power generation along with other energy purposes. It can be harvested in 3–5 years versus 10–20 years for most softwood. Bamboo tolerates extremes of precipitation—about 30–250 inches of annual rainfall.

The feasibility of bamboo for power generation in both dual fuel and 100% gas-based engine are tested. The MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) along with NMBA (National Mission on

Bamboo Application), IISc (Indian Institute of Science) have worked on it. It has been found that in the initial phase, it is ideal for the places where bamboo already grows on a large scale and bamboo-processing industries are available such as the north-eastern states of India. In the later phase, it is ideal for all those locations where fresh plantation is required

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and climatic conditions permit growth. In gasification, the variety of bamboo is not the issue. The criteria should be the following.P It requires dried bamboo of any variety to maintain the moisture content of less than 20%.P The bamboo should be 2–3 inches in length and 1–2 inches in diameter. The sizing can be done either manually or by a machine. P The chopped bamboo is then used for gasification purpose.

Case studyThe following results have been noticed in a dual-fuel engine with bamboo-based producer gas.P Average bamboo consu-mption (kg/kWh) = 1.14P Average diesel consumption (litres/kWh) = 0.08P Average percentage of diesel replacement = 77P Flame colour: mainly blue with very less variationP Odour of the flame is slight pungent.

Besides, the residual loss in the form of ash is very less—about 6%. The results as cited in the above case study are similar to the results obtained with other biomass-based gasification systems. Therefore, it is proven that bamboo-based biomass gasification system is technically perfect. In order to make it an economically viable option, it is very important to consider the raw bamboo cost. It has been observed that if the unused portion in the bamboo processing industry is only

considered for gasification process, it could be a very good option considering other benefits.

Another benefit of unused mixed variety of bamboo portion is converting it into solid fuel for thermal applications like cooking and space heating. It is manufactured through the process of pyrolysis of raw bamboo and then mixing the powdered form of char with binding materials like molasses, clay, and flour. The mixed mass is then formed into briquette or pellets either manually or by machine. It is then sun dried for usage.

It has been noted that depending on the mixing ratio of char and binding material, the calorific value of such substances varies from 5500 to 7500 kcal/kg. The thermal behaviour of a typical briquette sample is shown in Figure 1.

All these thermal applications will have a huge impact on protecting the forest cover. From the above facts, it is clear that bamboo is an energy- and environment-friendly substance plant. Nowadays, plantation of bamboo is getting maximum attention and is becoming highly important because of

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2009�0

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its function as an environment protector and poverty alleviator. Climate change will affect the basic elements of life for people around the world—access to water, food production, health, and the environment. Hundreds of millions of people could suffer hunger, water shortages, and coastal flooding as the world warms.

Bamboo can easily compete with the most effective wood species in terms of carbon sequestration capacities. It can play a significant role in linking climate change mitigation to sustainable economic development in the developing world. Thus, the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) projects as per the Kyoto Protocol can be thought of in order to combat global warming.

Carbon credits may help in creation of jobs and generation of wealth. Again, it can be the start-up fund for various bamboo-related developmental projects. Unlike tree crop plantations, which are facing criticism with regard to an unclear pro-poor focus, bamboo is highly suitable for cultivation specifically for pro-poor development.

Besides higher biomass, bamboo has other advantages over wood as a carbon stock. Unlike woody crops,

bamboo offers the possibility of annual selective harvesting and removal of about 15%–20% of the total stock without damaging the environment and stock productivity. Over 90% of bamboo carbon can be sequestered in durable products such as boards, panels, floors, furniture, buildings, cloth, paper, and activated charcoal. These products have a very long life span and may retain carbon for several decades. The annual biomass and carbon sink per hectare of many bamboo species are comparative to wood tree crops such as eucalyptus and teak. Bamboo can sequestrate CO2 in the form of 12 tonne per hectare of plantation.

Bamboo often grows on small plots of marginal lands managed by poor people. It is possible to group many small plots under one project. Such groups could qualify for

carbon trading as small-scale forest project. In ancient Chinese culture it was believed that a gift of living bamboo would bring good luck. So, let’s start preaching this practice in our country also in order to bring good luck to energy, environment, and people.

Figure 1 Thermal behaviour of a typical briquette sample

�1VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2009

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enrichment and bottling technology for vehicular use

dr Virendra Kumar VijayCenter for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

E-mail [email protected]

BiogasIntroduction

In the present era of ever-increasing energy consumption and dwindling fossil fuel reserves, the importance of biomass-based, decentralized fuel such

as biogas and biomass-based power generation has been greatly increased. It is a well-established renewable and environment-friendly fuel for rural energy needs. Biogas is ideally suited for rural applications where required animal or human excreta and agricultural waste are available in plenty. Harnessing such a resource promotes rural industries, agriculture, and dairy and animal farming in a sustainable way. This will

also increase employment in the rural regions and discourage migration to cities.

Biogas is an environment-friendly, clean, cheap, and versatile fuel. Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion of degradable wastes such as cattle dung, vegetable wastes, sheep and poultry droppings, municipal solid waste, sewage water, and landfill. Presently the biogas is mainly used for cooking and lighting purposes in the rural areas. Biogas is being used in stationary engines for different agricultural operations. Its utilization is also feasible in automobiles, used for transportation purposes by enriching and compressing

it in cylinders. Biogas can be converted into bio CNG after enrichment and bottling. It becomes just like CNG.

Potential of the technologySo far, biogas has mostly been used as fuel for cooking and running stationary engines. However, it’s potential has not been fully utilized yet. There is a great enhancement in its utilization potential particularly where bigger plants are in operation, for example, institutional biogas plants in goshalas, dairy farms or community biogas plants in villages. Goshalas are running generally on charity basis and most of Goshalas are not in sound financial position.


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Enrichment and bottling of biogas will help to improve it.

India has a vast potential of 6.38 x 1010 cubic metres of biogas per annum from 980 million tonnes of cattle dung produced. The NPBD (National Project on Biogas Development) was launched by the Government of India in 1981. A total of about 36.5 lakh family biogas plants have been installed under this programme all over the country till December 2004. This is about 30% of the total 120 lakh family-type biogas plants. More than 3380 CBP (community biogas plants), IBP (institutional biogas plants), and NBP (night-soil-based biogas plants) have been installed all over the country with most reporting satisfactory performance levels. The family biogas plants in the country are estimated to be saving 39.6 lakh tonnes of fuelwood per year. Besides, about

9.2 lakh tonnes of enriched organic manure are being produced every year from these plants.

There are a number of goshalas, dairies, and village communities having large number of cattle, which have the potential for installing biogas enrichment and bottling system. In urban areas, large quantity of biogas can be produced in sewage treatment plants using anaerobic digestion. The Okhla Sewage Treatment Plant in New Delhi is an example where more than 10 000 cubic metres of biogas is produced every day. Due to rising cost of petroleum products and environmental concerns it has become imperative to make use of local resources as an alternate to petroleum fuels. Therefore, it is a worldwide trend to explore and make use of biogas as an alternate fuel in vehicles.

Biogas composition, properties, and utilization as CNG Biogas comprises 60%–65% methane, 35%–40% CO2 (carbon dioxide), 0.5%–1.0% H2S (hydrogen sulphide), and water vapour. It is almost 20% lighter than air. Biogas, like LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), cannot be converted to liquid state under normal temperature. Removing CO2 and compressing it into cylinders makes it easily usable for transport applications – three-wheelers, cars, pick up vans, and so on – and also for stationary applications at various long distances. Already, CNG technology has become easily available and therefore, bio-methane (enriched biogas), which is nearly same as CNG, can be used for all applications for which CNG is used.


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Cylinders filled from one 120 m3 biogas bottling = 8 cylinders/dayplant (Capacity 6 kg/cylinder) As 6 kg CNG cylinder = 6 litre petrol Therefore, gas filled in these cylinders will be = 6 × 8 = 48 litres of equivalent to petrol/dayor Diesel/petrol savings = 17520 litres/annum. = Rs 876 000/annum (approx.) ≈ Rs 9 lakh/annum (from one bottling plant)

Biogas scrubber Biogas high-pressure cylinder and Compressor

Biogas-run car Biogas plant

Biogas enrichment processA variety of processes are available for enrichment, that is, removing CO2, H2S, and water vapour. Commonly CO2 removal processes also remove H2S. One of the easiest and cheapest methods involved is the use of pressurized water as an absorbent liquid. In this method, the biogas is pressurized and fed to the bottom of a scrubber column where water is sprayed from the top. In counter-currently operated absorption process, the CO2 and H2S present in the biogas is absorbed in the water going down and the methane goes up and is collected in the vessel. Although the water requirement in this process is high, it is the simplest method of removing impurities from biogas.

Concept of alternative bio-CNG Biogas contains a large proportion (about 40% by volume) of CO2, a heavier and non-combustible gas and some fraction of H2S. Hence, the biogas must be enriched by removing these undesirable gases to save compression energy and space in bottle and corroding effect. The scrubbing system is found to enrich methane to about 95% or more depending upon biogas inlet and water injection pressure. Biogas can be used for all applications designed for natural gas, assuming sufficient purification.

Scope of the techniqueEnriched biogas is made moisture free by passing it through filters after which it is compressed to a pressure of about 200 bars using a three-stage gas compressor. Compressed gas is stored in high-pressure steel cylinders as used for CNG. There is large potential of this technology in buses, tractors, cars, autorickshaws, irrigation pump sets, and in rural industries. This will help in meeting the energy demand for rural masses thus reducing the

burden of petroleum demand, moves towards energy security and will improve economic status by creating employment generation in rural area.

Therefore, from only one biogas bottling plant, enriched biogas filled cylinders will be able to replace

fuel worth Rs 9 lakh annually in the country. Increasing the number of bottling plant will subsequently increase the diesel/petrol savings. The whole cost can be recovered within two–three years from the year of installation of the plant.

��VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2009

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During the past 25 years, the renewable energy programme in India has evolved in three distinctive stages. In the

first stage, from about the late 1970s to the early 1980s, the thrust of the national effort in this field was directed towards capacity building and R&D, largely in national laboratories and educational institutions. The second stage, from early 1980s to the end of the decade, witnessed a major expansion with accent on large-scale demonstration and subsidy driven extension activities.

Widening the reach of renewable energy:

new initiativesdr arun K triPathi

Director, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India

The extension programmes generated a vast network of institutions and non-government organizations, right down to the level of self-employed workers and organizations at the grass-roots levels.

In the third and current stage, extending from the beginning of the last decade, the emphasis has been more on application of matured technologies for power generation, based on wind, small hydro, biogas cogeneration, and other biomass systems, as well as for industrial applications of solar and other forms of energy. There has also

been a gradual shift from the subsidy driven mode to commercially driven activity in the area. Since 2006/07, new impetus has been given to research and development of cutting edge new and renewable energy technologies such as next generation solar technologies, hydrogen and fuel cells, and biofuels.

The ministry has launched some major new schemes in 2009 as well. Some of these include ‘Demonstration programme on tail-end grid-connected solar power plants’ and ‘Rooftop SPV systems’.


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Demonstration programme on tail-end grid-connected solar power plantsThe main objective of the demonstration programme is to connect solar power plant at the tail end of the grid for providing voltage support to strengthen the grid and to provide additional power for use in the daytime. Any company or electricity board that is authorized in the state/union territories to distribute or generate electricity will be eligible to take up the projects under the demonstration programme. In addition, state nodal agencies are also eligible, provided they connect the plant to the grid at the tail end and feed power to the tail-end grid. Any of the above-mentioned eligible organizations can submit a proposal directly to the ministry for seeking financial support and that organization will be considered as the project implementing agency. Each proposal

must be supported by a DPR (detailed project report).

Targets and central financial assistanceTail end grid-connected solar power plants, with an aggregate capacity up to 4 MWp may be supported under the demonstration programme. The ministry will provide a central financial assistance of up to 50% of the installed cost of solar power plant, excluding the cost of the land, extension of line for power evacuation, civil works and cost of AMC, or a maximum of Rs 10 crore per megawatt of solar capacity used in the tail-end supported solar power projects. Cost of preparation of the DPR will

also not be covered under the eligible CFA (central financial assistance).

One per cent of the MNRE CFA will be provided as administrative charges to the implementing agency subject to a maximum of Rs 10 lakh per project. The ministry will provide, on a case-to-case basis, full support for training; capacity

building; third party monitoring; and impact assessment studies relating to the demonstration programme.

Technical performance optimizationWith a view to encourage technology development and reduction in the cost of the power plant projects, the implementing agencies are expected to utilize state-of-the-art technology to set up the plants. They are expected to use large capacity and higher power output PV modules available for the specific technology used in setting up the power plant. Qualification of


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PV modules, to be used in the tail end grid-connected SPV power plants, in accordance with the standards issued by BIS or IEC 61215 certification or other international certification on qualification of PV modules will be necessary. Use of modules that do not conform to BIS or any international certification is not permitted.

The electronics, cables, controls, structures, storage batteries (if any), and so on must qualify to the latest BIS or international standards that are acceptable to utilities and which fulfill all safety norms for grid-connected power projects. The PV power project connected to the tail-end grid should be designed to optimize generation in electricity in terms of vis-à-vis available solar radiation at the site (may be obtained through use of efficient electronics, lower cable losses, maximization of power transfer from PV modules to electronics and the grid, maximization of power generation by enhancing incident radiation by optional methods like seasonally changing tilt angles).

Monitoring and progress reportThe implementing agencies will install suitable instruments and make adequate arrangements to monitor the technical performance and ensure satisfactory operation of the tail end grid-connected solar power plants. The concerned state nodal agency may also visit the project site and provide their feedback and recommendation to the implementing agency and the ministry. All projects set up under the demonstration programme will be open to inspection by officials from the ministry, IREDA, concerned state nodal agencies, and any independent organization

appointed by the ministry/IREDA for performance monitoring.

The ministry may also undertake field evaluation studies for any of the tail end grid-connected solar plants through professional and independent organizations. The implementing agencies will be required to submit quarterly and annual progress report about the project to the ministry. The implementing agencies will furnish an annual report on generation of electricity from each plant in the format given by the ministry.

Rooftop SPV systemsSeveral cities and towns in the country are experiencing a substantial growth in their peak electricity demand. Municipal corporations and the electricity utilities are finding it difficult to cope with this rapid rise in demand and hence, most of the cities/towns are facing severe electricity shortages. Various industries and commercial establishments, for example, malls, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, and so on; housing complexes developed by builders and developers in cities and towns use diesel generators for back up power even during daytime. These generator capacities vary from a few kilowatts

to a couple of megawatts. Generally, in a single establishment, more than one generators are installed—one to cater to the minimum load required for lighting and computer/other emergency operations during load shedding and the others for running ACs and other things such as lifts and other power applications.

With an objective to reduce dependency on diesel gensets, a scheme to replace them with SPV is being proposed. Further, in order to utilize the existing roof space of buildings, the scheme proposes to promote rooftop SPV systems on buildings to replace diesel gensets installed for minimum load requirement for operation during load shedding. These loads generally vary between 25 kW and 100 kW.

A rooftop SPV system could be with or without grid interaction. In grid interaction system, the DC power generated from SPV panels is converted into AC power using power conditioning unit and is fed to the grid either of 11 kV three-phase line or of 220 V single-phase line depending on the system installed at the institution/commercial establishment or residential complex. They generate power during the daytime, which is utilized fully by


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powering the captive loads and feeding excess power to the grid as long as the grid is available. In cases where solar power is not sufficient due to cloud cover and so on, the captive loads are served by drawing power from the grid.

The grid-interactive rooftop SPV systems thus work on a net metering basis wherein the beneficiary pays to the utility on net meter basis only. Ideally, grid-interactive systems do not require battery bask up as the grid acts as the back up for feeding excess solar power and vice versa. However, to enhance the performance reliability of the overall systems, a minimum battery back up of one hour of load capacity is strongly recommended. In grid-interactive systems, it must be ensured that in case the grid fails, the solar power has to be fully utilized or stopped from the feeding the grid immediately (if any in excess) so as to safeguard any grid person/technician from getting electrocuted while working on the grid for maintenance and so on. This feature is called ‘Islanding Protection’.

Non-grid interactive systems ideally require a full load capacity and battery power back up system. However, with the introduction of advanced load management and power conditioning systems, and safety mechanisms it is

possible to segregate the daytime loads to be served directly by solar power without necessarily going through the battery back up. As in the previous case, of grid-interactive systems, minimum one hour of battery back up is, however, strongly recommended for these systems also to enhance the

performance reliability of the systems. The non-grid-interactive systems with minimum battery back up are viable only in places where normal power is not available during the daytime. In case the SPV power is to be used after sunshine hours, it would require full load capacity battery back up, which will increase the cost of system and this may not be economically viable even with support from the government.

The CFA for rooftop SPV systems at the rate of Rs 75 per watt of SPV panels to a maximum of 30% of the

cost of systems to profit-making bodies availing depreciation benefits and at the rate of Rs 100 per watt to a maximum of 40% of the cost of systems to non-profit-making bodies (with or without grid interaction) limited to 100 kW capacity will be available mainly for daytime use. This will include institutions, government buildings, commercial establishments, industry, housing complexes, and so on. The minimum capacity installation will be 25 kW. Smaller systems (not less than 10 kW) may be considered as special case. No targets are set for these systems to state/urban local bodies. Proposals will be considered on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Green buildingsEnergy-efficient solar buildings are constructed based on the techniques of solar passive design with a view to provide comfortable living and working conditions, both in winter and summer. These buildings can be integrated with renewable energy and energy conservation devices and systems, and can save over 30% to 40%


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Project size (total built up area) Rating-cum-registration fee

<= 5000 square metre Rs 314 000 (Rs 250 000 fixed cost for registration and secretariat fees + Rs 64 000 for evaluation)

> 5000 square metre Rs 314 000 (fixed cost for projects up to 5000 square metre) + Rs 3.75 square metre over and above 5000 square metre of built area

of conventional energy that is used for lighting, cooling or heating. Such buildings have been tried out in few states as a result of initiatives taken by the MNRE. Finding the concept of solar buildings useful, the state governments of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Nagaland have already made it mandatory to construct all new buildings in the government and public sectors with this concept.

Efforts are now being made to construct green buildings all over the country, which not only take care of energy conservation but also look into water and waste management, environmental impact, minimum destruction of natural resources, and various other aspects in an integrated way. Building rating systems have been quite effective in raising awareness and popularizing energy-efficient and green building design. Most of the internationally devised rating systems have been tailored to suit the building

sector of the country where they were developed.

The objective of this scheme is to promote the widespread construction of energy-efficient solar/green buildings in the country through a combination of financial and promotional incentives, and other support measures so as to save a substantial amount of electricity and other fossil fuels apart from having peak load shavings in cities and towns. The objective will be achieved by providing incentives to buildings rated for their performance under the National Rating System being promoted by the ministry

and financial support for organizing workshops and seminars for engineers, planners, builders, architects, consultants, housing finance organizations and potential users, and for compilation and publication of documents related to solar/green buildings.

This scheme is presently confined to commercial and institutional buildings including housing complexes with minimum built area of about 2500 square metres. All the houses in a complex will be considered, as single-project individual households are not covered in the scheme.

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 200930

Owners of the buildings under design and construction, interested to be rated under GRIHA will get their buildings registered with the GRIHA Secretariat as per the procedure given on the GRIHA/MNRE website. The registration-cum-training fee for the

projects registered under GRIHA will be as given below, which will be paid to the GRIHA Secretariat by the owners at the time of registration.

Release of registration-cum-rating fee to the owners will be made by MNRE on reimbursement basis through

GRIHA Secretariat after validation of Star Rating Post-Construction by the National Advisory Council. A financial support of up to Rs 2 lakh for each activity could be provided for organizing workshops/seminars/training programmes/meetings of NAC/publications/awareness campaigns, and so on to implementing agencies including GRIHA Secretariat. Annual awards to green buildings rated 5 Star under GRIHA will be given away by the ministry in the form of shields/certificates. Cash incentive of Rs 50 lakh to municipal corporations and Rs 25 lakh to municipalities/other urban local bodies (one each to them) will also be given away that perform the best in promoting green buildings in their areas from 2011/12 onwards.

Funds for other activities as felt necessary by GRIHA Secretariat to promote GRIHA as large-scale in the country may also be considered by the MNRE with approval of NAC subject to availability.

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Databases like the Handbook of Solar Radiation over India by A Mani, NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar

Energy: RETScreen Data, WeDCo when evaluated reveals abundant solar irradiance available over the surface of Delhi throughout the year. Global radiation on the horizontal surface ranges between 500 W/m2 to 900 W/m2

around 12 pm in December and May, respectively (Figure 1).

Tilted surface at an angle of latitude +15º captures the maximum amount of radiation during peak winter season ranging between 2000 kWh/m2 and 3500 kWh/m2 (Figure 2). Tilted south facing collector surfaces are preferred in the Northern Hemisphere so as to let the rays get incident at a perpendicular

tamoShi BhattacharyaStudent, Delhi University

in North Campus, Delhi University

Prospects and potential of solar energy technologies

angle and receive maximum amount of solar radiation over a given area and period. If the power density (J/m2/sec) of the incident radiation is Io then the power density of the solar radiation upon a horizontal surface is just IH = Io cos θ. If the collector surface is tilted then the intensity is IDIR (θT) = Io cos θs, where θs = θ - θT.

If θT = θ, then the intensity upon the tilted surface achieves maximum value Io. This minor bit of geometry illustrates the obvious fact that the maximum amount of solar radiation received when the collector surface is oriented to

be perpendicular to the incident solar radiation. A study conducted for hostels in the North Campus, Delhi University through primary survey reveals the huge pressure of consumption exerted on the power grid or conventionally extracted electricity from coal and

Figure 1 Evaluation of RETScreen data for Delhi


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gas. Nineteen selected hostels with about 3100 students show an average power consumption of 494.56 kWh/day. The energy consumption pattern shows a variable trend depending on various factors, that is, the number of students residing, number of electrical appliances used, and utilization habits of hostel residents and staff.

Despite having the same number of residents, some hostels have a variable range of electricity consumption. For example, AGSHW, ISHW, and NESHW with nearly 100 residents each consume 579, 751, and 645 kW per day (6.6 kwH/day/capita on an average) whereas PG men’s, ISHM, and Meghdoot consume about 314, 401, and 314 kW per day (3.4 kW/day per capita on an average), respectively. This is because of larger number of lights, fans, geysers, and other appliances provided in the first three that leads to overutilization of energy in a way. This is naturally a given cause of overconsumption of power at any place. Consumption per resident per day in most of the hostels is much higher than India’s average consumption per capita of 1.6 kWh/day. A summary of the energy consumption pattern has been given in Figures 3 and 4.

Conventionally extracted energy consumed through various processes such as lighting, water heating, space cooling and heating, and so on can be replaced with suitable solar energy

technologies. Among these, about 48% of the energy that is used for heating water, cooling or heating space can be replaced by solar thermal technology. The remaining 52% of

Figure 2 Global radiation tilt factors for different months Figure 3 Energy consumption patterns of various hostels

Table 1 Roof area of hostels and global solar radiation received

P G Hostels AGSHW ISHW NESHW V K R V Rao Women’s

Roof area (m2) 988 1137 988 692 1068Annual global 4940 5685 4940 3460 5340 radiation (kWh)

Hostels Jubilee Hall Hindu SRCC Boys SRCC Girls Manasarovar

Roof area (m2) 3935 3060 397 878 1010Annual global 19 675 15 300 1985 4390 5050 radiation (kWh)

Hostels AGSHW ISHW NESHW V K R V Rao P G Women’s

Roof area (m2) 600 1409 5175 3240 1809Annual global 3000 7045 25 875 16 200 9045 radiation (kWh)

Miranda Hostels House ISHB CIE (Girls) CIE (Boys) D S Kothari

Roof area (m2) 1880 2256 360 280 1222Annual global 9400 11 280 1800 1400 6110 radiation (kWh)

Hostels Stephens (Girls) Stephens (Boys)

Roof area (m2) 984 3245Annual global radiation (kWh) 4920 16 225


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the energy consumed by lights, fans, computers, television, hotplates, refrigerators, and so on can be replaced by solar photovoltaic technology. Energy requirement to be replaced (rather supplemented) is more for solar electricity in summer (85%) and for solar thermal in winter (60%). Installation of solar collectors for the above mentioned applications would need shadow free areas of hostel roof, lawns, and so on. For the same purpose, the area of hostel roofs and average solar radiation incident on them have been calculated (Table 1).

Findings and observations have successfully established the abundant availability of solar radiation throughout the year, possible solar energy technologies as well as heavy pressure of electricity consumption on the grid by the hostels. This rationalizes the need to partially replace or hybridize the present energy sources with that of solar energy. The study further gets specific to simulate the preliminary feasibility model for applications like solar water heating using RETScreen international computer software.

A simulation model for solar water heating system has been prepared calculating the required installation area, initial cost, and payback year (Table 2).

In this case, glazed flat-plate collectors have been considered along with the storage facility and conventional water heating system’s efficiency has been taken as 90%. The cost and payback period would differ depending upon systems’ configuration, building design, and the authority’s decision to install the number of collectors and varying inflation rates. It should also be noted that the thermal performance of the system would depend on its configuration and climatic conditions. The solar system tanks and collectors are generally designed for normal pressure < 11 kg/cm2. For pressurized water supply, special systems with thicker tanks would be required.

The preliminary investigation towards solar radiation resource assessment of the location of North Campus, Delhi University shows that

there is enough potential to utilize solar energy technologies especially for lighting, water heating, and cooling applications. There is enough area on the roof of hostels to install solar energy collectors or PV panels for energy generation and supply. The total requirement of hot water in the campus is approximately 102 650 litres per day, for which only 3254 m2 installation is required. This will cost about Rs 18 369 297 with an average payback period of five years.

Though the use of solar energy has a cost implication attached, it can be enhanced through efforts of educational institutions. They should come forward to use renewable energy technologies to the maximum possible extent. The curriculum should be suitably modified to include renewable energy technologies at all levels.

Figure 4 Comparison energy consumption by various sources

Table 2 Summary of proposed solar water heating systems for Delhi University hostels

Required Required area for Budgeted Payback Capacity no. of Aperture installation initial cost period Hostels (litres/day) collectors area (m2) (m2) (rupees) (years)

AGSHW 8448 84 168 268.8 1529558 3.7ISHW 8512 85 170 272.0 1546043 3.7NESHW 8448 84 168 268.8 1513073 3.7V K R V Rao 3068 30 60 96 622883 5.1P G Women’s 8650 86 172 275.2 1562528 3.7Stephens (B + G) 9093 90 180 288.0 1628468 3.7Kothari 2629 26 52 83.2 556943 5.5Jubilee Hall 5485 54 108 172.8 101823 4.0Hindu 5611 56 112 179.2 1051493 4.0SRCC (B+G) 5295 52 104 166.4 1002038 4.1Manasarovar 5132 51 102 163.2 969068 4.1Miranda House 8132 80 160 256 1447133 3.7CIE 1493 14 28 44.8 359123 8.8Meghdoot 2819 28 56 89.6 589913 5.3P G Men’s 3504 35 70 112 705308 4.7Gwyer Hall 4512 45 90 144 870158 4.3Kirorimal 3804 38 76 121.6 754763 4.6Hansraj 4918 49 98 156.8 936098 4.2ISHB 3095 30 60 96 622883 5.0

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Introduction

GHPs (geothermal heat pumps) are a relatively new technology that can save money. These ground-source heat

pumps use natural heat storage capacity of the earth or ground water to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling. GHPs should not be confused with air-source heat pumps that rely on heat in the air. Geothermal heat pumps use the relatively constant temperature of the ground or water several feet below the earth’s surface as the source of heating and cooling. Geothermal heat pumps are appropriate for retrofit or new homes, where both heating and cooling are desired. In addition to this, GHPs can provide hot water for domestic use.

How do they work? A GHP doesn’t create heat by burning fuel, like a furnace does. Instead, in

Geothermal heat pumps

an energy-efficient technologymineSh Patel

Geo Clinic <[email protected]>

winter it collects the earth’s natural heat through a series of pipes, called a loop, installed below the surface of the ground or submersed in a pond or lake. Fluid circulates through the loop and carries the heat to the house. There, an electrically driven compressor and a heat exchanger concentrate the earth’s energy and release it inside the home at a higher temperature. Ductwork distributes the heat to different rooms. In summer, the process is reversed. The underground loop draws excess heat from the house and allows it to be absorbed by the earth. The systems cools a home in the same way that a refrigerator keeps food cool—by drawing heat from the interior and not by blowing in cold air.

Types of geothermal heat pump systemsThere are four basic types of ground loop systems. Three of these – horizontal, vertical, and pond/lake – are

closed-loop systems. The fourth type of system is the open-loop option. Which one of these is the best depends on the climate, soil conditions, available land, and local installation costs at the site. All of these approaches can be used for residential and commercial building applications.

Closed-loop systemsHorizontalThis type of installation is generally the most cost-effective for residential installations, particularly for new construction where sufficient land is available. It requires trenches at least four feet deep. The most common layouts either use two pipes – one buried at six feet and the other at four feet – or two pipes placed side-by-side at five feet in the ground in a two-foot wide trench. The SlinkyTM method of looping the pipe allows more pipe in a shorter trench, which cuts down on the installation costs and makes horizontal installation possible in areas it would not be with conventional horizontal applications.

VerticalLarge commercial buildings and schools often use vertical systems because the land area required for horizontal loops would be prohibitive. Vertical loops are also used where the soil is too shallow for trenching, and they minimize the disturbance to the existing landscape. For a vertical system, holes (approximately four inches in diameter) are drilled about 20 feet apart and 100–400 feet deep. Into these two holes go two pipes that are connected at the bottom with a U-bend to form a loop. The vertical loops are connected with the horizontal pipe (that is, manifold), placed in trenches, and connected to the heat pump in the building.


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Pond/lakeIf the site has an adequate water body, this may be the lowest cost option. A supply line pipe is run underground from the building to the water and coiled into circles at least eight feet under the surface to prevent freezing. The coils should only be placed in a water source that meets minimum volume, depth, and quality criteria.

Open-loop systemThis type of system uses well or surface body water as the heat exchange fluid that circulates directly through the GHP

system. Once it has circulated through the system, the water returns to the ground through the well, a recharge well, or surface discharge. This option is obviously practical only where there is an adequate supply of relatively clean water, and all local codes and regulation regarding groundwater discharge are met.

Application of heat pumpsHeat pumps can be used in a variety of places such as the following. P Dairy industryP Fish farm

P Textile industryP Meat processing unitP Pharma industryP BreweriesP ClubsP HospitalsP HotelsP Cold storagesP Chemical industryP Spa/swimming poolP CollegesP SchoolsP LaundryP ShowersP Wash basins


P Zero energy homesP Commercial buildingsP Process waterP OEM’s of HVAC industry

Benefits of geothermal systemAn investment in a geothermal system provides an array of benefits not found with other systems. P Lower operating cost: A geothermal

system operates more efficiently than ordinary heating and air conditioning systems because it can deliver an astounding four units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. That translates into an efficiency rating of 400% as compared to the most efficient gas furnace, which rates only 94%. By combining stored earth energy with safe electric power, many homeowners realize savings up to 60% for heating, cooling, and hot water.

P Lower life cycle cost: Due to the extraordinary efficiency of a geothermal, any added investment

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related to installing a geothermal unit is usually more than offset by your energy savings. In new homes, most homeowners will experience an immediate positive return on their investment when the system cost is added to the mortgage. In replacement installations, homeowners find that any added investment over the cost of an ordinary system is generally recovered in energy savings with a few years. With a long system life and less maintenance, the overall life cycle costs are lower with geothermal.

P Enhanced comfort: This system provides precise distribution of comfortable air all year long, eliminating hot spots and cold spots. During heating, one would experience warm air without the hot blasts associated with ordinary gas furnaces. Compared to an air-source heat pump, the air is warmer. When cooling, a geothermal unit delivers cool, dehumidified air. For ultimate

comfort, a zoning system can be added using multiple thermostats to control temperatures in various zones.

P Safe: This system is safe because natural gas, propane or oil are not required to operate a geothermal unit, there is no combustion, flames, or fumes, and no chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.

P Clean: With the all-electric geothermal system, there are no fumes produced during operation. By adding optional high-efficiency air cleaners, high levels of indoor air quality can be achieved.

P Quiet: Unlike ordinary air conditioners or heat pumps, there is no outdoor unit that disturbs the surrounding environment. Geothermal units are designed and constructed for ‘whisper quiet’ operation, similar to a refrigerator. Some models include variable speed fan motors and acoustical enclosures for the compressors.

P Reliable: Unlike air conditioners and heat pumps, geothermal units are installed indoors. Therefore, they are not subject to wear and tear caused by rain, snow, ice, debris, extreme temperatures, and vandalism. Geothermal units have proven to be very reliable and require less maintenance.

P Environmentally friendly: According to the Department of Energy and the EPA, geothermal systems are the most environment-friendly way of heating and cooling a house. The system emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or any other greenhouse gas. With a geothermal system, you can take comfort in a better environment. In addition, the lower peak demand for geothermal systems helps to postpone the need to build more expensive electricity generating plants.

drying in textile industry


SUCCESS STORY

Solar drying is becoming

more prevalent in industry nowadays, the

driving force behind the ever rising cost of fuels. Different types of solar dryers have been developed and are being used in agro-based, food processing, chemical, and textile industries. A solar air-heating system for drying of garments in tumbler dryers has been installed at M/s Raghav Woollen Mills, Ludhiana, Punjab. The replacement of cool ambient air (of temperature about 30 ºC) has been done with solar pre-heated air (of temperature 55–66 ºC), which is further raised by conventional fuels to 100–110 ºC by steam radiators or diesel-fired hot air generator.

PAU designed packed bed solar air heating collectors (72 nos) have been installed making a total area of 90 m2, by M/s Vishivkarma Solar Energy Corporation, Phillaur, Punjab. The total project cost has been Rs 5.27 lakh and a subsidy of Rs 1.57 lakh has also been given by MNRE as central financial assistance. Fuel savings to the tune of about 25% have been realized after implementation, amounting to more than 1.50 lakh per annum. Additionally, the user also avails a tax benefit of Rs 90 000 since 80% depreciation is allowed in the first year itself.

The payback

period is two years and the

system is expected to last for more than 15

years. Thus, the user saves Rs 22.5 lakh worth of diesel at

current pricing. The only regular maintenance required is cleaning of glasses twice a week due to the dusty and sooty conditions prevailing at the

drying in textile industry

site of installation. Such systems can find widespread use in drying of leather, fish, egg trays, apple trays, plywood, and so on where sun drying in the open is adopted usually. Scientifically designed solar drying can not only make the process faster but also more efficient because the product will not be exposed to vagaries of weather and also dust, insects, brid droppings, and so on.

Solar


case study

Lack of refrigeration facility in the rural areas is adversely affecting the health and economy of the villages. Refrigerators available in

the market work on 230V AC and are not useful at places where grid power is not available on a continuous basis. The problems faced by the people in the absence of a safe storage for vaccines, medicines, and perishable food products need to be overcome to improve their quality of life. Using solar energy for refrigeration is an ideal concept as the periods of high sunshine are times when refrigeration is also required maximum. Most of the unelectrified or electricity deficient villages of the country are blessed with good solar radiation most of the time. Of all the possible or desirable applications of solar energy, cooling has been the most sought after application. While solar energy can be used to produce cooling effect through different routes, the vapour compression route powered by electricity generated from solar energy is found to be the most suitable one for refrigerators of small capacities useful for household purpose, medical uses, and small community use.

Conventional refrigerators can be powered through solar energy but the power supply system would have to use an inverter to convert DC electricity stored in batteries to 230V AC to operate the refrigerator. Besides the inverter, the power supply system necessary for this purpose was found to be too expensive due to the inverter losses, high starting current, and minimal installation used in these refrigerators.

After many years of research, Gujarat-based SPRERI (Sardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute) has developed DC compressor-based SPRERITECH refrigerator that operates on 24V DC supply from storage batteries charged with the

Solar refrigeratort

V chaVda and naVeen KumarSardar Patel Renewable Energy Research Institute

E-mail [email protected]


help of solar photovoltaic modules. The model named TD80 provides top opening 80-litre storage capacity in two compartments to store a variety of essential items that require refrigeration. The strategically placed evaporator coils ensure uniform temperature throughout the refrigerator, thereby making it highly suitable for bulk storage. The evaporator coil has been provided below the inner body for effective cooling and easy loading and cleaning of the box.

The design features state-of-the-art skin condenser and highly energy-efficient Danfoss BD35F sealed DC compressor that is the only imported component in the solar refrigerator. DC compressor that uses environment-friendly refrigerant, R134a (HFC) and electronic control unit available from Danfoss, Germany has been used in

the solar refrigerator. The unit operates with very low noise level and requires negligible starting current. Thermostat with seven settings enables the user to obtain a wide range of temperatures varying between – 3 ºC and 6 ºC.

In the large number of villages without grid-connected power, the TD80 can be operated with the help of solar photovoltaic modules. Depending on the application, solar photovoltaic modules of 100 to 200 W can provide satisfactory performance. The SPV modules charge the battery bank, which in turn operates the refrigerator. With a battery of 24 V, 130 Ah, ‘no sun autonomy’ of up to four days can be obtained, making the refrigerator suitable for most of the critical applications. A solar charge regulator is used to protect the batteries against problems due to over charging or

excessive discharge in cloudy weather. So far, SPRERI has manufactured

seven TD80 model refrigerators and installed at different places in India for demonstration purposes. The DC compressor based solar refrigerator costs three to four times more than the AC compressor based refrigerators available in the local market. Therefore, they have not been manufactured on a large scale yet. SPRERI has given license to M/s Sunrise Technology, Gujarat to market and manufacture SPRERI’s TD80 model refrigeration systems for commercialization for a period of two years. Besides SPRERI and Sunrise Technology, BHEL-Hyderabad, CEL-Sahibabad, and Tata BP Solar-Bangalore are also manufacturing solar refrigerators in India.

Inviting advertisements for Akshay Urja

Akshay Urja is widely circulated to various stakeholders of renewable energy. Akshay Urja invites advertisements (in colour) from interested organizations, manufacturers, institutions, etc. The advertisement tariffs are as follows.

Advertisement area Tariff (rupees)*

Inside Front Cover 40 000

Inside Back Cover 40 000

Full Page 25 000

* Avail 25% discount on booking for six issues and 20% discount on booking for three issues

The interested organizations may write to:Editor, Akshay Urja

Ministry of New and Renewable EnergyBlock - 14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003

Tel. +91 11 2436 3035 or 2436 0707 • Fax +91 11 2436 3035 or 2436 1298E-mail [email protected]

case study

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 4 FEBRUARY 2009�0

RE event

Buildings have major environmental impacts over their entire life cycle. Resources

such as ground cover, forests, water, and energy are depleted to give way to buildings. A green building depletes the natural resources to the minimum during its construction and operation. The aim of a green building design is to minimize the demand on non-renewable resources, maximize the utilization efficiency of these resources, when in use, and maximize the reuse, recycling, and utilization of renewable resources.

In sum, the following aspects of the building design are looked into in an integrated way in a green building.P Site planningP Building envelope designP Building system design ((HVAC)

heating ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, electrical, and water heating)

P Integration of renewable energy sources to generate energy onsite.

P Water and waste managementP Selection of ecologically sustainable

materials (with high recycled content, rapidly renewable resources with low emission potential, etc.).

P Indoor environmental quality (maintain indoor thermal and visual comfort, and air quality)

Keeping in view the Indian agro-climatic conditions and in particular the preponderance of non-AC buildings, a National Rating System, GRIHA was developed, which is suitable for all kinds of building in different climatic zones of the country. The system was initially conceived and developed by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) as TERI-

Ushering in green buildings

GRIHA, which has been modified to GRIHA as a National Rating System after incorporating various modifications suggested by a group of architects and experts. It takes into account the provisions of the National Building Code 2005, the Energy Conservation Building

Code 2007 announced by BEE, and other IS codes, local bylaws, other local standards and laws.

The first GRIHA training programme on green buildings was organized in Bangalore in TERI’s Southern Regional Centre during 22–23 December 2008 with an aim to create awareness amongst stakeholders related to the construction industry in South India. The programme was well received in the city and was attended by many architects, corporate, institutes, and government bodies including the Director of MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) and Managing Director of

KREDL (Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd). Representatives from various corporate organizations and PSUs like Infosys, Wipro, ITC, HAL, and NAL also participated.

The incentive programme for GRIHA-rated green buildings that has been devised by MNRE along with TERI was publicly announced for the first time during the training programme in Bangalore by Mr Dilip Nigam, Director, MNRE. During the two-day training programme the criterion of certification – spread across the life cycle of the building – from inception to operation were explained in various technical sessions. The stages of the life cycle that have been identified for evaluation are pre-construction, building design and construction, and building O&M (operation and maintenance). These issues, which were addressed through a series of technical sessions, are as follows.

Participants of the workshop held at Bangalore


P Pre-construction stage (intra- and inter-site issues)

P Building planning and construction stages (issues of resource conservation and reduction in resource demand, resource utilization efficiency, resource recovery and reuse, and provisions for occupant health and well-being). The prime resources that are

considered in this section are land, water, energy, air, and green cover.

P Building O&M stage (issues of O&M of building system and processes, monitoring and recording of consumption, and occupant health and well-being, and also issues that affect the global and local environment).

All the participants with varied backgrounds welcomed the initiative taken by TERI and MNRE to organize this workshop and showed their enthusiasm to attend the same in the future also to know more about the national green rating system. The feedback received from the participants depicts the success of the training programme conducted.

Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2009

The DSDS (Delhi Sustainable Development Summit) is an annual flagship event of TERI. It

is a global forum that seeks to provide long-term solutions for sustainable development. The DSDS 2009, with the theme ‘Towards Copenhagen: an equitable and ethical approach’, while facilitating multistakeholder dialogue aimed at finding answers to these challenges. The summit through various sessions discussed the ways and means to strengthen the capacities of developing countries, identification of adaptation priorities, and adaptation measures. There was a special focus on key vulnerabilities and global responses in assisting the most vulnerable regions in developing countries to create adequate capacity for adaptation. Parallel special events also addressed some key themes including renewable energy and sustainable buildings.

Scaling up Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in South Asia: focus on financing and investmentThis event aimed at addressing issues to stimulate the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency in South Asia. It opened with a welcome address by Ms Ligia Noronha, Coordinator,

REEEP (Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership), South Asia, who presented brief highlights of REEEP activities in South Asia. This was followed by a special address by Mr Creon Butler, Minister and Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission and Chair of the Steering Committee, REEEP, South Asia. He expressed concerns about the likely impacts of the global economic crises on the activities of REEEP in particular and renewable energy and energy efficiency promotion activities in general.

Ms Gauri Singh, Joint Secretary, MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable

Energy), Government of India, highlighted various policy initiatives undertaken by the MNRE for renewable energy technology promotion in India, in her inaugural address. While presenting the focus of the future policies, she explained the importance of developing wind, solar, and biomass energy based grid-connected power generation to meet India’s growing energy demand and the need to change the focus from tax-based incentives to generation-based incentives. Ms Ligia Noronha proposed the vote of thanks. The proceedings continued with panel discussions on a variety of issues.

RE events

Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, inaugurating DSDS 2009.


Energy Research Centre, University of Cape TownBlending with nature

eugene ViSagieUniversity of Capetown <[email protected]>

Introduction

The UCT (University of Cape Town) is a public university located in Cape Town, South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African

College, and is the oldest university in Africa south of the Sahara desert. UCT is the highest-ranking African university in both the World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. UCT is currently ranked 179th and is the only African university to have been listed in the world’s top 200.

Energy research at UCT is conducted across engineering disciplines with the

ERC (Energy Research Centre) being the leading research unit. The ERC is a multi-disciplinary unit housed in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. The centre conducts high-quality, targeted, and relevant research and also offers postgraduate opportunities at the Masters and PhD levels. The mission of the centre is to pursue excellence in technology, policy, and sustainable development research; and education and capacity-building programmes, both at the local and international levels.

Partnering with the bestResearch in the university has been commissioned by a range of organizations. The international clients include, amongst many others, United Nations Institute for Training and Research, SEI - Boston, United Nations Environment Programme, International Energy Agency, Energy and Stanford University Programme on Sustainable Development, Helio International, Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development, World Resources Institute, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Local clients include various government departments, notably those of Environment Affairs and Tourism, Minerals and Energy, as well as Eskom, the National Electricity Regulator, City of Cape Town, and the

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Key research areasThe interdisciplinary mix of the centre’s staff enables it to provide balanced insight into energy problems pertinent to Africa. This is reflected in the major research focus areas, which are outlined below, although many projects do, of course, overlap the concerns of these research groups.

New and renewable energyRenewable energy is not a stand-alone focus area at this point in time, but one that overlaps the concerns of the other research groups. The ERC offers a New and Renewable Energy Technologies master-level course. The course focuses on renewable energy technologies, and within this large field, on renewable energy technologies, which have the most important present/future roles in countries like South Africa. Broader international trends are also examined, but in less detail. More detailed engineering principles and renewable energy system design issues focus on major renewable energy applications for South/Southern Africa.

Energy, poverty, and development linkagesThe Energy, Poverty, and Development group is concerned with energy issues

RE institution


RE institutions

that affect sustainable development and improved livelihoods for poorer communities in South Africa and other developing countries. Over the last decade, important research areas have included the following.P Assessing energy needs, resources,

consumption patterns, and opportunities amongst low-income rural and urban communities

P Monitoring and assessing energy supply programmes aimed at assisting the poor

P In particular, tracking the progress of electrification programmes (both grid and non-grid electrification) and promoting a broader ‘integrated development’ approach

P Targeted research around themes like energy subsidies for the poor, gender dimensions in energy poverty, the benefits/constraints of using renewable energy, and impacts of energy sector re-structuring on access to energy for the poor

P Action research programmes helping people in poor communities to improve their energy supplies and use (in cooperation with energy suppliers and government).

The research generally includes a process of feedback to national policy-makers and energy supply agencies. The experiences gained through field work

and policy research are carried into the ERC Masters programme, to reach a wider spread of energy/development students and professionals from South Africa and other countries. Capacity-building and information services are also provided for groups of people involved in improved energy for the poor, such as end-users, community leaders, schools, local government, and energy suppliers.

Energy efficiency group: spearheading the effortThe energy efficiency group deals with energy efficiency at the demand level. Energy efficiency is an economic resource and can be thought of as an alternative ‘fuel’. The effects on single businesses and the national picture are examined. Much of the work continues to be in the industrial sector while work in the building sector is growing. The group is currently carrying out work under the Eskom Demand Side Management programme. It is currently researching the potential for DSM with industrial electrical loads and is also accredited as a monitoring and verification body under this programme.

The group does not work in isolation. Many of its activities overlap with other groups,

specifically in the areas of modelling and climate change. A good deal of expertise has been built up with regard to the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) under the Kyoto Protocol. There is a commitment to promoting energy efficiency, and the group offers courses, in addition to components within the Master’s programme. There is always a welcome to those interested students who would like to expand the overall body of knowledge, as well as their own, either by participating in research projects, or more directly in industrial projects.

Far reaching objectivesGenerally, the objective is to undertake independent and objective research of both national and global interest in order to deepen knowledge and understanding of energy and development needs, problems, challenges, and innovative solutions.

Contact detailsEnergy Research Centre, University of Cape TownPrivate Bag, Rondebosch, 7700, South AfricaTel. 27 21 650 3230 • Fax 27 21 650 2830Web www.erc.uct.ac.za

Some of the topicS coveredSolar radiation: basics, geometry, and measurementWind resources: principles, measurement, and resultsWind energy conversionPV materials and modulesStand-alone PV system designBiogas digestersHydro powerBiomass, biofuels, and energy PV system design for an off-grid householdVillage water pumping project (wind and PV)Solar water heater assessment for municipalitiesPassive solar/building design for low-cost housing


children’s corner

Drawing byUpasana C Kumar

Class IIShiv Niketan School,

New Delhi

Drawing byIndrashis Das

Class IApeejay School,

Park Street, Kolkata


book review

While energy has always been a driving force in the evolution of human culture,

its importance has reached new heights in the first decade of the 21st century. Due to its overarching macroeconomic importance, energy is now a precious commodity in global financial markets. Energy issues pervade global geopolitics, and will continue to do so in light of the increasing concentration of oil supplies in the Middle East coupled with rising global energy demand. Energy is central to global environmental change as emissions from energy use contribute significantly to the human component of climate change. Finally, and most importantly, access to modern energy services is a fundamental prerequisite to alleviating poverty from the lives of the three billion people living below subsistence level.

A commonly agreed upon set of terms and definitions is essential to build communication among disparate groups, and to improving the general public’s understanding of energy issues. This is especially true as new words are generated, and old ones are discarded, and as technologies, institutions, and behaviours change. An authoritative dictionary is important for an area in which identical words mean very different things. For example, ‘efficiency’ and ‘elasticity’ mean different things to an economist and an engineer.

This dictionary covers all the academic disciplines and multifaceted aspects of the concept of energy. The distinguishing features are its integration of the social, natural, and engineering sciences and its breadth of coverage. It uses an integrated approach that emphasizes not only the importance of the concept in individual

Dictionary of Energy

Dictionary of EnergyCleveland C J and Morris C. 2006

ISBN 81-312-0536-3 • Price: Rs 1750 • 502 pp.

disciplines, such as physics and sociology, but also how energy is used to bridge seemingly disparate fields, such as ecology and economics. The dictionary covers all the environmental, engineering, and physical science topics found in existing dictionaries. It also covers entirely new areas such as the

economic and social aspects of energy use, energy flows in the biological realm, methods of energy modelling and accounting, energy and materials, energy and sustainable development, energy policy, net energy analysis, and energy in world history, among others.


book / web alertInternet resources

Alternative SourceAs time passes, the need for alternatives to non-renewable resources is not only becoming greater but is also being met as new products and innovations are developed. This website is a collection of information about these products and innovations. This website is a collection of different types of information taken from around the Internet, all categorized and stored to be easy for the user to gain knowledge about alternative energy sources.

Discover Solar EnergyDiscover Solar Energy is a comprehensive resource of more than 9000+ renewable energy links to relevant websites of individuals, governments, and organizations. The links are cross-referenced to help homeowners, engineers, hobbyists, teachers, and students find quick answers to issues relating to alternative energy.

Re-Energy.caRe-Energy.ca is a renewable energy project kit that can be downloaded and printed from the worldwide web, for free! Re-Energy.ca explores wind energy, water energy, solar energy, biomass energy, and more. Build your own working models from one of five easy-to-follow construction plans, including a wind turbine, biogas generator, solar car, and more. Re-Energy.ca provides educators with background information, exciting hands-on learning activities, and resources and links on renewable energy and sustainable energy technologies.

Biodiesel: growing a new energy economyPahl G. 2005United States: Chelsea Green Publishing Company. 281 pp. Biodiesel has powered tour buses for Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt, and Willie Nelson. Daryl Hannah’s private vehicle runs on it, while Republican and Democratic politicians alike are backing its development. It’s more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt, and the production process can take place on a massive industrial scale or gallon by gallon in your garage. In this essential book, Gerg Pahl shares the history of bio-diesel, explains the technology in straightforward terms, and explores its exciting potential in the United States and beyond, including resources you can use to buy or make your own bio-diesel.

ISBN 1-931498-65-2 • Price: $17.64

From Sunlight to Electricity: a practical handbook on solar photovoltaic applications (second edition)Deambi S (ed.). 2008New Delhi: TERI Press. 121 pp.This book is a compilation of information that gives the readers an overall understanding of the PV sector in India, designs, and applications of specific devices and related benefits, finances, and policies. The book also discusses the PV technology programme in India, the issues therein, and its future directions. It serves the interest of all the stakeholders in the PV sector—policy-makers, government officials, non-governmental organizations, and academic and research organizations.

ISBN 978-81-7993-156-1 • Price: Rs 200

The Biomass Assessment Handbook: bioenergy for a sustainable environmentF Rosillo-Calle, P de Groot, S L Hemstock, J Woods (eds). 2007London: Earthscan. 269 pp.This handbook provides the reader with the skills to understand the biomass resource base, the tools to assess the resource, and explores the pros and cons of exploitation. Topics covered include assessment methods for woody and herbaceous biomass, biomass supply and consumption, remote sensing techniques as well as vital policy issues. International case studies, ranging from techniques for measuring tree volume to transporting biomass, help to illustrate step-by-step methods and are based on fieldwork experience. Technical appendices offer a glossary of terms, energy units, and other valuable resource data.

ISBN: 978-1-84407-526-3 • Price: £59.95

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forthcoming events

Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase III New Delhi – 110 020 Tel. +91 11 4279 5000/054 Fax +91 11 4279 5098/99 E-mail [email protected]

Third Renewable Energy Finance Forum20–21 November 2009, Mumbai

Maria Ferreiro E-mail [email protected]

International events

PHOTON’S Seventh Solar Silicon Conference3 March 2009, Munich, Germany

Tel. 49 241 4003 102 Fax 49 241 4003 302 E-mail [email protected] Web www.photon-expo.com

Gulf Solar Expo 2009April 2009, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ben Leighton Tel. 00971 4214 9558 E-mail Ben.Leighton@ greenpowerconferences.com; Ben.Leighton@ greenpowerconferences.com

Solar 20098–14 May 2009, Buffalo, New York, USA

Tel. 1 303 443 3130 Fax 1 303 443 3212 E-mail [email protected] Web www.ases.org

ESTEC 200925–26 May 2009, Munich, Germany

European Solar Thermal Industry Federation Renewable Energy House Rue d’Arlon 63-67 B-1040 Bruxelles Belgium Tel. 3 225 461 937 Fax 3 225 461 939 E-mail [email protected] Web www.estif.org

National events

RenewTech India 20093–5 March 2009, Pune

Ashish Gupta Director B-702, Dheeraj Heritage Residency Shastri Nagar, Linking Road Extn Santacruz (W), Mumbai – 400 054 Tel. 022 2660 5550/7755 (Mumbai) 011 4151 4955/5549 (Delhi) E-mail [email protected]

Biofuels in India: setting new paradigms4–5 March 2009, New Delhi

Arvind Reddy Winrock International India 788, Udyog Vihar, Phase V, Gurgaon Haryana – 122 001 Tel. +91 124 430 3868/66 Fax +91 124 430 3862 E-mail [email protected] Web www.winrockindia.org

ENVIROENERGY 2009: International Conference on Energy and Environment 19–21 March 2009, Chandigarh, India

Prof. Pankaj Chandna Conference Chair, ENVIROENERGY 2009 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra 136 119, India Tel +91 1744 233465 / 233356 / 98960 74922 (M); +91 98962 46886 (M) Fax +91 1744 238050 E–mail conferencechair@ enviroenergy2009.org, convener@ enviroenergy2009.org Web http://www.enviroenergy2009.org

PowerGen India and Central Asia 20092–4 April 2009, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

PennWell Tel. 44 1992 656 610 Web www.pennwell.com

Renewable Energy India 2009 Expo10–12 August 2009, New Delhi

Rajneesh Khattar Exhibitions India Group 217-B, (2nd Floor)

Intersolar 2009 27–29 May 2009, Munich, Germany

Tel. 49 7231 58598-0 Fax 49 7231 58598-28 E-mail [email protected] Web www.intersolar.de

Photovoltaics Summit Europe 30 June–2 July 2009, Rome, Italy

Tel. 44 1372 802164 E-mail [email protected] Web www.2456.com/ep

24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference21–24 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany

Tel. 49 89 720 12 735 Fax 49 89 720 12 791 E-mail [email protected] Web www.photovoltaic-conference.com

24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference & Exhibition (EU PVSEC) 21–25 September 2009, Germany

WIP-Renewable Energies Conference Secretariat Tel. +49 89 720 127–35 E-mail [email protected] Web www.photovoltaic-conference.com

ISES Solar World Congress 2009 11–14 October 2009, Johannesburg, South Africa

Tel. 49 761 45906-0 Fax 49 761 45906-99 E-mail [email protected] Web www.ises.org

Solar Power 2009 27–29 October 2009, Anaheim, California, USA

Tel. 1 202 857 0898 Fax 1 202 682 0559 E-mail [email protected] Web www.solarpowerconference.com

Solar Energy 2010 16–20 February 2010, Berlin, Germany

Tel. 49 5121 206 2606 Fax 49 5121 206 2626 E-mail [email protected] Web www.messen-profair.de


renewable energy statistics

Renewable energy at a glance in India

MW – megawatt; kW – kilowatt; MWp – megawatt peak; m2 – square metre; km2 – kilometre square

Achievement as on S.No. Source/system Estimated potential 31 January 2009

I Power from renewables

A Grid-interactive renewable power (MW) (MW)

1 Wind power 45 195 9 755.852 Bio power (agro residues and plantations) 16 881 683.303 Bagasse cogeneration 5 000 1 033.734 Small hydro power (up to 25 MW) 15 000 2 344.675 Energy recovery from waste (MW) 2 700 58.916 Solar photovoltaic power — 2.12 Sub total (A) 84 776 13 878.58

B Captive/combined heat and power/distributed renewable power (MW)

7 Biomass/cogeneration (non-bagasse) — 150.928 Biomass gasifier — 160.319 Energy recovery from waste — 31.07 Sub total (B) — 342.30 Total (A+B) — 14 220.88

II Remote village electrification — 5 410 villages/hamlets

III Decentralized energy systems

10 Family-type biogas plants 120 lakh 40.90 lakh11 Solar photovoltaic systems 50 MW/km2 120 MWp i. Solar street lighting system — 70 474 nos ii. Home lighting system — 434 692 nos iii. Solar lantern — 697 419 nos iv. Solar power plants — 8.01 MWp

v. Solar photovoltaic pumps 7148 nos12 Solar thermal systems i. Solar water heating systems 140 million m2 2.60 million m2

collector area collector area ii. Solar cookers 6.37 lakh13 Wind pumps 1347 nos14 Aero generator/hybrid systems 0.89 MWeq

IV Awareness programmes

16 Energy parks — 504 nos17 Aditya Solar Shops — 284 nos21 Renewable energy clubs — 521 nos22 District Advisory Committees — 560 nos

RNI No. DELENG/207/22701

Documents

Vol 2, Issue 4- Feb 2009