International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2013)
A New Era in Electricity Production using Renewable Sources
Ravneet Kaur1, Jayati Vaish2
1
Alternate Hydro Energy Center, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee,
Kasturba Bhawan, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
iitr.ravneet@gmail.com
2
Water Resource Development and Management, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee,
Kasturba Bhawan, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India
jayati_EE@yahoo.co.in
Also, this gives rise in renewed interest in renewable
energy sources, alternative and abundant non conventional
sources of energy [1].
The basic function of a modern electric power system is
to supply its customers cost-effective electrical energy with
a high degree of reliability. During planning, design,
control, operation, and maintenance of an electric power
system, consideration of the two important aspects of
quality and continuity of supply, along with other important
factors, is normally referred to as reliability assessment [2].
Abstract— Energy is the basic requirement for economic
development. It is the tool to forge the economic growth of the
country. Renewable energy can be used to produce electricity,
generate heat and transport goods and people. The utilization
of renewable energy resources for electric power supply has
received considerable attention in recent years due to adverse
environmental impacts and fuel cost escalation associated with
conventional generation. As an introduction to the current
approaches to building’s greening and sustainability this
paper outlines the intrinsic harmony of the traditional village
houses encompassing efficiency and balanced use of renewable
materials and energy sources.
This paper discusses various renewable energy resources,
establishing the type of generation sources available and
discussion of benefits. The paper also reviews technical
advances in integrating energy efficiency, solar and other
renewable energy sources in new and existing buildings, to
approach sustainable energy in upcoming future.
Keywords—Renewable Energy System, Indian electricity
scenario, Types of RES and benefits.
II.
INDIAN ELECTRICITY SCENARIO
The total installed capacity of electricity generation in
India as on may 2012 is 2,02,979.03 MW out of which
134635.18 MW (66.32%) through thermal, 39,060.40 MW
(19.24%) through hydro, 4,780.00 MW (2.35%) through
nuclear and 24,503.45 MW (12.07%) through other
renewable energy source [3]. The overall generation in the
country has increased from 771.551 BU during 2010-11 to
811.143. According to International Energy Agency (IEA),
a threefold rise in India’s generation capacity is expected
by 2020. Table 1.1 shows the power generation by different
sector in India and table 1.2 shows the power generation
through different medium in India.
I. INTRODUCTION
Energy plays an indispensable role in modern society
which depends on a constant and reliable supply of energy.
Energy is also essential for improving the quality of life.
The World Energy Forum has predicted that fossil-based
oil, coal and gas reserves will be exhausted in less than
another 10 decades. Renewable energy is a sustainable and
clean source of energy derived from nature. The usage and
development of renewable energy is flourishing because of
shortages in fossil energy, impacts on the environment and
energy sustainable usage. Alternative energy plays an
elementary function in resolving environmental pollution
and warming problems. Human activities are mainly
blamed for the substantial discharge of CO2. Global
discharge of CO2 related to human activities topped 2.6
billion tons in 2002 and is expected to reach 4.2 billion tons
per year in 2030. To prevent these effects, some potential
solutions have evolved including energy conservation
through improved energy efficiency, a reduction in fossil
fuel use and an increase in environmentally friendly energy
supplies.
Table1.1
Power Generation by Different Sectors In India [3]
410
Sector
MW
%age
State Sector
86,358.65
42.54
Central Sector
60,682.63
29.89
Private Sector
55,937.75
27.55
Total
2,02,979.03
International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2013)
IV. RENEWABLE ENERGY: A BRIEF OVERVIEW
Table 1.2
Power Generation Through Different Medium In India [3]
Fuel
MW
%age
Total Thermal
134635.18
66.32
Coal
114,782.38
56.54
Gas
18,653.05
9.18
Oil
1,199.75
0.59
Hydro (Renewable)
39,060.40
19.24
Nuclear
4,780.00
2.35
RES** (MNRE)
24,503.45
12.07
Total
2,02,979.03
100.00
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural
resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and
geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally
replenished). The role of new and renewable energy has
been assuming increasing significance in recent times with
the growing concern for the country's energy security.
Energy self-sufficiency was identified as the major driver
for new and renewable energy in the country in the wake of
the two oil shocks of the 1970s. About 16% of global final
energy consumption comes from renewable, with 10%
coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used
for heating, and 3.4% from hydroelectricity. New
renewable (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar,
geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 3% and are
growing very rapidly [5].
A. Why we are going for non conventional energy
sources?
Basically the energy sources are two types; they are
conventional energy sources like coal, petroleum, natural
gas etc. & non-conventional energy sources like solar cells,
fuel cells, thermo-electric generator, thermionic converter,
solar power generation, wind power generation, geothermal energy generation, tidal power generation etc.
Fast depletion of conventional energy sources made us to
look after alternate energy sources such as magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) power generation and other nonconventional methods of power generation.
Renewable Energy Sources (RES) include SHP, BG, BP,
U&I and Wind Energy. SHP= Small Hydro Project, BG=
Biomass Gasifier, BP= Biomass Power, U & I=Urban &
Industrial Waste Power, RES=Renewable Energy Sources
III. RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL IN INDIA
India has a vast supply of renewable energy resources,
and it has one of the largest programmes in the world for
deploying renewable energy products and systems. Indeed,
it is the only country in the world to have an exclusive
ministry for renewable energy development, the Ministry
of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES). The
potential of renewable source in India is shown in Fig. 1.2,
which indicates that India is having lots of potential that
can solve the future problem of energy [4].
Table 1.3
Efficiency Through Different Medium
S.NO
METHOD
1.
MHD
Power
generation
2.
Thermoelectric power
generation
Thermionic
converters
Photo-voltaic
Fuel
cell
technologies
Solar power
generation
Wind power
generation
Geo-thermal
power
generation
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Fig. 1: Potential and installed renewable energy capacity
(as of December 31, 2009)
411
EFFICENCY
PRESENT
FUTURE
Around 50%
Up to 60%
Around 3%
Up to 13%
Around 15 %
Up to 40%
Around 15 %
Around 50%
------Up to 60%
Around 30%
Up to 50%
Around 30%
-------
Around 15%
-------
International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2013)
V. RENEWABLE ENERGY IN FUTURE
The problem with geothermal energy is the difficulty to
find viable land sites. However, the same technology is
employed on a smaller scale to power building heaters.
The global battle against climate change has encouraged
both developed and developing nations to reduce carbon
dioxide emission. Signatories of the Kyoto Protocol lead
the world to emission reduction activities, one of which is
conducting research and development on renewable energy.
By 2020, the Northwest will need enough new electricity to
light five cities the size of Seattle. A range of studies shows
that meeting these new electricity needs with home grown
energy efficiency and renewable energy is realistic,
affordable and achievable. The same condition will appear
with other countries also. Therefore, in order to increase the
energy production, clean energy such as wind energy, solar
energy, hydro energy etc. those are being considered to
power the globe in the nearest future.
D. Wind Energy
Wind energy produces 2,500 megawatts of energy that
comprises 1% of the total electricity consumption in the
United States. The wind rotates the blade that is attached to
a main shaft where a generator is installed. Energy capacity
is determined by the size of turbine. Small wind turbines
are generally used to power households, farms and ranches
in the country. The downside to this technology is the noise
that it produces and its relatively expensive installation
cost.
A. Hydroelectric Power
E. Photovoltaic Cells
Hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy.
Its generating capacity amounts to 77,000 megawatts.
Water coming from rivers and waterfalls are released
through turbines to produce energy. Although the
technology is non-pollutant, it can possibly harm marine
wildlife as it may alter the quality of water. Other than that,
hydropower is also highly expensive and is likely to take a
long time to install.
Photovoltaic cell is one among the six types of
renewable energy sources that does not require high
maintenance. It basically produces energy by using
microchip-like materials that absorbs sunlight. This frees
the electrons from their atoms and allows them to generate
electricity. PV cells are generally reliable and produce less
to none pollution.
B. Biomass
F. Solar Thermal Systems
The International Energy Agency reports that 11% of the
world's renewable energy is derived from biomass. The
technology produces 7,000 megawatts of renewable
electricity. Biomass is taken from industrial processing of
forestry and wood products, agriculture, construction and
solid waste. These biodegradable materials are converted to
gas by burning it in a gas turbine. In the United States, mill
operations are the main source of biomass energy. It is the
best alternative to coal as it produces less sulphur dioxide.
Solar thermal systems, as the name implies, also derive
energy from sunlight. The system uses solar collectors to
absorb solar radiation that will then be used to heat water or
air that will generate steam used to operate a turbine. The
turbine will then power a generator.
Federal and state government encourages citizens to
install solar energy at home or in the workplace by
awarding income tax credits. The same is being done for
the other six types of renewable energy sources.
C. Geothermal Energy
G. Hybrid Energy Systems
Among the six types of renewable energy sources,
geothermal is one of the most cost-effective and reliable. In
the United States alone, it generates up to 2,800 megawatts
of energy every year which is roughly 2% of the total
energy consumption in the country. Geothermal energy is
produced from naturally occurring steam under the Earth's
surface. Steam is extracted to power a turbine which in turn
powers an electric generator.
Hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) are becoming
popular for remote area power generation applications due
to advances in renewable energy technologies and
subsequent rise in prices of petroleum products. A hybrid
energy system usually consists of two or more renewable
energy sources used together to provide increased system
efficiency as well as greater balance in energy supply.
412
International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2013)
[6] The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) http://www.teriin.org/
Examples of HRES are- Biomass-wind-fuel cell system,
solar thermal system, Photovoltaic-wind system, hydrothermal system etc. Hybrid renewable energy systems
(HRES) play a vital role in increasing the energy
production in coming future.
[7] The President of India http://www.presidentofindia.nic.in/
[8] Renewable
Energy
that
benefits
all:
http://www.energyrecipes.org/reports/countryreports.phy?action=cas
estudy
[9] Rakosh Das Begamudre,” Energy Conversion Systems”, New Age
International Publishers, New Delhi, 2000.
VI. BENEFITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
[10] Benefits of renewable energy, http://www.pembina.org/re/benefits
Renewable energy has a host of social, environmental,
and economic benefits. To be truly sustainable, an energy
source must meet these criteria:
a) have minimal or no negative environmental or
social impact;
b) not deplete natural resources;
c) meet the needs of people today and in the future in
an accessible, equitable and efficient manner;
d) protect air, land and water;
e) have little or no net carbon or other greenhouse
gas emissions;
f) be safe today and not burden future generations
with unnecessary risk.
[11] Types of renewable energy, http://ezinearticles.com/?Six-Types-ofRenewable-Energy-Sources---What-Are-They?&id=3045420
VII. CONCLUSION
Renewable energy sources can meet all these criteria.
Renewable energy puts energy in our hands by offering
increased local control of energy production, helping to
ensure stable prices and increase the security of our energy
supply. Renewable energy also provides environmental
benefits such as helping to improve local air quality and
reducing our impact on the land, water and climate system.
Increased use of renewable energy will also help boost
local economies through job creation. No other energy
source can provide all these benefits.
In comparison, continued reliance on conventional
energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear power will
perpetuate a host of environmental, social, and political
problems and hold us dependent on limited resources
controlled by a few countries and corporations.
REFERENCES
[1] Indian Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES)
http:// www.mnes.nic.in/
[2] Akmar Dhillon, B.S., Singh, C., Engineering Reliability: New
Technology and Applications, John Wiley and Sons, New York,
1981.
[3] Pillai, I.R. and Banerjee, R.,”Renewable Energy in India: status and
potential”, Energy 34, pp. 970-980, 2000.
[4] Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, website: http://
www.mnre.gov.in/
[5] Renewable energy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy
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