Unleashing The Potential Of Renewable Energy In India

India has 150GW of renewable energy potential, about half in the form of small hydropower, biomass, and wind and half in solar, cogeneration, and waste-to-energy. Developing renewable energy can help India increase its energy security, reduce the adverse impacts on the local environment, lower its carbon intensity, contribute to more balanced regional development, and realize its aspirations for leadership in high-technology industries. This study aims to answers critical questions on why renewable energy development is relevant in Indian context, on how much development is economically feasible, and on what needs to be done to realize the potential. The Report is based on data from nearly 180 wind, biomass, and small hydropower projects in 20 states, as well as information from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). The Report suggests that about 3GW of renewable energy – all from small hydropower is conomically feasible, when the avoided cost of coal-based generation of Rs 3.08/kWh is considered. About 59GW of renewable energy in wind, biomass, and small hydropower is available at less than Rs 5/kWh. The entire cumulative capacity of 68GW in these three technologies can be harnessed at less than Rs 6/kWh. About 62GW—90 percent of cumulative renewable capacity in wind, biomass, and small hydropower—is economically feasible when the environmental premiums on coal are brought into consideration. Realizing the need to bridge this gap, the government has set an ambitious target of installing at least 40GW of additional capacity of renewables in the next 10 years. India has made tremendous strides in establishing overarching policy framework and institutions to bring renewable in the mainstream of energy mix, but significant financial, infrastructure and regulatory barriers to renewable energy development remain which the report sheds light on and suggests possible solutions.

The National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF), announced in the Government of India’s Budget 2010-11, is seen as a major step in India's quest for energy security and reducing the carbon intensity of energy. Funding research and innovative projects in clean energy technologies, and harnessing renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels constitute the objectives of the NCEF. The NCEF’s utilization of funds is considered to be rather low and disbursements poorly aligned with the fund’s stated objectives, thus posing a potential risk of diluting the focus of NCEF with adverse implications for the much-needed research and innovation in the clean energy sector in India. The book provides a detailed framework for promoting effective utilization and administration of NCEF. To this effect, it identifies the most promising avenues for utilization of NCEF resources for catalytic opportunities and deployment of new technologies. It also identifies and prioritizes the specific energy sub-sectors towards which the NCEF resources are directed. It also makes suggestions for designing a smart monitoring and evaluation framework for the NCEF. This work provides significant information for the government so that appropriate mid-course corrections may be made in a timely manner. This will also be useful in honing the strategic thinking on a suitable energy-technology policy and an assessment of technology needs and other barriers to the clean energy sector in India.

There is perfect relationship between energy, ecology and environment. If a proper balance is maintained among these three aspects than sustainable development for the welfare of human beings is obtained. This book has been written with a view to draw attention for integration of renewable energy in all sectors for sustainable development. The aim of this book is to examine the range of views related to renewable energy sources for sustainable and their implications. The authors have simplified and clarified renewable energy technologies and new theories for a sustainable development. Sustainable development has been characterized by an emphasis on environmental issues and its inter-relationship with renewable energy sources. In present context there is a need to develop an approach to structure the subject which hinders the development of knowledge in a systematic way. The built environment contributes significantly to the society and thus development in holistic manner. Integration of renewable energy sources is one of the major factors in determining whether a community is sustainable in the longer term or not. In this book, emphasis has been made on various aspects of energy planning such as energy assessment, energy integration, energy forecasting, energy modeling, computer modeling and techno-economic analysis of different conventional as well as non-conventional renewable energy sources. Much of the information presented in this book is basically to acquire an understanding of the integrated energy planning, its design, development, implementation, monitoring and feedback evaluation. This book will be useful for those involved in energy activities and planning.

Providing the latest data on the subject, this record examines the potential of renewable energy in India, particularly in rural areas. A special exploration of distributed power generation highlights the seamless application of the alternative-energy technology and demonstrates how the environment benefits from this resource. Solar energy, fuel cells, and other options are also discussed. Instructive and well-researched, this study underscores the important role of renewable sources while relating the use of available technologies to Indian conditions and problems.

This study assesses the existing barriers for tapping renewable energy and delves deeper into the economic feasibility of renewable energy development in India, and analyses what needs to be done to realize the potential.

This book has been written with an aim to enhance the understanding of renewable energy sector policies, finance, and project management. It provides a comprehensive update on renewable energy policies and fiscal instruments, employed globally, with detailed discussions on the Indian policy regime. The book covers various stages of a renewable energy project, from concept to commissioning, and elucidates methodology for computing key financial ratios. A number of case studies, business models, and examples have been presented. Fundamental concepts on technologies, performance, financial tools, and carbon emissions have been explained to enable readers to assimilate the concepts. Data has been presented in easy-to-understand charts, figures, excel spreadsheets, and tables. This book will be useful for the stakeholders associated with the energy sector – corporate professionals, utility personnel, entrepreneurs, investors, bankers, and policymakers. It shall also serve as a textbook for university students as well as research scholars pursuing courses in energy.