Traditional “megapower” production of electricity is insufficient today because of exponential industrial growth and high living standard. Microgeneration can act as a catalyst for cultural changes in consumer attitude, and provides evidence of the important impact that microgeneration has on consumers’ attitude and behavior regarding energy production and use. Microgeneration is both a serious form of clean energy production and also a cultural movement that is gathering momentum worldwide. Microgeneration technologies include small wind turbines, biomass gasifiers, solar power, micro-hydro, or a combination of these technologies. Prima-facie renewable energy may appear a bit costlier than the conventional source of energy, but looking at the benefit of continuous power availability and great contribution against global warming, it is worth.
Industrialized countries, like USA, Australia, Japan, have formulated action plan to foster sustainable energy to make judicious use of renewable energy resources. For example, USA has announced massive renewable energy program, to generate large share of total energy requirement from renewable energy sources by 2025, which will create 5 million new job opportunities in various areas of Renewable Energy.
Proposed Guidelines for Power Consumers in India
* Explore all possibilities to set-up an independent power plant making use of renewable resources like solar, wind and biomass.
* Use of government / utility electricity supply, only in case of emergency.
* Energy savings by using low wattage / high luminous lamps (CFL / LED).
* Use of power factor improves.
* Regular maintenance and servicing of electrical equipments.
* Avoidance of inverters and large storage batteries (except emergency).
* Intelligent power factor correctors to minimize energy losses in capacitor at lower load conditions.
* Frequent energy audits
Proposed Guidelines for Policy Makers in India
* Vigorous promotion of renewable energy by government agencies, corporate, public sector, academic institutions etc.
* Establishment of national-level body to increase awareness of renewable energy at grass-root level
* Financial support and sponsorship for research and development in renewable energy technologies.
* Ambitious goals and targets for power generation non-conventional sources.
* Installation of solar / wind / biomass power generation systems and energy saving in every government office to encourage and inspire people.
* Restriction on using large battery energy storage systems.
* Compulsory installation of solar water heating systems for all urban residential and commercial establishments.
* Mandatory renewable energy systems provision for new residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
* Attractive incentives and subsidies for installation and successful operation of renewable energy equipment.
* Abolishing duties / taxes on import of small-scale renewable energy generating equipment
* Cultivation of energy crops on marginal and degraded land
* Use of biofuels in vehicles.
* Soft loans for setting up renewable energy enterprises.
* Additional incentives for buyers and manufacturers of renewable energy equipments in rural areas.
Guidelines for Research Professionals
* Development of comprehensive educational and awareness modules for renewable energy systems.
* Development of cost-effective, high-efficiency and long-lasting photovoltaic cells.
* Development of high efficiency wind turbines, ranging from 300 W – 10 kW, to generate energy even at low wind velocity.
* Development of small-scale, low maintenance biomass gasifiers to make use of abundant biomass resources in rural areas for cogeneration
Conclusion
There is an urgent need for transition from petroleum-based energy systems to one based on renewable resources to decrease reliance on depleting reserves of fossil fuels and to mitigate climate change.
In addition, renewable energy has the potential to create many employment opportunities at all levels, especially in rural areas. An emphasis on presenting the real picture of massive renewable energy potential, it would be possible to attract foreign investments to herald a Green Energy Revolution in India.
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