Setting up of Solar Power Plants by OMCS

India Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPC) are exploring the commercial viability of setting up of Solar Power Plant in the country.

IOC had submitted its offer in response to the bid invited by NTPC Vidyut Vypar Nigam (NVVN).

HPC had submitted their bid for a 5 MW solar power plant at Kota, Rajasthan under Phase 1 of Jawaharlal Nehru Naitonal Solar Mission, but the Corporation has not been short-listed. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPC) has proposed to set up 1 MW solar farm based on Photovoltaic cells at its LPG bottling plant, Lalru, Village Alamgir, Post Tiwana, Dist- Mohali, Punjab. The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have not as yet set up solar power plants. The OMCs take a decision on setting up solar power plants based on their commercial judgment.

Test your Knowledge reg- Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission – Solar India in New Delhi today

This National Solar Mission has the pride of place in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change. Its success has the potential of transforming India’s energy prospects, and contributing also to national as well as global efforts to combat climate change.

The importance of this Mission is not just limited to providing large-scale grid connected power. It has the potential to provide significant multipliers in our efforts for transformation of India’s rural economy. Already, in its decentralized and distributed applications, solar energy is beginning to light the lives of tens of millions of India’s energy-poor citizens. The rapid spread of solar lighting systems, solar water pumps and other solar power-based rural applications can change the face of India’s rural economy. We intend to significantly expand such applications through this Mission. As a result, the movement for decentralized and disbursed industrialization will acquire an added momentum, a momentum which has not been seen before.

The target of 20,000 MW of solar generating capacity by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan is no doubt an ambitious target.

Clearly, technological innovation will be a key factor in ensuring the success of this Mission.

we will need to find ways of reducing the space intensity of current solar applications, including through the use of nano-technology. Cost-effective and convenient storage of solar energy beyond daylight hours will be critical to its emergence as a mainstream source of power. In the meantime, we may need to explore hybrid solutions, combining solar power generation with gas, biomass or even coal-based power.

It was the vision of Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru that enabled India to create world-class scientific and technological capacities in the field of atomic energy and space sectors. It is these strengths in science and technology that eventually have created the Information Technology revolution in India and made it a global power.

Eventually, if the ambitious roll out of the Mission is to become a living reality, we will have to create many ‘Solar Valleys’ on the lines of the Silicon Valleys that are spurring our IT industry across the four corners of our country. These valleys will become hubs for solar science, solar engineering and solar research, fabrication and manufacturing. I urge Indian industry to see the National Solar Mission as the huge business opportunity that it is going to be.

The Sun has long been recognized as a primal source of all energy on earth. In an ancient civilization like India, the Sun has been worshipped as the God who bestows life and sustains it. The bounty of the Sun is truly inexhaustible, renewable and free. It is to this source of energy that humankind must turn to meet the twin challenge of energy security and climate change.

Solar power projects for HaryanaThe Centre has approved the establishment of nine solar power projects with a cumulative generationcapacity of 8.8 megawatts in Haryana by Independent Power Producers (IPPs). These projects will getcommissioned by September 2011. Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency(HAREDA) had earlier invited proposals from IPPs for installation of solar power generation plants of 100- kilowatt to 2-MW capacity in the state under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.The state government subsequently gave approval to the proposed projects, following which HAREDA issued pre-registration certificates to 22 developers for setting up solar power projects of 20 MW capacity. Out of these, nine projects have now been approved by the Centre. As part of the energy conservation drive launched by the state government, two 100-KW Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) projects were commissioned at Omax Auto Ltd’s Manesar and Dharuhera units at a cost ofRs 2.60 crore each. The union ministry of new renewable energy has provided total financial assistance of Rs 1.5 crore for each of these projects. Furthermore, a small hydro project of 6-MW capacity was commissioned at Dadupur, Yamuna Nagar, in March, 2010, and a small 2-MW hydro plant was commissioned at Gogripur, Karnal, in September, 2010, it said. In addition, a 1-MW distillery effluents-based power project was commissioned at a distillery unit at Hathin, in Palwal district, at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

India to Host International Centre on Energy Access:

Government to set up an international centre on energy access to boost the provision of energy to remote and inaccessible areas. The offer was made by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy. Dr Abdullah was speaking at the inaugural session of the assembly of the International Renewable Energy agency-IRENA currently being held at Abu Dhabi, UAE, IRENA. The world’s first intergovernmental agency on renewable agency was established in 2009 with the main objective of fostering international cooperation and promoting international understanding on renewable energy. India has been associated with the formation of IRENA from the beginning and was among the first 25 countries to ratify its statute. Making a strong pitch for the use of renewable energy, Dr Abdullah emphasized that renewable energy is the only hope for the future. However, in order to make it the preferred energy worldwide and to scale up the use of renewable energy in the energy mix, the nations of the world need to cooperate more and share information, technology and best practices. This will be necessary to bring energy access to vast areas of the world which have yet to experience the fruits of commercial energy. He spoke of India’s large size, considerable experience and a vast pool of technically qualified personnel and offered India’s expertise in building and hosting, in cooperation with IRENA, a Centre of Energy Access in India. This centre will serve as Centre of Excellence in the field of energy access through the use of renewable energy. He also offered to host an international conference on energy access later this year to bring this idea to fruition. He also announced the scaling up of India’s international programme on capacity building and to share expertise and best practices with developing countries.

India today stands among the top five countries of the world in terms of renewable energy capacity with an installed base of over 19000 MW of grid interactive renewable

power which is around 11% of our total installed capacity. In addition, it adds about 2500 MW of renewable power annually. Its renewable energy programme is one of the largest and most ambitious in the world. Besides being one of the very few countries with a full-fledged ministry devoted exclusively to renewable energy, its emphasis on creating new generation capacity using all possible sources of renewable energy and the latest technologies has been considerably successful in recent years. On the solar front, it has recently launched the ambitious and game changing National solar Mission with a target capacity of 20 GW by 2022. With over 400 million citizens who lack access to modern forms of energy, it also has one of the largest decentralized off-grid renewable energy programmes. India is also one of the largest players in providing energy access to remote and disadvantaged people and remote locations. Even today, it has over 1.5 million decentralized solar applications, over 4 million biogas plants and over 5 millions sq m of solar thermal applications installed in some of the farthest and remotest areas of the country.

Coal-bed methane

Coalbed methane (CBM) or coalbed gas is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. In recent decades it has become an important source of energy in United States, Canada, and other countries. Australia has rich deposits where it is known as coal seam gas.Coal-bed methane (CBM) is a clean burning fuel for domestic and industrial uses, and its extraction reduces explosion hazards in underground coal mines.India is endowed with huge reserves of bituminous coal of Paleozoic and Tertiary ages within the CBM window at depths of nearly 250-1200 metres.Lack of data on producible reserves of CBM, gas content, reservoir saturation and permeability has prevented full exploitation of the resource. India wants foreign and domestic private companies for the exploration and commercial exploitation -CBM resources at some-of the underground-coal mines.

Contracts that will be awarded will be similar to the "concession" concept in oil and gas exploration. Coal-bearing areas will be leased to the successful bidders and they will have to explore and test-drill.If recovery and commercial exploitation of the CBM gas in these areas ultimately prove viable, the exploring firms will be free to construct pipelines and sell the gas to consumers or they may set up gas-based power plants.India began producing coal bed methane from a West Bengal field. Two other companies, Reliance Industries and Oil and Natural Gas Corp., are also drilling for CBM and are planning to begin commercial sales within the next year.India has huge CBM reserves, about 16 trillion cubic feet. And India's Directorate General of Hydrocarbons has approved the drilling of more than 100 CBM wells

Policy on Shale Gas Exploration

Government has initiated actions to formulate a policy on Shale Gas. Detailed studies are being taken up to identify the prospective basins/areas and estimation of Shale Gas resources in the country.

As a part of R & D project, a shale gas well in Raniganj basin (RNSG-I) has been started by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and drilling is in progress. As Shale Gas exploration is in R & D stage, comparison of cost of exploration to other hydro-carbons cannot be made.

United States of America and Canada are the two major , which have commercially exploited Shale Gas resources. In USA, Shale Gas reportedly accounts for about 17% of the total Gas production. In India, Shale Gas exploration has not entered the commercial stage.

the unconventional hydro-carbon sources, Coal Bed Methane is being commercially produced. However, other unconventional sources such as Gas Hydrate and Oil Shale are presently in the research and development stage.

Test your Knowledge reg- Shale gas

Shale gas is considered to be unconventional gas, along with coalbed methane and tight gas. The presence of shale gas has been known for a long time but its economics of production were always questionable because of the low permeability of the rock in which the gas is located. In other words, a given well would produce a relatively small amount of gas which was not as economic as other wells. Advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have improved the picture for shale gas. Wells are now routinely drilled down and then horizontally, thus exposing the well bore to a greater area. Combined with techniques to fracture the rock and thereby free the gas, greater production is possible from a given well.

Advances in shale gas technology have resulted in large natural reserve additions, particularly in the United States where the trend is more advanced. Indeed, the US has seen net additions to its gas reserves in the last couple of years, following years of decline.

FACTS REGARDING ENERGY SECURITY

• Some 600 million Indians do not have access to electricity and about 700 million Indians use biomass as their primary energy resource for cooking and ensuring life line.• A sustained economic growth of at least 9 Percent over the next 25 years is necessary for India need to eradicate poverty and meet its larger human development goals. Guiding principles of the integrated energy policy:• Energy markets should be competitive wherever possible for economic efficiency and for promoting optimal investment in energy.• Given the need to expand supplies of energy public sector investment in energy must be supplemented by private investors.• Subsidies are relevant but they must be transparent and targeted. Consideration should be given to alternative means of achieving the social objectives sought to be achieved by energy subsidies, through different methods including direct transfers to eligible households.• Energy efficiency is extremely important and can be promoted by setting appropriate prices and this is particularly important where energy prices are rising.• Public Sector Undertakings operating in the energy sector must operate with autonomy and also full accountability to ensure incentives for adequate investment through their own "resources and improvements in efficiency in energy production and distribution.• For the second stage of India nuclear programme, India has already developed fast breeder reactors and a 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is under construction at Kalpakam. It is expected to attain critically in 2011. Growth in India's energy demand:• Various projections indicate that by 2031, India's energy requirements may increase to about 5 to 7 times at of 2001 levels. The Integrated energy Policy report brought out by the Planning Commission estimates that in an 8% GDP growth scenario, India's total commercial energy requirements would be in the range of 1514 mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) to 1856 mtoe by 2031 under alternative scenarios (Planning Commission, 2006)• TERI estimates indicate an import dependency of 78% for coal. 91% for oil and 34% for gas by year 2031 with current estimates future availability of indigenous energy. Lighting A Billion Lives• Over 1.6 6illion people in the world lac access to electricity; roughly 25% are in India alone.• Recognizing the need to change the existing scenario, TERI, with its version to work for global sustainable development and its commitment towards creating innovative solutions for a better tomorrow, has undertaken an initiative of Lighting a Billion Lives' (LaBL) through the use of solar lighting devices.• The Campaign aims to bring light into the live of one billion rural people by replacing the kerosene and paraffin lanterns with solar lighting devices. This wife facilitate education of children; provide better illumination and kerosene smoke –free environment for environment for women to do household chores; and provide opportunities for livelihoods both at the individual revel and at village level . The RGGVY was launched in 2005 with the following goals.(a) Provide access to electricity to remaining un-electrified households.(b) Electrification of about 1.15 lakh un-electrified villages.(c) Free electricity connection to 2.34 Below Poverty Household (BPL)The target year of achieving these targets is 2009 and under this scheme capital subsidy was given on basis of 90% grants and 10% loan. Rs. 33000 crore as capital subsidy would be provided by Government of India for projects.

BIOFUELS IN INDIA• Biofuel , or fuel derived from non-fossil plant sources is being seen today as a cleaner alternative to diesel. Biofuel development in India centers mainly around the cultivation and processing of Jatropha plant seeds to give biodiesel and producing ethanol from sugarcane. Ethanol can be blended with petrol for automobiles. Similarly, bio-diesel can be blended with high speed diesel for transport vehicles, generators, railway engines, irrigation pumps, etc. Large volumes of such oils can also substitute imported oil for making soap. In its National Biofuel Policy the Government of India has set a target of a minimum 20 per cent ethanol blendedpetrol and diesel across the country by 2017. Bio-diesel plantations would be encouraged only on waste community / government / forest lands, and not on fertile land. Minimum Support Price (MSP) would be announced to provide fair price to the growers. Minimum Purchase Price (MPP) for the purchase of bio-ethanol by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) would be based on the actual cost of production and import price of bioethanol. In case of bio-diesel, the MPP would be linked to the prevailing retail diesel price. The National Biofuel Policy also envisages bringing bio-diesel and bio-ethanol under the ambit of "Declared Goods" by the Government to ensure their unrestricted movement.

Biofuels

Biofuel can be broadly defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuel derived from recently dead biological material. This distinguishes it from fossil fuels, which are derived from long dead biological material. Biofuels are used globally, most commonly to power vehicles and cooking stoves. Biofuel industries are expanding in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Biofuels are more or less carbon neutral- produce energy without a net increase of carbon into the atmosphere. The use of biofuels also reduces dependence on petroleum and enhances energy security. It is also recommended when global crude prices are ruling high.

There are two common strategies of producing biofuels. One is to grow crops high in either sugar (sugar cane, sugar beet, and sweet sorghum) or starch (corn/maize) and then use yeast fermentation to produce ethyl alcohol (ethanol). The second -biodiesel- is to grow plants that contain high amounts of vegetable oil. such as oil palm, soybean, algae, or jatropha. Whet) these oils are heated. their viscosity is reduced, and they can be burned directly in a diesel engine, or the oils can be chemically processed to produce fuels such as biodiesel. Wood and its byproducts can also be converted into biofuels.

Humans have used biomass fuels in the-form of solid biofuels for heating and cooking since the discovery of fire. In rural India, cow dung cakes are used for cooking.

In the last few years,' renewed interest in biofuels is `visible. The drivers for biofuel research and development include rising oil prices, concerns over the potential oil peak( we are running out of oil as the consumption of oil has peaked) , greenhouse gas emissions (causing global warming and climate change) etc.

Agricultural products specifically grown for biofuel production include corn, switch grass, and soybeans, primarily in the United States; rapeseed, wheat and sugar beet primarily in Europe; sugar cane in Brazil; palm oil and miscanthus in South-East Asia; sorghum and cassava in China; and jatropha in India. Hemp has also been proven to work as a biofuel.

Biomass

Biomass includes material derived from dead plants, animals and their byproducts. For example, manure, garden waste and crop residues are all sources of biomass. It is a renewable energy source unlike other natural resources such as petroleum, coal, and nuclear fuels.

Biodegradable outputs from industry, agriculture, forestry and households can be used for biofuel production, either using anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, or using second generation biofuels; examples include straw, timber, manure. rice husks, sewage, and food waste. The use. of biomass fuels can therefore contribute to fuel security Using waste biomass to produce energy can reduce the use of fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce pollution and waste management problems. Bio-wastes like municipal solid waste (MSW), agricultural residues, farm waste and other biodegradable waste streams are rich in energy. -

Landfill sites generate gases as the waste buried in them undergoes anaerobic digestion. This can be burned and is considered a source of renewable energy. Landfill gas contains approximately 50% methane, the same gas that is found in natural gas. In India , it is called gobar gas or biogas. .

Biomass can come from waste plant material. If landfill gas is not harvested. it escapes into the atmosphere: this is not desirable because methane is a greenhouse gas, with more global warming potential than carbon dioxide. By harvesting and burning landfill gas, global warming potential of methane is reduced steeply , in addition to providing energy for heat and power.

In some countries biodiesel is less expensive than conventional diesel. Types of biofuels

First generation biofuels

'First-generation biofuels' refer to biofuels made from sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats The basic feedstocks for the production of first generation biofuels are often seeds or grains such as wheat,

which yields starch that is fermented into bioethanol, or sunflower seeds, which are pressed to yield vegetable oil that can be used in biodiesel. The most common first generation biofuels are listed below.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is produced from oils or fats and is a liquid similar in composition to fossil diesel. Its chemical name is fatty acid methyl (or ethyl) ester (FAME). Feedstocks for biodiesel include animal fats, vegetable oils, soya, rapeseed, jatropha, mahua, mustard, sunflower, palm oil, hemp,field pennycress and algae. Pure biodiesel (B100) is by far the lowest emission diesel fuel. Although liquefied petroleum gas and hydrogen have cleaner combustion, they are used to fuel much less efficient petrol engines and are not as widely available.

Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine when mixed with mineral diesel. The majority of vehicle manufacturer's limit their recommendations to 15% biodiesel - blended with mineral diesel. Biodiesel is also an oxygenated fuel, meaning that it contains a reduced amount of carbon and higher hydrogen and oxygen content than fossil diesel. This improves the combustion of fossil diesel

Ethanol fuel is the most common biofuel worldwide, particularly in Brazil. Alcohol fuels are produced by fermentation of sugars derived from wheat, corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, molasses etc. Bagasse, the waste left after sugar cane is pressed to extract its juice, can also be used.

Ethanol can be used in petrol engines as a replacement for gasoline: it can be mixed with gasoline to any percentage. Most existing automobile petrol engines can run on blends of-up to 15% bioethanol with petroleum/gasoline. Gasoline with ethanol added has higher octane, which means that engine can typically burn hotter and more efficiently. -

Many car manufacturers are now producing flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV's), which can safely run on any combination of bioethanol and petrol, up to 100% bioethanol.

Second generation biofuels

First generation biofuels ( corn, wheat etc) are controversial for the reasons being cited below. Therefore, there is a need to develop 2GBs.Second-generation biofuel production processes can use a variety of non food crops. These include waste biomass, the stalks of wheat, corn, wood, and special-energy-or-biomass crops (e.g.

Miscanthus). 2GBs do not divert food away from the animal or human food chain. °

Second generation biofuel technologies have been developed because first. generation biofuels manufacture has important limitations. First generation biofuel processes are useful, but limited: there is a threshold above which they cannot produce enough biofuel without threatening food supplies and biodiversity. They are not cost competitive with existing- fossil fuels such as oil, and have only limited greenhouse gas emissions savings as they fertilizer-intensive to grow. When taking emissions from production and transport into account, life-cycle emissions from first-generation biofuels frequently exceed those of traditional fossil fuels.

Second generation biofuels can help solve these problems and can supply a larger proportion of our fuel supply sustainably, affordably, and with greater environmental benefits.

First generation bioethanol is produced by fermenting plant-derived sugars to ethanol, using a similar process to that used in beer and wine-making. This requires the use of 'food' crops such as sugar cane, corn, wheat, and sugar beet. These crops are required for food, so if too much biofuel is made from them, food prices could rise and shortages might be experienced in some countries. Corn, wheat and sugar beet also require high agricultural inputs in the form of fertilizers, which limit the greenhouse gas reductions that can be achieved.

The goal of second generation biofuel processes is to extend the amount of biofuel that can be produced sustainably by using biomass comprised of the residual nonfood parts of current crops, such as stems. leaves and husks that are left behind once the food crop has been extracted, as well as other crops that are not used for food purposes, such as switch grass and cereals that bear little grain, and also industry waste such as wood chips, skins and pulp from fruit pressing etc.

Third generation biofuels

Algae fuel is a biofuel from algae. Algae are low-input/high-yield (30 times more energy per acre than land) feedstocks to produce biofuels and algae fuel are biodegradable:

• With the higher prices of fossil-fuels (petroleum), there is much interest in alga culture (farming algae).

• One advantage of many biofuels over most other fuel types is that they

Are biodegradable, and so relatively harmless to the environment if spilled. .Second and third generation biofuels are also called advanced biofuels.

Biofuels in developing countriesAmongst rural populations in developing countries, biomass provides the majority of fuel for heat and cooking. Wood, animal dung and crop residues are commonly burned. Figures from the International Energy Agency show that biomass energy' provides around 30% of the total primary energy supply in developing countries like India

India is developing both bioethanol and biodiesel programs. India is extending plantations of jatropha, an oil-producing tree that is used in biodiesel production. The Indian sugar ethanol program sets a target of 5% bioethanol incorporation into transport fuel.

Issues in biofuel production and useBiofuels, to recall, have such benefits as: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. reduction of fossil fuel use, increased national energy security, increased rural development and a sustainable fuel supply for the future.However, biofuel production is questioned from a number of angles. The chairman of the International Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra Pachauri, (Director of Teri) observed that food inflation and implication for food security need to be given highest priority and biofuels( corn etc) should get second priority.

However, the need is not to roll back biofuels. But to opt for 2GBs.First generation biofuel production processes have limitations in their use as fuelsRegarding the 1 GBs, scientists argue that because such large amounts of energy. are required to grow corn and convert it to ethanol, the net energy gain of the resulting fuel is modest.

Large-scale deforestation of mature trees to make way for biofuel production contributes to un-sustainable global warming, loss of habitat, and a reduction of valuable biodiversity. Demand for-biofuel has led to clearing land for Palm Oil plantations. It contributes to soil erosion. Increased use of biofuels puts increasing pressure on water resources: water use for the irrigation of crops used as feedstocks for biodiesel production. Therefore, 2G biofuels are to be promoted.

Using a crop such as jatropha would require much less energy to produce the fuel, and using algae would require even less.

Second generation processes can supply us with more biofuel, with better environmental gains. The major barrier to the development of second generation biofuel processes is their capital cost.

2G biofuels have other advantages too. 2G biofuels could help to reduce poverty in the developing world, through increased employment, wider economic growth multipliers and energy price effects.

(Carbon neutral means that the carbon released during the use of the fuel, e.g. through burning to power transport or generate electricity, is reabsorbed and balanced by the carbon absorbed by new plant growth. Sustainable biofuel production.

Rising food prices: "food vs. fuel" debate

International food prices are at an all time high. Part of the blame is laid at the door of biofuels as more corn , wheat. soya etc are used for production of biofuels and more cropland is allotted to biofuet production. US and EU governments are subsidizing the production of biofuels. Compulsory mixing of biofuels with petrol is being mandated. The impact of food price increases is greatest on poorer countries. Some have called for a freeze on biofuels

The solution however lies in more funding of second and third generation biofuels which should not compete with food production so much

Food vs. fuel

Food vs fuel is the dilemma regarding the risk of diverting farmland or crops for biofuels production harming food supply on a global scale.

Biofuel production has increased in recent years. Some commodities like maize. sugar cane or vegetable oil can be used either as food, animal feed or to make biofuels. For example, since 2006, land that was used to grow crops in the United States is now used to grow maize for biofuels. Larger share of maize.is destined to ethanol production. Global demand for biofuels is on the increase due to the oil price increases ;desire to reduce oil dependency ;as well as reduce GIIG emissions from transportation. Such diversion can cause destruction of natural habitats-conversion of forests for palm oil plantations as in Malaysia. Concerns were expressed about this

trade-off between environment and energy. The other concern relates to world food price crisis.

The solution lies in raising biofuel production by efficiency. Also, we can opt for 2G biofuels like Jatropha. It is also argued that food distribution is an important challenge as much as food production.

Biofuels in India

Biofuel can make India self-sufficient in energy source as the product has been proven to be efficient, sustainable, cost-effective and pollution-free.

As a cleaner burning fuel produced from renewable resources like soybean oil, biofuel can be used alone or blended with other petroleum products like heating oil. It is biodegradable and can be domestically produced.

Other biofuels can be extracted from dry organic matter or combustible oils produced by plants. Alcohol (from fermented sugar), black liquor from paper manufacturing process and wood are some of the sources of bio-organic fuel.

They help reduce air toxics emissions, greenhouse gas build-up and dependence on imported oil.

Biofuel plants such as Jatropha were best cultivated in wastelands and would not impact food production.

Sowing biofuel plants in fertile farmland should not be encouraged. Plants like Jatropha, Hongai and Neem that yield biofuel require minimum water and maintenance. Animals or insects do not feed on them. As a future source of energy, biofuel has the potential to change urban transportation and bring about a revolution in rural India where farmers can use it to run tractors and derive biogas and organic manure as its residue for fighting, cooking and soil nutrient instead of using toxic fertilizers.

Increasing use of biofuels will also enable India to lesson its dependence on oil imports, which account for 73 percent of total fuel consumption.

The country's development is correlated to energy use. Once our energy requirements are met, growth can be ensured.

State-run oil marketing firms like Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd have been using five percent of ethanol as an additive in petrol and diesel. .

Ethanol content can be increased by another 10 percent in petrol and diesel. The greater the use of ethanol, the more fossil fuels will be eco-friendly. Use of biodiesel and bio petrol do not require any change in the vehicle engine.

O c e a n T h e r m a l E n e r g y C o n v e r s i o n

The oceans cover a little more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface. This makes them the world's largest solar energy collector and energy storage system. On an average day, 60 million square kilometers (23 million square miles) of tropical seas absorb an amount of solar radiation equal in heat content to about 250 billion barrels of oil. If less than one-tenth of one percent of this stored solar energy could be converted into electric power, it would supply more than 20 times the total amount of electricity consumed in the United States on any given day. OTEC, or ocean thermal energy conversion, is an energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric power. OTEC systems use the ocean's natural thermal gradient the fact that the ocean's layers of water have different temperatures to drive a power-producing cycle. As long as the temperature between the warm surface water and the cold deep water differs by about 20°C (36°F), a n OTEC system can produce a significant amount of power. The oceans are thus a vast renewable resource; with the potential to help us produce billions of watts-of electric power. The cold, deep seawater used in the OTEC process is also rich in nutrients, and it can be used to culture both marine organisms and plant life near the shore or on land.

India is geographically well placed as far as the potential is concerned . Attractive locations suitable for land based as well as floating OTEC plants are available on the Indian coast and in the island groups in the Indian Ocean.

The economics of energy production today have delayed the financing of a permanent, continuously operating OTEC plant. However, OTEC is very promising as an alternative energy resource OTEC plants could provide islanders with much-needed power, as well as desalinated water and a variety of mariculture products.

OTEC is a technology that has long been considered a potential source of low cost, carbon-neutral as well as bulk desalinated water.

As the global price of energy increases in step with concern for reducing greenhouse emissions, a valuable opportunity presents itself The biggest hurdle is designing pipes that can plumb water from as low as l km below the sea level, resist its turbidity, last for years and still be cheap enough for practical use. India has done it.

The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), a Chennai-based research organization under the earth sciences ministry, has already designed pipes for dredging cold water.

At a barge off the Chennai coast, NIOT has been operating a 1 mld (million litres per day) desalination plant which removes excess salts from water-since 2006, that it says it produces fresh water that is 100 times purer than bottled mineral water at 6 paise a litre, using the differential temperature of the ocean.

Sagar Shakthi - the Ocean Ther-mal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Barge - a power plant, is the first of its kind in the world to generate electricity utilising the temperature gradients between surface and deep-sea water. The barge houses the Rankine Cycle based power plant. The barge has been jointly conceived and developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, and Dempo Shipbuilding and Engineering Pvt. Ltd, Goa.

Small Hydro Power Programme

Hydropower is a renewable, non-polluting and environmentally benign source of energy. It is perhaps the oldest renewable energy technique known to the mankind for mechanical energy conversion as well as electricity generation. Out of the total power generation installed capacity of 1,48,265 MW (Apri1,2009) in the country, hydropower contributes-about 25% i.e. 36;877 MW.

Hydro Power Project Classification

Hydro power projects are generally categorized in two segments i.e. small and large hydro. In India, hydro projects up to 25 MW station capacity have been categorized as Small Hydro Power (SHP) projects. While Ministry of Power, Government of India is responsible for large hydro projects, the mandate for the subject small hydro power (up to 25 MW) is given to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.Small hydro power projects are further classified as

Class Station Capacity in kW

Micro Hydro Up to 100

Mini Hydro 101 to 2000

Small Hydro 2001 to 25000

Small Hydro Power Programme

Small Hydro Power ( SHP) Programme is one of the thrust areas of power generation from renewable in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. It has been recognized that small hydropower projects can play a critical role in improving the over all energy scenario of the country and in particular for remote and inaccessible areas. The Ministry is encouraging development of small hydro projects both in the public as well as private sector. Equal attention is being paid to grid-interactive and decentralized projects.

The Ministry's aim is that the SHP installed capacity should be about 7000 MW by the end of 12th Plan. The focus of the SHP programme is to lower the cost of equipment, increase its reliability and set up projects in areas which give the maximum advantage in terms of capacity utilisation.

An estimated potential of about 15,000 MW of small hydro power projects exists in India. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has created a database of potential-sites of-small-.hydro and 5,415 potential sites with- an aggregate ca pad of 14,305.47 MW for projects up to 25 MW capacity have been identified.

The total installed capacity of small hydro power projects (upto 25 MW) as on 31.03.2009 is 2429.77 MW from 674 projects and 188 projects with aggregate capacity of 483.23 MW are under construction.

The Government of India announced the Electricity Act in 2003, Electricity Policy in 2005 and Tariff Policy in 2006 to create a conducive atmosphere for investments in the power sector. Small hydropower projects are now governed by these policies and the tariff is decided by the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) as per the Tariff Policy.

A target of adding 1400 MW during the 1lth Plan (2007-2012) Fixed.

Fuel cell

Fuel cells are power-generating devices having a wide range of applications including stationary power generation (MW), portable power generation (kW) and transportation (kW).A fuel cell is an electrochemical conversion device. It produces electricity from fuel (on the anode side) and an oxidant (on the cathode side), which react in the presence of an electrolyte. The reactants flow into the cell, and the reaction products flow out of it, while the electrolyte remains within it. Fuel cells can operate virtually continuously as long as the necessary flows are maintained.

Fuel cells are different from electrochemical cell batteries in that they consume reactant from an external source, which must be replenished a thermodynamically open system. By contrast, batteries store electrical energy chemically and hence represent a thermodynamically closed system.

Many combinations of fuels and oxidants are possible. A hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen as its fuel and oxygen (usually from air) as its oxidant. Other fuels include hydrocarbons and alcohols. Other oxidants include chlorine and chlorine dioxide.

The principle of the fuel cell had been demonstrated by Sir William Grove in 1839, and other, investigators had experimented with various forms of fuel cell. The first practical fuel cell was developed by Francis Thomas Bacon in 1959.

Fuel cells are very useful as power sources in remote locations, such as spacecraft, remote weather stations, large parks, rural locations, and in certain military applications. A fuel cell system running on hydrogen can be compact and lightweight and have-no-ma j or-moving Because fuel cells have no moving parts and do not involve combustion, in ideal conditions they can achieve up to 99.99% reliability

A Fuel cell vehicle or FC vehicle (FCV) is any vehicle that uses a fuel cell to produce its on-board motive power. Fuel cells on board the FC hydrogen vehicles create electricity to power an electric motor using hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air. A fuel cell process produces only water and heat.

There are different types of fuel cells and their applications range from powering a laptop computer (few watts) to utility power plants (few

megawatts). Fuel cells are an attractive technology option for India because of their economic, environmental, and energy-management advantages. In the Indian context, they have the following benefits.

• Highly efficient, can deliver more power per unit of fuel consumption • Least polluting for coal-based power generation• Low gestation periods for getting up new power plants

• No transmission and distribution losses because of dispersed generation

• Suitable for powering vehicles (especially buses) to reduce urban pollution and diesel import.

In India, development of fuel cells is primarily supported by the NINES (Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources). Several universities and research organizations are involved.

Geothermal energy in IndiaGeothermal energy is the natural heat of the earth. Earth's interior heat originated from its fiery consolidation of dust and gas over 4 billion years ago. It is continually regenerated by the decay of radioactive elements, that occur in all rocks.

In India, exploration and study of geothermal fields started in 1970. The GSI (Geological Survey of India) has identified 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.

The important sites being explored in India are shown in the map of India

Major geothermal energy resources in India

Technology for electricity generationThere are two types of plants:

Flash steam plants : When the geothermal energy is available at 150 °C and above temperature, the fluids can be used directly to generate electricity. In some cases, direct steam is available from the geothermal reservoir; otherwise the steam is separated and turbines are used for power generation.

Binary plant

These plants are used when geothermal temperature is between 100 °C and 150 °C. The fluid is extracted and circulated through a heat exchanger where the heat is transferred to the low boiling point organic liquid. This gets converted into high pressure vapour, which drives organic fluid turbines.

Advantages

Geothermal energy has cost, reliability and environmental advantages over conventional energy sources. It contributes both to energy supply, with electrical power generation and direct-heat uses.

As a result of today's geothermal production, consumption of exhaustible fossil fuels is offset, along with the release of acid-rain and greenhouse gases that are caused by fossil-fuel use. Systems for use of geothermal energy have proven to be extremely-reliable-and flexible

Development of geothermal energy has a large net positive impact on the environment compared with development of conventional energy sources. Geothermal power plants have sulphur-emissions rates that average only a few percent of those from fossil-fuel alternatives. There are other environmental advantages to geothermal energy. Geothermal power plants require very little land, taking up only a fraction of that needed by other energy sources. Thus emission of C02 and S02 by geothermal power plants is far less compared with conventional fossil fuel based power plants

S o l a r E n e r g y a n d I n d i aIndia's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) sets out eight focal points for the government's sustainable development strategy through 2017. The NAPCC is likely to become a significant driver of new investment opportunities in the country's renewable energy portfolio, and in solar generation in particular.

As the world's second most populous country and second largest growing economy, India has unique challenges in developing an energy s u p p l y adequate to meet the country's development needs, including providing electricity to the 44% of its population without grid access.

Solar power constitutes roughly 2 MW of the total approximate 12,400 MW of India's grid-interactive renewable power, sourced by a total of 33 grid-interactive solar photovoltaic plants installed with financial assistance from the environment ministry. Decentralized solar energy systems compose the larger share of India's solar power and consist of 120 MW of photovoltaic systems, a collector area of about 2.30 million square meters of solar water heating systems and 620,000 solar cookers, used for diverse applications including lighting, telecommunication, small power requirements, battery charging, water heating, and cooking.

Existing incentives for renewable energy deployment include a system of renewable purchase obligations (RPOs) and various funding for rural, urban, and industrial uses of renewable electricity.

The NAPCC seeks to consolidate India's activities on renewable energy and climate, through improved research and development on climate technologies and through prioritizing a substantial increase in solar energy relative to the total energy mix. The NAPCC launches the National Solar Mission (NSM), which must present a comprehensive planning document to-the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change by December 2008, including strategies for delivering:

Sufficient-solar-energy-in urban areas industries, and commercial establishments" to meet the targets defined in the NAPCC;

• Public-private partnerships for rural solar thermal application development;• Local solar photovoltaic production of 1000MW/year by 2017; and• Concentrating solar power production of 1000MW/year by 2017;The NAPCC additionally proposes a dynamic minimum renewable purchase standard, beginning at 5% of the total grid purchase starting 2009-2010, increasing by 1 % each year for 10 years, along with verification mechanisms and tradable certificates for renewable-based power in excess of the national standard, tradable among State Electricity Commissions.

Lighting a billion lives

A total of 1.6 billion people in the world lack access to electricity, and 25% of them live in India. Over 78 million households (or roughly 390

million lives) in India lack access to electricity, causing life to come to a standstill after dusk. Inadequate lighting is not only an impediment to progress and development opportunities, but also has a direct impact on the health, environment, and safety of millions of villagers as they are forced to light their homes with kerosene lamps, dung cakes, firewood, and crop residue after sunset. Recognizing the need to change the existing scenario in rural India, TERI has initiated "Lighting a Million Lives" (LaML) Campaign in rural India through the use of solar lighting devices. The Campaign was in 2007. The Lighting a Million Lives Campaign has been expanded to Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL) Campaign to benefit more people not only in India, but around the world.

The Campaign targets to bring light into the lives of one million rural people in India by displacing the kerosene lanterns with solar lighting devices, thereby facilitating education of children; providing better illumination and kerosene smoke free indoor environment for women to do household chores; and providing opportunities for livelihoods both at the individual level and at village level.

National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE)

The NMEEE, one of the eight national missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, sets out a comprehensive strategy to create demand for energy efficient products, goods and services, amend government policies and programmes to integrate energy efficiency processes and prepare bankable projects to stimulate the mission. -

The strategy also seeks to incentives cost-effective improvements in energy efficiency in industries and facilities and certify energy savings that could be traded.

Ensuring adequate supply of energy efficient products, goods and services by creating a cadre of energy professionals by way of bi-annual certification examinations, standards and labelling of end-use equipment and appliances, preparing structured programmes to leverage international financing instruments are also part of the comprehensive strategy.

India and Energy efficiency

India plans to launch a domestic energy-efficiency trading scheme as part of its efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and combat climate change.

Amendments to the Energy Conservation Act are planned to create a financial mechanism that would help put India on a par with some of the world's most energy efficient economies. India is already as energy efficient as Germany, and has ambitions to match Japan.

India also plans mandatory fuel efficiency standards in the transport sector. Energy ratings will become compulsory on appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, tube lights and transformers in January. By mid-year these standards will extend to televisions and stoves.

The energy efficiency market in one of the world's fastest growing large economies could be worth, by some estimates, $15bn (E10.2bn, £9.4bn) within six years. The Indian government estimates that the initiative could reduce 100m tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year: the country's current emissions total about 1.4bn tonnes a year.

Government approved a scheme to issue energy efficiency certificates with the -intention -that these be-traded between businesses using more energy-than - - -stipulated and those that had adopted energy-saving measures. Companies failing to reach prescribed benchmarks would have to buy credits from others that did.

Hybrid electric vehicle

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric power train is intended to achieve better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle. A hybrid electric vehicle is also a form of electric vehicle. The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car, an automobile driven by a gasoline internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motors powered by batteries.Modern HEVs make use of efficiency-improving technologies such as regenerative braking, which converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into battery replenishing electric energy, rather than wasting it as heat energy as vehicles equipped with conventional brakes do.

A hybrid-electric produces less emissions from its ICE than a comparably-sized gasoline car, as an HEV's gasoline engine is usually smaller than a pure fossil-fuel vehicle, and if not used to directly drive the car, can be geared to run at maximum efficiency, further improving fuel economy.A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid vehicle with batteries that can be recharged by connecting a plug to an electric power source

Advantages• Fuel efficiency makes them reduce petroleum consumption, for example, through recapturing waste energy (i.e. regenerative braking)• Reduced noise emissions• Reduced air pollution emissions,NORMS SIMPLIFIED FOR GRANT OF MEGA POWER STATION The Centre has approved a slew of modifications to the Mega Power

Policy, essentially aiming at simplifying the procedure for grant of mega certificate for projects and encouraging indigenous manufacturing in the field of super-critical power equipment

A “mega” status entails fiscal benefits such as tax holidays and duty breaks on import of equipment for the project developer

The amendments include scrapping the condition that required a mega power project to sell electricity to more than one state

Benefits of the scheme have also been extended to the new super critical – technology based projects to be awarded through international competitive bidding with the mandatory condition of setting up indigenous manufacturing facility.

A web based Management Information System (MIS) will be put in place for real time monitoring of the Mission.

(NB: Refer to classroom notes on UMPP)

The Remote Village Electrification Programme

It is being implemented by Government to provide lighting/electricity using renewable energy, in those remote unelectrified villages and hamlets which are not going to be covered under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) for grid electrification. The Programme has been continued during the 11th Plan and a budget allocation of Rs.80 crore made for the year.

Although a variety of renewable energy technologies are possible for electrification of remote villages including small hydro, wind, biomass and solar energy, yet, solar PV lighting remains the most preferred. The decision to use a particular technology is taken by the state implementing agencies after examination of the technical feasibility and resource availability.

The Programme is implemented in states by notified state implementing agencies. The Ministry provides a Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of upto 90% of the costs of installation of various renewable energy devices/systems. In addition, many other promotional supports and a substantial amount of service charge are provided to the state implementing agencies.

The cumulative sanctions under the Programme since its inception reached around 10,000, villages and hamlets of which work has been completed in around 6200 villages and hamlets. A target for coverage of 10,000 villages and hamlets has been set for the 11th Plan, of which 3280 villages and hamlets have been taken up by 31.12.2009. The main states where the programme has greater relevance due to difficult access to areas are Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and the North Eastern states. Special priority is being accorded to villages affected by internal disturbances/extremism in line with the policy of the Government.

Solar Buildings Programme

Buildings have huge potential for mitigating the impact of climate change and growing energy consumption through climate responsive architecture and integrating use of renewable energy devices into the design. The total energy use in buildings in the country is growing rapidly owing to economic development and increasing urbanization. The real estate and construction sector in India is presently growing at a rate of about 10%. In view of the growing energy related concerns coupled with consciousness regarding environment and the climate, efforts started to construct Green Buildings all over the country which not only addressed energy conservation but also look into water and waste management, environmental impact and minimum destruction of natural resources. Building Rating Systems were found quite effective for raising awareness in respect of these issues. A comprehensive buildings rating system, called GRIHA, was developed by Ministry of Non Renewable Energy, based on the initial work carried out at The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) and feedback received from group of architects and experts. The rating system is suitable to Indian climate and is in harmony with the NBC 2005, ECBC 2007 and other IS codes.

The Ministry has launched a Scheme on ‘Development of Solar Cities’ under which a total of 60 cities/towns are proposed to be supported for development as ‘Solar/ Green Cities’ during the 11th Plan period. At least one city in each State to a maximum of five cities may be supported by the Ministry. The cities may have population between 5 to 50 lakh. Relaxation could be considered for special category states including North-Eastern States. Financial support up to of Rs. 50 lakh for each city may be provided for preparation of the Master Plan (up to Rs. 10 lakh), oversight of its implementation (up to Rs. 10 lakh), setting up of Solar Cell in the city(up to Rs. 10 lakh) and organizing promotional activities (up to Rs. 20 lakh).

Akshay Urja Shops

The scheme on establishment of Akshay Urja Shops (earlier Aditya Solar Shops) was continued during the year. Under the Scheme, shops are being established in each district to make renewable energy products easily available to the people and provide after sales and repair services. The scheme is in operation through State Nodal Agencies. Financial support in terms of soft loans from designated banks and recurring grant for first two years of operation from Ministry is available for establishing such shops. A total of 302 shops in 31 States / UTs, (including 104 Aditya Solar Shops) have been established under the scheme. During the year, nine Akshay Urja Shops were supported in Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Uttar Pradesh.

Energy from Urban Waste

There is a need for increased efforts to manage and safely dispose the increasing quantities of solid and liquid wastes caused by rapid urbanization, industrialization and changes in life style across the country. Technologies are now available that help in generating substantial quantity of decentralized energy besides reducing the quantity of wastes for their safe disposal and reducing its adverse impact on the environment. According to a recent estimate, over 55 million tonnes (1.5 lakh tonnes per day) of municipal solid waste (MSW) and a large quantity of liquid waste i.e. sewage, are generated every year by our urban population. This translates into a potential for generation of over 2600 MW of power from urban wastes in the country.

The estimated potential of energy from MSW upto the end of 11th and 12th five year Plans is estimated as 3650 and 5200 MW, respectively.

Similarly, it has been estimated that there is a potential for recovery of about 1300 MW of energy from solid and liquid wastes generated by various industry sectors such as, sugar, pulp and paper, fruit and food processing, sago / starch, distilleries, dairies, tanneries, slaughterhouses, poultries, etc. The energy recovery potential is expected to increase to about 1600 MW by 2012 and 2000 MW by the year 2017.

Wind Power

Wind energy, today, has emerged as the most promising renewable energy technology for generating grid connected power amongst various renewable energy sources. The Ministry’s wind power programme covers survey and assessment of wind resources, facilitation of implementation of demonstration and private sector projects through various fiscal and promotional policies. A total capacity of 10925 MW has been established up to December, 2009 in the country. India is now the fifth largest wind power producer in the world, after USA, Germany, Spain and China.

Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), Chennai

Indian Wind Atlas

The Ministry has sponsored a project on Preparation of Indian Wind Atlas to CWET, Chennai in association with Riso National Laboratory, Denmark. The project involves extensive use of micro and meso scale models like WAsP and KAMM in conjunction with super computers. The project has been completed and Wind Atlas Book is under preparation for publication.

Tidal Energy

Among the various forms of energy contained in the seas and oceans, tidal energy, has been developed on a commercial scale. Technologies for harnessing other forms of energy from seas and oceans are still under development. France, Russia, China, Canada, United Kingdom and Korea are some of the countries, which are making use of tidal energy on commercial basis. The tidal power potential sites in India are in the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat and the Delta of the Ganges in West Bengal.

In order to develop and harness tidal energy for power generation, the Ministry is implementing a programme on tidal energy. The first tidal power project of 3.75 MW capacity is being set up by WBREDA through the NHPC Ltd. at Durgaduani Creek in Sunderbans, West Bengal. The NHPC Ltd. is in the process of awarding contract for the project, through international bidding process.

The Government is establishing an autonomous institution named as ‘Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Renewable Energy (SSS-NIRE)’ at Wadala Kalan, Distt. Kapurthala, Punjab. The objective of the Institute is to conduct research, development and demonstration activities in the area of bio-energy, bio-fuels, synthetic fuels in their all forms for stationary and transport applications.

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) was established in 1987 as an independent specialised Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) with the objective of operating a revolving fund for promoting and developing new and renewable sources of energy (NRSE). It has since completed twenty two years of its existence and has played a key role in the development of renewable energy in India.

Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas (RGAUD)-To mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, 20 August was observed as Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas for the first time in 2004. Since then, each year this day is marked by rallies and human peace chains-runs, while competitions such as essay writing, painting, quiz, debates, and so on are organised by educational institutions across the country. The Akshay Urja Diwas is an attempt to create awareness about the development of renewable energy in our country, inform the end users about the latest developments, share the views and experiences of all the stakeholders including users, and provide feedback to the policy-makers for improving the planning process.Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas serves to educate and mobilize people across the country for environmental protection and inspire action on personal, community, national, and international levels. Through voluntary action, each of us can join in building a productive land in harmony with nature. To commemorate Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas 2010, TERI, in partnership with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is organizing a series of events and competitions for school and college students. Students across the National Capital Territory are invited to participate in these events, which are based on the common theme, "Akshay Urja se desh vikas, gaon gaon bijli, ghar ghar prakash". College students are invited to participate in the inter-college musical symphony. Collage making and envirotisement contests will be organized for the school students. Winners of all these events will be felicitated on 25 August 2010, at the prize distribution ceremony to be held at Siri Fort Cultural Complex, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi.

Renewable Energy Technology Incubation Fund 2009- Ministry has also supported Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) of IIM Ahmedabad by creating a Renewable Energy Incubation Scheme, wherein Ministry’s contribution is Rs.1.188 crore. Under its initiative named Renewable Energy Search, 19 aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to set-up their enterprise in RE sector were identified for undergoing three months internship/grooming programme. In addition evaluation of various technologies being developed in various labs and patent search was also done. About 50 Start-ups applied for the initial support under the project against which six projects of 13 aspiring entrepreneurs with start-up cost varying from Rs.25 lakh to Rs.50 lakh have been identified for support.