TITLE

DISTRIBUTED RENEWABLE ENERGY

GENERATION IN INDIA

Author
VIKAS VERNEKAR

Date
Sep-2008

MSc Sustainable Energy & Environment

Cardiff School of Engineering

Cardiff University

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Table of Contents Pages

1. Abstract 3
2. Introduction to Distributed Generation (DG) 4
3. Available Options for distributed generation 4
4. Present Energy scenario of Indian power sector. 6
5. Sources of renewable energy generation 8
6. Distributed Generation Using Renewable 10
6.1 Wind Energy 10
6.2 Small Hydro power 11
6.3 Solar energy 13
6.4 Geothermal energy 13
6.5 Biomass(Solids,landfillgas and biogas) 14
6.6 Tidal energy 16
7. Advantages and Disadvantages 18
8. Conclusion 19
9. References 20

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 1. ABSTRACT:

On a global scale, power supply is the most capital incentive sector of all. Every industry
and every aspect of social progress is heavily dependent on energy. Energy access, energy
security, poverty alleviation, and environmental Considerations, combined with increasing
fossil fuel prices, are key drivers for accelerating the adoption of affordable Distributed
generation (DG). Distributed Generation (DG) is considered to be important in improving
the security of energy supplies by decreasing the dependency on imported fossil fuels and
in reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. Distributed Renewable energy
technologies, such as hydro (small), solar, geothermal, biomass, and wind, can deliver
power with virtually zero emissions. Distributed generation (smaller generators that
produce power locally apart from centralized grid) also has the potential to significantly
reduce emissions and promote greater cost and network efficiencies.
In India most of the people live in rural areas and still 20 % of villages are not electrified
and people in many of the electrified villages are very much dissatisfied with the quality of
grid power due to the remote places. As India is a developing country its energy demand is
also increasing day by day, there is a huge demand supply gap of 9% of average load and
15.2 % of peak demand (As on Jan-2008). India is mainly dependent on fissile fuels which
are producing greenhouse gasses and polluting the environment. If we consider all these
things the Distributed renewable energy technology is the best option for India to come out
of these problems. India is blessed with a variety of renewable energy sources such as
Wind energy, solar energy, small hydro plants, biomass, geothermal energy, wave and tidal
energy. In this case study I’m going to discuss what is distributed generation, what is the
present energy scenario of India, what are the options available for energy generation using
distributed renewable energy and how much potential is there in DREG in India and some
of the Distributed renewable sources which can be used for generating energy in a small
scale (local demand and for the future demand) for the sustainable future.

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 2. INTRODUCTION DISTRIBUTED GENERATION:

Distributed generation (DG) can be defined as the installation and operation of electric
power generation units connected directly to the distribution network or connected to the
network on the customer site of the meter. DG is also referred to as dispersed generation or
embedded generation or variety of small, modular power-generating technologies that can
be combined with energy management and storage systems and used to improve the
operation of the electricity delivery system, whether or not those technologies are
connected to an electricity grid. Implementing DG can be as simple as installing a small
electricity generator to provide backup power at an electricity consumer's site. Or it can be
a more complex system, highly integrated with the electricity grid and consisting of
electricity generation, energy storage, and power management systems. DG systems range
in size and capacity from a few kilowatts up to 10 MW. They comprise a portfolio of
technologies, both supply-side and demand-side, that can be located at or near the location
where the energy is used. Distributed generation can provide standby generation, peak
shaving capability, base load generation or cogeneration.
Distributed Generation (DG) has an essential role to play in reducing emissions and
improving security of supply because it can use relatively small, localized, sources of fuel
(often renewable) to generate electricity, with or without heat.
DG options can be classified based on the prime movers used—engines, turbines, fuel cells
or based on the fuel source as renewable or non-renewable. There are a large number of
possible system configurations.
3. Available Options for distributed generation

Distributed generation systems can be divided in two segments

1. Combined heat and power
2. Renewable Energy Sources

DISTRIBUTED ENERGY GENERATION

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Combined Heat and Power Renewable Energy Sources
The available DG options in these segments are.

Combined heat and power:

Internal combustion engine fuelled by diesel

Internal combustion engine fuelled by natural gas

Micro-turbine fuelled by natural gas

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell with reformer fuelled by
natural gas

Renewable Energy Sources:

Hydro power ( small)

Wind turbine

Biomass ( befouls, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas and biogas)

Solar photovoltaic (PV) , Solar thermal energy

Biogases cogeneration in sugar factories

Geothermal

Wave and tidal energy

Renewable energy technologies, such as hydro (small), solar, geothermal, biomass, and
wind, can deliver power with virtually zero emissions. Distributed generation (smaller
generators that produce power locally apart from centralized grid) also has the potential to
significantly reduce emissions and promote greater cost and network efficiencies. Both
renewable energy and distributed generation lend well to promoting energy security.
This case study reviews the different technological options available for Distributed
Renewable energy Generation, their current status and future potential. The relevance of
these options for a developing country context is examined using data for India,
In order to place DG in the context of the Indian power sector, a brief background of the
Indian power sector is provided before comparing the DG options.

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 4. PRESENT SCENERIO OF INDIAN POWER SECTOR:

India ranks sixth in the world in total energy consumption .India had an installed capacity of
145819 MW (As per Ministry of Power,Govt of India) as on 31st Jan 2008. Of this
92,893 MW is accounted for by thermal power plants, 36,348 MW of large hydro plants,
4120 MW of nuclear and 12458 MW of Renewable plants. However the capacity addition
has not been able to keep pace with the increasing demand for electricity. This is reflected
by the persistent energy and peak shortages in the country. The total installed capacity fuel
wise as on jan-2008 is given below.

TOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY

FUEL MW %
COAL 76989 52.9
GAS 14704 10.1
OIL 1200 0.8
HYDAL 36348 25.0
NUCLEAR 4120 2.8
RENEWABLE 12458 8.4
TOTAL 145819 MW

From the above we can say that India had been traditionally depending on thermal power
as a major source of power generation, which constitutes about 65% of current capacity.
Balance is contributed by Hydro power (25%), Nuclear (3 %) and remaining Renewable
energy (7%).
As India is a developing country its energy demand is increasing over the years and
growth in demand for power has outstripped supply. There is a huge demand supply gap of
9% between energy requirement and energy availability. And there is peak demand
shortage of 15.2 %.
Due to this in many parts of the country, electricity is available only for few hours in a day
and is of poor quality, making it unusable for industrial purposes.

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 Present Energy Availability, Demand and Shortage:

YEAR ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY

REQUIRMENT AVAILIBILITY SHORTAGE( SHORTAGE
(MU) (MU) MU) (%)
2004-05 591373 548115 43258 7.3
2005-06 631554 578819 52735 8.4
2006-07 690587 624495 66092 9.6
2007-08(UP 608804 554248 54556 9
TO JAN-08

Peak demand and Shortage

YEAR PEAK DEMAND PEAK MET PEAK PEAK SHORTAGE

(MU) (MU) SHORTAGE( (%)
MU)
2004-05 87906 77652 10254 11.7
2005-06 93255 81792 11463 12.3
2006-07 100715 86818 13897 13.8
2007-08(UP 107010 90793 16217 15.2
TO JAN-08

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From the chart we can see that country faces an average energy shortage of about 9 percent
and a peak shortage of about 15.2 percent -- reflected in power cuts nationwide.
In India most of the people live in rural areas, out off 59372 No of villages only 475117
No of villages are electrified and still 20 % of villages are yet to be electrified .And people
in many of the electrified villages are very much dissatisfied with the quality of grid power
due to they are situated at remote places.
The transmission and distribution losses are extremely high which accounts more than
25% and in some states its 35 to 40 %, this includes theft. As India is mainly dependent on
fossil fuels for energy generation it is increasing the emission of greenhouse gases in the
environment. And now India counts for world’s 3rd largest CO2 emitter from power
generation. In order to meet the increasing demand , to reduce the demand supply gap, to
electrify villages and especially to reduce CO2 emissions ,distributed renewable energy
generation is the best option .Let us see what are the options available in distributed
renewable energy generation

5. Sources of Renewable Energy Generation:

India is blessed with a variety of renewable energy sources, the main ones being biomass,
biogas, the sun, wind, and small hydro power.

Renewable Energy Generation

Solar
Tidal
Biomass Small hydro
Wind

Wave energy
Geo thermal energy

Solar Thermal Solar Photovoltaic

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Installed capacity of Renewable energy in India:
INSTALLED CAPACITY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIA
RESOURCES INSTALLED CAPACITY (MW)

Wind power 657

Biomass power 9522

Small hydro power 2221
waste to energy 56
solar power 2.12
TOTAL 12458

The installed capacity of renewable energy is only 12458 MW which is 8.4 % of total
energy generation. In which Biomass is contributing 76%, small hydro 18%, wind 5%,
waste to energy 1% and solar is contributing very less portion.
Villages where grid extension is not feasible are electrified through locally available
renewable energy sources to meet universal electrification. Renewal based distributed
electricity generation systems are especially relevant for electrification of remote villages.
Grid extension may not be feasible or cost effective in many of these villages and hence
local solutions through distributed generation will have to be identified. Since renewable
are widely available and Grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost effective.

Now we will discuss the different Renewable sources available for distributed generation.

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 6. Distributed Generation Using Renewable

6.1 Wind energy :

A wind energy system transforms the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical or
electrical energy that can be harnessed for practical use. Mechanical energy is most
commonly used for pumping water in rural or remote locations. Wind turbines generate
electricity for homes and businesses and for sale to utilities. The most economical
application of electric wind turbines is in groups of large machines (700 kW and up),
called "wind power plants" or "wind farms." Wind plants can range in size from a few
megawatts to hundreds of megawatts in capacity.

The Indian wind energy sector has an installed capacity of 1870 MW (as on March 31,
2008). In terms of wind power installed capacity, India is ranked 4th in the World. Today.
The estimated power generation capacity in India through wind is about 47,000 MW. The
installed capacity is about 1,870 MW, which is about 4% of the total estimated potential.

Wind turbines used to generate electricity come in a wide variety of sizes. Large wind
turbines, which are usually installed in clusters called wind farms, can generate large
amounts of electricity. Large wind turbines may even produce hundreds of megawatts
(MW) of electricity - enough to power hundreds of homes. Small wind turbines, which are
generally defined as producing no more than 100 kW of electricity, are designed to be
installed at homes, farms and small businesses either as a source of backup electricity, or to
offset use of utility power and reduce electricity bills.

Wind energy offers many advantages over conventional power production, including
minimal environmental impact, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and potential long-
term income for property owners who lease land for wind farms.

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The state wise wind energy potential is as follows

states Gross potential (MW)

Andhra Pradesh 9063

Gujarat 7362
Karnataka 7161
Kerala 1026
Madhya Pradesh 4978
Maharashtra 4519
Orissa 1520
Rajasthan 6672
Tamil Nadu 4159
West Bengal 32
others 508
TOTAL 47,000

6.2 Small Hydro power:

Hydro power is obtained from the potential and kinetic energy of water flowing from a
height. The energy contained in the water is converted into electricity by using a turbine
coupled to a generator.
The rural energy scenario in India is characterized by inadequate, poor and unreliable
supply of energy services. Realizing the fact that mini hydropower projects can provide a
solution for the energy problem in rural, remote and hilly areas where extension of grid

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system is comparatively uneconomical, promoting mini hydro projects is one of the
objectives of the small hydro Power program in India.
Small-scale hydropower systems capture the energy in flowing water and convert it to
usable energy. Although the potential for small hydro-electric systems depends on the
availability of suitable water flow, where the resource exists it can provide cheap clean
reliable electricity.

Depending upon the energy generation capacity these hydro plants can be classified as
• Micro hydro electric schemes - Up to 101 KW
• Mini hydro electric schemes - 101 to 2000 KW
• Small hydro electric schemes - 2000 to 15000 KW
BENEFITS OF SMALL HYDRO:
Hydroelectric systems provide the following general benefits

Hydroelectric energy is a continuously renewable electrical energy source

‘Fuel-free’ source of power

Renewable energy source therefore helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and having
a net positive impact on the environment.

Constant generation over long periods unlike wind and solar power

Long lifetime of systems, typically 25 years or more Low maintenance
requirements and running costs

Reasonable payback for grid -connected systems, often 10 years or less

Hydropower offers a means of responding within seconds to changes in load
demand.
In India large potential of energy remains untapped in low flow high head falls in hilly
areas, river slopes, canal falls, irrigation and water supply dams which can be exploited by
installing small hydro plants. Most of this potential exists in rural and remote areas.
The estimated potential of small hydro is 15000 MW in India which can be cheaply
harnessed as a very attractive source of renewable energy.
SMALL HYDRO POWER POTENTIAL
POTENTIAL 15000 MW
INSTALLED CAPACITY 2221 MW

Thus a small hydro power can be used as a cost efficient option for distributed generation.

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6.3 Solar Energy:
Solar radiation represents the earth’s most abundant energy source. Apart from its direct
form, solar energy is responsible for creation of other renewable energy sources such as
wind, flowing streams and rivers, photosynthetic production of biomass, and thermal
gradients in the ocean. Solar energy is being used by humankind from time immemorial for
various purposes. More recent applications of solar energy, like its direct conversion to
electricity and transformation to thermal energy at various temperatures, have expanded its
potential use enormously.

Solar energy, experienced by us as heat and light, can be used through two routes

The Thermal route uses the heat for water heating, cooking, drying, water
purification, power generation, and other applications.

The Photovoltaic route converts the light in solar energy into electricity, which
can then be used for a number of purposes such as lighting, pumping,
communications, and power supply in unelectrified areas.
Potential of solar energy:
The geographical location of India provides long days of sunny weather for the majority of
the year. Most parts of India receive 4–7 kWh (kilowatt-hour) of solar radiation per square
meter per day with 250–300 sunny days in a year. This allows solar energy in India to be
a viable option for a means of generating electricity for a large proportion of the
population. The highest annual radiation energy is received in western Rajasthan while the
north-eastern region of the country receives the lowest annual radiation.

6.4 Geothermal Energy:

Geothermal energy is the natural heat of the earth. From the surface down through the
crust, the normal temperature gradient - the increase of temperature with the increase of
depth - in the Earth's crust is 17 °C -- 30 °C per kilometer of depth (50 °F -- 87 °F per
mile). Geothermal reserves up to depths of 10 km are estimated at 403X106 Quads.

Hot rocks underground heat water to produce steam. We drill holes down to the hot region;
steam comes up, is purified and used to drive turbines, which drive electric generators.

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There may be natural "groundwater" in the hot rocks anyway, or we may need to drill more
holes and pump water down to them.

Advantages:

Geothermal energy does not produce any pollution, and does not contribute to the
greenhouse effect.

The power stations do not take up much room, so there is not much impact on the
environment.

No fuel is needed.

Once you've built a geothermal power station, the energy is almost free.
It may need a little energy to run a pump, but this can be taken from the energy
being generated
Potential of Geothermal energy in India:
In India, there are 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.
Potential Applications:
Power generation
Cooking
Space heating
Use in greenhouse cultivation
Crop drying

6.5 BIOMASS ENERGY:

Biogas is a mixture of 55-65 percent methane, 30-40 percent carbon dioxide and the rest is
made up of H2, H2s and N2.it can be produced from the decomposition of animal, plant
and human waste. Cow dung, piggery waste and poultry droppings can be used for
generation of bio-gas. Crop residues, kitchen waste, sea wood, human waste, waste from
sugar cane refinery are also useful for bio-gas generation.
Biomass can be utilized through following different processes for energy conversion:

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Gasification: Gasification is the thermo-chemical process of obtaining energy from solid
matter in a gaseous form. In principle, the process is a thermal decomposition of organic
matter in the presence of limited supply of air or oxygen to produce combustible gases thus
converting calorific value of organic material into a gaseous energy carrier.
Pyrolysis: In contrast to complete combustion of solid carbonaceous material, the process
of pyrolysis refers to combustion in a deficient supply of air / oxygen. The process gives
out carbon-mono-oxide and methane, which are condensed to form tar and aqueous liquor.
The latter is then distilled to give methanol and other organic substances.
Direct Combustion: Thermal decomposition of organic matter is carried out in the
presence of excess air, liberating heat and leaving behind incombustible ash.
Fuel + Air → Heat + Ash + Inert Gases
Direct combustion of Biomass is an important route for generation of grid-quality power
by efficient use of agricultural, agro-industrial and forest residues, which are either being
wasted or are being sub-optimally utilized in the country.

Biomass Potential:
India is a tropical country blessed with abundant sunshine and rains, thus offering an ideal
environment for Biomass production. Further, the vast agricultural produce also makes
available large quantities of agro-residues which can be used to meet energy needs. With
an estimated production of about 350 million tones of agricultural waste every year,
residual biomass is capable of mitigation of GHG emissions to the extent of 300 million
tones / annum.The estimated potential of Biomass based renewable energy options in India
are as follows:

Biomass potential in India

Biomass Energy 16, 000 MW
Biomass Co-Generation 3, 500 MW
Total 19, 500 MW

Installed capacity 303 MW

Economic drivers for use of locally available non-conventional energy sources are
important for distributed generation. Of all the non-conventional energies, biomass is the

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most suited for distributed electricity generation as it offers a number of advantages. Some
of the advantages of biomass energy are: it is renewable, widely and locally available, is
carbon neutral and has the potential to provide significant productive employment in rural
areas.
Additionally, in power generation mode, biomass offers following advantages:

Ability to produce `firm', dispatchable power;

Amenability to storage and use as per power demand;

No need for elaborate pre-firing preparation.
Biomass has been considered one of the ideal energy resources for DG mode of power
Generation in view of these advantages.
APPLICATIONS OF BIOMASS ENERGY:

Water pumping

Electricity generation : 3 to 1 MW power plants

Heat generation : for cooking gas – smokeless environment

Rural electrification means better healthcare, better education and improved
quality of life.

6.6 TIDAL ENERGY:

Tides are generated through a combination of forces exerted by the gravitational pull of the
sun and the moon and the rotation of the earth. The relative motion of the three bodies
produces different tidal cycles which affect the range of the tides. In addition, the tidal
range is increased substantially by local effects such as shelving, funneling, reflection and
resonance. Energy can be extracted from tides by creating a reservoir or basin behind a
barrage and then passing tidal waters through turbines in the barrage to generate electricity.
Tidal energy is extremely site specific requires mean tidal differences greater than 4 meters
and also favorable topographical conditions, such as estuaries or certain types of bays in
order to bring down costs of dams etc.
Potential:
Since India is surrounded by sea on three sides, its potential to harness tidal energy has
been recognized by the Government of India. Potential sites for tidal power development
have already been located. The most attractive locations are the Gulf of Cambay and the

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Gulf of Kachchh on the west coast where the maximum tidal range is 11 m and 8 m with
average tidal range of 6.77 m and 5.23 m respectively. The Ganges Delta in the Sunder
bans in West Bengal also has good locations for small scale tidal power development. The
maximum tidal range in Sunder bans is approximately 5 m with an average tidal range of
2.97 m. The identified economic tidal power potential in India is of the order of 8000-9000
MW with about 7000 MW in the Gulf of Cambay about 1200 MW in the Gulf of Kachchh
and less than 100 MW in Sundarbans.

Available potential from all the sources:

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 7. Advantages and Disadvantages of DREG:

Advantages of Distributed Renewable power generation:

High peak load shortages: With a deficit of 15.2% in peak demand,

distributed generation systems can be used to reduce the peak demand.

High transmission and distribution losses: Current losses amount to about
25.0 - 35.0% of the total available energy. Distributed power generation
systems can greatly reduce these losses and improve the reliability of the grid
network.

Remote and inaccessible areas: In many parts of the country extension of the
grid may not be economically feasible. In such cases distributed generation can
play a major role.

Rural electrification: Most of the villages are located at remote places where
grid extension is not feasible or not at all possible, in such cases DREG can be
used for electrification of these villages.

Faster response to new power demands: The modular nature of distributed
generation system coupled with low gestation period enables the easy capacity
additions when required.

Improved supply reliability and power quality: Disruptions such as grid
failure, etc., can be prevented as electricity is produced close to the consumer.
The quality of power, voltage and frequency, can also be maintained easily.

Possibility of better energy and load management: Distributed generation
systems offer the possibility of combining energy storage and management
systems.

Optimal use of the existing grid assets: Distributed generation facilitates an
optimal use of the grid that improves the reliability of the grid network and
reduces the congestion.

Disadvantages of Distributed Renewable power generation:

Operational complexity in connecting DG to grid.

DG finance and access to local capital.
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 8. CONCLUSION

Current worldwide electric power production is based on a centralized, grid-dependent

network structure. This system has several disadvantages such as high emissions,
transmission losses, long lead times for plant construction, and large and long term
financing requirements. Distributed renewable power generation is an alternative that is
gathering momentum, and modern technologies, such as hydropower, biomass,
geothermal, wind, solar and ocean energy. Sustainable distributed energy systems include
PV, micro gas turbine, solar thermal, solar hot water, mini hydro-electric, bio-energy, and
small wind energy systems. India has huge renewable potential of 156048 MW, which is
7% more than the present energy demand. Using distributed renewable power generation
the present problems in the energy sector can be solved such as
1. Increasing the security of supply by reducing dependency on imported fissile fuels.
2. Reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases especially CO2.
3. By electrifying the rural villages we can improve the quality of life of villages.
4. Reduction in Transmission and distribution losses.
5. Quality and reliable power
At present India is using only 20.16 % of renewable for energy generation .but India has a
potential of 79.83 %, which can be used in the form of Distributed renewable energy
generation for the sustainable future and for better quality of life.
This can be achieved by making some action planes on renewable energy such as
promotion of renewable energy technologies, Creating an environment conducive to
promote renewable energy technologies, creating an environment conducive for their
commercialization, subsidies from government for installation of small distributed
renewable energy generation units, production of biogas units, solar thermal devices, solar
photovoltaic’s, cook stoves, wind energy and small hydropower units

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9. References’ and Bibliography :

1. Willis, H L and Scott, W G. Distributed Power Generation, Planning and

Evaluation.
2. G.D.Rai, Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Khanna publications.

3. Annual report 2007-08 of Ministry of power government of India.

4. Ministry of New and Renewable energy ,official site, Government of India

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