Volume 7 • Issue 6 • June 2014biomasspower.gov.in/document/Magazines/Akshay Urja/Vol 7...SUNIL...

Volume 7 • Issue 6 • June 2014

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MR. TARUN KAPOORJoint Secretary (Solar)

MNRE, Government of India

DR. UPENDRA TRIPATHY*Secretary

Ministry of New and Renewable EnergyGovernment of India

MR. ANDERS GRUNDSTROMERManaging Director, Scania CV India

Senior Vice PresidentScania Group

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Hero Future Energies

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GIZ, India

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June 2014 | Akshay Urja | 1

| Volume 7 • Issue 6 |JUNE 2014

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

(Published in English and Hindi)

CHIEf PAtRoNShri Piyush Goyal

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for New and Renewable Energy

PAtRoNShri Upendra tripathy

Secretary, MNRE, New Delhi

EDItoRDr Arun K tripathiMNRE, New Delhi

EDItoRIAl BoARDPraveen Saxena, Chairman

D K KhareP DhamijaM R NouniB S Negi

R K Vimal

PRoDUCtIoN tEAMAnupama Jauhry, Sangeeta Paul,

Arpita Dasgupta, Santosh Kumar Singh, R K Joshi, Aman Sachdeva

tERI, New Delhi; Renu Singh, IARI;

N Ghatak, MNRE, New Delhi

EDItoRIAl offICEDR ARUN K tRIPAtHIEditor, Akshay Urja

MNRE, Block No. 14, CGo Complex, lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003

tel. +91 11 2436 3035, 2436 0707fax +91 11 2436 3035

E-mail: [email protected]: www.mnre.gov.in

PRoDUCED BytERI PRESS

tERI, Darbari Seth Block, IHC Complexlodhi Road, New Delhi -110 003

tel. +91 11 2468 2100, 4150 4900fax: +91 11 2468 2144, 2468 2145

Email: [email protected]: www.teriin.org

PUBlISHER AND PRINtERMinistry of New and Renewable Energy

Disclaimer: the views expressed by authors including those of the editor in this newsletter are

not necessarily the views of the MNRE.

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 Aravali Printers & Publishers (P) Ltd. W-30, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi - 110 020, India.

RE NEWS

4 National

8 International

CoVER StoRy

10 Renewables Powering the Nation Further

RE fEAtURES

18 Grid-connected SPV Rooftop:An Option for India's Growing Energy Demand

23 Solar Radiation Resource Assessment Project in India: A New Initiative

28 Biomass to Biohydrogen:A Successful Path

37 Ethanol-Blending: Problems, Future Prospects, and Economic Analysis

40 The Rise of Grid Solar Power: An Overview of MNRE Programmes

RE SUCCESS StoRy32 In the Light of Development

35 Sohana Village Producing Power from Biomass Gasification

36 Pico Hydro Electric Turbine Installation at Silent Valley Forest, Kerala

RE EVENtS43 Renewable Energy World:

Conference & Expo, India

RE tECH UPDAtE44 Multilayer, Microscale Solar

Cells enable Ultra High Efficiency Power Generation

46 CHIlDREN’S CoRNER

48 RE PRoDUCtS

50 BooK AlERt

51 foRtHCoMING EVENtS

52 RE StAtIStICS

India’s growth in the RE sector is supported largely by the Indian government agencies as well as by the private companies. India has plans to expand its clean energy production in the coming years. Suneel Deambi writes about India’s natural power and its future plans for expansion.

With the Indian solar PV market growing rapidly, it is being seen that the country has a market potential for 124 GW rooftop solar SPV in urban settlements. Sudhakar Sundaray explores this lucrative option.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has setup 115 automatic solar and meteological measuring stations known as SRRA stations all over the country. Dr G Giridhar, Mr Prasun Kumar Das, and Dr S Gomathinayagam take a look at this important SRRA Project.

Grid Solar PV Power Plant by M/s Welspun Solar AP Pvt. Ltd. 10

231810

www.mnre.gov.inIn this Issue

2 | Akshay Urja | June 2014

We are receiving Akshay Urja regularly. Thank you for sending this useful magazine. In the February 2014 issue, pictures of Dish Solar Cooker and Box Solar Cookers are published with details. We have a great interest in solar energy. We really, appreciate good work and request you to continue our subscription.

Dr A. Selvin SamuelAssociate Professor and Head

St. John’s College, Palayam Kottai

The Akshay Urja newsletter is such an informative and useful newsletter which contains useful information on various renewable energy technologies. Through this newsletter we got information about Government programmes, policies, subsidies, energy-saving lighting systems, energy-saving electronic equipments, etc. This newsletter is extremely useful for providing me innovative information about renewable energy technologies. I would like to give thanks to the editor of Akshay Urja newsletter that you are promoting renewable power in the country through this newsletter.

Mrs Savita Singh71-B, Village Ghondli,

Krishna Nagar, Delhi

We have collected a copy of Akshay Urja, a journal on renewable energy, from the reception office of MNRE in CGO Complex, New Delhi. We have gone through it and found lot of useful information on Renewable Energy applications in this journal.

Bimal ChorariaKarampura, New Delhi

We have gone through Newsletter of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, published by the name of Akshay Urja. We have gone through it and seen lot of useful material on Renewable Energy. We are working in the field of renewable energy for almost a decade by developing ‘Waste to Energy’ project.

Raj KumarRenovo Energy Limited, New Delhi

I congratulate the team that publishes Akshay Urja because it is excellent and covers many points and highly informative magazine. It is a great way of making people aware of the benefits of renewable energy sources. Akshay Urja carries interesting articles on diverse aspects of renewable energy. In the issue of February 2014, a special article on Chandigarh Solar City is very Good.

Seema GautamPaschim Puri, New Delhi

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

Editor, Akshay Urja

Mailbox www.mnre.gov.in


Dear Readers,

Renewable technologies today are heading towards grid power and are no more confined to the

systems-based approach. Renewable power contributes to about 31,700 MW installed capacity

which amounts to 13.5% of the total installed capacity in the country from all resources. The major

contribution is from wind (21,136 MW), biomass including Waste to Energy (4,120 MW), small hydro

(3,804 MW), and solar (2,647 MW). A total of 29.8 GW renewable power capacity additions have

been targeted in the Twelfth Five Year Plan.

Keeping in view the growing demand for power, the pace of renewable power development

needs to be on a fast track. Many enabling mechanisms, i.e., Renewable Energy Certificates,

Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), Preferential Tariffs, etc., are being tried, but since these

are not mandatory, and their adoption is voluntarily, concerned state agencies are not very serious

about their adoption. This has worked to some extent but is not providing the requisite fast track

implementation. It is therefore necessary that the RPOs’ targets are enhanced and also made

compulsory for the states. Further, there is also a need to make a gradual shift from a subsidy-

oriented approach to the market-oriented approach.

According to International Energy Agency (IEA), prices for renewable energy technologies, primarily

wind and solar, continued to fall, making renewables increasingly mainstream and competitive

with conventional energy sources. Renewable energy is becoming increasingly affordable in both

developing and developed countries. It is becoming a central part of the world’s energy mix,

including in India. Today, due to competitive prices of renewable power, grid parity is expected to

be achieved soon.

This issue presents an overview of renewable power and Grid Connected SPV Rooftop systems

in the country. I am confident that the present issue will be informative and useful to our readers.

We have received tremendous response from our readers. Today the Akshay Urja is a very popular

magazine which could have not been possible without the active response and support of our

readers.

With best wishes,

ARUN K TRIPATHI

[email protected]

From the Editor’s Desk www.mnre.gov.in

lwjt ,d :i vusd

RE News

RENEWABlE ENERGy NEWSIntegrating the ministries of coal, power and renewable energy will improve co-ordination and better align the goals of India's numerous energy ministries say experts who are lauding the move to club coal and power together in particular given that 70% of India's power generation is thermal or coal-based. Of the five ministries – i.e., petroleum and natural gas, coal, power, mines and renewables, three (power, coal and MNRE) have been amalgamated under Piyush Goyal who has been given an independent charge as a minister of state in Narendra

Modi's new cabinet.Coal and power

ministries have often been at loggerheads with each other, working at cross purposes under UPA-II. They have sparred on a range of issues from coal pooling to raw material sampling on which NTPC and Coal India for instance have had a long standing dispute. A clubbed ministry will be able to bridge such differences quickly by initiating a "joint sampling exercise both at the point of dispatch and reception,"

said Anil Razdan, former secretary of power, giving an example of how synergies can be derived.

For a revival of the sector as a whole though, the new integrated ministry will

need to do much more than to merely harmonize the coal-power-renewables equation say experts. The centre can play

a very limited role in improving the deteriorating financial health of discoms which has resulted in poor off-take and high stranded capacity. Also nearly 48,000

MW of power capacity that has come up under the competitive bidding framework is facing under-recovery on both fixed and variable costs which calls for quick rationalization of tariffs which is again under the purview of state governments. Since distribution and transmission, which is the edifice that supports the smooth functioning of the power sector, is a concurrent subject, the need for high level engagement by ministry officials with states will be equally important.Source: www.business-standard.com, May 27 2014

Piyush Goyal, 49, is the new Minister of State (Independent Charge) for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

A rank-holder CA, Shri Goyal is well-versed with economic issues and has been on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence during his stint as Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra.

He is also the Treasurer for BJP and heads BJP's Information Communication Campaign Committee that oversees all efforts of the party

through internet, mobile and other social media. Associated with the BJP since 1984, Shri Goyal has held several positions in the party such as Member, National Executive, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

He has also served as the party's secretary in Mumbai and National Campaign Incharge for the Lok Sabha elections, 1991.

He is also an active member of the Managing Committee of Indian Merchants Chamber and is involved with NGOs in diverse fields such as tribal education and welfare of the physically challenged.

Source: www.ndtv.com

ExPERtS lAUD INtEGRAtED CoAl, PoWER RENEWABlES MINIStRy


AKSHAy URJA WElCoMES tHE NEW MINIStER

ShRi PiyuSh Goyal

MINISTER of STATE (INdEPENdENT chARGE),

foR NEW ANd RENEWAblE ENERGy

GoVERNMENT of INdIA


National

GE lAUNCHES 1.7-103 loW WIND SPEED tURBINE foR INDIA MARKEt

“SAMPARK, SAMANVAy EVAM SAMVAD” WItH offICIAlS

For wind farm operators, the turbine’s large 103-meter rotor will help deliver high-efficiency output and attractive project economics, according to GE. The 1.7-103 also provides a 30% increase in annual energy production compared to its predecessor 1.6-82.5. (A 100MW wind farm powered by 1.7-103 turbines can generate electricity required to fulfill the needs of 413,000 Indian homes per year and offset carbon emissions of 291,000 TCO2 per year.) “The launch of our new wind turbine 1.7-103 is a testament to GE’s commitment to energizing India and catering to

India’s low wind speed environment,” said Banmali Agrawala, president & CEO, GE South Asia. “Our latest offering underscores the company’s effort to provide localized solutions to India.”

India is rapidly increasing its power generation using renewable energy. In fact, the cost of wind power in particular is now close to grid parity and advancement in technology is making its generation more predictable. Renewables now constitute to over 5% of India’s energy mix by production and 12% by installed capacity.

Source: www.renewableenergy focus.com, 4 May 2014

A Conclave to achieve “Sampark, Smanvay Evam Samvad” among the officers of Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy was organized on 2nd June, 2014 at New Delhi. The event was held with a view to develop better synergy between the three energy sectors and create harmony in the working of the Ministries to achieve the

National Goal of Energy Security. About 350 officials from all the three Ministries, including the three Secretaries, participated in the Conclave.

The idea of organizing such a conclave came at the instance of Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for New and Renewable Energy, after the very first review of all the three Ministries. He strongly felt

that there is need to bring officers closer so that they can enter into regular dialogue, understand each other, and bring better congruence in working. This would in turn help in exchange of innovative ideas and open a channel of communication and information flow between the three Ministries. The Conclave discussed as to how a better coordination among the three Ministries

and the officers may be initiated towards improving the working conditions and delivery system. Shri Chetan Bhagat shared his thoughts and experiences on leadership, passion, values, team building, motivation, achieving goals, etc.

Shri Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Environment & Forests, was the Chief Guest at the Conclave.

India ranks fifth in the world with a total wind power capacity of 21,136 MW, most of which have been established in commercial projects

Source: www.suntechnics.com


The government will work closely with IIT Mumbai to execute the cost effective solar powered lighting solutions for rural population as it would help save at least 36 million litres of kerosene and reduce the subsidy bill on the polluting bill by at least

N 30,000 crore annually. According to government officials, the scheme would

be executed jointly by the ministries of petroleum and new and renewable energy (MNRE) and the monetary assistance would be provided through state-run oil firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund. The project will help in lighting the lives of at least 47 per cent of the people residing in rural India. It was in 2013 that IIT, Mumbai had

started a programme under which they distributed solar lamps to the students living in the non-electrified areas of the country. Recently, the institute got in touch with the MNRE, urging them to back their community development programme as the union government provides 30 per cent subsidy on the cost of the solar lamps. The lamps are not

provided free of cost as the government wants to create awareness about the importance of solar power. The objective of the programme is to increase employment opportunities by enhancing the skills to assemble the lamps locally and distribute them. Meanwhile, the whole project would cost around

N 48 crore, out of which MNRE would disburse

N 14.81 crore and it would be sourced from the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF). In the past three months, IIT–Mumbai has received N 10 crore and the money was used to assemble 27, 000 lamps, which were distributed in Madhya Pradesh.

Source: The Economic Times, 16 May 2014

RE News

GoVt to SUPPoRt IIt-B’S SolAR PRoJECt

Solar power gear maker Moser Baer Solar, today said that the sale of its indigenously built solar PV modules have crossed

N 200 crore business in Japan.

"Moser Baer Solar, a subsidiary of Moser Baer

India has achieved sales of more than N 200 crore in the last fiscal year in Japan," the company said in a statement.

Moser Baer Solar has been exporting solar PV (photo voltaic) modules to Japan for the last four

years. "We are delighted to strengthen our association with the Japanese solar market. Our understanding of the entire value chain of solar PV gives us the edge in catering with the right products in the markets," Vivek Chaturvedi,

Chief Marketing Officer, Moser Baer Solar said in the statement. Going by the demand from these international markets, we expect there will be a surge in demand for Moser Baer Solar products, Chaturvedi added.

Moser Baer Solar was launched in 2007 to provide EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) solutions for effective deployment of PV systems. The company manufactures and supplies solar modules to customers across India, Europe and Japan.

Source : www.economictimes. indiatimes.com

MoSER BAER SolAR CRoSSES N 200 CRoRE BUSINESS IN JAPAN


State-owned NHPC and Kerala State Electricity Board have signed an agreement for development of solar power projects. In the first phase under this agreement, NHPC shall take up implementation of 50 MW grid-linked solar power project at West Kallada Panchayat in Kollam District of Kerala, NHPC said in a statement. However, the financial details of the agreement between the two parties have not been disclosed yet. NHPC has an installation base of 5,702 MW from 17 hydropower stations on ownership basis including projects taken up in Joint

Venture. The company is presently engaged in the construction of seven projects aggregating to a

total installed capacity of 4,095 MW. It has drawn up a massive plan to add over 10,000 MW of

hydropower capacity by the end of XIII plan (year 2022).

Source:Economics Times, 10 May 2014

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity is an integral part of REIL’s objectives. On 02nd May, 2014 REIL installed a Solar Power System of 1.12 Kw capacity at the Primary Health Centre of Sirsi Village. On this occasion Hon’ble Smt Veenu Gupta, Managing Director RIICO and Chairman REIL, and AK Jain, Managing Director REIL were also present. With the help of 1.12Kw capacity solar system fans and other appliances at PHC Sirsi will run successfully in conditions of power failure as well. This will give comfort to the staff working at PHC Sirsi along with the patients, particularly in hot summer. Veenu Gupta appreciated the work done

by REIL under CSR and congratulated Jain and his team members for this noble work. Doctors and employees of PHC and rural public present on this occasion also appreciated REIL for the installation of 1.12 kW capacity solar power system.

Jain stated that company is committed towards CSR and will continue to undertake such activities in future also. This will facilitate in understanding the importance of solar energy and develop awareness among nearby community. Jain also stated

that feeling of happiness by doing such CSR activities cannot be measured while fulfilling the obligation towards the society and stakeholders, human resources and services received from the society.

Source: www.solarissolar.styzzle.com 5 May 2014

National

NHPC, KERAlA ElECtRICIty BoARD SIGN PACt foR SolAR PRoJECt

REIl INStAllS SolAR PlANt At SIRSI VIllAGE UNDER CSR


RE News

HoMEMADE’ ElECtRICIty CREAtES A BUzz IN GERMANy

AN INtERNAtIoNAl CoNSoRtIUM HAS BEEN AWARDED 10 MIllIoN EURo fUNDING PACKAGE

Klaus Meier lists three reasons for generating his own electricity in his family hotel in Germany's southern city of Freiburg — "cost savings, energy efficiency, climate protection". Like a growing number of German small businesses, home-owners, schools, hospitals and industrial plants, Meier has opted for energy self-sufficiency. Of the about 600 terawatt hours Germany consumes each year, 50 TWh are self-produced — about 8% of the total — in a trend that has seen solar panels installed on home roofs and gas plants set up in factories. In industry, the share is around 20% according to business and energy consumers groups. Their main goal: cost savings. Homemade power in Germany, which has among Europe's highest electricity bills, is not taxed unlike conventional electricity where one third of the customer's bill goes

into the public coffers. And neither are the do-it-yourselfers subject to the duties used to subsidize the country's wider "energy transition" away from fossil fuels and nuclear power and towards clean energy. Ten years ago Meier fitted his four-star hotel, the 45-room Park Hotel Post, set in a 19th century building, with a gas-fuelled power-and-heat

cogeneration unit. It cost him nearly $68,000, but Meier said "the investment paid for itself even faster than I had expected". It's a trend adopted long ago by German big business, who value both the self-sufficiency and the lower cost. "If the power we produce ourselves in Ludwigshafen was taxed, it would cost half a million euros," said Kurt Bock,

head of chemical giant BASF, which runs three gas power plants on its site in southwestern Germany. According to a survey of some 2,400 companies conducted last year by the German Chamber of Commerce, nearly half have either made, initiated or are planning measures to provide themselves with electricity.

Source: The Times of India, 28 May 2014

A new European FP7 project, LEANWIND, has been awarded to a consortium of 31 partners from 11 countries with an EU funding package of 10 million Euros and a total value of 15 million Euros. LEANWIND is aiming to address inefficiencies in logistics and transport issues for offshore wind installations thereby contributing to cost reduction efforts. The consortium is led by

Beaufort Research of University College, Cork, Ireland (UCC), and seeks to reduce costs for offshore wind farm developments and make offshore wind

competitive with traditional energy sources. It will look at new ways to transport components, manage and organize ports efficiently, adapt fixed and floating turbine structures

to aid installation, and consider new technologies for wind farm maintenance.

The focus of the work will be in the areas of

substructure and vessel design, wind farm logistics and economics, Operation & Maintenance, Health & Safety and business models and a principal aim of the project is to develop niche markets, thereby creating sustainable long term employment in offshore wind for European shipping industries. The project was initiated in December 2013 and will run for four years.Source: www.renewableenergymagazine.com

23 May 2014


International

SyNtHESIzED 'SolAR' JEt fUEl: RENEWABlE KERoSENE fRoM SUNlIGHt, WAtER AND CARBoN DIoxIDE

NEW 2-D MAtERIAl BEttER tHAN GRAPHENE?Scientists have found a two-dimensional, self-assembling material whose properties are very similar to graphene, but with some distinct advantages, and it may be used to produce solar cells or transistors. Researchers have been working to harness the unusual properties of the so-called 'wonder-material' graphene, a two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms. But graphene lacks one important characteristic that would make it even more useful. This property is called a bandgap, which is essential for making devices such as computer chips and solar cells.

Now, researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and

Harvard University have found the two-dimensional material with similar properties to graphene, but the material naturally possesses a usable bandgap.

The new material, a combination of nickel and an organic compound called HITP, also has the advantage of self-assembly.

The new compound shares graphene's perfectly hexagonal honeycomb structure. The multiple layers of the material naturally form perfectly aligned stacks, with the openings at the centres of the hexagons having the same size of about 2 nanometres (billionths of a metre). In initial experiments, the researchers studied the material in bulk form rather

than as flat sheets. Also, this is just the first

of what could be a diverse family of similar materials built from different metals or organic compounds, researchers said. Now, we have an entire arsenal

of organic synthesis and inorganic synthesis that could be harnessed to tune the properties, with atom-like precision and virtually infinite tunability, according to Dinca. Such

materials, Dinca said, might ultimately lend themselves to solar cells whose ability to capture different wavelengths of light could be matched to the solar spectrum, or to improved super capacitors, which can

store electrical energy until needed. The research was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Source: www.timesofindia. indiatimes.com

5 May 2014

The SOLAR-JET project has successfully demonstrated the entire production chain for renewable kerosene obtained directly from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, therein potentially

revolutionizing the future of aviation. This process has the potential to produce any kind of transportation fuel, such as diesel, gasoline, or pure hydrogen in a more sustainable way.

Several notable research organizations from academia to industry (ETH Zürich, Bauhaus Luftfahrt, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), ARTTIC, and Shell Global Solutions) have explored a thermochemical pathway driven by concentrated solar energy. A new solar reactor technology has been pioneered to produce liquid hydrocarbon fuels suitable for more sustainable transportation.

The SOLAR-JET project demonstrated an innovative process technology using concentrated sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water to a so-called synthesis gas (syngas). This is accomplished by means of a redox cycle with metal-oxide based materials at high temperatures. The syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is finally converted into kerosene by using commercial Fischer-Tropsch technology.

"The solar reactor technology features enhanced radiative heat transfer and fast reaction kinetics, which are crucial for maximizing the solar-

to-fuel energy conversion efficiency," said Professor Aldo Steinfeld, leading the fundamental research and development of the solar reactor at ETH Zürich.

Although the solar-driven redox cycle for syngas production is still at an early stage of development, the processing of syngas to kerosene is already being deployed by companies, including Shell, on a global scale. This combined approach has the potential to provide a secure, sustainable and scalable supply of renewable aviation fuel and more generally for transport applications.

Source: sciencedaily.com, 17 May 2014


Nature’s bounty belongs to each one of us. The bright sunshine and free flowing winds across India are steadily but surely

turning out to be power changers. This power changing game is at definite variance with the power of electorate at a magnificent display in this intense heat of May. Renewable energy (RE) sector is undergoing a tremendous transformation at present. Renewable energy technologies are now loaded with far more evacuated power than ever before. For example, solar today not only symbolizes just a hand held lantern, but also a reliable grid connected power source. Likewise, the moving images of a wind turbine in a few advertisements on the small screen are stimulating many eye balls towards this wonderful source. In short, renewables today are themselves asking for,” Dil Mange More” role across the diverse sectors of our energy economy. Such is the promise filled in these sources which if, utilized efficiently can power every citizen naturally. This article journeys through the brief history, technology buildup, product/system

base, industry strengths, and policy formulations.

INDIA’S PoWER toDAyThe total installed power capacity as on March 31, 2014 was 243028.95 MW. Out of this, the share of thermal power comprising coal, gas,

and oil (i.e., diesel) was 168254.99 MW. Nuclear power contributed just around 4780 MW. The share of hydro power was 40531.41 MW while renewable energy based power contributed 29462.55 MW. State governments contributed to the highest share of 92187.70 MW (i.e.,

Cover Story

RENEWABlES PoWERING tHE NAtIoN fURtHERIndia has become one of the world’s most active and promising renewable energy markets. India’s growth in the RE sector is supported largely by the Indian government agencies as well as by the private companies. India has plans to expand its clean energy production in the coming years. Suneel Deambi writes about India’s natural power and its future plans for expansion.



38 per cent) followed closely by the private sector share of 82715.30 MW (i.e., 34 per cent). Overall share of the central government was 68125.95 MW, i.e., 28 per cent of the total installed power capacity. These figures clearly indicate a growing participation of the private sector in country’s power generation activity. India made a transition from being the world’s seventh largest energy consumer in 2000 to fourth largest consumer in a decade’s time. Following factors can push up the demand for power further in the time ahead:

� High economic growth and increasing prosperity

� Growing rate of urbanization

� Rising per capita energy consumption

� Widening access to energy

The power sector in India enjoys favourable regulation policies than the generation segment. FDI equivalent to 100 per cent is permissible without any added need to obtain license to set up a power plant. The demand for energy continues to outstrip the supply, with energy and peak demand shortage over the last 10 years averaging out at 8 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. The plan is to set up power capacity with an added 88537 MW (excluding renewables) for the 12th Five Year Plan, i.e., up to March 2017. According to the working group on power, total investment for the power sector for the 12th Five Year Plan is estimated to be around US$ 253.6 bn.

INDIA’S NAtURAl PoWER toDAyThe winds of change started blowing on the canvass of Indian renewable energy during early nineties. Since then, the power generation from renewables has been on a steady rise. The share of renewable energy rose from 7.8 per cent in FY 2008 to 12.3 per cent in FY 2013. Today India has a cumulative RE installed power base of 31707.2 MW (as on March 31, 2014). Out of which, wind energy commands the highest share of 66.6 per cent followed by distant shares of 11.9 per cent, 8.3 per cent, and 4.3 per cent by small hydro, bagasse cogeneration, and biomass power, respectively. Solar power contribution stood at 2647 MW, i.e., with a gross share of around 8.3 per cent.

The Government of India has set up a RE capacity addition target of 29.8 GW for the 12th Five Year Plan period. Out of which, wind, solar, biomass, and small hydro power are expected to contribute 15.0 GW, 10 GW, 2.7 GW, and 2.1 GW, respectively. The investment in RE is expected to almost quadruple to INR 3186 bn in 12th plan from INR 892 bn in 11th plan. Table 2 shows the targets and the actual installed RE technology. The achievements of different RE technologies is clearly depicted from Table 2.

Quite clearly, both wind energy and solar power have fallen woefully

short of the designated targets in 2013–14 for a variety of reasons. It is now pertinent to take a close look at the most prominent RE technologies from several key considerations in the following section.

Solar PowerToday Indian’s have one more reason for worshipping the Sun. They can safely vouch for Sun having led them from darkness to light at night. Solar lighting systems, both for

Renewables Powering the Nation Further

table 1: Growth of installed capacity of Renewable power during fy 2007-14.

year GW07 10.208 12.309 14.410 16.811 20.012 24.513 28.114 31.7

tABlE 2: Achievements of different RE technologies

2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14RE technology target

(MW)Actual (MW)

target(MW)

Actual (MW)

target(MW)

Actual(MW)

target(MW)

Actual(MW)

Wind Power 2000 2350 2400 3197 2500 1699 2500 512Solar Power 200 27 200 965 800 754 1100 75Small Hydro Power 300 307 350 353 350 237 300 54Biomass Power 472 474 475 188 475 472 425 -



indoor and outdoor uses coupled with water pumping and television viewing facilities, are dotting the rural landscape across the country today. However, a solar revolution is unfolding in the urban and semi-urban areas of the country too. That simply is the generation of grid connected solar power taking advantage of the transmission lines close by.Till 2009 India had an abysmally low grid connected capacity of just 2.1 MW. That is no longer the case today as the country has taken a big leap forward in implementing its green growth agenda on solar. The total installed solar power capacity stood at around 2647 MW as on March 31, 2014. Experts believe that it is possible for solar power to score high enough due to the following requirements:

� To reduce dependence on coal for power generation

� To bring down high reliance on imports of diesel

� To make significant contribution to energy security

The cost of solar PV power and concentrated solar power in India has today come down to $ 0.12/kWh and $ 0.21/kWh, respectively. Significant objective is to meet its total solar power deployment target of 20000 MW by 2022 under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). This has put India on the pedestal of low cost destinations for grid connected solar power in the world. Solar power offers significant

opportunity for large scale acceptance as more than 300 million in India still lack access to basic electricity. That is not all as the industry is also confronted with energy shortages. Thus, development of solar power is expected to produce clean energy and contribute in bringing down emissions per unit of GDP by 20–25 per cent by 2020 over 2005 levels.

Driving Solar Power up the HillTalking about solar grid connected power till 2010 was akin to generating power on moon. The whole perception began to change when India kick started the solar mission. It was one of the eight missions under the country’s National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPC). Larger objective of the solar mission is to install solar power on a sizable scale, thereby placing India as a big world power in solar manufacturing as well as on R&D front. Phase-I of JNNSM (2010–2013) unfolded dramatic participation from both the Indian and international investors in the grid connected arena. Key strategy was based on an innovative mechanism of bundling relatively expensive solar power with power from the unallocated quota of the Government of India’s thermal power stations—a cheaper one indeed. This also followed a reverse bidding mechanism that enabled the qualified bidders to

benefit from reducing the worldwide prices of the solar components, thus leading to affordability of both PV and CSP for the utilities.

The next phase of solar mission, i.e., phase II (2013–2017) is about to take off and expected to be free from any bottlenecks witnessed during phase I. With due realization to this, the concerned Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) commissioned a study in 2012 to identify the key challenges that could impede the expansion of the solar programme. The report captioned, “Paving the way for a transformational Future: Lessons from JNNSM Phase 1” was supported by the World Bank’s Energy Sector Assistance Programme (ESMAP). This involved wide range of consultations with key stakeholders and brought up the following issues of significance for the desired attention:

Cover Story

deVeLoPMent of

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brinGinG doWn eMiSSionS

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� Enhance access to funds from the commercial banks and attract private financing

It was observed during the phase I that the scheduled commercial banks mostly shied away from lending for solar projects, while export credit agencies, multilateral financial institutions, and some non-banking financial institutions took up most of the financing. It is thus imperative that banks, which undertake infrastructure lending, should also participate in the solar programme with an objective to scale up the levels.

� Develop shared infrastructure facilities such as solar parks

Single window clearance by the government agencies facilitates an easy initiation of an infrastructural project. However, a still better approach is to make provision of publicly developed infrastructure.

The clear benefits to private developers are in terms of a) focussed solar power development b) enhanced efficiency, and c) lowered costs. A case specific example of a solar power is installing a solar power plant on a wasteland in Charanka (Patan district), Gujarat. Today it boasts of having the largest solar capacity in Asia. This park has all the key ingredients of vital infrastructure, which also includes facilities for power evacuation and transmission, roads, and water.

� utilize india’s comparative advantage to develop a niche in the manufacturing value chain

India has been amongst the very few countries in the world to develop indigenous knowhow for the production of solar cells and modules under a public sector dispensation at Central Electronics Ltd (CEL) and Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd (BHEL). However, this advantage did not help the country to boost the solar PV manufacturing capacity beyond a certain scale. Following few reasons contribute to this hard fact:

» Lack of raw material availability

» Poor access to low cost financing

» Under-developed supply chains

» Poor access to quality power (thus forcing use of high cost electricity from diesel generators)

Summary outlook on Solar PV ManufacturingIndia has huge deposits of quartzite, but the process to get it to the electronic grade is both energy and cost intensive. Early efforts by Metkem Silicon and Indian Institute of Sciences materialized the production of silicon wafers on a pilot scale. However, that early advantage to make it big was lost somewhere.

Consequently, India even today does not have any manufacturing facility for polysilicon production. Likewise, it has no significant wafer production capability. As per the available estimates, a polysilicon production facility of about 14000 metric tonnes would be needed to sustain 20 GW of solar installations under the central and state government initiatives. India has a cell and module manufacturing capacity of 1000 MW and 2000 MW, respectively at present. However, it is equally true that their production relies heavily on the imports of raw materials and consumables, such as gases, pastes, etc. Historically, Indian PV manufacturers have relied on exports. A downside to it is an increasing cost competition faced by Indian companies from companies in China, Taiwan, and elsewhere. Indeed the domestic demand for solar PV has increased in FY 2012, but it has been largely met through the imported thin film modules.

The estimated cost of indigenously produced solar cells and modules are around 28 cents/Wp and 34 cents/Wp, respectively as against the lower prices of 19 cents and 27 cents for these two products from the Chinese, Taiwanese, and other Asian companies. A silver lining is that selective few global Inverter manufacturers (i.e., ABB, Schneider, AEG, and Bonfiglioli) have set up their production facilities for inverters in India. The individual capacity for such inverters is 400 MW each, except 500 MW in case of ABB. The moot question is, if India wants to emerge from the existing supply cum cost


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constraint outlook, will it has to dream big at all possible levels?

the Concentrated Solar Power ScenarioConcentrating sunlight through an assembly of mirrors and lenses is not new in the Indian context. However, the concentrated solar power generation is not a simplistic affair. The local manufacturing is more complex due to the following few reasons:

� Inability to manufacture some critical components

� Limited presence of technology suppliers

� Subdued efforts at domestic manufacturing

Experts believe that a feasible route to reduce the cost of CSP components is to develop a local domestic manufacturing chain. The underlying objective should be to set up local competence in specific parts of the CSP value chain.

Wind Power (Agent of Big Change)Wind energy is now making its presence felt in stronger terms than before. The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) remarks that the global wind market will grow at an annual cumulative capacity of more than 10 percent over the next five years. It is equally true that over the past few years the major wind markets have slowed, but an overall global growth is expected in the time ahead. The year 2013 turned out to be negatively unique, after recording an annual average

growth during 1996–2012. Reduced wind energy capacity was installed in 2013 than in 2012. The United States, in particular, could install only about 1 GW in 2013 as compared to 12 GW in 2012.

India ranks as the fifth largest producer of wind power globally. China is an undisputed leader today in terms of annual markets for wind power. Germany and UK recorded very strong generation of wind power. However, Canada surged ahead of US for the first time in the history of wind power development.

tABlE 4: top 10 cumulative wind power capacity 2013

Country Capacity (MW) % ShareChina 91424 28.7USA 61091 19.2Germany 34250 10.8Spain 22959 7.2India 20150 6.3UK 10531 3.3Italy 8552 2.7france 8254 2.6Canada 7803 2.5Denmark 4772 1.5Rest of World 48332 15.2top 10 269785 84.8Grand total 318117 100

tABlE 5: top 10 new installed capacity between January and December 2013.

Country Capacity (GW) % ShareChina 16100 45.6Germany 3238 9.2UK 1883 5.3India 1729 4.9Canada 1599 4.5

US 1084 3.1

Brazil 953 2.7

Poland 894 2.5

Sweden 724 2.1

Romania 695 2.0

Rest of World 6402 18.1

total top 10 28899 82%

World total 35301 100%

In totality, the installed wind power capacity grew by 12.5 per cent in 2013. China is expected to maintain its dominant market position while India is expected to move ahead of Spain in the near future. It is possible that a number of emerging markets may make their way upwards in the time ahead. According to Global Wind Energy Council, 2014 may witness a growth rate of around 34 per cent with a total annual installed capacity of 47 GW. Europe, North America, and Asia are going to occupy the major wind power capacity shares.

tABlE 6: A comparative analysis of renewable sources

Source Per Unit cost of generation (N/kWh)

Remarks

Coal 2.7 Using domestic coal

Hydro 1.7

Wind 4.8

Biomass 4.5

Bagasse Cogeneration

2.7

Solar 7.5 It has come down to N 5.5/kWh under the JNNSM mission

tABlE 7: Underlying assumptions of wind energy

Cost Per MW N 55 millionDebt-Equity ratio 70:30

Interest 12% per annum

tenure 15 years

Depreciation 20 years

Plant load factor (%) 25%

Wind Manufacturing PatternsAs compared with solar, wind energy manufacturing companies are to bear the downward price pressure on the wind turbines. The markets are witnessing continued oversupply of wind turbines, thus leading to narrower margins and forays into

Cover Story

tABlE 3: Global Annual Installed Wind Capacity Values

year Capacity (MW)

1996 12801997 15301998 25201999 34402000 37602001 65002002 72702003 81332004 82072005 115312006 147032007 202852008 268722009 384672010 390592011 406362012 451692013 35301

Source: GWEc



new markets. The domestic markets seem to be the hardest hit prompting the companies to leapfrog into different markets. It goes beyond saying that wind power development has enhanced energy security besides facilitating local economic development and job creation.

There are about 20 companies making 44 models of wind turbines in India today. The existing level of component indigenization ranges between 50–80 per cent. Both the gear and gearless type turbines are available in the marketplace.

Biomass PowerBiomass feedstock of various types, such as rice husk, wood, coconut shells, etc., can be used for power generation. Biomass is an important energy source that contributes more than 14 per cent of global energy supply. In India, biomass provides around 32 per cent of the total primary energy consumed and thus meets the needs of nearly 70 per cent of the population. In terms of biomass resource availability, the estimated number is a whopping 500 million tonnes. Out of which, nearly 120–150 million tonnes is available for power generation. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) figures state that it is possible to obtain around 18 GW of power from the agro based residues including agricultural and forestry residues. There seems to be a possibility of generating about 5 GW of power via dedicated plantations on about 2 million hectares of forest and non-forest degraded land. Further, bagasse based cogeneration in sugar mills is an effective route of power generation. Based on the current capacity of sugar mills, it is possible to derive 5000 MW of surplus power.

ISSUES AND CHAllENGESA lot of agricultural wastes, such as rice husk were routinely burnt in the open fields as a means of disposal by the farmers. In reality, this biomass

residue or waste was an undesirable commodity and simply occupy the farmland space. Taking a cue of this, a group of biomass power producers struck gold in this free availability of rice husk initially. Farmers got paid for the rice husk at a rate of N 400–800 per tonne and it was just a win-win situation. In turn, the biomass power producers got an access to the fuel that was cheaper than coal. However, the scenario got worsened in 2008 with a fast increasing price of fossil fuels. The industries which were consuming bulk quantities of these fuels for steam generation and process heat got affected by these higher input costs. Cheap oil was no longer a reality and users of liquid fuels, such as furnace oil, LDO etc., were paying now double the cost. This led them to search for cheaper alternatives in terms of biomass waste. It was a case of favourable economics too. A liter of furnace oil could well be derived from 4–5 kgs of biomass with equivalent thermal energy content. This led to substantial cost savings for these industries. Such savings meant that cost of retrofitting the boilers to run on duel fuel, i.e., biomass and furnace oil, could be recovered in less than two years. In totality, such a state of affairs shattered the biomass power plant developers for their sheer inability to buy feedstock at that high price.

Importantly, majority of biomass power plants were established with the SEB’s as the primary off-taker of the power produced. These power purchase agreements (PPA’s) had a pre-determined tariff rate along with an escalation

clause that allowed gradual increases in the rate of electricity purchased from the biomass power plants. In the changed situation, biomass price moved up from the initial price of N 600 per tonne to N 3000/tonne in several areas. Seasonal unavailability of the biomass was yet another issues, which the government remedied by allowing biomass power plants a maximum fuel mix ratio of 75:25, i.e., 75 per cent biomass and 25 per cent coal. Ironically, some project developers began to utilize high quantities of coal rather than biomass (in same cases as high as 90 per cent coal). Obvious enough was the fact that it led to huge emissions of carbon dioxide, an unwanted product. Everything is lost on this front. Table 9 below traces the trend of biomass power generation (including bagasse based cogeneration).

Small Hydro PowerLarge scale hydro power projects are often amongst the most talked about. However, hydro power projects up to 25 MW are categorized as small hydro power project. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has formulated a large database of 6447 such sites with a cumulative capacity of around 19749 MW. Small hydro power is ideally suited to meet power needs of remote and hilly areas with very low load densities. In India, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh possess about 50 per cent of the total estimated SHP potential. A unique feature associated to SHP development is the considerable participation of the private players. Almost all the potential states have tried to rope in such players in order to set up project bases of varying capacities. Notable mention is the setting up of around 30 small/mini hydro projects (23 MW) in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir to reduce the dependence of imported diesel at a total projected outlay of N 2.60 billion.


tABlE 8: trend of biomass power generation

fiscal year

Power Capacity (MW)

07 1112

08 1324

09 1751

10 2191

11 2615

12 3135

13 3601

14 Note: Including bagasse-

based cogeneration



Geothermal EnergyGeothermal energy basically refers to heat generated from earth’s crust. This energy is considered clean and sustainable. Resource of thermal energy ranges from shallow ground water and hot rock found a few miles underneath the earth’s surface. This form of energy is mainly concentrated in the Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Other potential sites for geothermal energy include Sonata basin in

Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, the Cambay basin in Gujarat, Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, besides Sohana basin in Rajasthan. The total estimated geothermal energy resource present in India is around 10 GW. However, no such capacity has been set up till date in the country.

tidal and Wave EnergyTidal power is a form of hydro power that converts the energy of tide into useful electricity. A water

turbine is usually placed in a tidal current and drives an electrical generator. In contrast, wave power system transforms motion of wave into energy, which can be used to generate power. These systems can be floating or fixed to the sea bed.

The identified economic potential is around 10,000 MW in case of tidal power in India. The sites suitable for producing tidal energy include the Gulf of Canbay (7 GW) and the Gulf of Kutch (1.2 GW) on the west coast. The theoretical annual wave energy potential along the Indian coast is nearly 60 GW on the basis of between 5 MW-15 MW per metre of a long coastline of 6000 kms. Till date, no wave or tidal energy plant exists in India. However, two tidal energy projects, 50 MW project in Gujarat and 3.75 MW project in West Bengal, as well as two wave energy projects, 5 MW project in Gujarat and 1 MW project in Maharashtra are believed to be in planning stages.

INDIA VERSUS RESt of tHE WoRlD IN RE DEPloyMENtIndia has witnessed one of the largest demonstration programmes in the area of Renewable Energy during the end of 1980’s. Today, it has an enviable distinction of being one amongst the top five countries in the Wind energy and Solar-thermal (water heating collectors) technologies

Cover Story

indiA hAS WitneSSed

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ProGrAMMeS in the AreA

of reneWAbLe enerGy

durinG the end of 1980s.

todAy it iS one of the

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worldwide. With an availability of plentiful sunshine, India can still swing its position from a distant level to that of inching closer.

tHE GRoWING ExPECtAtIoNIndia is expected to continue its march with the naturally available energy resources much more vigorously

than ever before for several reasons. There is a growing global recognition of optimizing the promise filled in RE technologies, especially solar and wind, for grid power generation. The apprehensions of yesteryears associated with the RE use has faded in the thin oblivion making way for an enhanced market penetration. Today,

RE utilization for meeting various

end-use applications has become

much more efficient, reliable, and

long lasting. The added advantage

of RE grid power is the elimination of

expensive battery storage. AU

Suneel Deambi is a Technical Consultant in the area of Renewable Energy. E-mail: [email protected]

tABlE 9 : Global Scenario in terms of Actual Achievements in Renewable Energy

technology total Installed capacity

top Country(ies) / Regions contributed in 2012

top five Countries leading States in India

Global India Solar PV 100 GW 2647 MW Europe with significant

additions in AsiaGermany/Italy/China/US/Japan

Gujarat/Rajasthan/Maharashtra/Madhya Pradesh/Andhra Pradesh

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)

2550 MW N.A. Spain, Australia, Chile, China

Spain (more than 75% capacity) N.A.

Wind (onshore)

283 GW 21136.3MW US, China US/China/Germany/India/UK tamil Nadu/Gujarat/Maharashtra/Rajasthan/Karnataka

Wind (offshore) 5.4 GW Nil United Kingdom Northern Europe Draft offshore policy formulated by MNRE and a demonstration project may take shape in near future in tamil Nadu

Biomass & Baggase Cogeneration

83 GW 4013. 6 MW Mostly in Brics Countries Uttar Pradesh/Maharashtra/tamil Nadu/Karnataka/Andhra Pradesh

Hydro Power 990 GW 3803.7 MW (SHP)

China, turkey China/turkey/Brazil/Vietnam/Russia/Canada

Karnataka/Himachal Pradesh/Maharashtra/Andhra Pradesh/Uttrakhand (small hydro power capacity)

Geothermal 805 PJ (223 tWh)

N.A. US, China, Sweden, Germany, Japan

Himachal Pradesh/Jammu and Kashmir

ocean Energy 527 MW N.A. US US/Portugal tamil Nadu

GRID-CoNNECtED SPV RooftoP An option for India's Growing Energy Demand

INtRoDUCtIoNThe Indian solar PV market has seen significant growth with the installed solar PV capacity rising from under 40 MW to more than 2,000 MW in the last four years. The total installation capacity of solar power generation is expected to be 12,500 MW by 2016-17, whereas only roof top solar generation is estimated to be 4,000 MW by 2016-17. It is also expected that distributed generation (rooftop SPV) at the consumer end will drive solar power capacity additions given the acute power shortage scenario in several states along with associated transmission and distribution losses.

Globally, PV installed capacity has reached more than 100 GW in 2013. Countries with large capacities in PV installations are Germany, Italy, Japan, USA, China, Spain and Australia. In these countries rooftop SPV installation has major contribution in the total installation.

Recently, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has estimated that India has a market potential for 124 GW rooftop SPV in urban settlements.

tABlE 1: Advantages of Distributed SPV generation over centralised generation

Centralised SPV Generation Distributed SPV Generation12-15% of solar power generated by large plants is lost in step-up and step-down transformers used in transmission and distribution of power

overall performance ratio to point of utility is 10-15% higher due to reduced transformer and cable losses

Requires 3-7 acres land per MWp installation Use available roof/terrace spacelarge solar arrays are complex, need matched PV modules and are prone to string and MPPt losses

feed local load and meet peak day time demand

Automated monitoring is mandatory Potential to improve local power quality

Cost effective: INR 6 - 8 Cr/MW Reduce additional investment and on-going maintenance for DG sets, batteries and UPS

MV/HV grid interface is reliable lV grid interface is a challenge

DIffERENt MEtERING ARRANGEMENtSThe rooftop SPV system can be installed in two configurations, namely (a) as a standalone system or (b) as a grid interactive system. In urban areas the grid interactive system is more feasible than the standalone system as almost all locations are connected by grid and also grid act as storage for an intermittent source of generation. In the grid interactive system also there can be a number of schemes depending on the reliability of supply to the loads and the consumer needs.

Wherever the battery is not envisaged, the solar system can be directly connected to consumer AC bus and the total energy of the solar system will be supplied to consumer/grid depending upon the requirement of the consumer.

With the Indian solar PV market growing rapidly, it is being seen that the country has a market potential for 124 GW rooftop solar SPV in urban settlements. Sudhakar Sundaray explores this lucrative option.

RE Feature


Gross MeteringGross metering arrangement doesn’t affect consumer’s existing electrical connections. Electricity generated from rooftop SPV system is directly fed to the grid and consumers get electricity supply from the utility grid. There are two separate energy meters to read solar energy generation and the consumer’s electricity consumption from the utility grid.

Net meteringNet metering arrangement allows consumers to use solar electricity for meeting end use loads. In this case simple energy meter is replaced by a bidirectional meter.

The flow of energy in a grid interactive rooftop SPV system under different operating conditions is given below:

� AC electrical output of inverter consumed by loads or AC current is fed back to grid

� For generation > consumption, |PV-Load|= Net Export

� For generation < Consumption, |PV-Load|=Net Import

� Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) paid to customer based on Net Export

CENtRAl AND StAtE GoVERNMENt SCHEMESThe PV market in India is driven by a mix of national targets and support schemes at various levels.

Currently, MNRE is providing 30% subsidy for SPV rooftop systems and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is also promoting grid connected rooftop systems (100-500kWp) under RESCO model.

Apart from central policies, various states have also announced their state specific policies for rooftop SPV. Different states in India are promoting basically 3 kinds of rooftop SPV implementation schemes.

� Gujarat is the front runner for implementing Gross metered Roof rental model: This model does not promote self-consumption of SPV electricity

� Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Uttarakhand have recently launched their policies promoting net metering mode of implementation: This model promotes self-consumption of SPV electricity. Tamil Nadu is the first state who started implementing the policy.

� Kerala is promoting off-grid rooftop SPV systems for residential consumers.

Grid-connected SPV Rooftop: An Option for India's Growing Energy Demand


Gross Metering

Net metering

cURRENTly, MNRE IS PRoVIdING 30% SUbSIdy foR SPV

RoofToP SySTEMS. SEcI IS AlSo PRoMoTING GRId coNNEcTEd

RoofToP SySTEMS (100-500kWP) UNdER ThE RESco ModEl.

tABlE 2 : Preferred Metering Arrangement for Specific Needs: A Comparative Analysis

Parameters Gross Metering Net Metering Net Metering with Power BackupPurpose Sale of electricity to utility Consumption at the consumer’s end Consumption at the consumer’s end and also a

backup source during power outage

Preferred consumer category Commercial & Industrial Residential, Commercial & Industrial Residential

tariff plan PPA, fit Energy settlement, fit Energy settlement, fit

Energy accounting two separate meters A bidirectional meter A bidirectional meter

operating cost low low High

tABlE 3: State-level Policies

Central / State Scheme System Size targeted Segment Incentive Electricity Sale/ Utilisation Mechanism

Grid Connectivity

Andhra Pradesh

Grid Connected

No limit 3 phase service consumers 30% from MNRE & 20% from State Govt.* (*only for projects up to 3kW for residential consumers)

Self- consumption and sale to utility INR 3.50 per unit for exported power for 7 years

Net metering (Agreement is available)

Gujarat Grid-connected

No limit, total 30 MW in 6 cities

Govt. buildings, institution and residential buildings

Roof owner gets paid lease rent (N 3.00 per unit) and the project developer gets feed-in-tariff (N 11.21) for 25 years

Sale to utility Gross metering

Karnataka off-grid & Grid connected

0.5 - 1 kW & 5 – 10 kW

Any building 30% from MNRE Self-consumption and sale to utility INR 3.40 per unit for exported power

Net metering

Kerala off-grid & Grid-connected

off-grid: 1kW (10,000 systems) Grid-connected: up to 3MW

off-grid: Household and small cottage industries Grid-connected: All consumers

off-grid: 30% @ MNRE + INR 39,000 /kW @ State Govt. Grid-connected: 30% @ MNRE

off-grid: only self- consumption Grid connected: Net-metering

Net metering

Rajasthan Grid Connected

1 MW capacity each and total of 50 MW

Not mentioned fit Sale to utility under competitive bidding

Gross metering

SECI Grid connected

100 – 500 kWp (aggregation is allowed)

Any building in 4 cities - Phase I - 5.5 MW 6 cities - phase II - 11.1 MW 9 cities - phase III - 10 MW

30% from MNRE through SECI Self-consumption and sale to utility Maximum chargeable fixed tariff is up to INR 6/ kWh for 25 years under RESCo model

Both gross and net metering

tamil Nadu Grid connected

1 kW 10,000 residential houses 30% from MNRE & 20% from State Govt.

Self-consumption and sale to utility

Net metering (Agreement is available) < 10 kW - 240 V < 100 kW - 415 V > 100 kW - 11 kV

Uttarakhand Grid connected

0.3 – 500 kW All consumers 30% from MNRE Self-consumption and sale to utility

Net metering

West Bengal Grid Connected

2 - 100 kW Institutional consumers (Govt. departments, academic inst. etc.) 16 MW by 2017

30% from MNRE Self-consumption and sale to utility

Net metering Connectivity at lV or MV (6 kV or 11 kV)

Grid-interconnection Arrangements Based on above mentioned configurations, following schemes of grid interactive roof top SPV system have been considered:

� Grid interactive SPV System without Battery backup (Figure 1)

� Grid interactive SPV System with full load Battery backup (Figure 2)

� Grid interactive SPV System with Partial load Battery backup (Figure 3)

RE Feature


The above-mentioned grid connectivity arrangements are described Figures 1–5.

Wherever the battery is not envisaged, the solar system can be directly connected to consumer AC bus and the total energy of the solar system will be supplied to consumer/grid depending upon the requirement of the consumer.

Grid-interactive rooftop SPV system without battery backupThis is a simplest scheme of the grid interactive rooftop SPV system. In this arrangement inverter which is heart of the entire solar system continuously supervises the grid condition and in the event of grid failure or under voltage or over voltage, the solar system is disconnected by the circuit breaker /auto switch provided in the inverter. Since there is no power back up in the system, it cannot supply the consumer load in the event of grid failure. Block diagram of the derived scheme is shown in Figure 1.

Grid-interactive rooftop SPV system with full and partial load battery back upIn this scheme when the grid is available, consumer loads will be fed from grid as well as from solar system with a priority to solar PV system. SPV also feeds to the grid in case of surplus generation. In this arrangement battery and inverter cum charger is also shown. The DC generated from solar is first converted to AC and then it is connected to other equipment/grid. When grid fails automatic disconnection from the grid side takes place and solar is connected to battery system and AC consumer load. Block diagram of the scheme is shown in Figure 2.

Under grid interactive rooftop SPV system with partial load battery backup scheme, the basic operation will be same as given in full load battery backup scheme but bus splitting is necessary in the event of grid failure so as to supply critical loads as battery backup is not sufficient to feed the entire consumer load. In the event of grid failure or under voltage or over voltage, inverter will disconnect the grid supply as also the

figure 1: Grid interactive rooftop SPV system without battery backupNotes: cI-consumer energy importGI-Import of energy from gridGE-Export of energy to the gridSE-Export of energy from solar systemSI-Import of energy by solar systemSW-Manual lockable switch for distribution feeder maintenance by the distribution company

figure 2: Grid-interactive rooftop SPV with full load battery backup(based on configuration-I in figure 4)


Grid-connected SPV Rooftop: An Option for India's Growing Energy Demand

non-emergency loads. Solar and battery system will be feeding emergency loads only. Battery system will be charged if battery is not fully charged.

In case where battery is also envisaged, the scheme of connection for solar PV system will depend upon the way the battery is charged. There are two possible ways of charging battery. First one is where there is AC coupling i.e. first the DC produced by solar is converted into AC and battery is connected through a charger which converts AC into DC. In this arrangement as long as grid is available the solar system, consumer, and battery system will be interactive up with grid. In case of grid failure, rest of the system (solar PV system, battery system and consumer load) would be disconnected from grid and solar will be connected to battery and AC loads through another route.

This scheme is envisaged in Europe where feed in tariff is employed. However the only difference proposed here is regarding the positioning of the solar meter(SM). In the scheme in vogue in Europe for feed in tariff the SM is towards the grid side and does not record the energy drawn by the consumer /battery during grid failure. In the suggested scheme as per configuration-I, during grid failure also it measures the solar generation including the energy drawn by battery and the consumer load.

In the second arrangement (Figure 5), solar system directly charges the battery through charge controller i.e. DC coupling. In this arrangement the AC system is not involved to charge the battery and battery will always be connected to solar system. In case, battery is discharged due to any reason whatsoever solar system will first charge the battery and the excess generation from the solar will be fed into the grid. This scheme would not reflect the true gross generation produced by the solar PV system.AU

Sudhakar Sundaray is a Research Associate at Renewable Energy Technology Applications, TERI. E-mail: [email protected]

RE Feature


figure 4: configuration-I for grid interactive SPV system with battery backup1

1Report of subgroup-I on Grid Interactive Rooftop Solar PV System, 2009, central Electricity Authority, New delhi

figure 5: configuration-II for grid interactive SPV system with battery backup

figure 3: Grid interactive rooftop SPV with partial load battery backup(based on configuration-I in figure 4)


SolAR RADIAtIoN RESoURCE ASSESSMENt PRoJECt IN INDIAA New Initiative

Solar radiation varies through the day and it is of great importance to have precise measurements in the design for design, development, and performance analysis of solar power plants.

For a continuous spatial coverage of wide region, satellite-based irradiation estimates are generally used, but the best quality data is provided by ground-based measurements which are also used for validating or benchmarking and improving satellite-derived data.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has taken up the mammoth task of setting up of 20 GW of solar power in the country by 2022 under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) to mitigate the adverse effects of environmental pollution on climate changes under IPCC protocol in three phases as given in Table 1.

tABlE 1: JNNSM— Phase-wise Planning

Application targets (in MW)Phase I (2010-13) Phase II (2013-17) Phase III (2017-22)

Utility grid power, including roof top 1,000-2000 4000-10,000 20000

off grid solar application 200 1000 2000

Solar collectors 7 M. sq. m* M. sq. m 20 M. sq. m

* M. Sq. m – Million Square Meters To meet the specific challenges in the implementation of JNNSM, MNRE has launched a network of 115 nationwide automatic solar and meteorological measuring stations called the Solar Radiation Resource Assessment (SRRA) Stations (Table 1). To implement this project, Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), Chennai, has started an exclusive SRRA Unit on mission mode project and all 115 SRRA stations completed in two phases.

Four Advanced Measurement Stations (AMS) to study the effect of suspended particulate matter (turbidity/aerosol concentration) in the atmosphere viz. dust

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has setup 115 automatic solar and meteological measuring stations known as SRRA stations all over the country. Dr G Giridhar, Mr Prasun Kumar Das, and Dr S Gomathinayagam take a look at this important SRRA Project.

[MNRE] hAS TAkEN

UP ThE MAMMoTh TASk

of SETTING UP of 20

GW of SolAR PoWER IN

ThE coUNTRy by 2022

UNdER JAWAhARlAl

NEhRU NATIoNAl

SolAR MISSIoN

(JNNSM) To MITIGATE

ThE AdVERSE EffEcTS

of ENVIRoNMENTAl

PollUTIoN

RE Feature


RE Feature

particles, water vapour, gases, etc., on scattering or absorption of solar irradiance have been installed at Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Gandhinagar. Each AMS is providing a host of continuous information on aerosol column, atmospheric turbidity, column ozone, water vapour and NOx in the atmosphere. Ten independent narrow wavelength channels in the band 300 to 1020 nm (300, 325, 368, 500, 615, 675, 778, 870, 940, and 1020 nm) is continuously monitored for use in the UV spectrum analysis.

SRRA is a very large-scale project, with a typical SRRA station consisting of two towers of 1.5 m and 6 m height. The 1.5-m tall tower houses a solar tracker equipped with pyranometer, pyranometer with shading disc and pyrheliometer to measure global, diffuse, and direct radiation, respectively. The 6-m tall tower houses instruments measuring ambient temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, rain gauge and the data acquisition system. All the sensors are traceable to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and World Radiometric Reference (WRR) with high accuracy. The Sun Tracker is configured using GPS system that always faces the sun. Each SRRA station is totally powered by SPV panels with seven-day autonomy. The state of-the-art Data Acquisition System records 37 measured and derived parameters every second and transmit data after averaging it to one minute directly to Central Receiving Station (CRS) established at C-WET. In case of any failures in mobile connectivity, provision has been in built to store six months data in memory chip, which can be retrieved as and when required. Fully automatic quality control procedure is implemented in the data processing, analysis and report generation. This includes flagging and gap filling method using quality check algorithms directly applying on the raw data. A dedicated Level 2 Server has been installed at C-WET for applying algorithms developed for data analysis and quality checks. For the values of Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI), applied quality control is based on Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) rules by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), elaborated by the Management and Exploitation of Solar Resource Knowledge (MESOR). Besides, data on Pyrheliometer error (%), solar elevation & azimuth angles (deg), battery voltage and signals on sensor cleaning status are also received at the CRS, C-WET, Chennai. A trigger switch is also installed to track the cleaning status of the SRRA stations on a daily basis. Reports are generated on daily, monthly and yearly basis once the quality assessment is done. The collection and display of data is done by the software system specially designed, developed and implemented by the service provider. Data can be monitored in CRS both in numerical and graphical format.

SRRa Data: All the parameters from each SRRA station are logged every 1 second and after averaging for every 10 minutes, the data is stored in the data logger. The

Typical SRRA Station

Typical Advanced Measurement Station


1 minute data is then transmitted to the Central Receiving Station (CRS) established at C-WET, Chennai through GPRS communication system. The data received at the CRS will be processed on daily basis for all SRRA stations. For the benefit of the public, C-WET SRRA station data is uploaded on the C-WET website on monthly basis (www.cwet.res.in), by providing a link in MNRE website. The processed and validated data will be available to the Solar Developers, Academic and R&D Institutions, and other various purposes on payment basis as per the policies of Solar Data Sharing and Policy (SDSAP-2013) of the Ministry.

The server also has Primary and Secondary server along with Web server. The server has been provided uninterrupted power backup for 72 hours using 2 UPS of 8 and 10 kvA. The server was fully made operational from May, 2011 after the installation of software for the server and data is being transferred from SRRA stations to CRS, Chennai since then. Since there is no in-built redundant power supply for Firewall and 24 Port Switch, an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) was installed to ensure smooth change over from 8 kvA – 10 kvA UPS without any service interruption.

Quality assurance: To ensure the quality and accuracy of the data transmitted to CRS at C-WET, Chennai through GPRS, it is extremely important to maintain the health of the each station, proper monitoring of the data on daily basis and regular maintenance and preventive visits to each station. Since many of SRRA stations are installed in remote areas, C-WET has emphasized on the role and commitment of the station keepers in upkeep and safety of the each instruments and sensors.

Calibration laboratory: The quality of the data depends on the accuracy levels and daily maintenance of sensors used for measurement. However, due to the exposure conditions, over a period of time the accuracy levels of sensors are likely to change necessitating calibrations of sensors against primary standards as part of international protocol for maintaining the quality of the data. Hence, it is necessary for periodical calibration of all sensors both in the field and laboratory. Accordingly, Calibration Laboratory has been set up at C-WET to calibrate the field sensors once in two years against the standard instruments. The working standard which are used to calibrate field equipment have to be calibrated regularly against the Absolute Cavity Radiometer which are inter-compared at IPC (International Pyrheliometer Calibration). Three units of Absolute Cavity Radiometers have been procured in SRRA project. These radiometers are traceable to WRR and will be utilized as the standard for calibrating SRRA radiometers in general and the travelling standards to be utilized as the field transfer standard for calibrating the pyrheliometers in SRRA field sites and the primary standard instruments will be calibrated against the WRR standards at Geneva, Switzerland once in four years. A specific document has been prepared for calibration in Indian condition based on ISO:9847 ISO:9846 and ISO:9059 guidelines.

To ENSURE

ThE qUAlITy ANd

AccURAcy of ThE

dATA TRANSMITTEd

To cRS AT c-WET,

chENNAI ThRoUGh

GPRS, IT IS ExTREMEly

IMPoRTANT To

MAINTAIN ThE hEAlTh

of ThE EAch STATIoN,

PRoPER MoNIToRING

of ThE dATA oN dAIly

bASIS ANd REGUlAR

MAINTENANcE ANd

PREVENTIVE VISITS To

EAch STATIoN.

Solar Radiation Resource Assessment Project in India: A New Initiative

Typical Advanced Measurement Station


institutional Collaboration: The SRRA project has synergy with the SolMap project, which is funded by the International Climate Initiative (ICI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Government of Germany. SolMap is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in co-operation with the MNRE. GIZ is providing technical assistance and capacity building to SRRA officials at C-WET to attain and sustain high quality standards on quality measurements, checks, generation of reports and Solar Atlas of India. State-of-the-art quality checks on the data have been implemented and are continuously monitored and improved on a regular basis at C-WET. GIZ is also supporting C-WET in scientific analysis of data, generation of value added products. C-WET is also collaborating with other National and International Institutions such as, Space Application Centre, Ahmadabad, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA related to quality checks, solar atlas and satellite data and other issues.

Quality assessment: SRRA is a very large-scale project involving measurement and collection of data from all the SRRA stations under Phase-I & Phase-II program spread across India which is archived in CRS at C-WET. Fully automatic quality control procedure is implemented in the data processing and analysis. This includes flagging and gap filling method using quality check algorithms directly applying on the raw data. The procedures perform a likelihood control of the data and check the plausibility of the measurements thus ensuring reliability. A dedicated server has been installed at C-WET for applying algorithms developed for data analysis and quality checks. For the values of Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI), applied quality control is based on Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) rules by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), elaborated by the Management and Exploitation of Solar Resource Knowledge (MESOR).

highlights of Solar Data Sharing and accessibility Policy (SDSaP-2013): Data is monitored at an interval of one second and averaged over a period of one minute. One minute average data is transmitted through GPRS to a Central Receiving Station set up at C-WET, Chennai and associated facilities for data quality checks as per international norms and calibration facilities for various equipments / sensors used at SRRA stations have also been set up.

� C-WET is responsible for operation and maintenance of SRRA stations as per relevant national / international protocols. All data collected from these stations are received at Central Server located at C-WET, Chennai and data is processed for quality checks and is preserved safely in multiple locations

RE Feature

level 1 Server

SRRA IS A

VERy lARGE-ScAlE

PRoJEcT INVolVING

MEASUREMENT ANd

collEcTIoN of dATA

fRoM All ThE SRRA

STATIoNS UNdER

PhASE-I & PhASE-II

PRoGRAM SPREAd

AcRoSS INdIA WhIch IS

ARchIVEd IN cRS

AT c-WET.


tABlE 2: State-wise SRRA Stations

S. No State Phase I Phase II total1 Andhra Pradesh 6 3 9

2 Bihar - 3 3

3 Chhattisgarh 1 1 2

4 Gujarat 11 1 12

5 Haryana 1 1 2

6 Himachal Pradesh - 2 2

7 Jammu & Kashmir 1 2 3

8 Jharkhand - 3 3

9 Karnataka 5 1 6

10 Kerala - 2 2

11 Madhya Pradesh 3 4 7

12 Maharashtra 3 6 13

MEDA SRRA stations - 4

13 orissa - 4 4

14 Punjab - 2 2

15 Rajasthan 12 1 13

16 tamil Nadu 7 1 8

17 Uttar Pradesh - 5 5

18 Uttarakhand - 2 2

19 West Bengal - 3 3

20 North-East - 10 10

21 Union territories 1 3 4

22 Advanced Measurement Stations - 4 4total 51 68 119

� C-WET/NISE (formerly SEC) will sell the processed data up to 25 SRRA stations to a single buyer (both India and any foreign nationals / institutes / organizations) and the receipts will be credited in to SRRA Account maintained by C-WET. For selling more than 25 SRRA stations, specific permission from the Ministry should be obtained.

� The buyers of the needs to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement and shall be used only for their exclusive use and under no circumstances, the data, in full, part or in any other form, is to be disclosed/distributed/copied/reproduced/transferred to other agencies either electronically or in physical form.

� MNRE will be the sole and exclusive owner of the data, both raw and processed received

� The details of solar policy and prices for each data type is available on C-WET web site.

� C-WET will make arrangements to provide data against charges as decided from time to time. AU

Dr G Giridhar, Mr Prasun Kumar Das, and Dr S Gomathinayagam are from the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), Chennai. E-mail (Mr Prasun Kumar Das): [email protected]

Solar Radiation Resource Assessment Project in India: A New Initiative

calibration laboratory

c-WET IS

RESPoNSIblE foR

oPERATIoN ANd

MAINTENANcE of

SRRA STATIoNS AS PER

RElEVANT NATIoNAl

/ INTERNATIoNAl

PRoTocolS. All dATA

collEcTEd fRoM

ThESE STATIoNS ARE

REcEIVEd AT cENTRAl

SERVER locATEd AT

c-WET, chENNAI ANd

dATA IS PRocESSEd foR

qUAlITy chEckS ANd

IS PRESERVEd SAfEly IN

MUlTIPlE locATIoNS

Present energy scenario is based mainly on fossil fuels having limited reserves. Worldwide demand for energy is growing at an alarming rate, rising from 82.2 to 86.7 MBD (million barrels per day) during the period 2004–2007. It was vehemently agreed that with current rate of energy consumption, we will be

running out of petroleum within next 50 years, natural gas within 65 years, and coal in about 200 years. Continuous and non-judicious use of fossil fuels for rapid industrialization and urbanization has threatened our environment and ecosystem by increasing carbon dioxide (CO

2) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Hydrogen is considered as a clean and renewable source of energy for the future. It may be used as an alternative energy source for fossil fuels. It has the potential to reduce the dependence on hydrocarbon based fuels. Molecular H

2 has the highest

energy content per unit weight among the known gaseous fuels (143GJ tonne-1). It is the only carbon-free fuel which ultimately oxidizes to water as a combustion product, hence, reducing greenhouse emission, acid rain, or ozone depletion. Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it must be produced from other hydrogen-containing compounds, such as biomass, organic wastewater, or water. While, India is importing 80% of its crude oil needs, hydrogen is being promoted as

a 'future fuel'. The ease of availability of biodegradable organic wastes makes them an ideal feedstock for dark fermentative hydrogen production. Dark fermentative hydrogen production is economically feasible because of higher hydrogen production rate and lower doubling time of the microbes than in the photo fermentation and biophotolysis. Dark fermentation processes result in huge amount of hydrogen production using different types of organic wastes. Unlike photo fermentation processes, dark fermentation takes place in the absence of light. Dark fermentation at thermophilic temperatures (60oC) has many attractive

With the alarming rise in demand for fuels today, hydrogen is increasingly being promoted as a ‘fuel of the future’. Debabrata Das explains the processes involved in converting biomass to biohydrodrgen that can be used as a source of renewable energy.

RE Feature

BIoMASS to BIoHyDRoGENA Successful Path

concept of commercialization of biohydrogen from biomass

RESEARchERS

ARE NoW lookING To

ExoTIc SoURcES SUch

AS hoT SPRING, coAl

MINE lEAchATE, AcId

MINE lEAchATE, ETc.,

IN SEARch of IdEAl

MIcRobES foR h2

PRodUcTIoN.


advantages over mesophilic temperatures (37oC). Dark fermentation at thermophilic temperatures favours the kinetics and stoichiometry of H

2 production and is less

affected by the partial pressure of hydrogen (pH2) in the liquid phase. The risk of

contamination by methanogenic and pathogenic organisms can also be substantially reduced in this process. Many industrial wastewaters, such as distillery effluents are discharged at higher temperatures. So, thermophilic microorganism can efficiently use these organic wastes to produce gaseous energy.

HyDRoGEN AS A RENEWABlE ENERGy SoURCEBiomass has become an important source of energy and the most important fuel worldwide after coal, oil, and natural gas. Bioenergy in the form of biogas, derived from biomass, is expected to become one of the key energy resources for global sustainable development. The important criteria required for the selection of different biomass as substrate for hydrogen production is based on their sustainability, availability, organic content, biodegradability, and cost.

MICRoBIAl INSIGHt oN BIoHyDRoGEN AND BIoMEtHANAtIoN PRoCESSESMicroorganisms generate hydrogen for two principle reasons. First, to dispose of excess reducing equivalents and second, the hydrogen produced is used as a byproduct in nitrogen fixation. Microbial H2 production is an attractive process for supplying a significant share of the H2 required for the near future. Plethora of microbial species is reported to produce hydrogen through dark fermentation, viz., Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Bacillus, and Clostridium sp. In recent times, apart from pure cultures, enriched mixed consortia are now gaining importance. Due to presence of different array of hydrolytic enzymes, the mixed consortia or synthetic mixed consortia are ideal biocatalyst to utilize complex carbohydrates present in biomass for gaseous energy recovery. Researchers are now looking to exotic sources such as hot spring, coal mine leachate, acid mine leachate, etc., in search of ideal microbes for H2 production.

Anaerobic heterotrophic microorganisms can form hydrogen during the oxidation of organic substrates. A major advantage of fermentation is fast degradation of solids and other complex organic compounds found in wastes and agricultural products, but it converts only about 15% of the energy to hydrogen. So it is not very efficient for capturing the energy value of biomass to hydrogen. The goal is to increase the biohydrogen yield to around 85%. While hydrogen fermentations have been demonstrated in the laboratory, yields have been low and it is uncertain whether this technology can be developed to provide high yields of hydrogen and become economically competitive with gasoline or with alternative hydrogen production pathways. However, a combination of dark and photo fermentation in a two-stage hybrid system can improve the overall yield of hydrogen. The synergy of the process lies in the maximum utilization of the substrate, which otherwise fails to achieve complete conversion due to thermodynamic limitation. In the first stage, biomass is dark fermented to acetate, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen at a thermophilic temperature. In a separate photobioreactor, the formed acetate is again converted to hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The combination

Biomass to Biohydrogen: A Successful Path

Microbial domains involved in dark fermentation

WoRldWIdE

dEMANd foR ENERGy

IS GRoWING AT AN

AlARMING RATE, RISING

fRoM 82.2 To 86.7 Mbd

(MIllIoN bARRElS PER

dAy) dURING ThE PERIod

2004–2007. IT WAS

VEhEMENTly AGREEd

ThAT WITh cURRENT

RATE of ENERGy

coNSUMPTIoN, WE

WIll bE RUNNING oUT

of PETRolEUM WIThIN

NExT 50 yEARS, NATURAl

GAS WIThIN 65 yEARS,

ANd coAl IN AboUT 200

yEARS.


could be expected to reach as close to the theoretical maximum production of 12 mole of H

2 per mole of glucose.

BIoHytHANE: MAxIMIzAtIoN of GASEoUS ENERGy RECoVERy By HyDRoGEN folloWED By MEtHANE PRoDUCtIoN Maximum gaseous energy extraction in the form of H

2 is about 12% to 18%. The

two stage integrated system for hythane production increases the conversion efficiency of biomass to energy, improves adaptability to varying operating conditions, and enhances stability. To make the process

commercially feasible, second stage methanogenesis could be used. Theoretically, four moles of hydrogen are obtained from one mole of glucose equivalent. However, the energy trapped in the two moles of acetic acid generated could not be recovered. The energy trapped in acetic acid could be recovered either by photo fermentation or by seeding the spent acids with acetoclastic methanogens in an anaerobic digester.

6 12 6 2 2 3 2C H O + 2 H O 4 H + 2 CH COOH +2 CO→ (Stage I: Biohydrogen production)

(Stage II: Biomethane production)

ECoNoMICS of BIoHyDRoGEN PRoDUCtIoNBiological hydrogen production has been the subject of basic and applied research for several decades. Every biohydrogen process has its own merits and demerits in terms of technology and productivity; none of them has been evaluated rigorously in terms of cost for commercialization. Only a limited number of economic analyses of biohydrogen processes are available. In biophotolysis of water, water is used as a substrate. Hence, the operating costs of such processes are low as compared to dark fermentation, which requires carbohydrates as substrate. It has been reported that hydrogen yield is directly proportional to the operating costs while rate is directly proportional to the reactor costs or the installation costs. In case of photosynthesis operating costs are low, hence total yield is also low. Thus, large reactors would be required to overcome the low production rates.

A preliminary cost estimate for an indirect microalgal biophotolysis system with assumed plant capacity was 280,000 m3 H

2 day−1, which is equivalent to 3,600 GJ

day−1 or 1.2 million GJ yr−1 (at 90% plant capacity). The total capital costs for the system were estimated at US$ 43 million, the annual operating costs at US$ 12 million yr−1, and the total H

2 production costs at US$ 10 GJ−1. In this analysis, the capital costs

were found to be almost 90% of the total costs at a 25% annual capital charge. For dark fermentation, the production costs can be further reduced by using cheaper raw substances, such as sewage sludge, distillery waste, etc. A case study on the cost of hydrogen production using locally available lignocellulosic feedstock shows that a 95 m3 thermo bioreactor produced 10,200 m3 H

2 day-1 via dark fermentation.

It was followed by photofermentation in a 300 m3 photobioreactor, which converts the organic metabolites present in the spent media into hydrogen and CO

2. It was

estimated that an overall cost of $ 2.74 / kg of H2 would be produced based on zero

feedstock value and zero hydrolysis costs. Biologically produced hydrogen is currently more expensive than other fuels produced using carbohydrate rich synthetic substrate. A suitable microbial consortium is essential to efficiently convert the biomass/wastewater to hydrogen. Efficient utilization of the municipal sewage/wastewater could bring down the production cost to $1.3/MBTU. Currently, the costs of natural gas and gasoline were $2–$7/MBTU and $23.5/MBTU, respectively. The socially relevant

RE Feature

bIoloGIcAl

hydRoGEN

PRodUcTIoN hAS

bEEN ThE SUbJEcT of

bASIc ANd APPlIEd

RESEARch foR

SEVERAl dEcAdES.

EVERy bIohydRoGEN

PRocESS hAS ITS

oWN MERITS ANd

dEMERITS IN TERMS

of TEchNoloGy

ANd PRodUcTIVITy;

NoNE of ThEM hAS

bEEN EVAlUATEd

RIGoRoUSly IN

TERMS of coST foR

coMMERcIAlIzATIoN.


3 4 22 CH COOH 2 CH + 2 CO →


costs of bringing any fuel to market must also include factors such as air pollution and other short-term and long-term environmental hazards that have direct and indirect effect on health. When these factors are taken into consideration, together with the initial cost competitiveness, hydrogen is surely the most logical choice of energy worldwide.

CURRENt RESEARCH StAtUSIIT Kharagpur has been actively associated in improving the biohydrogen production process with main emphasis on to increase the hydrogen yields from the existing processes and its generation from waste. A wide range of potential H

2 producing

microorganisms (which includes thermophiles and mesophiles) have already been identified. IIT Kharagpur has successfully designed and commissioned a pilot plant for biohydrogen production using a 800

L biohydrogen reactor.A prototype 20 L

packed bed reactor has also been developed at IIT Kharagpur for continuous hydrogen production. Such type of packed bed reactor uses cheaper agro-residues as matrix for whole cell immobilization.

The vision of a carbon-neutral fuel could be realized by using hydrogen. Its production from cheap renewable sources, such as biomass would make it as a sustainable renewable energy that would play a key role in all sectors of the economy. Integrating biohydrogen production process with biomethanation process could improve gaseous energy recovery and

could make the process economically more viable. However, extensive research and development is required to scale up the biohydrogen production that would lead to its successful commercialization for the long time benefit of our society. AU

Debabrata Das is Renewable Energy Chair Professor and Professor-in-Charge of P K Sinha Center for Bioenergy, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. E-mail: [email protected]

IIT khARAGPUR

hAS bEEN AcTIVEly

ASSocIATEd IN

IMPRoVING ThE

bIohydRoGEN

PRodUcTIoN PRocESS

WITh MAIN EMPhASIS

oN To INcREASE ThE

hydRoGEN yIEldS

fRoM ThE ExISTING

PRocESSES ANd ITS

GENERATIoN fRoM

WASTE.

tABlE 1: Economics of different H2 production process

Source and process (large scale technology)

Cost of hydrogen

Natural gas (via steam reforming)

$4 – $5/Kg

Wind (via electrolysis)

$8 – $10/Kg

Nuclear (via electrolysis)

$7.50 – $9.50/Kg

Nuclear (via thermochemical cycles)

$6.50 – $8.50/Kg

Solar (via electrolysis)

$10 – $12/Kg

Solar (thermo chemical cycles)

$7.50 – $9.50/Kg

Wastewater (dark fermentation)

$1.3/MBtU

Gasoline $23.5/MBtU

Natural gas $2–$7/MBtU


A 800 l pilot plant for biohydrogen production in department of biotechnology, IIT kharagpur

A 20 l prototype mole for demonstration of continuous biohydrogen production in department of biotechnology, IIT kharagpur

Biomass to Biohydrogen: A Successful Path


RE Success Story

Solar lantern ki roshni mein mere bacche chain se padh sakte hain”, says Sushila, a resident of nagpada village in naupada district, odisha. child education is not the only significant change on the horizon of this village. Most of the villagers depend on bundling tendu leaves, an important component of the beedi

manufacturing process, for their livelihood. the average beedi-maker earns around

N 1,500 per month, which is barely enough to keep her family fed through the year. the lack of electricity supply significantly cuts the productive hours employed in the tendu-bundling process. Most of the workers are forced to stop work after 6 pm as working under improper light strains their eyes. kerosene lamps are hard to come by and when available, are expensive. Workers work after dusk, risking their eyesight in the process. the solar charging stations are a boon to many in their village. the rent of the solar lantern is much cheaper than the cost of a kerosene lamp. they increase productive man hours by 2 hours every day, increasing the average income to about

N 2,100 per household. families come together after dinner in the glow of the solar lanterns, laughing and chattering away into the night while they bundle tendu leaves.

Sushila is not alone. thousands of people around the globe have benefitted from the Lighting a billion Lives (LabL) campaign initiated by the energy and resources institute (teri), in its commitment towards global sustainable development. till date the programme has reached more than two million people across india and globally, covering 22 indian states and 2,549 villages in rural india, thereby generating 2,500 green jobs and establishing 131 energy enterprises in association with 114 partner organizations. the campaign has been instrumental in lighting up the lives of households by disseminating around over 1,27,080 solar lanterns, setting up over 10,580 solar micro-grid connections and 7,440 integrated domestic energy systems at the grassroots.

owing to the programme’s collaborative approach and partnerships — with around 87 corporates, 91 individual donors, 125 multi-bi-lateral organizations, 131 central–state government and public sector undertakings, and 147 other sponsors — LabL has not only become a torchbearer for solar power, but engendered clean energy access for impoverished communities. the initiative has now spread to countries, such as Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, kenya, uganda, ethiopia, Mozambique, and Myanmar.

the campaign compliments the efforts of Jawaharlal nehru national Solar Mission (JnnSM), remote Village electrification (rVe) Programme, rajiv Gandhi Gramin

ClEAN ENERGy

teri’s campaign to provide clean energy for impoverished communities has attained global success due to its ingenuity and its cascading effects. People worldwide have benefitted from the Lighting a billion Lives (LabL) campaign initiated by teri. the project is financially as well as technologically and operationally replicable, since it appeals to the universal needs of the rural communities and is based on a technology that harnesses the power of sun, a natural resource that is available in plenty all across the world. Rajul Dube documents.

Illuminating Rural India through


In the Light of Development

Viddhyutikaran yogna (rGGVy), and the expansion of off-grid/partial grid energy access. its partners include local and state governments, government agencies and ministries, multilateral agencies, private sector institutions, and multi-national corporates across india.

BRIGHt BEGINNINGSinitiated in 2007 at the ‘clinton Global initiative’, the LabL campaign was identified as a pioneering effort towards sustainability globally. the problem of energy access requires innovative solutions encompassing issues of technology, finance, institutional capabilities, and fiscal policy. in response to this problem, LabL campaign was inaugurated in 2008 by dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of india, during the delhi Sustainable development Summit (dSdS). the system comprises a congenial Public–Private–People participatory approach at the grass roots levels, where technologies such as Solar charging Stations (ScS)/Solar Micro Grids (SMG) are set up in prioritized areas, aimed at providing affordable and accessible lighting solutions to communities in need.

the high upfront cost of the clean technologies coupled with low income of the rural households to adopt such technologies has been addressed through the campaign’s replicable business models for disseminating solar technology. improved lighting has provided more opportunities for enhancing the local economy. With adequate money flow to the rural households, people are willing to spend a part of their incremental income to pay for the services.

the campaign employs an entrepreneurial model. A local entrepreneur trained by teri and its partner organizations provides clean energy access to the community at an affordable fee. the technology (reliable, light in weight, robust, and energy efficient) and service delivery is ensured by the cluster level energy entrepreneurs who work closely with Village Level entrepreneurs (VLes) who own and operate energy service delivery options, such as solar micro-grids and solar lantern charging stations. VLes majorly comprise women having low social and economic stature. As a result, they have become independent and gained confidence among their fellow villagers. in addition, many women have shown excellent entrepreneurship skills since becoming VLes.

the initiative has contributed to the development of several first-of-its kind features, such as implementing solar charging stations on a large scale, introducing and promoting Led lanterns, creating village-level distribution network of solar enterprises, engaging self-help groups, and creating after-sales service network in villages through energy enterprises. LabL has helped in extending the mobile phone charging facility through solar charging stations. it has also designed and developed an online Project Management System, which has facilitated end-to-end mapping, starting from identification of villages to its post-implementation monitoring. At the national policy level, the initiative has been appreciated by the central and the state governments. the delivery model of the initiative has been adopted to provide basic lighting needs in LWe-affected districts and to enhance access to clean energy in energy-impoverished regions of the country.

to support sustainability of rural energy projects, LabL employs a network of local-level institutions, thus facilitating micro-implementation of project deliverables, training and capacity building, and ensuring after-sales services. energy enterprises (uttamurja Shops), launched by teri, is a local-level enterprise that caters to after-sales service support to LabL solar charging stations (ScSs) and is also authorized to market and sell teri-approved clean energy products, such as solar lights and improved cook-stoves in a specified area. ee also assists in creating local capacities of rural youth for the execution of other energy access projects in the area. currently, the united kingdom’s department for international development (dfid) is supporting teri in establishing more than 400 such enterprises across the country.

rec findS

itSeLf Very Proud

becAuSe it hAS

directed itS cSr

fundS to rAJGArh

diStrict of MAdhyA

PrAdeSh throuGh

teri to MAke SoLAr

LAnternS AVAiLAbLe.

theSe Are not onLy

uSed for ProVidinG

LiGhtinG to the

ViLLAGe coMMunity,

but hAVe ALSo

reSuLted in WoMen

eMPoWerMent. We

Are Very Proud to

be ASSociAted With

teri And WiLL ProVide

our SuPPort eVen in

the future.

Mr Rajeev Sharma, Chief Managing Director,

Rural Electrification Corporation


While LabL raises funds for various project activities, such as hardware procurement, training, project-planning, monitoring, maintenance and communication, the cost of day-to-day operations and maintenance is borne by the daily rental fee collected by the entrepreneur from the users. LabL has shown how partnerships with public and private enterprises can support developmental schemes and initiatives, particularly in the area of rural energy access. to finance the campaign, teri moved from the initial grant-based model to an entrepreneurial fee-for-service delivery approach, and finally to a more flexible equity and investment-based model. this process has helped address two key challenges: outreach and sustainability. LabL offers financial viability to attract equity along with technology customization and an effective monitoring mechanism.

UNqUAlIfIED SUCCESSIn 2013, TERI received the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project of Year (2013) award in the NGO category. The award specifically recognized TERI’s work and contribution towards society under the LaBL initiative. PMI took into account LaBL’s model in terms of project processes and last mile delivery, which are strategically carried out to effectively provide clean lighting solutions to rural communities across selected states in India. Over the years the campaign has received many prestigious awards, such as Nasscom Innovation Awards 2011 under the social innovation category, CXO Award 2011 under the best IT initiative for social change, etc.

There are numerous examples where the campaign has impacted thousands of lives. While corporates and PSUs have utilized their CSR funds for the same, TERI is ensuring that the campaign, for long-term sustainability, has a high level ownership, with the aim of empowering communities to be informed, self-reliant, and able to manage their resources independently. TERI has successfully mobilized resources for villagers and has created market based solutions in these villages, hence breaking the myth that CSR is just an ‘investment strategy’ devised to build an image, cultivate stakeholders, and eventually push business. TERI’s LaBL programme showcases that strategy for developing a partnership and advocacy with the business sector must be carried out through evoking compassion, consideration, and commitment as a good corporate citizen.

The journey towards lighting a billion lives, over the last six years, has been about using ‘light’ as a catalyst to spread a billion smiles. The access to modern energy services has helped in reducing poverty, providing health, environment, and economic opportunity and social equality. Massive efforts will continue to expand the range, quality, and quantity of energy services available to the poor, thereby empowering

countries to achieve their developmental aspirations. AU

Rajul Dube is a part of the Social Transformation division at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). E-mail: Rajul Dube <[email protected]>

SolAR lANTERNS

PRoVIdE ENoUGh

lIGhT To lIGhT UP

ThE RooM of A

RURAl hoUSEhold

fAR fRoM ThE GRId.

bUT, WhEN ThESE

SolAR lANTERNS ARE

SoMEhoW lINkEd

WITh EMPloyMENT-

GENERATIoN AcTIVITIES

ANd ThEREby INcREASE

ThE EARNINGS of ThE

RURAl hoUSEholdS,

IT lIGhTS UP ThEIR

lIVES. ThIS REAlly

MAkES A dIffERENcE

IN ENhANcING ThE

qUAlITy of lIfE

MANyfold. Mrinal K Chaudhury additional Director,

assam Energy Development agency (aEDa), Guwahati

RE Success Story


Chanderpur Renewal Power Co. Pvt. Ltd (CRPL) has installed a 1 MW biomass-based gasification power

project at its premises at Village Sohana, Mullana in

Haryana. Set up by the Chanderpur Group, this plant

was envisaged as a captive plant to fulfill the requirement

of all three companies. The project was installed at CRPL

to fulfil the power requirement of CRPL as well as its

own auxiliary power consumption, and the two other

companies of the Group.

A model project of Haryana state, the project is financed

by IREDA under the KFW Germany line of credit under

‘Removal of Barriers to Biomass Power Generation in India’.

The total loan sanctioned amounts to N 390 lakh, while

the total cost of the project is N 582 lakhs. The balance

of N 192 lakh is being contributed by promoters. This is a

HAREDA-approved project which is receiving a subsidy of

Re 1 crore from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

CRPL will use wood waste from the plywood industry. In

this area, popular tree is grown as crop & it comes under

Agro forestry. While the stem of the tree is used by the

plywood industry, its waste branches and roots will be

used by the plant.

The company is now proposing to expand the plant from

1 MW to 2 MW. In the future, there are plans of setting up

of a briquetting plant of around 1 tonne capacity per hour

to briquette the saw dust generated by wood cutting and

also to use other cheap biomass available nearby such

as agro residue, tree leaf, bushes, etc. The company is

also proposing to setup a cold storage based on vapour

absorption system to use the waste heat of gas engines.

HoW It WoRKS? The installation is based on downdraft gasifier technology.

Wood waste is converted to producer gas in the gasifier

and used in the 4 X 250 KW Cummins producer gas

engines. By-products generated in the process are tar, saw, dust, and charcoal. These are all are saleable in the market. The downdraft technology of the installation has been provided by TERI, New Delhi.

KEy fEAtURES

� Preheated air being used for gasification for better efficiency

� Wet ESP used for the very first time for cleaning gas

� Use of Gas Chiller to further clean and cool the gas

� A completely PLC-based automatic plant

� Mechanized handling of all raw materials from wood cutting to drying using belt conveyor

� An effluent-free plant with 100% water recycling

� Clean emissions causing no air pollution

� Availability of a fully equipped lab plant to test quality of fuel, gas, and by-product

fEASIBIlItyThe plant has been setup in area where lot of plywood industries exists, so wood waste is available at a price of 2 to 2.75 INR (depending upon different season). Plant will consume around 1.2 to 1.3 Kg of wood per KWH. With other expenses the cost of power from plant will be 4.50 INR per unit and transmission cost will be 1 INR per unit, so total cost will be 5.50 INR as against the cost of power purchased at 7.50 INR per unit from electrical utility. The companies will also save the cost of diesel to generate

power as they will get 100% power. AU

Contact Details: Head Office: Jorian, Delhi Road, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana - 135001. Tel : (1732) 203460/61/62

SoHANA VIllAGE PRoDUCING PoWER fRoM BIoMASS GASIfICAtIoN

BENEfItS of tHE PlANt � Reduce the cost of electricity consumption of all three

companies of Chanderpur Group

� Promote the business of renewal energy based biomass gasification of power plants

� To give training — how to run and maintain the plant — to the operating staff

� Use of new technological from time to time to increase efficiencies of plant

RE Success Story


PICo HyDRo ElECtRIC tURBINE INStAllAtIoN At CoRE AREA of SIlENt VAllEy foRESt, KERAlA

RE Success Story

Silent Valley at Mannarkad District at Kerala is one of the oldest heritage sites in the Western Ghats. It is a beautiful landscape and a biodiversity-rich forest. This area is rich with herbs and is an entirely undisturbed

area. It is also totally plastic free and the environment is protected without outside disturbance. Many researchers, students, and nature lovers from all over the world are visiting and staying at the forest resthouse. Many come to carry out their research work at the Nature Interpretation Centre established there. This centre has had and still has many working models which explain the forest and its importance. The Nature Interpretation Centre and the resthouse for the forest staffs are not electrified. It is this way in order to keep the forest area undisturbed. The forest watchers and forest guards stay at the resthouse during the night. But, researchers and the forest staff who stay here find it very difficult to stay without lights. But providing electricity without disturbing the environment is a difficult task for the Forest Department. However, since there is a perennial water source nearby is available, the

Forest Department decided to install a watermill to provide electricity without disturbing the environment much. Once the Forest Department came to know of the subsidy scheme under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), it along with the Energy Management Centre, Trivandrum, installed a watermill at Silent Valley. Under the scheme, it was possible to use a watermill to generate electricity to light up such an area. The watermill is close to the Nature Interpretation Centre.

The water source and the watermill installation places is 500 metre away from the centre. Thus, the power generated is transmitted by using an underground cable to the centre and the resthouse. An underground cable has been used so that it does not prove to be a disturbance to the moving animals. The power generated by the watermill is used to provide lighting to the Nature Interpretation Centre and the resthouse. Now, the researchers and the forest staffs staying there are very happy and it is much

useful to them. AU

M Joshil, Asst. Wild Life Warden, Slilent Valley National Park, Kerala.

M Joshil, Asst. Wild life Warden, Silent Valley National Park, kerala says “The forest department is really thankful to The Energy Management centre (EMc), Trivandrum, kerala for providing the central financial Assistance of MNRE for the watermill at Silent Valley and solving our electricity problems permanently”.


Energy demand across the transport sector is growing rapidly. In India, road infrastructure is used to transport over 60% of total goods and 85 to 88% of total passenger traffic. As vehicle ownership expands, so will the demand for petrol and petroleum products. Currently, diesel alone meets an estimated 73% of

transportation fuel demand followed by petrol at 20% and their combined demand is expected to grow by more than 5% over coming years.

tABlE 1: India: Diesel-use Projections and break up (in billion litres)

Calendar year 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Diesel total 94 97 101 106 110 115 119 124 129

on-road 56 58 61 63 66 69 72 74 78

Agriculture 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 16

Construction/mining 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5

Shipping/rail 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6

Industry 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14

*Heating 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10

Source: GAIN Report Number: IN3073

Biofuels refer to liquid or gaseous fuels produced from biomass resources, such as bioethanol and biodiesel, which are both viable options in India. The Government of India is today promoting and encouraging production and use of ethanol derived from sugar molasses/juice for blending with petrol and biodiesel derived from inedible oils and oil waste for blending with diesel. Currently, biofuel production, mainly ethanol, in the country is minimal, accounting for only 1% of global production. Supporting a future bioenergy sector will likely require policy support (such as stimulus packages), community and local interest, technological breakthroughs, and cost-effective feedstock production.

EtHANol BlENDING PRoGRAMMETo strongly implement the Ethanol Blending Program (EBP), the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) recommended in 2012 a 5% mandatory blending of ethanol with petrol. Also, it was suggested the procurement price of ethanol should now be decided by between the OMCs (mostly PSU) and suppliers of ethanol. In case of a shortfall in domestic supply, the OMCs and chemical companies are free to import ethanol. The government’s current target of 5% blending of ethanol in petrol has been partially successful in years of surplus sugar production and unfilled when sugar production declines.

EtHANol PRoDUCtIoN AND CAPACIty UtIlIzAtIoNIndia currently produces bioethanol from sugar molasses (a by-product of sugar industry) and therefore ethanol production depends largely on availability of molasses.

EtHANol-BlENDINGProblems, future Prospects and Economic Analysis

NAtIoNAl BIofUEl PolICy of INDIA

� Derive biofuel from non-edible feedstock that would be grown on degraded soils or wastelands (not suited to agriculture) - thus avoiding a possible conflict of fuel versus food security

� An indicative 20% target for blending of biofuel (both biodiesel & bioethanol) by end of the 12th Five-Year Plan. (2012–17)

� Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism for inedible oilseeds to provide fair price to oilseed growers but subject to periodic revision

� Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) propose to purchase bioethanol at Minimum Purchase Price (MPP) based on the actual cost of production and import price of bioethanol. In the case of biodiesel, the MPP should be linked to the prevailing retail diesel price.

� If necessary, GOI proposes to consider creating a National Biofuel Fund for providing financial incentives, including subsidies and grants, for new & second generation feedstock, advanced technologies & conversion processes, and production units based on new & second generation feedstock.

RE Feature


Since sugarcane production in India is cyclical, ethanol production also varies accordingly and therefore does not assure optimum supply levels needed to meet the demand at any given time. At times, lower availability of molasses and resultant higher molasses prices affect the cost of production of ethanol, thereby disrupting supply of ethanol for the blending program at pre-negotiated fixed ethanol prices.

The nameplate capacity of distilleries in country to distil conventional ethanol per year is sufficient to meet the demand for 5% blending with petrol. Production of advanced bioethanol is in its research and development stage.

tABlE 2: Ethanol production, capacity, and feedstock utilization (million litres)

year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Actual Production 1,898 2,398 2,150 1,073 1,522 1,681 2,154 2,064 1,906Production CapacityNo of Refineries 115 115 115 115 115 115 115 115 115Nameplate Capacity 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 2,000 2,000 2,000Capacity Use (%) 127 160 143 72 101 112 108 103 95feedstock Use (1,000 Mt)Molasses 7,910 9,992 8,958 4,469 6,342 7,004 8,975 8,602 7,940

Source: GAIN report, 2013

EtHANol: BlENDING, CoNSUMPtIoN, tRADE AND ENDING StoCKFew years ago there was a time when sugar mills used to sell molasses (a by-product of sugar industry) at a throw away price to potable ethanol and other industries. But with the technological developments in the recent past, this by-product has become of much importance not only to sugar producers but also to the oil economy of country.

Traditionally, molasses has been used in India to produce rectified spirit and alcohol of about 94.5% purity for producing liquor for human consumption and for producing various chemicals but in the past few years, it has been effectively used to produce bioethanol for blending with petrol as a fuel.

Despite short supplies of molasses, steady demand for ethanol from the chemical and potable liquor industries amid an expected rise in blending for EBP will push total ethanol consumption in CY 2013 to 2.4 billion litres. The following year, a forecast short ethanol supply will trim consumption, but should still be higher than average consumption of the last 5 years, and is pegged at 2 billion litres.

tABlE 3: Balance sheet of Ethanol: production, blending & consumption, trade and ending stocks (million litres)

year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Beginning Stocks 483 747 1,396 1,672 1,241 1,061 757 908 582Production 1,898 2,398 2,150 1,073 1,522 1,681 2,154 2,064 1,906Imports 30 15 70 280 92 39 34 35 40Exports 24 14 4 4 14 29 22 20 30Consumption 1,640 1,750 1,940 1,780 1,780 1,995 2,015 2,405 2,110fuel Consumption 200 200 280 100 50 365 305 650 500Ending Stocks 747 1,396 1,672 1,241 1,061 757 908 582 388Market Penetrationfuel Ethanol (Blending) 200 200 280 100 50 365 305 650 500Petrol 13,056 14,527 15,829 18,022 19,954 21,080 22,132 22,510 23,703Blend Rate (%) 1.5 1.4 1.8 0.6 0.3 1.7 1.4 2.9 2.1

Source: GAIN report, 2013

NAtIoNAl BIofUEl PolICy of INDIA

� Thrust for innovation, (multi-institutional, indigenous and time bound) research & development on biofuel feedstock (utilization of indigenous biomass feedstock included) production including second generation biofuels.

� Meet the energy needs of India’s vast rural population by stimulating rural development and creating employment opportunities and addressing global concerns about containment of carbon emissions through use of environment friendly biofuels.

� Bring biofuels under the ambit of “Declared Goods” by the GOI so as to ensure their unrestricted interstate and intrastate movement. Except for a concessional excise duty of 16% on bioethanol, no other central taxes and duties are proposed to be levied on biodiesel and bioethanol.

� Biofuel technologies and projects would be allowed 100% foreign equity through automatic approval to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), provided the biofuel is for domestic use only, and not for export. Plantations of inedible oil bearing plants would not be open for FDI participation.

� Setting up of National Biofuel Steering Committee (NBSC) under Prime Minister to provide policy guidelines.

RE Feature


tRADE Since 2003, when the government started its ambitious EBP, the trade balance for ethanol has been generally negative making India a net importer of ethanol. Lower import duty makes imports attractive and economically viable. Traditionally, India imports ethanol only to meet shortfalls in demand during years of lower sugar production. Demand is mostly for consumption across the potable liquor and chemical industries and not for fuel. There are no quantitative restrictions on import of biofuels as well. Ghana, Saudi Arabia, and Tanzania are among the major importers of Indian ethanol while the US, South Africa, and Thailand have been the major exporters of ethanol to India. There is no financial assistance for exports of biofuels. However, current trade regulations allow duty-free imports of feed stocks for re-export by certified export oriented units.

ENDING StoCKSDuring the preliminary years of EBP (till 2010) significant amount of ethanol use to persist as ending stock by the end of each year, mainly due to low consumption. But in the past few years growing consumption demand has kept ending stocks relatively low. Taking cognizance of the government plan to implement 20% blending of petrol with bioethanol by 2017, the demand for ethanol as fuel and for other alternative uses was projected using the growth rate for the period from 2004–05 to 2008–09.

Through the projections it was found that the fuel ethanol demand during 2011–12 for 5%, 10% and 20% blending would be 0.72 Mt, 1.44 Mt and 2.87 Mt, respectively (925 million litres, 1840 million litres and 3680 million litres, respectively). The corresponding total ethanol demand after accounting for potable, industrial and other uses would be 2.08 Mt, 2.80 Mt and 4.23 Mt, respectively. In the year 2016–17, when blending at 20% is to be commenced, the total ethanol requirement would be 5.92 Mt, which is equivalent to 6704 million litres.

As per the ethanol demand projections presented in graph above, demand for 5% blending in the base year 2008–09 was worked out to be 0.56 million tonnes of ethanol, whereas the actual blending of fuel ethanol in 2009 was only 0.08 million tonnes (100 million litres). Even though, the total supply of ethanol in 2009 (2.40 million tonnes) was sufficient to meet the total amount demanded (1.80 million tonnes), the utilization was more towards potable and industrial uses.

Bioethanol blending programme not only will reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuel imports but also ensure energy sufficiency. If we could run our vehicles/engines on 100% ethanol, which has been successful in Brazil, the benefit would be noticeable.

Bioethanol being the best oxidant which helps the petrol burn better when blended with it, reducies carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and oxides of nitrogen emissions. E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol) also has fewer volatile components than petrol, which means fewer emissions from evaporation. Adding ethanol to petrol in lower percentages reduces carbon monoxide emissions from the petrol and improves fuel octane. Ethanol is also a cleanser and solvent that keeps the engine “clean”, helps improve the life of engines. Researches carried out by the public sector oil companies in India have shown that the fuel efficiency improves significantly at 5% blending with petrol. Therefore, the consumers gain with better mileage per litre at 5% ethanol blends, lower environmental pollution and longer life of engines. Since ethanol is an anti-freeze, it will benefit consumers in cold climates.

A stable ethanol blending programme would also ensure sustainable benefits for the sugarcane farmers, who are frequently affected in case of bumper sugarcane crops and its lack of market demand. It will also provide an incentive to small and medium farmers to increase efforts towards sugarcane crop as better returns would

be ensured. AU

Dr Avanish K Tiwari, Senior Principal Scientist, Ms Ruchi Goyal and Ms Shikha Jain, Centre for Alternate Energy Research, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun. E-mail: [email protected]

A STAblE EThANol

blENdING PRoGRAMME

WoUld AlSo ENSURE

SUSTAINAblE bENEfITS

foR ThE SUGARcANE

fARMERS, Who ARE

fREqUENTly AffEcTEd

IN cASE of bUMPER

SUGARcANE cRoPS ANd

ITS lAck of MARkET

dEMANd.


Ethanol-blending: Problems, Future Prospects, and Economic Analysis


Availability of good solar radiation for over 300 days in a year coupled with good availability of large tracts of barren/ wastelands in several parts provide good prospects for setting up large MW-scale solar power plants, Solar PV as well as Solar Thermal, to supplement grid power supply. A huge potential for

the same of over 1 lakh MW installed capacity [~30-50MW/sq.km.] with the current stage of technology has been estimated, with CUF of around 15-22% depending on geographical location, technological configuration and other factors.

The installed capacity of grid-connected solar power generation in the country was less than 50 MW in 2010. Since then, however, it has grown rapidly and has become 2632 MW at the end of March 2014. State-wise break-up is given in Table-I.

This growth has come about due mainly to the National Solar Mission (NSM) that was launched in Jan 2010 coupled with State specific solar policy announced by the Gujarat Government in 2009. Subsequent notification of solar policies by several other States and the mechanisms of Solar RPO/RECs have spurred the growth of grid solar power projects.

Various financial/ fiscal incentives, such as, capital subsidies, preferential tariffs, concessional/ nil customs and excise duties, accelerated depreciation, etc. are being provided to promote setting up of solar power projects. These projects are being set up in various sizes from sub MW to hundreds of MW under various schemes of GoI as well as State Governments, in mostly private sector and with largely private investment. Private developers are being encouraged to set up grid-connected solar power projects on Build-Own-Operate basis, at locations of their choice. Some projects are also coming up for third party sale of power and captive consumption.

MNRE PRoGRAMMES/ SCHEMES oN GRID SolAR PoWERSchemes Prior to National Solar MissionPrior to National Solar Mission, MNRE had launched two schemes: (i) DemonstrationProgramme on Grid Interactive Solar PV Power Generation with provision of generation based incentive (GBI) of upto N 12/unit for upto 10 years and (ii) DemonstrationProgramme on Tail-end Grid connected Solar Power Plants with provision for one time CFA of up to 50% of project cost, limited to N 10 crore/MW. Under these schemes approximately 24 MW grid Solar PV plants have been commissioned.

National Solar MissionThe National Solar Mission (NSM) was launched in Jan 2010 as one of the eight components of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. The Mission has set a goal, amongst others, for deployment of grid connected solar power capacity of 20,000 MW by 2022 to be achieved in 3 phases: 1,100 MW by end of 1st phase in Mar 2013, 4,000-10,000MW by end of 2ndphase (2013-17) and 20,000 MW by end of the 3rdphase (2017-22).

tHE RISE of

GRID SolAR PoWER

tABlE I : Commissioning Status of Grid Connected Solar Power Projects as on 31 March 2014

State Capacity (MW)Andhra Pradesh 132Chhattisgarh 7Gujarat 916Haryana 10Jharkhand 16Karnataka 31Madhya Pradesh 347Maharashtra 249orissa 31Punjab 17Rajasthan 730tamil Nadu 98Uttar Pradesh 21Uttarakhand 5West Bengal 7Andaman & Nicobar

5

Chandigarh 2Delhi 5lakshadweep 1others 2total 2632

RE Feature

ThE NATIoNAl

SolAR MISSIoN (NSM)

WAS lAUNchEd IN JAN

2010 coUPlEd WITh

STATE SPEcIfIc SolAR

PolIcy ANNoUNcEd

by ThE GUJARAT

GoVERNMENT IN 2009

An overview of MNRE Programmes


NSM Phase-I SchemesMigration schemeSPV projects of 48 MW capacity and one ST project of 2.5 MW capacity have been commissioned under this scheme. Projects are getting CERC approved tariff for FY 2010-11 for upto 25 years.

1000 MW Capacity Grid-Connected Solar Power Projects implemented through NVVN The projects were selected through reverse bidding process in two batches and with specific Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) for SPV: crystalline Silicon modules used in the projects to be made in India (for batch-I); Cells comprising such modules to also be made in India (for batch-II). Use of imported Thin Film modules was allowed under both batches.

SPV projects totalling 470 MW and one ST project of 50 MW have been commissioned so far. In case of the remaining six Solar Thermal power plants of 420 MW aggregate capacity, two plants of 150 MW total capacity are in advanced stage of implementation and are expected to be commissioned shortly.

Power generated from the commissioned plants is being purchased by the NVVN and being sold to State Utilities/ Discoms under a mechanism of bundling with power from unallocated quota of power from coal based stations of NTPC on equal capacity basis to effectively reduce the average per unit cost of bundled solar power to the purchasing Utilities. A Payment Security Mechanism involving a revolving fund of

N 486 crore has been put in place to ensure timely payments to developers in the event of delays/ defaults in payments by the purchasing State Utilities to NVVN.

100 MW Rooftop PV & Small Solar Power Generation Programme (RPSSGP)78 projects totaling 98 MW capacity in 12 States were selected. 72 projects of total capacity 92 MW have been commissioned. The projects are getting GBI from MNRE in the range of N 9-12 per unit for a maximum period of 25 years.

feedback / Issues & Challenges � Delays in land use conversion; in obtaining Right of Way for construction of

transmission line.

� Inadequate capacity of power evacuation system/ grid sub-station.

� Loss in generation/ revenue due to frequent grid failure, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas having grid voltage < 33 kV.

� Increased imports of Thin Film modules due to exemption from DCR clause and lower costs; DCR clause challenged in WTO by US Government citing violation of WTA provisions.

� Time extensions and tariff revisions sought by most developers of the Solar Thermal power projects citing escalation in project cost (due lower DNI levels than initial estimates necessitating resizing of solar field), depreciation of Indian Rupee, etc.

NSM Phase-II SchemesUnder NSM Phase-II which commenced from April, 2013, a bigger target of 10,000 MW has been set. It envisages addition of 9,000 MW of grid solar power by 2017, of which 3000 MW is envisaged through Central Schemes and balance 6,000 MW through States’ initiatives including RPO/REC mechanisms.

Scheme for 750 MW Grid connected SPV Power Projects with Viability Gap funding (VGf) support from National Clean Energy fund (NCEf)This scheme is being implemented by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a PSU of MNRE. It envisages setting up of Grid-connected SPV power projects with an

The Rise of Grid Solar Power: An Overview of MNRE Programmes

UNdER NSM

PhASE-II WhIch

coMMENcEd fRoM

APRIl, 2013, A bIGGER

TARGET of 10,000

MW hAS bEEN SET. IT

ENVISAGES AddITIoN

of 9,000 MW of GRId

SolAR PoWER by 2017,

of WhIch 3000 MW IS

ENVISAGEd ThRoUGh

cENTRAl SchEMES

ANd bAlANcE 6,000

MW ThRoUGh STATES’

INITIATIVES INclUdING

RPo/REc MEchANISMS.


TERI PRESS TERI, Darbari Seth Block, IHC Complex

Lodhi road, New Delhi -110 003Tel. +91 11 2468 2100, 4150 4900Fax: +91 11 2468 2144, 2468 2145

Email: [email protected]: www.teriin.org

Interested organizations may write toADvERTISE WITH uS Akshay Urja (bilingual) is widely circulated to all stakeholders of renewable energy.

We invite advertisements (in colour) from interested organizations, manufacturers, institutions, etc. The advertisement tariffs are as follows:

A d v e r t i s e m e n t A r e A

Inside front cover N 50,000

Inside back coverN 50,000

Inside full pageN 40,000

aggregate capacity of 750 MW (375 MW in Domestic Content Requirement Category and 375 MW in Open Category) with VGF support from NCEF. Detailed Guidelines for its implementation were issued by MNRE in Oct 2013. The main provisions are as under:

� Tariff for power purchase: N 5.45/unit for 25 years (N 4.75/unit for projects availing benefit of accelerated depreciation). Power to be purchased by SECI and sold to willing State Utilities/ Discoms at a fixed tariff of N 5.50/ unit for 25 years.

� VGF support: Up to 30% of project cost or N 2.5 crore/MW, whichever is less, based on bids. The projects selected based on a process of reverse bidding on VGF required.

� VGF release: 50 % VGF on projects commissioning; balance 50% progressively in installments of 10% at the end of each successive year subject to meeting generation requirements.

The Bids were invited by SECI in Oct 2013 against which there was a good response - 68 bids were received till extended closing date of 20.1.2014. Power Purchase Agreements have subsequently been entered into by SECI with successful bidders and the projects are expected to be commissioned by April next year.

further Schemes/thrust Areas

� Setting up of 1500 MW SPV Power Projects through NVVN under mechanism of Bundling with Thermal Power.

� Setting up 1000 MW SPV Power Projects through SECI with VGF support from NCEF.

� Development of Solar Parks.

� Setting up of GW-scale Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects.

CoNClUSIoNThe stage is now well set for large scale expansion of grid-connected solar power projects in the country. However, a well-planned and regulated approach which integrates various renewable and other power projects in a region and the associated power evacuation & transmission infrastructure to take into account the infirm nature of solar power will greatly facilitate accelerated growth of such projects. Encouragement to domestic production of solar power equipment at competitive prices will also be important for reducing import dependence and also from long term

perspective of energy security. AU

Mr A K Varshney, Director, MNRE, Email: [email protected] and Sanjay G Karndhar, Scientist-B, MNRE, Email : [email protected]

RE Feature

78 PRoJEcTS

ToTAlING 98 MW

cAPAcITy IN 12 STATES

WERE SElEcTEd. 72

PRoJEcTS of ToTAl

cAPAcITy 92 MW hAVE

bEEN coMMISSIoNEd.

ThE PRoJEcTS ARE

GETTING GbI fRoM

MNRE foR A MAxIMUM

PERIod of 25 yEARS.


Conference on RENEWABlE ENERGy WItH StAtE offICIAlS

the Ministry organized a Conference of State Principal Secretaries/Secretaries dealing with Renewable Energy and the

Heads of State Nodal Agencies for Renewable Energy on 10th June, 2014 at SCOPE Convention Centre, SCOPE Complex, New Delhi, to review the implementation of its schemes and initiatives for the development of renewable energy across states/UTs in the country. The focus of the Conference was, inter-alia, on issues and difficulties being faced by the states in implementation of renewable energy programmes and the suggestions/solutions to address them.

While addressing the participants, Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister, mentioned that the states have to play a bigger role in utilizing the renewable energy resources to resolve the peak energy shortage. They should think big and make suitable plans with economically viable solutions for deploying the renewable energy systems and projects. The Ministry should also develop market-oriented policies with minimum subsidy support, added the Minister. Shri Upendra Tripathy, Secretary,

MNRE, discussed the present status and future plans with representatives from states and suggested creation of conducive policies and fast track implementation of renewable energy programmes and projects. He shared the idea of creating a ‘University of Renewable Energy’ by involving the apex institutions, like, Center for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), and National Institute of Renewable Energy (NIRE), among others etc.

Shri Gireesh Pradhan, Chairman, CERC, assured of providing the policy related support from CERC on regulatory and tariff-related issues and requested the representatives from states to come forward with conducive polices to promote renewable power in their states. During his address, he advised the Ministry to adequately propagate the work undertaken by its institutions and they be advised to focus on improving the energy-efficient design of RE devices in their relevant research areas.

About 100 senior officials from the concerned departments of States and the Ministry participated in the

conference. AU

RE Events

TERi PRESSTERI, Darbari Seth Block, IHC ComplexLodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003Tel: +91 11 2468 2100, 4150 4900Fax: +91 11 2468 2144, 2468 2145Email: [email protected]: www.teriin.org

the need to have a sustainable energy supply necessitates the exploration of available energy sources, and among these, renewable resources are at the forefront. it is now an established fact that re (renewable energy) can be an integral part of sustainable development because of its inexhaustible nature and environment-friendly features. re can play an important role in resolving the energy crisis in urban areas to a great extent. today re is an established sector with a variety of systems and devices available for meeting the energy demand of urban inhabitants, but there is a need to create mass awareness about their adoption. Akshay urja is an attempt to fulfil this need through the dissemination of 20,000 copies (bilingual) in india and abroad. the magazine publishes news, articles, research papers, case studies, success stories, and write-ups on re. readers are invited to send material with original photographs and statistical data. the photographs should be provided in high resolution files on a cd or through email. Akshay urja will pay an honorarium of N 2,500 to the authors for each published article of 1,500 words and above. the publication material in two copies, along with a soft copy on cd/dVd/email may be sent to:


A printing approach allows manipulation of ultrathin, small semiconductor elements that can be stacked on top of one another to yield an unusual type of solar cell capable of operating across the entire solar spectrum at exceptionally high efficiency.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign use a printing process to assemble tiny cells into multilayer stacks for extraordinary levels of photovoltaic conversion efficiency.

As an energy source, the Sun has always been a dependable provider. Although it freely shines on everyone, the ability to capture and convert the Sun’s abundant energy is anything but free. However, new technologies aimed at achieving “full spectrum” operation in utility-scale photovoltaics may soon make solar energy a viable option.

“A few simple ideas in materials science and device assembly allow us to bypass many of the limitations of traditional photovoltaic technologies,” explained John Rogers, whose research group is developing these concepts. As a result of these new efficiencies, external industry experts project the costs of solar energy electricity generation that can reach, without subsidies, levels that are lower than coal, natural gas, and nuclear.

A professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Rogers is a pioneer in semiconductor devices and manufacturing techniques. A printing approach, developed by Rogers and colleagues at Illinois, allows manipulation of ultrathin, small semiconductor elements that can be stacked on top of one another to yield an unusual type of solar cell capable of operating across the

entire solar spectrum at exceptionally high efficiency.“The strategy involves high-speed printing-based

manipulation of thin, microscale solar cells and new interface materials to bond them into multilayer stacks,” Rogers said. “Quadruple-junction, four-terminal solar cells build in this way has individual measured efficiencies of 43.9 percent.”

RE Tech Update

MUltIlAyER, MICRoSCAlE SolAR CEllS ENABlE UltRA HIGH EffICIENCy PoWER GENERAtIoN

Printing-based assembly process yields arrays of stacked multi-junction cells in a fully automated step-and-repeat mode with high yields and accurate overlay registration


“This is a high-throughput, parallel assembly process that allows for simultaneous formation of arrays of stacked multi-junction cells in a fully automated step-and-repeat mode with yields greater than 95 percent and accurate overlay registration. A newly developed interfacial material for these stacks enables ideal optical, electrical, and thermal properties,” stated Xing Sheng, a postdoctoral fellow with Rogers’ research group and first author of the paper, “Printing-based assembly of quadruple-junction four-terminal microscale solar cells allows realization of extremely high-efficiency modules,” published this week in the journal Nature Materials.

The project involved a collaborative team of researchers at the University of Illinois and the photovoltaic companies Semprius and Solar Junction. According to the group’s paper, the module’s top cell consists of a three-junction (3J) microcell with its own anti-reflective coating to ensure efficient transmission of light to the uppermost layers. The bottom cell uses diffused junction germanium (Ge) architecture. In a stacked 3J/Ge assembly, the top 3J cell captures light with wavelengths between 300 and 1,300 nm. Wavelengths from 1,300 to 1,700 nm pass through the bottom Ge cell with minimal interface reflections by using a thin layer of of chalcogenide glass.

“We integrated these microscale, multijunction cells into Semprius’ dual-stage optics, consisting of a moulded primary lens and a secondary, miniature ball lens, to tightly focus incident sunlight by more than one thousand times,” Rogers said. “Advanced packaging techniques and electrical matching networks yield fully integrated modules with efficiencies of 36.5 percent evaluated under practical conditions. It is significantly better than any other available technology.”

“This is very nice work. The results are impressive, and the schemes appear to provide a route to ultra-high efficiency photovoltaics, with strong potential for utility-scale power generation,” stated Ali Javey, a Professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. Javey, who is a Programme Leader for electronic materials at the Lawrence Berkeley

National Laboratory and a Co-director of the Bay Area Photovoltaics Consortium, was not involved with this

research. AU

Multilayer, Microscale Solar Cells Enable Ultrahigh Efficiency Power Generation

The top cell in the stacked 3-junction/germanium assembly captures wavelengths between 300 nm and 1,300 nm; wavelengths from 1,300 nm to 1,700 nm pass through to the bottom cell

dual-stage optics, consisting of a molded 2 x 2 cm2 primary lens and a secondary, 2 mm ball lens (inset) focus incident sunlight by more than one thousand times. credit: xing Sheng, University of Illinois


Children's Corner

MAtERIAlS NEEDED � Aluminium container

� Craft knife

� Beading needles

� Stick or dowel

� Wood block

� Emery cloth

� Magnifying glass

� Photographic enlarger paper (black and white)

� Marker

� Packing tape

HoW to ASSEMBlE

� Take a suitable aluminium container and cut the top off carefully with the help of a craft knife.

� Next, take the thinnest beading needle (0.41mm in diameter) and embedded one into a piece of dowel for a handle.

� Pick an appropriate place to drill the hole. Make a hole with the needle. Very gently push and rotate the needle using a block of wood

inside the can, so that it makes a tiny dimple on the inside.

� Sand the dimple inside and outside using emery cloth to make it smooth. The diameter of the hole depends on the focal length of the camera.

� The quality of the hole dictates the sharpness of the image. Use a magnifying glass to check the hole.

� Next, take a photographic enlarger paper and place it inside the container such that it covers the whole inner circumference except the pin hole. Make sure no fingerprints appear on it. Mark the pin hole with a marker.

� Finally, put the lid back on the container and tape it properly. Put a piece of tape over the hole also, so no light gets in it.

� Now, place the container outside in direct sunlight and take the tape off the hole. Your camera is ready to take pictures.

� After few weeks or months, take out the paper and scan it. Your picture is ready!

Time in a CanPinhole Solargraphy

Solargraphy is a technique in which a fixed pinhole camera is used to expose photographic paper for an

extremely long amount of time to capture the image of the sun moving across the sky. This dIy project will teach your child a very different and exciting use of solar energy.

Children's Corner

Aging Earth Awake Now!

appropos to the present-plight of “The Green-Planet”, the title “aging-Earth” beacons towards its immuno-compromised state — Energy Deficient; Perforating o3 Blanket (immune-cover that saves us from intruders so called u.v.rays) and Deteriorating Environment.

The lines point towards the imminent danger we are likely to face in the near future. The danger is quite horrid since enormous use of fossil-fuels is depleting the reserves and polluting the environment. Survivency-favourable conditions are diminishing!

Nevertheless, we (human being) have potential to rejuvenate ‘the earth’!

…choose technical, moral & ethical path and beseech ‘the sun’.


What ‘Mother-Earth’ had started accumulating millions of years back, We, outrageously, kicked-off deplenishing hers ‘paraphernalia’, what-alack!

The ‘Earth- Accelerator’ so-called ‘Fossil-Fuel’ is at the verge of extinction, Few decades down the line are suffice for motion-cease and w’ld of fiction.

In name of development the Globe-obfuscating1 is in offing, Ecstatic days are numbered and the future is briefing.

Thanks for uncontrolled unkennelling and burning of fuel, Environment is vitiated, would-be deprived of a single joule.

Till the science explores renewable sources of vivency, Mankind is to wade through the Present with leniency.

Coercive measures are to be taken by the heads-of-the-States, Apart from inevitability of the ‘mother-wit’2 of the common-populace.3

More serious are the environmental-impacts with precedent-warning, Superabundant GHGs causing ‘earth-melt’ because of ‘Global-warming’.

It’s the time to switch over to non-conventionality, Propugn4 for the electric-energy use with apt-rationality.

‘Reduce waste’, curb ‘climate-change’ since challenged is the sustainability, ‘Save-earth’, ‘save-life’ and help prevail serenity and tranquility.

Highly obnoxious is the decay of transcollating phot – O-zone, Oppugn5 its perforation so that ‘The Planet’ becomes more life-prone.

Have ‘neo-vision’, think ‘The Alternate’ …Akshay-Urja, Ah! It’s so benign! Let there be ‘the light’, invoke ‘The Ultimate’ …Daystar… sol, sol… sunshine!

Ranpal Singh Chauhan Research Associate, NT-Division, (H2&FC), MNRE

Paintings by children at a competition arranged by the GD Goenka School.


RE Products

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this is a high quality yet affordable solar LED lantern, manufactured by

d.light SOLAR, that features a powerful battery with up to 8 hours of continuous lighting. It provides 360 degree space lighting. This incredible product has been designed to be extremely user-friendly. It has no detachable parts and includes an integrated solar panel that makes recharging simple and easy. The product shape, portability, and multiple-setting handle give the customer many options for use. It can be carried, hung from the wall or ceiling, or placed on any surface to effectively illuminate the surrounding area. While d.light S20 has been designed for solar charging, it is also possible AC grid compatible.

KEy fEAtURES

� 2 Modes - High and Low

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light Modes 2 Modes, High, low

Number of lEDs 1 lEDs

light Coverage 360 °

operating time - Continuous light 8 hrs

operating time - full Bright 4 hrs

Battery output 3.2 V

External Battery Requirement lifePo4


The New CMP10

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Based on more than 30 years of experience and proven technology we have developed the CMP10. A new design that does not require regular change of desiccant and thus significantly reduces maintenance. The CMP10 is the first pyranometer in the

world supplied with a full manufacturer warranty of 5 years!

because we know what makes a secondary standard pyranometer better

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Dealership enquiries solicited

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Turn-Key Solution forIntegrated Solar Weather Monitoring Station


Book Alert

RENEWABlE ElECtRICIty AND tHE GRID: tHE CHAllENGE of VARIABIlItyEdited Godfrey BoyleRoutledge (2009)244 pages

Can renewable energy provide reliable power? Will it need extensive backup? The energy available from wind, waves, tides, and the sun varies in ways that

may not match variations in energy demand. Assimilating these fluctuations can affect the operation and economics of electricity networks, markets, and the output of other forms of generation. Is this a significant problem, or can these new sources be integrated into the grid system without the need for extensive backup or energy storage capacity? This book examines the significance of the issue

of variability of renewable electricity supplies, and presents technical and operational solutions to the problem of reconciling the differing patterns of supply and demand. Its chapters are authored by leading experts in the field, who aim to explain and quantify the impacts of variability in renewable energy, and in doing so, dispel many of the myths and misunderstandings surrounding the topic.

Godfrey Boyle is Director of the Energy and Environment Research Unit at the UK Open University, where he has chaired several renewable and sustainable energy course teams. He has published numerous books on these subjects, including the textbooks Energy Systems and Sustainability (2003) and Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future (2004). He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (formerly the Institution of Electrical Engineers) and a Trustee of the National Energy Foundation.

TEDDY2013/14

with complimentary CD

TERI Energy & Environment Data Directory and Yearbook, or TEDDY, is an annual publication brought out by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) since 1986. TEDDY is often used as a reference in other peer-reviewed books and journals for energy and environment related data. It gives an annual overview of the developments in the energy supplying and consuming sectors as well as the environment sector. It also provides a review of the government policies that have implications for these sectors of the Indian economy.

Each edition of TEDDY contains India’s commercial energy balances for the past four years that provide comprehensive information on energy flows within different sectors of the economy and how they have been changing over time. These energy balances and conversion factors are a valuable ready reckoner for anybody working on energy and related sectors. The environment section in the publication clearly brings out trends the linkage of environment related parameters with energy usage while discussing trends and issues pertinent to sustainable development.

Graphs, maps, and tables have been used in all chapters to explain facts, which make the book an interesting read. In addition, detailed tables at the end of each chapter represent statistical data on each of the above-mentioned sectors.

TEDDY 2013-14 seeks to improvise the publication through new features which includes a “GREEN Focus” for the energy and environment chapters. The publication will also feature, for the first time, metrics on energy and environment sustainability for fourteen major states of India.

TERIENERGY & ENVIRONMENTDATADIRECTORY ANDYEARBOOK

TERIENERGY & ENVIRONMENTDATADIRECTORY ANDYEARBOOK

2013/14

2013/14

tEDDy Authored by tERItERI Press400 pages

TERI Energy & Environment Data Directory Yearbook (TEDDY) is an annual publication brought out by TERI since 1986. It is the only comprehensive energy and environment yearbook in India,

which provides updated information on the energy supply sectors, energy demand sectors, and the environment.

It also provides a review of the government policies that have implications for these sectors of the Indian economy. These energy balances and conversion factors are a valuable ready reckoner researcher scholars and organizations working on energy and related sectors.

The 28th edition of publication TEDDY 2013/14 seeks to improve the publication through new features which includes a “Green Focus” in the energy supply, energy demand and local and global environment chapters. The publication for the first time also features a section on conceptual issues for goals around energy and environment. This would seek to inform the discussions around the sustainable development goals.

lARGE SCAlE RENEWABlE PoWER GENERAtIoN: ADVANCES IN tECHNoloGIES foR GENERAtIoN, tRANSMISSIoN AND StoRAGEEdited by Jahangir Hossain and Apel MahmudSpringer (2014)462 pages

This book focuses on the issues of integrating large-scale renewable

power generation into existing grids. The issues covered in this book include different types of renewable power generation, their transmission and distribution, storage and protection. It also contains the development of

medium voltage converters for step-up-transformer-less direct grid integration of renewable generation units, grid codes, and resiliency analysis for large-scale renewable power generation, active power and frequency control and HVDC transmission. The emerging SMES technology for controlling and integrating large-scale renewable power systems is also discussed. Since the protection issues with large-scale distributed renewable power systems are different compared to the existing protection system for one way power flow, this book includes a new protection technique for renewable generators along with the inclusion of current status of smart grid. This book is a good reference for the researchers who are working the area of renewable power generation and smart grids.


Forthcoming Events

3–4 July 2014 | New Delhi

2nd International Summit & Expo - Renewable World 2014Website: http://www.renewableenergyindiaexpo.com

17–19 July 2014 | Chandigarh

Encon: Conference and Display on Energy ManagementWebsite: http://10times.com/encon

21–23 August 2014 | Delhi

5th World Renewable Energy Technology CongressWebsite: www.wretc.in

3–5 September 2014 | Greater Noida

Renewable Energy India ExpoWebsite: http://www.renewableenergyindiaexpo.com/

4–6 September 2014 | New Delhi

3rd Power Industry IndiaWebsite: http://www.enfsolar.com/event/profile/conference/1189

6–8 September 2014 | Mumbai

India Nuclear Energy 2014Website:http://www.tradeindia.com/TradeShows/37501/India-Nuclear-Energy-2014.html

9 october 2014 | Gandhinagar, Gujarat

India Renewable Energy SummitWebsite: http://www.indianrenewableenergysummit.com/

14–15 July 2014 | Nairobi, Kenya

GeoPower AfricaWebsite: http://www.greenpowerconferences.com/

17–21 August 2014 | San Deigo, USA

SPIE Optics + Photonics 2014Website: http://spie.org/optics-photonics.xml

26–28 August 2014 | Rio de Janerio, Brazil

Brazil Windpower 2014Website: http://www.brazilwindpower.org/en/

13–15 october 2014 | Beijing, China

IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) 2014SHC 2014, the third international

nat

ion

alin

tern

atio

nal

RE Statistics

RENEWABlE ENERGy At A GlANCE : INDIA


Last day for application: June 30th 2014For more information visit : teriuniversity.ac.in

Knowledge for SuStainable development

Highlights of the Programme

The courses give you an opportunity to learn about Renewable Energy, the fastest growing sector in the world.• Admission opens twice a year: May and November

• Covers technologies such as solar, wind and biomass, growing at a double digit rate

• Study material, assignments etc delivered online

• Interact with the experts in Live Chat; Get answers to your queries from Professors

• Peer to Peer Interaction facility

• Developed in collaboration with UK Open University and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India

• Approved by Distance Education Council (DEC), India

Admissions open for online courses

• Short term Certificate course (4-6 months)

• EnergyInfrastructure&Efficiencies• RenewablesEnergyResourcesandpolicies• RenewableEnergy• Softwaretoolsforenergyanalysis

• Post Graduate Diploma is Renewable Energy ( one year)

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Eligibility: Any Graduate

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