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| Wind energy could help solve today's energy needs, so why isn't it used more | | |
By: Er.L.P.Singh
The Indian wind power sector is a 20 years old industry with the first commercial wind farm set up in the state of Tamil Nadu in 1989.In its operation it is independent of fuel consumption which is unique for the present day economy. What adds to it, in the perspective of global warming, is its virtually creating no pollution in power generation. The wind power development in India continues to be incentive driven which witnessed an unprecedented growth in 1994-95 when major policy initiatives were taken by the government. New and Renewable Energy ministry was set up in the year 1992 under the Govt.of India which works with the help of 42 nodal agencies to promote the renewable energy in one or other form throughout the country. The Electricity Act 2003 has been a major step to stimulate growth of wind power sector.
At the early stages, many of the wind power projects could not be claimed to have planned scientifically or set up with due consideration of the wind conditions. Due to frequent voltage dips, unsteady frequency, high wind potential sites and more often grid failure leads to machine stoppage. These factors have lowered the generation level and adversely affected the rate of capital return. The industry also has to learn to live with various delays on account of project approvals, land acquisition, getting the required funds, besides infrastructure and power evacuation facilities. In such conditions many organizations have left the scene. In the last few years the scene has changed and now the wind power sector capacity is being maintained in four figures.
However, the rate of progress, both in physical terms and percentage, has seen to be sliding down from 48.6 %( 1746MW) in 2006 to 17 %( 1480MW) in the current year (March2009). This is contrary to the growth track of the global wind power, which has witnessed massive additions of 15127MW, 19776MW and 27216MW by the end of 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. Our neighbouring country China has notched up annual progress of more than 100% in these years to reach 12210MW by end 2008 and has taken the fourth rank in world wind power development, a position held by India since March 2005.At present the wind power installed capacity of our country is 10248MW and we are sharing a leading position with USA, Germany, Spain and China in the 76 member world wind power club.
The gross installed capacity of grid-interactive renewable power in India currently is 11,273 MW, which accounts for 8% of the total installed generation capacity in the country. Total power capacity is expected to be 200,000 MW by the end of the 11th Plan (2012). Of this, the government has set a target of 24,000 MW to come from renewable energy. Wind power is planned to contribute 10,500 MW.
The falling profitability of private wind farm operations in the country today has been the cause of deep concern to many. As a result of the initiatives taken by the government to promote wind energy, different states have started supporting the wind power companies and investors with liberal policy initiatives.
Wind power is an important part of the strategy to combat global warming. It is currently the most economically competitive form of renewable energy. It provides nearly 15,000 megawatts of power in the United States, enough power for more than 3 million households, and could provide up to 20 percent of the country's electricity needs. Every megawatt-hour produced by wind energy avoids an average of 1,220 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. If the United States obtains 20 percent of its electricity from wind power by 2020, it will reduce global warming emissions equivalent to taking 71 million cars off the road or planting 104 million acres of trees. Expanding wind power instead of fossil fuels also avoids the wildlife and human health impacts of oil and gas drilling, coal mining and fossil fuel.
In our state we are having areas where wind energy can be utilized on regular basis to produce electricity for far flung areas and small villages in the hilly belt. The survey has been done before also to find places in J&K where more wind power plants can be installed. Wind power monitoring stations have to be installed in these areas to collect all necessary data including wind speed and peak and low period of wind flow in a year. The area, altitude and monthly wind speed would be analyzed before setting up of wind energy power generating unit. State Govt. with the help of N and RE Ministry can start the small wind plants at suitable places so that the process of electrifying villages can be further extended. It is found that the small scale power generation systems based on the renewable energy sources are more efficient and cost effective. Thus, the focus of the Govt.should be on the small scale renewable energy technologies that can be implemented locally by communities and small scale producers, which can make a significant overall contribution towards the national energy supply.
Considering the big picture of the wind, the government is expected to make an overall review of the existing regulations and the implementation mechanism, and thrust upon a new growth path for the industry which is otherwise ready to take a leap to address the imperatives of a new challenge, where keeping away from factors causing global warming and straining the nature’s dwindling resources comes second only to none.
(Feedback at: [email protected])
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