Setting up of Solar Power Plants by OMCS

India Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPC) are
exploring the commercial viability of setting up of Solar Power Plant in the country.
IOC had submitted its offer in response to the bid invited by NTPC Vidyut Vypar Nigam (NVVN).
HPC had submitted their bid for a 5 MW solar power plant at Kota, Rajasthan under Phase 1 of
Jawaharlal Nehru Naitonal Solar Mission, but the Corporation has not been short-listed. Bharat
Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPC) has proposed to set up 1 MW solar farm based on
Photovoltaic cells at its LPG bottling plant, Lalru, Village Alamgir, Post Tiwana, Dist- Mohali,
Punjab. The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have not as yet set up solar power plants. The
OMCs take a decision on setting up solar power plants based on their commercial judgment.

Test your Knowledge reg- Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar
Mission Solar India in New Delhi today
This National Solar Mission has the pride of place in Indias National Action Plan on
Climate Change. Its success has the potential of transforming Indias energy prospects,
and contributing also to national as well as global efforts to combat climate change.
The importance of this Mission is not just limited to providing large-scale grid connected
power. It has the potential to provide significant multipliers in our efforts for transformation
of Indias rural economy. Already, in its decentralized and distributed applications, solar
energy is beginning to light the lives of tens of millions of Indias energy-poor citizens.
The rapid spread of solar lighting systems, solar water pumps and other solar powerbased rural applications can change the face of Indias rural economy. We intend to
significantly expand such applications through this Mission. As a result, the movement for
decentralized and disbursed industrialization will acquire an added momentum, a
momentum which has not been seen before.
The target of 20,000 MW of solar generating capacity by the end of the 13th Five Year
Plan is no doubt an ambitious target.
Clearly, technological innovation will be a key factor in ensuring the success of this
Mission.
we will need to find ways of reducing the space intensity of current solar applications,
including through the use of nano-technology. Cost-effective and convenient storage of
solar energy beyond daylight hours will be critical to its emergence as a mainstream
source of power. In the meantime, we may need to explore hybrid solutions, combining
solar power generation with gas, biomass or even coal-based power.
It was the vision of Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru that enabled India to create
world-class scientific and technological capacities in the field of atomic energy and space
sectors. It is these strengths in science and technology that eventually have created the
Information Technology revolution in India and made it a global power.
Eventually, if the ambitious roll out of the Mission is to become a living reality, we will
have to create many Solar Valleys on the lines of the Silicon Valleys that are spurring our
IT industry across the four corners of our country. These valleys will become hubs for
solar science, solar engineering and solar research, fabrication and manufacturing. I urge
Indian industry to see the National Solar Mission as the huge business opportunity that it
is going to be.
The Sun has long been recognized as a primal source of all energy on earth. In an
ancient civilization like India, the Sun has been worshipped as the God who bestows life
and sustains it. The bounty of the Sun is truly inexhaustible, renewable and free. It is to
this source of energy that humankind must turn to meet the twin challenge of energy

security and climate change.

Solar power projects for Haryana

The Centre has approved the establishment of nine solar power projects with a
cumulative generation
capacity of 8.8 megawatts in Haryana by Independent Power Producers (IPPs). These
projects will get
commissioned by September 2011. Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency
(HAREDA) had earlier invited proposals from IPPs for installation of solar power generation
plants of 100- kilowatt to 2-MW capacity in the state under the Jawaharlal Nehru National
Solar Mission.
The state government subsequently gave approval to the proposed projects, following
which HAREDA issued pre-registration certificates to 22 developers for setting up solar
power projects of 20 MW capacity. Out of these, nine projects have now been approved by
the Centre. As part of the energy conservation drive launched by the state government,
two 100-KW Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) projects were commissioned at Omax Auto
Ltds Manesar and Dharuhera units at a cost of
Rs 2.60 crore each. The union ministry of new renewable energy has provided total
financial assistance of Rs 1.5 crore for each of these projects. Furthermore, a small hydro
project of 6-MW capacity was commissioned at Dadupur, Yamuna Nagar, in March, 2010,
and a small 2-MW hydro plant was commissioned at Gogripur, Karnal, in September,
2010, it said. In addition, a 1-MW distillery effluents-based power project was
commissioned at a distillery unit at Hathin, in Palwal district, at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

India to Host International Centre on Energy Access:

Government to set up an international centre on energy access to boost the provision of
energy to remote and inaccessible areas. The offer was made by Dr. Farooq Abdullah,
Minister for New and Renewable Energy. Dr Abdullah was speaking at the inaugural
session of the assembly of the International Renewable Energy agency-IRENA currently
being held at Abu Dhabi, UAE, IRENA. The worlds first intergovernmental agency on
renewable agency was established in 2009 with the main objective of fostering
international cooperation and promoting international understanding on renewable
energy. India has been associated with the formation of IRENA from the beginning and
was among the first 25 countries to ratify its statute. Making a strong pitch for the use of
renewable energy, Dr Abdullah emphasized that renewable energy is the only hope for the
future. However, in order to make it the preferred energy worldwide and to scale up the
use of renewable energy in the energy mix, the nations of the world need to cooperate
more and share information, technology and best practices. This will be necessary to
bring energy access to vast areas of the world which have yet to experience the fruits of
commercial energy. He spoke of Indias large size, considerable experience and a vast
pool of technically qualified personnel and offered Indias expertise in building and
hosting, in cooperation with IRENA, a Centre of Energy Access in India. This centre will
serve as Centre of Excellence in the field of energy access through the use of renewable
energy. He also offered to host an international conference on energy access later this
year to bring this idea to fruition. He also announced the scaling up of Indias
international programme on capacity building and to share expertise and best practices
with developing countries.

India today stands among the top five countries of the world in terms of renewable energy
capacity with an installed base of over 19000 MW of grid interactive renewable power
which is around 11% of our total installed capacity. In addition, it adds about 2500 MW
of renewable power annually. Its renewable energy programme is one of the largest and
most ambitious in the world. Besides being one of the very few countries with a fullfledged ministry devoted exclusively to renewable energy, its emphasis on creating new
generation capacity using all possible sources of renewable energy and the latest
technologies has been considerably successful in recent years. On the solar front, it has
recently launched the ambitious and game changing National solar Mission with a target
capacity of 20 GW by 2022. With over 400 million citizens who lack access to modern
forms of energy, it also has one of the largest decentralized off-grid renewable energy
programmes. India is also one of the largest players in providing energy access to remote
and disadvantaged people and remote locations. Even today, it has over 1.5 million
decentralized solar applications, over 4 million biogas plants and over 5 millions sq m of
solar thermal applications installed in some of the farthest and remotest areas of the
country.

Coal-bed methane
Coalbed methane (CBM) or coalbed gas is a form of natural gas extracted
from coal beds. In recent decades it has become an important source of
energy in United States, Canada, and other countries. Australia has rich
deposits where it is known as coal seam gas.
Coal-bed methane (CBM) is a clean burning fuel for domestic and
industrial uses, and its extraction reduces explosion hazards in
underground coal mines.
India is endowed with huge reserves of bituminous coal of Paleozoic and
Tertiary ages within the CBM window at depths of nearly 250-1200
metres.
Lack of data on producible reserves of CBM, gas content, reservoir
saturation and permeability has prevented full exploitation of the
resource. India wants foreign and domestic private companies for the
exploration and commercial exploitation -CBM resources at some-of the
underground-coal mines.
Contracts that will be awarded will be similar to the "concession" concept
in oil and gas exploration. Coal-bearing areas will be leased to the
successful bidders and they will have to explore and test-drill.
If recovery and commercial exploitation of the CBM gas in these areas
ultimately prove viable, the exploring firms will be free to construct
pipelines and sell the gas to consumers or they may set up gas-based
power plants.
India began producing coal bed methane from a West Bengal field. Two
other companies, Reliance Industries and Oil and Natural Gas Corp., are
also drilling for CBM and are planning to begin commercial sales within
the next year.
India has huge CBM reserves, about 16 trillion cubic feet. And India's
Directorate General of Hydrocarbons has approved the drilling of more
than 100 CBM wells

Policy on Shale Gas Exploration

Government has initiated actions to formulate a policy on Shale Gas. Detailed studies are being
taken up to identify the prospective basins/areas and estimation of Shale Gas resources in the
country.
As a part of R & D project, a shale gas well in Raniganj basin (RNSG-I) has been started by Oil
and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and drilling is in progress. As Shale Gas
exploration is in R & D stage, comparison of cost of exploration to other hydro-carbons cannot be
made.
United States of America and Canada are the two major , which have commercially exploited
Shale Gas resources. In USA, Shale Gas reportedly accounts for about 17% of the total Gas
production. In India, Shale Gas exploration has not entered the commercial stage.
the unconventional hydro-carbon sources, Coal Bed Methane is being commercially produced.
However, other unconventional sources such as Gas Hydrate and Oil Shale are presently in the
research and development stage.

Test your Knowledge reg- Shale gas

Shale gas is considered to be unconventional gas, along with coalbed methane and tight
gas. The presence of shale gas has been known for a long time but its economics of
production were always questionable because of the low permeability of the rock in
which the gas is located. In other words, a given well would produce a relatively small
amount of gas which was not as economic as other wells. Advances in hydraulic
fracturing and horizontal drilling have improved the picture for shale gas. Wells are now
routinely drilled down and then horizontally, thus exposing the well bore to a greater
area. Combined with techniques to fracture the rock and thereby free the gas, greater
production is possible from a given well.
Advances in shale gas technology have resulted in large natural reserve additions,
particularly in the United States where the trend is more advanced. Indeed, the US has
seen net additions to its gas reserves in the last couple of years, following years of
decline.

FACTS REGARDING ENERGY SECURITY

Some 600 million Indians do not have access to electricity and about 700 million Indians use biomass as
their primary energy resource for cooking and ensuring life line.
A sustained economic growth of at least 9 Percent over the next 25 years is necessary for India need to
eradicate poverty and meet its larger human development goals. Guiding principles of the integrated energy
policy:
Energy markets should be competitive wherever possible for economic efficiency and for promoting
optimal investment in energy.
Given the need to expand supplies of energy public sector investment in energy must be supplemented by
private investors.
Subsidies are relevant but they must be transparent and targeted. Consideration should be given to
alternative means of achieving the social objectives sought to be achieved by energy subsidies, through
different methods including direct transfers to eligible households.
Energy efficiency is extremely important and can be promoted by setting appropriate prices and this is
particularly important where energy prices are rising.
Public Sector Undertakings operating in the energy sector must operate with autonomy and also full
accountability to ensure incentives for adequate investment through their own "resources and
improvements in efficiency in energy production and distribution.
For the second stage of India nuclear programme, India has already developed fast breeder reactors and a
500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is under construction at Kalpakam. It is expected to attain
critically in 2011. Growth in India's energy demand:
Various projections indicate that by 2031, India's energy requirements may increase to about 5 to 7 times
at of 2001 levels. The Integrated energy Policy report brought out by the Planning Commission estimates
that in an 8% GDP growth scenario, India's total commercial energy requirements would be in the range of
1514 mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) to 1856 mtoe by 2031 under alternative scenarios (Planning
Commission, 2006)
TERI estimates indicate an import dependency of 78% for coal. 91% for oil and 34% for gas by year 2031
with current estimates future availability of indigenous energy. Lighting A Billion Lives
Over 1.6 6illion people in the world lac access to electricity; roughly 25% are in India alone.
Recognizing the need to change the existing scenario, TERI, with its version to work for global
sustainable development and its commitment towards creating innovative solutions for a better tomorrow,
has undertaken an initiative of Lighting a Billion Lives' (LaBL) through the use of solar lighting devices.
The Campaign aims to bring light into the live of one billion rural people by replacing the kerosene and
paraffin lanterns with solar lighting devices. This wife facilitate education of children; provide better
illumination and kerosene smoke free environment for environment for women to do household chores;
and provide opportunities for livelihoods both at the individual revel and at village level . The RGGVY was
launched in 2005 with the following goals.
(a) Provide access to electricity to remaining un-electrified households.
(b) Electrification of about 1.15 lakh un-electrified villages.
(c) Free electricity connection to 2.34 Below Poverty Household (BPL)
The target year of achieving these targets is 2009 and under this scheme capital subsidy was given on basis
of 90% grants and 10% loan. Rs. 33000 crore as capital subsidy would be provided by Government of India
for projects.

BIOFUELS IN INDIA
Biofuel , or fuel derived from non-fossil plant sources is being seen today as a cleaner alternative to
diesel. Biofuel development in India centers mainly around the cultivation and processing of Jatropha plant
seeds to give biodiesel and producing ethanol from sugarcane. Ethanol can be blended with petrol for
automobiles. Similarly, bio-diesel can be blended with high speed diesel for transport vehicles, generators,
railway engines, irrigation pumps, etc. Large volumes of such oils can also substitute imported oil for
making soap. In its National Biofuel Policy the Government of India has set a target of a minimum 20 per
cent ethanol blended
petrol and diesel across the country by 2017. Bio-diesel plantations would be encouraged only on waste
community / government / forest lands, and not on fertile land. Minimum Support Price (MSP) would be
announced to provide fair price to the growers. Minimum Purchase Price (MPP) for the purchase of bioethanol by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) would be based on the actual cost of production and
import price of bioethanol. In case of bio-diesel, the MPP would be linked to the prevailing retail diesel
price. The National Biofuel Policy also envisages bringing bio-diesel and bio-ethanol under the ambit of
"Declared Goods" by the Government to ensure their unrestricted movement.

Biofuels
Biofuel can be broadly defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuel derived from
recently dead biological material. This distinguishes it from fossil fuels,
which are derived from long dead biological material. Biofuels are used
globally, most commonly to power vehicles and cooking stoves. Biofuel
industries are expanding in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Biofuels are more or less carbon neutral- produce energy without a net
increase of carbon into the atmosphere. The use of biofuels also
reduces dependence on petroleum and enhances energy security. It is
also recommended when global crude prices are ruling high.
There are two common strategies of producing biofuels. One is to grow
crops high in either sugar (sugar cane, sugar beet, and sweet sorghum)
or starch (corn/maize) and then use yeast fermentation to produce
ethyl alcohol (ethanol). The second -biodiesel- is to grow plants that
contain high amounts of vegetable oil. such as oil palm, soybean,
algae, or jatropha. Whet) these oils are heated. their viscosity is
reduced, and they can be burned directly in a diesel engine, or the oils
can be chemically processed to produce fuels such as biodiesel. Wood
and its byproducts can also be converted into biofuels.
Humans have used biomass fuels in the-form of solid biofuels for
heating and cooking since the discovery of fire. In rural India, cow
dung cakes are used for cooking.
In the last few years,' renewed interest in biofuels is `visible. The
drivers for biofuel research and development include rising oil prices,
concerns over the potential oil peak( we are running out of oil as the

consumption of oil has peaked) , greenhouse gas emissions (causing

global warming and climate change) etc.
Agricultural products specifically grown for biofuel production
include corn, switch grass, and soybeans, primarily in the United
States; rapeseed, wheat and sugar beet primarily in Europe; sugar
cane in Brazil; palm oil and miscanthus in South-East Asia; sorghum
and cassava in China; and jatropha in India. Hemp has also been
proven to work as a biofuel.
Biomass
Biomass includes material derived from dead plants, animals and their
byproducts. For example, manure, garden waste and crop residues are
all sources of biomass. It is a renewable energy source unlike other
natural resources such as petroleum, coal, and nuclear fuels.
Biodegradable outputs from industry, agriculture, forestry and
households can be used for biofuel production, either using anaerobic
digestion to produce biogas, or using second generation biofuels;
examples include straw, timber, manure. rice husks, sewage, and food
waste. The use. of biomass fuels can therefore contribute to fuel
security Using waste biomass to produce energy can reduce the use of
fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce pollution and
waste management problems. Bio-wastes like municipal solid waste
(MSW), agricultural residues, farm waste and other biodegradable
waste streams are rich in energy.
Landfill sites generate gases as the waste buried in them undergoes
anaerobic digestion. This can be burned and is considered a source of
renewable energy. Landfill gas contains approximately 50% methane,
the same gas that is found in natural gas. In India , it is called gobar
gas or biogas.
.
Biomass can come from waste plant material. If landfill gas is not
harvested. it escapes into the atmosphere: this is not desirable
because methane is a greenhouse gas, with more global warming
potential than carbon dioxide. By harvesting and burning landfill gas,
global warming potential of methane is reduced steeply , in addition to
providing energy for heat and power.

In some countries biodiesel is less expensive than conventional diesel.

Types of biofuels
First generation biofuels
'First-generation biofuels' refer to biofuels made from sugar, starch,
vegetable oil, or animal fats The basic feedstocks for the production of
first generation biofuels are often seeds or grains such as wheat, which
yields starch that is fermented into bioethanol, or sunflower seeds,
which are pressed to yield vegetable oil that can be used in biodiesel.
The most common first generation biofuels are listed below.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is produced from oils or fats and is a liquid similar in
composition to fossil diesel. Its chemical name is fatty acid methyl (or
ethyl) ester (FAME). Feedstocks for biodiesel include animal fats,
vegetable oils, soya, rapeseed, jatropha, mahua, mustard, sunflower,
palm oil, hemp,field pennycress and algae. Pure biodiesel (B100) is by
far the lowest emission diesel fuel. Although liquefied petroleum gas
and hydrogen have cleaner combustion, they are used to fuel much
less efficient petrol engines and are not as widely available.
Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine when mixed with mineral
diesel. The majority of vehicle manufacturer's limit their
recommendations to 15% biodiesel - blended with mineral diesel.
Biodiesel is also an oxygenated fuel, meaning that it contains a
reduced amount of carbon and higher hydrogen and oxygen content
than fossil diesel. This improves the combustion of fossil diesel
Ethanol fuel is the most common biofuel worldwide, particularly in
Brazil. Alcohol fuels are produced by fermentation of sugars derived
from wheat, corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, molasses etc. Bagasse, the
waste left after sugar cane is pressed to extract its juice, can also be
used.
Ethanol can be used in petrol engines as a replacement for gasoline: it
can be mixed with gasoline to any percentage. Most existing
automobile petrol engines can run on blends of-up to 15% bioethanol
with petroleum/gasoline. Gasoline with ethanol added has higher
octane, which means that engine can typically burn hotter and more
efficiently.
-

Many car manufacturers are now producing flexible-fuel vehicles

(FFV's), which can safely run on any combination of bioethanol and
petrol, up to 100% bioethanol.
Second generation biofuels
First generation biofuels ( corn, wheat etc) are controversial for the
reasons being cited below. Therefore, there is a need to develop
2GBs.Second-generation biofuel production processes can use a
variety of non food crops. These include waste biomass, the stalks of
wheat, corn, wood, and special-energy-or-biomass crops (e.g.
Miscanthus). 2GBs do not divert food away from the animal or human
food chain.

Second generation biofuel technologies have been developed because

first . generation biofuels manufacture has important limitations. First
generation biofuel processes are useful, but limited: there is a
threshold above which they cannot produce enough biofuel without
threatening food supplies and biodiversity. They are not cost
competitive with existing- fossil fuels such as oil, and have only limited
greenhouse gas emissions savings as they fertilizer-intensive to grow.
When taking emissions from production and transport into account,
life-cycle emissions from first-generation biofuels frequently exceed
those of traditional fossil fuels.
Second generation biofuels can help solve these problems and can
supply a larger proportion of our fuel supply sustainably, affordably,
and with greater environmental benefits.
First generation bioethanol is produced by fermenting plant-derived
sugars to ethanol, using a similar process to that used in beer and
wine-making. This requires the use of 'food' crops such as sugar cane,
corn, wheat, and sugar beet. These crops are required for food, so if
too much biofuel is made from them, food prices could rise and
shortages might be experienced in some countries. Corn, wheat and
sugar beet also require high agricultural inputs in the form of
fertilizers, which limit the greenhouse gas reductions that can be
achieved.
The goal of second generation biofuel processes is to extend the
amount of biofuel that can be produced sustainably by using biomass
comprised of the residual nonfood parts of current crops, such as
stems. leaves and husks that are left behind once the food crop has

been extracted, as well as other crops that are not used for food
purposes, such as switch grass and cereals that bear little grain, and
also industry waste such as wood chips, skins and pulp from fruit
pressing etc.
Third generation biofuels
Algae fuel is a biofuel from algae. Algae are low-input/high-yield (30
times more energy per acre than land) feedstocks to produce biofuels
and algae fuel are biodegradable:
With the higher prices of fossil-fuels (petroleum), there is much
interest in alga culture (farming algae).

One advantage of many biofuels over most other fuel types is that
they
Are biodegradable, and so relatively harmless to the environment if
spilled.
.
Second and third generation biofuels are also called advanced biofuels.
Biofuels in developing countries
Amongst rural populations in developing countries, biomass provides
the majority of fuel for heat and cooking. Wood, animal dung and crop
residues are commonly burned. Figures from the International Energy
Agency show that biomass energy' provides around 30% of the total
primary energy supply in developing countries like India
India is developing both bioethanol and biodiesel programs. India is
extending plantations of jatropha, an oil-producing tree that is used in
biodiesel production. The Indian sugar ethanol program sets a target of
5% bioethanol incorporation into transport fuel.
Issues in biofuel production and use
Biofuels, to recall, have such benefits as: reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions. reduction of fossil fuel use, increased national energy
security, increased rural development and a sustainable fuel supply for
the future.
However, biofuel production is questioned from a number of angles. The
chairman of the International Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra
Pachauri, (Director of Teri) observed that food inflation and implication
for food security need to be given highest priority and biofuels( corn etc)
should get second priority.

However, the need is not to roll back biofuels. But to opt for 2GBs.First
generation biofuel production processes have limitations in their use as
fuels
Regarding the 1 GBs, scientists argue that because such large amounts
of energy. are required to grow corn and convert it to ethanol, the net
energy gain of the resulting fuel is modest.
Large-scale deforestation of mature trees to make way for biofuel
production contributes to un-sustainable global warming, loss of
habitat, and a reduction of valuable biodiversity. Demand for -biofuel has
led to clearing land for Palm Oil plantations. It contributes to soil
erosion. Increased use of biofuels puts increasing pressure on water
resources: water use for the irrigation of crops used as feedstocks for
biodiesel production. Therefore, 2G biofuels are to be promoted.

Using a crop such as jatropha would require much less energy to

produce the fuel, and using algae would require even less.
Second generation processes can supply us with more biofuel, with
better environmental gains. The major barrier to the development of
second generation biofuel processes is their capital cost.
2G biofuels have other advantages too. 2G biofuels could help to reduce
poverty in the developing world, through increased employment, wider
economic growth multipliers and energy price effects.
(Carbon neutral means that the carbon released during the use of the
fuel, e.g. through burning to power transport or generate electricity, is
reabsorbed and balanced by the carbon absorbed by new plant growth.
Sustainable biofuel production.
Rising food prices: "food vs. fuel" debate
International food prices are at an all time high. Part of the blame is
laid at the door of biofuels as more corn , wheat. soya etc are used for
production of biofuels and more cropland is allotted to biofuet
production. US and EU governments are subsidizing the production of
biofuels. Compulsory mixing of biofuels with petrol is being mandated.

The impact of food price increases is greatest on poorer countries. Some

have called for a freeze on biofuels
The solution however lies in more funding of second and third
generation biofuels which should not compete with food production so
much
Food vs. fuel
Food vs fuel is the dilemma regarding the risk of diverting farmland or
crops for biofuels production harming food supply on a global scale.
Biofuel production has increased in recent years. Some commodities
like maize. sugar cane or vegetable oil can be used either as food,
animal feed or to make biofuels. For example, since 2006, land that was
used to grow crops in the United States is now used to grow maize for
biofuels. Larger share of maize.is destined to ethanol production. Global
demand for biofuels is on the increase due to the oil price increases
;desire to reduce oil dependency ;as well as reduce GIIG emissions from
transportation. Such diversion can cause destruction of natural
habitats-conversion of forests for palm oil plantations as in Malaysia.
Concerns were expressed about this trade-off between environment
and energy. The other concern relates to world food price crisis.
The solution lies in raising biofuel production by efficiency. Also, we
can opt for 2G biofuels like Jatropha. It is also argued that food
distribution is an important challenge as much as food production.

Biofuels in India
Biofuel can make India self-sufficient in energy source as the product
has been proven to be efficient, sustainable, cost-effective and
pollution-free.
As a cleaner burning fuel produced from renewable resources like
soybean oil, biofuel can be used alone or blended with other petroleum
products like heating oil. It is biodegradable and can be domestically
produced.
Other biofuels can be extracted from dry organic matter or
combustible oils produced by plants. Alcohol (from fermented sugar),

black liquor from paper manufacturing process and wood are some of
the sources of bio-organic fuel.
They help reduce air toxics emissions, greenhouse gas build-up and
dependence on imported oil.
Biofuel plants such as Jatropha were best cultivated in wastelands and
would not impact food production.
Sowing biofuel plants in fertile farmland should not be encouraged.
Plants like Jatropha, Hongai and Neem that yield biofuel require
minimum water and maintenance. Animals or insects do not feed on
them. As a future source of energy, biofuel has the potential to change
urban transportation and bring about a revolution in rural India
where farmers can use it to run tractors and derive biogas and organic
manure as its residue for fighting, cooking and soil nutrient instead of
using toxic fertilizers.
Increasing use of biofuels will also enable India to lesson its
dependence on oil imports, which account for 73 percent of total fuel
consumption.
The country's development is correlated to energy use. Once our
energy requirements are met, growth can be ensured.
State-run oil marketing firms like Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd
and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd have been using five percent of ethanol
as an additive in petrol and diesel. .
Ethanol content can be increased by another 10 percent in petrol and
diesel. The greater the use of ethanol, the more fossil fuels will be ecofriendly. Use of biodiesel and bio petrol do not require any change in the
vehicle engine.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

The oceans cover a little more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface. This
makes them the world's largest solar energy collector and energy storage
system. On an average day, 60 million square kilometers (23 million square
miles) of tropical seas absorb an amount of solar radiation equal in heat
content to about 250 billion barrels of oil. If less than one-tenth of one
percent of this stored solar energy could be converted into electric power, it
would supply more than 20 times the total amount of electricity consumed
in the United States on any given day. OTEC, or ocean thermal energy
conversion, is an energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric
power. OTEC systems use the ocean's natural thermal gradient the fact that
the ocean's layers of water have different temperatures to drive a powerproducing cycle. As long as the temperature between the warm surface
water and the cold deep water differs by about 20C (36F), a n OTEC
system can produce a significant amount of power. The oceans are thus a
vast renewable resource; with the potential to help us produce billions of
watts-of electric power. The cold, deep seawater used in the OTEC process
is also rich in nutrients, and it can be used to culture both marine
organisms and plant life near the shore or on land.
India is geographically well placed as far as the potential is concerned .
Attractive locations suitable for land based as well as floating OTEC plants
are available on the Indian coast and in the island groups in the Indian
Ocean.
The economics of energy production today have delayed the financing of a
permanent, continuously operating OTEC plant. However, OTEC is very
promising as an alternative energy resource OTEC plants could provide
islanders with much-needed power, as well as desalinated water and a
variety of mariculture products.
OTEC is a technology that has long been considered a potential source of low
cost, carbon-neutral as well as bulk desalinated water.
As the global price of energy increases in step with concern for reducing
greenhouse emissions, a valuable opportunity presents itself The biggest
hurdle is designing pipes that can plumb water from as low as l km below

the sea level, resist its turbidity, last for years and still be cheap enough for
practical use. India has done it.
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), a Chennai-based
research organization under the earth sciences ministry, has already
designed pipes for dredging cold water.
At a barge off the Chennai coast, NIOT has been operating a 1 mld
(million litres per day) desalination plant which removes excess salts from
water-since 2006, that it says it produces fresh water that is 100 times
purer than bottled mineral water at 6 paise a litre, using the differential
temperature of the ocean.
Sagar Shakthi - the Ocean Ther-mal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Barge - a
power plant, is the first of its kind in the world to generate electricity
utilising the temperature gradients between surface and deep-sea water.
The barge houses the Rankine Cycle based power plant. The barge has
been jointly conceived and developed by the National Institute of Ocean
Technology, Chennai, and Dempo Shipbuilding and Engineering Pvt. Ltd,
Goa.

Small Hydro Power Programme

Hydropower is a renewable, non-polluting and environmentally benign
source of energy. It is perhaps the oldest renewable energy technique
known to the mankind for mechanical energy conversion as well as
electricity generation. Out of the total power generation installed capacity
of 1,48,265 MW (Apri1,2009) in the country, hydropower contributesabout 25% i.e. 36;877 MW.
Hydro Power Project Classification
Hydro power projects are generally categorized in two segments i.e. small
and large hydro. In India, hydro projects up to 25 MW station capacity
have been categorized as Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects. While
Ministry of Power, Government of India is responsible for large hydro
projects, the mandate for the subject small hydro power (up to 25 MW) is
given to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.Small hydro power
projects are further classified as
Station Capacity in
Class
kW
Micro Hydro
Up to 100
Mini Hydro

101 to 2000

Small Hydro

2001 to 25000

Small Hydro Power Programme

Small Hydro Power ( SHP) Programme is one of the thrust areas of power
generation from renewable in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
It has been recognized that small hydropower projects can play a critical
role in improving the over all energy scenario of the country and in
particular for remote and inaccessible areas. The Ministry is encouraging
development of small hydro projects both in the public as well as private
sector. Equal attention is being paid to grid-interactive and decentralized
projects.
The Ministry's aim is that the SHP installed capacity should be about
7000 MW by the end of 12th Plan. The focus of the SHP programme is to
lower the cost of equipment, increase its reliability and set up projects in

areas which give the maximum advantage in terms of capacity

utilisation.
An estimated potential of about 15,000 MW of small hydro power projects
exists in India. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has created a
database of potential-sites of-small-.hydro and 5,415 potential sites withan aggregate ca pad of 14,305.47 MW for projects up to 25 MW capacity
have been identified.
The total installed capacity of small hydro power projects (upto 25 MW)
as on 31.03.2009 is 2429.77 MW from 674 projects and 188 projects
with aggregate capacity of 483.23 MW are under construction.
The Government of India announced the Electricity Act in 2003,
Electricity Policy in 2005 and Tariff Policy in 2006 to create a conducive
atmosphere for investments in the power sector. Small hydropower
projects are now governed by these policies and the tariff is decided by
the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) as per the Tariff
Policy.
A target of adding 1400 MW during the 1lth Plan (2007-2012) Fixed.

Fuel cell
Fuel cells are power-generating devices having a wide range of
applications including stationary power generation (MW), portable power
generation (kW) and transportation (kW).A fuel cell is an electrochemical
conversion device. It produces electricity from fuel (on the anode side)
and an oxidant (on the cathode side), which react in the presence of an
electrolyte. The reactants flow into the cell, and the reaction products
flow out of it, while the electrolyte remains within it. Fuel cells can
operate virtually continuously as long as the necessary flows are
maintained.
Fuel cells are different from electrochemical cell batteries in that they
consume reactant from an external source, which must be replenished a
thermodynamically open system. By contrast, batteries store electrical
energy chemically and hence represent a thermodynamically closed
system.
Many combinations of fuels and oxidants are possible. A hydrogen fuel
cell uses hydrogen as its fuel and oxygen (usually from air) as its oxidant.
Other fuels include hydrocarbons and alcohols. Other oxidants include
chlorine and chlorine dioxide.
The principle of the fuel cell had been demonstrated by Sir William Grove
in 1839, and other, investigators had experimented with various forms of
fuel cell. The first practical fuel cell was developed by Francis Thomas
Bacon in 1959.
Fuel cells are very useful as power sources in remote locations, such as
spacecraft, remote weather stations, large parks, rural locations, and in
certain military applications. A fuel cell system running on hydrogen
can be compact and lightweight and have-no-ma j or-moving Because
fuel cells have no moving parts and do not involve combustion, in ideal
conditions they can achieve up to 99.99% reliability
A Fuel cell vehicle or FC vehicle (FCV) is any vehicle that uses a fuel cell
to produce its on-board motive power. Fuel cells on board the FC
hydrogen vehicles create electricity to power an electric motor using
hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air. A fuel cell process produces only
water and heat.

There are different types of fuel cells and their applications range from
powering a laptop computer (few watts) to utility power plants (few
megawatts). Fuel cells are an attractive technology option for India
because of their economic, environmental, and energy-management
advantages. In the Indian context, they have the following benefits.
Highly efficient, can deliver more power per unit of fuel
consumption Least polluting for coal-based power generation
Low gestation periods for getting up new power plants
No transmission and distribution losses because of dispersed
generation
Suitable for powering vehicles (especially buses) to reduce urban
pollution and diesel import.
In India, development of fuel cells is primarily supported by the NINES
(Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources). Several universities and
research organizations are involved.

Geothermal energy in India

Geothermal energy is the natural heat of the earth. Earth's interior heat
originated from its fiery consolidation of dust and gas over 4 billion years
ago. It is continually regenerated by the decay of radioactive elements,
that occur in all rocks.
In India, exploration and study of geothermal fields started in 1970. The
GSI (Geological Survey of India) has identified 350 geothermal energy
locations in the country. The most promising of these is in Puga valley of
Ladakh. The estimated potential for geothermal energy in India is about
10000 MW.
There are seven geothermal provinces in India : the Himalayas, Sohana,
West coast, Cambay, Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA), Godavari, and
Mahanadi.
The important sites being explored in India are shown in the map of
India

Major geothermal energy resources in India

Technology for electricity generation

There are two types of plants:
Flash steam plants : When the geothermal energy is available at 150 C
and above temperature, the fluids can be used directly to generate
electricity. In some cases, direct steam is available from the geothermal
reservoir; otherwise the steam is separated and turbines are used for
power generation.
Binary plant
These plants are used when geothermal temperature is between 100 C and
150 C. The fluid is extracted and circulated through a heat exchanger where
the heat is transferred to the low boiling point organic liquid. This gets
converted into high pressure vapour, which drives organic fluid turbines.
Advantages
Geothermal energy has cost, reliability and environmental advantages over
conventional energy sources. It contributes both to energy supply, with
electrical power generation and direct-heat uses.
As a result of today's geothermal production, consumption of exhaustible
fossil fuels is offset, along with the release of acid-rain and greenhouse gases
that are caused by fossil-fuel use. Systems for use of geothermal energy have
proven to be extremely-reliable-and flexible
Development of geothermal energy has a large net positive impact on the
environment compared with development of conventional energy sources.
Geothermal power plants have sulphur-emissions rates that average only a
few percent of those from fossil-fuel alternatives. There are other
environmental advantages to geothermal energy. Geothermal power plants
require very little land, taking up only a fraction of that needed by other
energy sources. Thus emission of C02 and S02 by geothermal power plants
is far less compared with conventional fossil fuel based power plants

Solar Energy and India

India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) sets out eight focal
points for the government's sustainable development strategy through 2017.
The NAPCC is likely to become a significant driver of new investment

opportunities in the country's renewable energy portfolio, and in solar

generation in particular.
As the world's second most populous country and second largest growing
economy, India has unique challenges in developing an energy s u p p l y
adequate to meet the country's development needs, including providing
electricity to the 44% of its population without grid access.
Solar power constitutes roughly 2 MW of the total approximate 12,400 MW of
India's grid-interactive renewable power, sourced by a total of 33 gridinteractive solar photovoltaic plants installed with financial assistance from
the environment ministry. Decentralized solar energy systems compose
the larger share of India's solar power and consist of 120 MW of
photovoltaic systems, a collector area of about 2.30 million square
meters of solar water heating systems and 620,000 solar cookers, used
for diverse applications including lighting, telecommunication, small
power requirements, battery charging, water heating, and cooking.
Existing incentives for renewable energy deployment include a system of
renewable purchase obligations (RPOs) and various funding for rural,
urban, and industrial uses of renewable electricity.
The NAPCC seeks to consolidate India's activities on renewable energy
and climate, through improved research and development on climate
technologies and through prioritizing a substantial increase in solar
energy relative to the total energy mix. The NAPCC launches the
National Solar Mission (NSM), which must present a comprehensive
planning document to-the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change
by December 2008, including strategies for delivering:
Sufficient-solar-energy-in urban areas industries, and commercial
establishments" to meet the targets defined in the NAPCC;
Public-private partnerships for rural solar thermal application
development;
Local solar photovoltaic production of 1000MW/year by 2017; and
Concentrating solar power production of 1000MW/year by 2017;
The NAPCC additionally proposes a dynamic minimum renewable
purchase standard, beginning at 5% of the total grid purchase starting
2009-2010, increasing by 1 % each year for 10 years, along with
verification mechanisms and tradable certificates for renewable-based

power in excess of the national standard, tradable among State

Electricity Commissions.
Lighting a billion lives
A total of 1.6 billion people in the world lack access to electricity, and
25% of them live in India. Over 78 million households (or roughly 390
million lives) in India lack access to electricity, causing life to come to a
standstill after dusk. Inadequate lighting is not only an impediment to
progress and development opportunities, but also has a direct impact
on the health, environment, and safety of millions of villagers as they
are forced to light their homes with kerosene lamps, dung cakes,
firewood, and crop residue after sunset. Recognizing the need to change
the existing scenario in rural India, TERI has initiated "Lighting a
Million Lives" (LaML) Campaign in rural India through the use of solar
lighting devices. The Campaign was in 2007. The Lighting a Million
Lives Campaign has been expanded to Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL)
Campaign to benefit more people not only in India, but around the
world.
The Campaign targets to bring light into the lives of one million rural
people in India by displacing the kerosene lanterns with solar lighting
devices, thereby facilitating education of children; providing better
illumination and kerosene smoke free indoor environment for women to
do household chores; and providing opportunities for livelihoods both at
the individual level and at village level.
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE)
The NMEEE, one of the eight national missions under the National
Action Plan on Climate Change, sets out a comprehensive strategy to
create demand for energy efficient products, goods and services, amend
government policies and programmes to integrate energy efficiency
processes and prepare bankable projects to stimulate the mission. The strategy also seeks to incentives cost-effective improvements in
energy efficiency in industries and facilities and certify energy savings
that could be traded.
Ensuring adequate supply of energy efficient products, goods and
services by creating a cadre of energy professionals by way of bi-annual

certification examinations, standards and labelling of end-use equipment

and appliances, preparing structured programmes to leverage
international financing instruments are also part of the comprehensive
strategy.
India and Energy efficiency
India plans to launch a domestic energy-efficiency trading scheme as
part of its efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and combat
climate change.
Amendments to the Energy Conservation Act are planned to create a
financial mechanism that would help put India on a par with some of
the world's most energy efficient economies. India is already as energy
efficient as Germany, and has ambitions to match Japan.
India also plans mandatory fuel efficiency standards in the transport
sector. Energy ratings will become compulsory on appliances such as
refrigerators, air conditioners, tube lights and transformers in January.
By mid-year these standards will extend to televisions and stoves.
The energy efficiency market in one of the world's fastest growing large
economies could be worth, by some estimates, $15bn (E10.2bn, 9.4bn)
within six years. The Indian government estimates that the initiative
could reduce 100m tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year: the
country's current emissions total about 1.4bn tonnes a year.
Government approved a scheme to issue energy efficiency certificates
with the -intention -that these be-traded between businesses using more
energy-than - - -stipulated and those that had adopted energy-saving
measures. Companies failing to reach prescribed benchmarks would have
to buy credits from others that did.
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a hybrid vehicle that combines a
conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an
electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric power train is
intended to achieve better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle. A
hybrid electric vehicle is also a form of electric vehicle. The most common
form of HEV is the hybrid electric car, an automobile driven by a gasoline

internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motors powered by

batteries.
Modern HEVs make use of efficiency-improving technologies such as
regenerative braking, which converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into
battery replenishing electric energy, rather than wasting it as heat energy
as vehicles equipped with conventional brakes do.
A hybrid-electric produces less emissions from its ICE than a
comparably-sized gasoline car, as an HEV's gasoline engine is usually
smaller than a pure fossil-fuel vehicle, and if not used to directly drive
the car, can be geared to run at maximum efficiency, further improving
fuel economy.
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid vehicle with
batteries that can be recharged by connecting a plug to an electric
power source
Advantages
Fuel efficiency makes them reduce petroleum consumption, for
example, through recapturing waste energy (i.e. regenerative braking)
Reduced noise emissions
Reduced air pollution emissions,
NORMS SIMPLIFIED FOR GRANT OF MEGA POWER STATION
The Centre has approved a slew of modifications to the Mega Power Policy,
essentially aiming at simplifying the procedure for grant of mega certificate
for projects and encouraging indigenous manufacturing in the field of supercritical power equipment

A mega status entails fiscal benefits such as tax holidays and duty breaks
on import of equipment for the project developer

The amendments include scrapping the condition that required a mega

power project to sell electricity to more than one state

Benefits of the scheme have also been extended to the new super critical
technology based projects to be awarded through international competitive
bidding with the mandatory condition of setting up indigenous
manufacturing facility.

A web based Management Information System (MIS) will be put in place for
real time monitoring of the Mission.

(NB: Refer to classroom notes on UMPP)

The Remote Village Electrification Programme

It is being implemented by Government to provide lighting/electricity using
renewable energy, in those remote unelectrified villages and hamlets which are not
going to be covered under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) for
grid electrification. The Programme has been continued during the 11th Plan and a
budget allocation of Rs.80 crore made for the year.
Although a variety of renewable energy technologies are possible for electrification of
remote villages including small hydro, wind, biomass and solar energy, yet, solar PV
lighting remains the most preferred. The decision to use a particular technology is
taken by the state implementing agencies after examination of the technical
feasibility and resource availability.
The Programme is implemented in states by notified state implementing agencies.
The Ministry provides a Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of upto 90% of the costs
of installation of various renewable energy devices/systems. In addition, many other
promotional supports and a substantial amount of service charge are provided to the
state implementing agencies.
The cumulative sanctions under the Programme since its inception reached around
10,000, villages and hamlets of which work has been completed in around 6200
villages and hamlets. A target for coverage of 10,000 villages and hamlets has been
set for the 11th Plan, of which 3280 villages and hamlets have been taken up by
31.12.2009. The main states where the programme has greater relevance due to
difficult access to areas are Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and the North Eastern states. Special priority is being
accorded to villages affected by internal disturbances/extremism in line with the
policy of the Government.

Solar Buildings Programme

Buildings have huge potential for mitigating the impact of climate change and
growing energy consumption through climate responsive architecture and integrating
use of renewable energy devices into the design. The total energy use in buildings in
the country is growing rapidly owing to economic development and increasing
urbanization. The real estate and construction sector in India is presently growing at
a rate of about 10%. In view of the growing energy related concerns coupled with
consciousness regarding environment and the climate, efforts started to construct
Green Buildings all over the country which not only addressed energy conservation
but also look into water and waste management, environmental impact and
minimum destruction of natural resources. Building Rating Systems were found quite
effective for raising awareness in respect of these issues. A comprehensive buildings
rating system, called GRIHA, was developed by Ministry of Non Renewable Energy,
based on the initial work carried out at The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) and
feedback received from group of architects and experts. The rating system is suitable
to Indian climate and is in harmony with the NBC 2005, ECBC 2007 and other IS
codes.
The Ministry has launched a Scheme on Development of Solar Cities under which a total of 60
cities/towns are proposed to be supported for development as Solar/ Green Cities during the 11th Plan
period. At least one city in each State to a maximum of five cities may be supported by the Ministry. The
cities may have population between 5 to 50 lakh. Relaxation could be considered for special category states
including North-Eastern States. Financial support up to of Rs. 50 lakh for each city may be provided for
preparation of the Master Plan (up to Rs. 10 lakh), oversight of its implementation (up to Rs. 10 lakh),
setting up of Solar Cell in the city(up to Rs. 10 lakh) and organizing promotional activities (up to Rs. 20
lakh).
Akshay Urja Shops
The scheme on establishment of Akshay Urja Shops (earlier Aditya Solar Shops) was
continued during the year. Under the Scheme, shops are being established in each
district to make renewable energy products easily available to the people and provide
after sales and repair services. The scheme is in operation through State Nodal
Agencies. Financial support in terms of soft loans from designated banks and
recurring grant for first two years of operation from Ministry is available for
establishing such shops. A total of 302 shops in 31 States / UTs, (including 104
Aditya Solar Shops) have been established under the scheme. During the year, nine
Akshay Urja Shops were supported in Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Uttar
Pradesh.

Energy from Urban Waste

There is a need for increased efforts to manage and safely dispose the increasing
quantities of solid and liquid wastes caused by rapid urbanization, industrialization
and changes in life style across the country. Technologies are now available that help
in generating substantial quantity of decentralized energy besides reducing the
quantity of wastes for their safe disposal and reducing its adverse impact on the
environment. According to a recent estimate, over 55 million tonnes (1.5 lakh tonnes

per day) of municipal solid waste (MSW) and a large quantity of liquid waste i.e.
sewage, are generated every year by our urban population. This translates into a
potential for generation of over 2600 MW of power from urban wastes in the country.
The estimated potential of energy from MSW upto the end of 11 th and 12th five year
Plans is estimated as 3650 and 5200 MW, respectively.
Similarly, it has been estimated that there is a potential for recovery of about 1300
MW of energy from solid and liquid wastes generated by various industry sectors
such as, sugar, pulp and paper, fruit and food processing, sago / starch, distilleries,
dairies, tanneries, slaughterhouses, poultries, etc. The energy recovery potential is
expected to increase to about 1600 MW by 2012 and 2000 MW by the year 2017.

Wind Power

Wind energy, today, has emerged as the most promising renewable energy
technology for generating grid connected power amongst various renewable energy
sources. The Ministrys wind power programme covers survey and assessment of
wind resources, facilitation of implementation of demonstration and private sector
projects through various fiscal and promotional policies. A total capacity of 10925
MW has been established up to December, 2009 in the country. India is now the fifth
largest wind power producer in the world, after USA, Germany, Spain and China.

Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), Chennai

Indian Wind Atlas

The Ministry has sponsored a project on Preparation of Indian Wind Atlas to CWET,
Chennai in association with Riso National Laboratory, Denmark. The project involves
extensive use of micro and meso scale models like WAsP and KAMM in conjunction
with super computers. The project has been completed and Wind Atlas Book is under
preparation for publication.

Tidal Energy

Among the various forms of energy contained in the seas and oceans, tidal energy,
has been developed on a commercial scale. Technologies for harnessing other forms
of energy from seas and oceans are still under development. France, Russia, China,
Canada, United Kingdom and Korea are some of the countries, which are making use
of tidal energy on commercial basis. The tidal power potential sites in India are in the
Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat and the Delta of the Ganges in West Bengal.
In order to develop and harness tidal energy for power generation, the Ministry is
implementing a programme on tidal energy. The first tidal power project of 3.75 MW
capacity is being set up by WBREDA through the NHPC Ltd. at Durgaduani Creek in
Sunderbans, West Bengal. The NHPC Ltd. is in the process of awarding contract for
the project, through international bidding process.

The Government is establishing an autonomous institution named as Sardar Swaran Singh

National Institute of Renewable Energy (SSS-NIRE) at Wadala Kalan, Distt. Kapurthala, Punjab.
The objective of the Institute is to conduct research, development and demonstration activities in
the area of bio-energy, bio-fuels, synthetic fuels in their all forms for stationary and transport
applications.
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) was established in 1987 as an
independent specialised Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy (MNRE) with the objective of operating a revolving fund for promoting and developing
new and renewable sources of energy (NRSE). It has since completed twenty two years of its
existence and has played a key role in the development of renewable energy in India.
Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas (RGAUD)-To mark the birth anniversary of former Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi, 20 August was observed as Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas for the first
time in 2004. Since then, each year this day is marked by rallies and human peace chains-runs,
while competitions such as essay writing, painting, quiz, debates, and so on are organised by
educational institutions across the country. The Akshay Urja Diwas is an attempt to create
awareness about the development of renewable energy in our country, inform the end users about
the latest developments, share the views and experiences of all the stakeholders including users,
and provide feedback to the policy-makers for improving the planning process.Rajiv Gandhi
Akshay Urja Diwas serves to educate and mobilize people across the country for environmental
protection and inspire action on personal, community, national, and international levels. Through
voluntary action, each of us can join in building a productive land in harmony with nature. To
commemorate Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas 2010, TERI, in partnership with Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy, is organizing a series of events and competitions for school and college
students. Students across the National Capital Territory are invited to participate in these events,
which are based on the common theme, "Akshay Urja se desh vikas, gaon gaon bijli, ghar ghar
prakash". College students are invited to participate in the inter-college musical symphony.
Collage making and envirotisement contests will be organized for the school students. Winners of
all these events will be felicitated on 25 August 2010, at the prize distribution ceremony to be held
at Siri Fort Cultural Complex, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi.
Renewable Energy Technology Incubation Fund 2009- Ministry has also
supported Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) of
IIM Ahmedabad by creating a Renewable Energy Incubation Scheme, wherein
Ministrys contribution is Rs.1.188 crore. Under its initiative named Renewable
Energy Search, 19 aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to set-up their enterprise
in RE sector were identified for undergoing three months internship/grooming
programme. In addition evaluation of various technologies being developed in
various labs and patent search was also done. About 50 Start-ups applied for
the initial support under the project against which six projects of 13 aspiring
entrepreneurs with start-up cost varying from Rs.25 lakh to Rs.50 lakh have
been identified for support.