National Biomass Resource Assessment Programme (NBRAP)

Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources Govt. of India had sanctioned this project to undertake the Biomass
Assessment Study in different taluka throughout the country. The objective of the project is to prepare a National
Level Data Bank on biomass availability so that Biomass based Power Projects can be taken up in prospective
talukas of the country.
During NBRAP - 1st Phase, ASTEC had conducted this study in three blocks in Assam viz Mayong in Morigaon
district, Margherita in Tinsukia district and Lowerpowa in Karimgang district.
During NBRAP - 3rd Phase, ASTEC had conducted this study in five blocks in Assam viz Sarukhetri in Barpeta
District, Jugijan in Nagaon District, Pubchaiduar in Sonitpur District, Lahowal in Dibrugarh District and Katigaragh
in Cachar District.
During NBRAP - 4th phase This study had been conducted in five more blocks in Assam viz Bezera in Kamrup
district, Balajana in Goalpara district, Patharkandi in Karimganj district, Dhemaji in Dhemaji District and Lakuwa
in Sibsagar District.
As a whole, in Assam, a biomass assessment study has already been completed in 13 Blocks and a number of
pockets have been identified for remote village electrification. The Blocks where such studies have been done are
as follows :
Name of Block

District

Bezera

Kamrup

Lakuwa

Sivasagar

Dhemaji

Dhemaji

Patharkandi

Karimganj

Balijana

Goalpara

Jugijan

Nagaon

Lahowal

Dibrugarh

Margherita

Tinsukia

Lowerpowa

Karimganj

Mayang

Morigaon

Pubchaiduar

Sonitpur

Katigorah

Cachar

Sarukhetri

Barpeta

Centre for Energy Research Application and Development (CERAD)

CERAD has been set up under the Council during the year 1992-93 with the objective of taking up Research &
Development activities related to renewable energy and energy conservation. Activities taken up under the centre
are solar data collection, performance monitoring of PV systems, designing and fabrication of Solar Water
Heaters, Solar Driers and Solar Cookers.
A Solar Bamboo Drier was designed and developed with an objective to meet the demand of the rural population
particularly for drying cash-crops like chilli, ginger, turmeric, mushroom, beetle-nut etc. The model was quite
successful because of the use of indigenous materials such as bamboo thatch dried beetle-nut fibre for insulation
and of its low cost. However it needs further Research & Development for commercialisation.
Technical Backup Support Unit for Improved Chulhas
The Technical Backup Support Unit for Improved Chulhas (TBU) under the Council was set-up during 1990 to
provide training, Research & Development and other technical inputs in implementation of Improved Chulhas
Programme in 8 North East states including Sikkim. The unit is fully funded by MNES. During the year 1992-93,
the Bureau of India Standard (BIS) approved the laboratory of this TBU for Certification of portable Biomass
based Metallic Chulhas. TBU has made very significant contribution towards propagation of Improved Chulha
programme in the NE states.
During the year 1998-99 TBU has conducted 12 SEW (Self Employed Workers) training programme, 6 Trainers
training programme and 2 Entrepreneurs training programme in the different state of NE Region.
During the year 1999-2000, TBU has conducted 14 SEW training programme 6 Trainers training programme and
2 Entrepreneurs training programme in the different states of NE Region.
During the year 2000-01, TBU has conducted 16 SEW training programme, 6 Trainers training programme and 1
Entrepreneurs training programme in the different of NE Region.
MNES has sanctioned a project at an estimated cost of Rs.11.36 lakhs for study of Indoor Air Pollution in context
of chulha during the 2000-01 and it is expected to be completed by March, 2002.
ENERGY PARK (SPONSORED BY MNES)
Eleven small Energy Parks have been set up at Assam Engineering Institute, Guwahati, Silchar Polytechnic,
Silchar, Girls Polytechnic, Guwahati, Cotton College, Guwahati, H.S. Kanoi College, Dibrugarh, College of Home
Science, Jorhat, Diphu Govt. College, Diphu, Nalbari College, Nalbari, Assam University, Silchar, Tezpur University,
Tezpur, Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra with financial assistance from MNES. Another state level Renewable
Energy Park has been sanctioned by MNES at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Panjabari, Guwahati with an

estimated cost of around Rs. 91 lakhs. Some civil works has

already been computed under this park.
ENERGY CONSERVATION & ENERGY AUDIT:
The Energy Division of ASTE Council has taken up energy conservation related activities since the year 1991-92.
The Council has taken up the following activities.
1.
2.

Organised eight workshop on Energy Conservation for different target groups in association with
National Productivity Council
A number of Energy Audits were conducted through consultants

2.

a. Industrial Energy Audits - 2 nos through NPC

b. Energy Audit in Hospital - 2 nos through NPC
c.
Energy audit in Tea Estates - 4 nos through NPC
Conducted 3 nos. of Domestic Energy Audits in different location within Guwahati

MOBILE EXHIBITION VAN:

The division of the council has procured a Renewable Energy Exhibition Van from Punjab Energy Development
Agency under a sanctioned project of MNES. The project is co-sponsored by Oil India Limited; North Eastern
Council and Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Source, Govt. of India
ADITY SOLAR SHOP:
The ADITYA Solar shop at Guwahati was set up in the year 1998 with the financial assistance from MNES, Govt.
of India. The shop is operated under administrative control of ASTE Council. All kinds of commercially available
solar PV devices like Home Lighting System, Solar Lantern, Solar Pumps, Solar Street Lights, Solar Modules,
Energy Efficient Devices are sold from ADITYA solar shop.
For more information contact: Assam Energy Development Agency, Ph: 0361 - 2662232/2664415, Fax: 03612668475 e-mail: aeda@india.com