The document discusses renewable energy as a viable option for power generation. It notes that worldwide renewable energy capacity and potential is large, but current consumption is still low, especially for new renewables like solar and wind. However, the scenario is changing rapidly as these sources are being aggressively adopted due to factors like rising fossil fuel prices, environmental pressures, and the need to electrify rural areas. The document uses India as a case study, where over half a billion people lack electricity access. It argues that solar and biomass power are already financially viable options in many remote areas compared to conventional fuels. The projected cost of coal power is also increasing more than previously estimated, suggesting grid parity between coal and solar could be achieved by 2015

1. RENEWABLE ENERGY
A VIABLE OPTION
DR.S.P.GONCHAUDHURI
INDIA
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2. The total installed renewable power capacity is increasing at a brisk
pace. The worldwide potential of renewable power is enormous.
World wide potential of different renewable energy sources
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3. However, worldwide Renewable Energy Consumption is still low.
Again contribution of New Renewable (Solar, Wind, Geothermal) is
significantly low in the overall RE consumption.
Structure of Global Energy Consumption
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4. The Scenario is changing rapidly. The New Renewables comprising of
Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Bio Energy, Geo thermal Energy etc are
being utilised very agressively throughout the World particularly
from Climate change point of View.
The major influencing factor :
• Unpredictable rise in fossil fuel price.
• Pressure from Environmentalist for mandatory use of RE sources by
various countries.
• Public pressure to electrify all the Rural areas of developing
Countries where more than a billion people live without electricity
(Asian and African countries).DDGs are the only options.
• Cost of Solar PV coming down significantly.
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5. INDIAN CASE STUDY:
Half a billion people of India do not have access to electricity
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6. VIABILITY ISSUE:
Interestingly the cost of light (based on illumination) or electricity
based on liquid fuel (conventional) or cost of electricity at a remote off-
grid area is very very high but actual pricing has never been calculated
due to political reason.
Example:- In India Cost of Electricity in many remote villages exceeds
$1.0 per unit but utilities supply the same at $0.10/unit. Side by side
worldwide average Solar PV electricity cost is $ 0.30 per unit (off-grid)
and $0.20/unit for grid connected.
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7. This indicates Solar PV or Biomass based Power which is cheaper
than Solar are already financially viable options.
SOLAR PV BIOMASS
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8. The Grid Parity Scenario in India
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9. The projected cost of Coal-based electricity without considering
environmental cost is found to be much higher now than what
was envisaged due to imposition of various taxes and duties
which vary from Country to Country. This indicates grid parity
likely to be achieved by 2015.It is predicted Worldwide transition
from fossil fuel to Solar power will start thereafter.
In India annual increase of Coal price was only 5-7% in 1990s.
However, this has exceeded 30% in the last decade.
The liquid fuel price has exceeded by more than 200% in the last
decade.
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10. Out of many form of New Renewables, Solar Energy and Wind Energy
appear to be most attractive (Particularly Photovoltaic).
A Large Size Solar PV Plant Of India Wind Farm Project
(10 MW)
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11. A 10MW BIOMASS
GEO-THERMAL PROJECT
PROJECT IN INDIA
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12. The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) sector has witnessed a boom over the
past decade. In 2010, the PV market added a remarkable 16.6 GW to
reach a cumulative installed capacity of roughly 40 GW world wide,
producing nearly 50 Tera-watt hours of electrical power.
EU contribution is significantly high in the Solar market though
Countries like Japan, China and India have ambitious program. The
global installed capacity of Solar PV will cross 100GW by 2015 bringing
the cost further down.
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13. Future Prospects:
The future for the RE sector looks promising.
Increasing uncertainty regarding fuel supply is prompting all
the Governments to rethink the future of the energy mix and
this is definitely working in favour of RE more viable.
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14. Alternatives are now available for Coal,gas and oil. The need of
the hour is to use such sources for a better future.
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