THRUST TOWARDS SOLAR ENERGY IS THE RIGHT STEP FOR ENERGY SECURITY OPTION FOR ONE AND ALL

Energy security through clean energy is much more than the necessity for mankind. In fact looking at the problems associated with all fuel based energy options, namely the global warming and health hazards, quest for clean energy has become the need of the hour to save our mother earth and its occupants. In this kind of a scenario and the finite quantum of all fuel resources one fails to understand as to why thrust towards clean renewable energy sources is languishing. 

Out of all clean renewable sources, solar energy occupies the pride of place for its large scale availability at almost all the places on our globe and above all the source is eternal and will last till humanity lives. The amount of energy falling on our globe is of the order of 174000 TWatts, a magnitude best understood by the fact that 1 hour of solar rays' energy is more than what mankind uses in a year. When this energy is responsible for lifting water from surface of sea to fall back down on the high mountains, drives ocean currents from tropics to poles, spins winds from pole to pole and power the green engine of life with guaranteed absolute safety, why it cannot be depended upon to provide energy security to all mankind on our globe. The powerful and mighty of this globe, the men who take pride in changing the fortunes of mankind certainly owe an explanation to the same mankind for guiding it to the brink of self destruction through their vested and motivated interests by resorting to all kind of energy security approaches likely to result in annihilation of life.
The irony of the whole game of providing energy security to the mankind on mother earth is that we are aiming at mastering more than complex and catastrophic nuclear sciences and technologies, from the finite fission energy to infinite fusion energy. It is something like an effort to reinvent wheel for the same fusion energy which has been bestowed upon mankind since ages in the form of solar energy and that too at a safe distance of millions of kilometers from earth with all the inbuilt safeties that man and his science cannot even dream of for the next thousands of years.It does not require any rocket science to conclude that we must spend all our time, energy, money and resources in harnessing what comes to us from nature and remove all small and inconsequential bottlenecks that are being talked about by those professing against the suitability of renewable energy sources for providing energy security. In fact thrust towards solar energy is the only right step for energy security option for one and all.

SOLAR ENERGY: BEST BET FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH

The Indian government's thrust on inclusive growth is laudable and it is well known that growth, prosperity, healthcare, education and improvement in living conditions are all dependent on availability of power and an energy security model based on large power producing plants and a massive transmission and distribution system is neither viable nor feasible in rural areas whether remote or otherwise. A city conglomerate with a population of  about 2 million and an area of about 200 sq. kms is a concentrated pocket requiring something like 200 MW of electricity and the costs incurred on bringing in electricity from a large power plant 150 to 200 kms away can be justified but imagine a rural cluster of 5 villages in the same area with a population of  may be 5000 and an energy requirement of  5 - 10 MW can hardly justify the costs of being on a national grid system. India today needs many fold increase in its energy generation to cover all industrialization and households electrification needs. Firstly, this quantum of energy requirement cannot be met without resorting to renewable energy sources and secondly putting a national grid in place to cover all nooks and corners of the country may not materialize in the coming few decades even if the country decides to forget the cost, commercial aspects and the economy of energy production, transmission and distribution. Power engineers and policy makers anywhere must never forget that solar is simple, keep it simple to retain its edge when looking for solutions to energy security. It is because of such concerns and considerations of giving boost to rural industrialization that Brasil, Indonesia and now Zambia has opted for Solar energy to boost rural industrialization.

Of late the government of India has started realizing the importance of development of solar energy and it has proposed a target of 20000 mw by the end of 13th five year plan, though too little and too slow in view of the potential and advantages of basing India's energy security entirely on renewable energy concepts. The Indian prime minister has asked Bharat Heavy Electricals ( BHEL ) to take lead in developing solar power technology. It will be wonderful if other engineering giants are also involved in this national endeavor to make India into a global leader in the field of power from renewable energy sources. It was equally heartening to note that Dr Kakodkar, former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, one of the most vociferous advocates of nuclear energy has bracketed solar along with nuclear for the ultimate energy security of the country. Nuclear energy is debatable and a very contentious issue in the light of false safety promises and likelihood of catastrophic accidents. In comparison solar has no thorns attached to it and easily emerges as the only wise option. It is not just for nothing that many advanced countries are putting in all their eggs in the basket of renewable energy, so much so that their yearly additions to power from renewable energy sources are to the tune of 4000 mw and higher and solar power being the highest contributor.
The whole world takes cognizance of the fact that India   is  at  the  thresh  hold  of  a  huge  step forward to become one of the economic super powers of  21st century because of a huge opportunity knocking on its doors with a combination of favourable factors like vast technical and management  human  resource at much lower expense,  an  awesome demography  advantage   coupled   with   an enormous demand for all kind of consumer goods, infrastructure, housing and healthcare needs even if one talks about extending  the benefits of development to a level of reasonably good living as per the European standards to the 1 billion plus population of the country. Add to this the need and inner desire on the part of all nations to shift over to renewable energy sources for energy security because of global environmental concerns and finite nature of all fuel based energy. Total reliance and a super thrust on renewable energy is a must for India becoming a global leader and the sheer magnitude of India's additional power requirements in the coming two decades should prompt the country's leadership to find solutions which can give the country leadership in newer power technologies for all times to come.

BENEFITS OF ENERGY SECURITY THROUGH CLEAN RENEWABLES

It is not for nothing that a large number of philosophers and analysts are raising their voice for achieving energy security on our globe through use of Renewable clean energy sources. The seeds of this idea were sowed as early as 1931 by none other than Thomas Alva Edison, the father of the electricity revolution.

Up to the nineties of the last century this idea appeared to be a fantasy of some philosophical brains and was almost dubbed as Utopian by the technologists and analysts working in the field of energy. With the dawning of the fact that all fuel reserves are finite and mankind will run out of them sooner than later,the researches and technologies started gathering steam so much so that today wise men have started talking of energy security through 100% renewable clean energies as early as 2030.

Why so much of concern for the route to energy security? The switch over to clean renewable energy sources is beneficial on all fronts.

• The first and the foremost is the fact that the very existence of earth as a planet of life is in danger because of man's quest to harness more and more comforts for himself through energy. This is quite obvious when we sift through the data on global warming which is on one hand resulting in more and more pressures on energy requirements and on the other resulting in a receding snowline and depleting water tables. In fact the policies on energy security are leading to disturbances in the natural food chain, carbon cycle, hydrology or water cycle and are taking mankind to a path of self destruction. All clean renewable energy sources contribute little to no global warming emissions during all life cycle activity of manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance, and dismantling and decommissioning. Surprisingly the much touted clean nuclear power  results in up to 25 times more carbon emissions than wind energy, when reactor construction and uranium refining and transport are considered.
• The next major benefit of clean renewable energy technologies is improved public health and environment quality resulting in lesser load and expenditure on health services. Additionally the overall water requirements of the society will also be reduced drastically. They reduce deaths due to air pollution
• Solar, wind, tide etc are vast, inexhaustible and eternal sources of energy and harnessing them for energy security could easily qualify to be invention of the human civilization,  far too bigger and revolutionizing than the invention of wheel perhaps.
• Clean renewable energy technologies are labour intensive and provide far more jobs per KWatt than the heavily mechanized and automated technologies based on all types of fuels.
• The energy from renewable sources has traversed its path from birth to infancy to childhood and have become viable and competitive  with conventional energy sources. The prices will keep on coming down as these technologies graduate from childhood to adolescence to adulthood. And mark my words, the old age and death are never going to come! So with clean renewables we are in for an era of stable energy prices.
• Over and above all, the two hottest technologies i.e. wind and solar provide far too safe, reliable and resilient power generation system because of their suitability in standalone, micro, mini and large scale requirements and intrinsic nature of being modular. They are less prone to large scale failures in the event of extreme weather conditions and calamities such as storms as is borne by the facts emerging after Hurricane Sandy 2012. Similarly even in the eventuality of a drought they will keep on working because of negligible water requirements for their functioning.
• Energy sources have been one of the biggest bone of contention among nations and have wrought in many a wars and political manipulations leading to global upheavals. Since wind and solar are available with all nations in reasonably abundant quantities enough to match their requirements, may be with one major bone of contention removed, we will see a peaceful and tension free world in the coming years. 

More hydro power to boost energy security: Report

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of coal shortages impacting the power sector, increasing hydro powergeneration capacity would help in strengthening India's energy security, says a report. Many hydro power projects are grappling with delays and cost overruns, mainly due to geological as well as geopolitical obstacles.

"Given India's tight domestic coal supply and increasing reliance on imported coal, hydro capacity provides the country with greater energy security...," HSBC Global Research, part of banking giant HSBC, said in a recent report on the Indian hydro power sector.

Going by estimates, hydro power makes up for little over 20% of the country's total installed capacity of more than 1,90,000 MW.

The hydro capacity addition was revised to about 8,200 MW from earlier target of 15,600 MW in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12). However, the actual capacity added during that period is estimated to be around 5,400 MW.

TOTAL RELIANCE And SUPER THRUST On RENEWABLE ENERGY MUST For INDIA BECOMING GLOBAL LEADER

Energy security is the burning topic of the 21st century with the developed, developing and even the backward countries of this globe and everybody is clamouring for clean renewable energy sources even those who do not have them on their own territory in ample amount. Germany is a perfect example of this, even though it is not blessed with a lavish quantum of these resources, it has decided to abandon all fuel based energy sources so much so even the much touted nuclear energy in a scheduled manner. In fact it is investing heavily in Desertec Solar Energy programme across Mediterranean in Sahara desert. Japan with little renewable energy potential and a very large dependence on nuclear power finds 52 out of 54 power reactors offline and even the Japanese PM has supported a gradual phase out of nuclear power in a few decades. Simultaneously Japan has undertaken ambitious plans to harness solar energy for futuristic energy security of its nation and our globe . UK and the northern countries of European continent are pinning their hopes on 'On shore and Off shore' wind energy potential in addition to hydroelectric potential for guaranteeing energy security to their respective countries for all times to come.

In the light of all this, India with a wonderful mix of hydro, wind and solar power potential should immediately aim at total reliance and super thrust on renewable energy which will transform India into a prosperous country and is an absolute must for becoming global leaders. It all depends on Indian polity and rulers and they have to decide with their actions as to where do they stand.  The whole country expects the polity to rise to the occasion at least once at this most critical juncture by not investing in near obsolescence nuclear power choice  and not deny the country its legitimate opportunity to become a world leader in the coming few decades.Let wisdom and national interest prevail on our politicians and nuclear technocrat lobby so that we do not fall prey to US and French interests and in the bargain lose our chance of leading the world in the transition to renewable energy solutions. Let us make best use of our being backward in per capita energy consumption, for US, Europe and China combined together will not add or replace 8,00,000 mw which India is planning to add during the next decade or so.We have the opportunity of fine tuning wind and solar energy technologies and cut down their costs through development of large scale manufacturing facilities without having to bother about our earlier investments in any energy field becoming redundant and superfluous. ( excerpts from http://veekay-indiandreamsvsreality.blogspot.in/2011/04/energy-security-nuclear-energy-worst.html )

India's requirements and equitable distribution of wind, hydro and solar potential over large parts of the country require thinking outside the box on the part of technocrats and engineers to have a right kind of mix of micro, mini and Ultra Ultra Mega power plants based on renewable energy sources. Gone are the days when big was considered to be more economical in all industry and power industry was no different particularly when the available options were restricted to hydro and fuel based power generation.  To day when wind and solar energy has given a wonderful option of on site generation of power in small, medium and large quantities without affecting the cost of operation. The small to medium size power producing units with tremendous Force Multiplier Potential accruing because of redundancy of transmission costs and transmission losses as also the fuel transportation and transportation infrastructure costs .Add to this the cost of environmental damage ( green house effect ) and loss of carbon credits by fossil fuel based power industry and civil liability costs, plant dismantling cost and storage/dispensation of fuel waste costs of nuclear power industry and the capital cost reductions likely to be achieved by 100 times scaling up of solar and wind power equipment production lines, the solar and wind power options will become economically competitive to present day energy options.

India and Solar Energy:The inexhaustible Source | INDIAN DREAMS Vs REALITY

India and Solar Energy:The inexhaustible Source | INDIAN DREAMS Vs REALITY

India and Solar Energy:The inexhaustible Source

Solar and wind energy, the two major inexhaustible and eternal sources of energy are most precious nature's gifts to this world and the futuristic energy security concepts of this globe must totally evolve from them. Mankind has already woken to this realisation  and a lot of effort is being made towards harnessing them to provide permanent energy security, not withstanding the short term vested interests of some powerful industry cartels, countries and their leaders in favour of temporary, costly and havoc rendering obsolete concepts of energy security.

It has been a long and circuitous journey for the mankind to realise the true potential of these inexhaustible sources. It is mandatory and wise for the developing countries not to repeat this historical journey of providing energy to their citizens. They must straight away jump on to the technologies and sources which are eternal, for this will be the statesmanship and wisdom of their leaders.

While the present developed world countries are geographically placed north of the tropic of cancer and do not enjoy the same quantum of bliss of solar energy as countries like India,Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Mexico etc., in the northern hemisphere and Australia, South Africa, Namibia, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina etc. in the southern hemisphere. Sahara desert and Thar desert are the two major sites on this globe (with a 5-7 kWh/m^2 of radiation energy  for about 3000 hrs in a year) which have the potential of becoming the futuristic energy hubs, the former for Europe and north African countries and the latter for India because of shear vastness of scarcely inhabited areas with energy potential of more than 100 times of present world production.

The Indian energy security programs need to be tweaked primarily around solar energy and augmented by other renewable energies like wind, hydro power and futuristic sources like tidal and geothermal energy.
Advantages of Solar Energy  

• Absolutely clean energy source
• Available for total life of earth and civilisation and absolutely free of cost.
• In situ availability at most locations on this globe that means no logistics cost for producing power
• Suitability for all sizes of non grid requirements starting from smallest solar  cells for watch, torch, lantern etc to remote homes, remote villages and finally mega power plants for national grids.
• Amenable to use in houses, row of houses,large buildings,hospitals,school buildings  etc. particularly in modern planned cities with effective skyline controls. In fact all new localities and townships can have architectural controls to make effective use of standalone solar power potential of each building. In fact a small middle class home with a roof area of about 130 sq. mtrs. can produce electricity to the tune of 500-700 kWh/day in a typical central India locale.
•  In a small town of 15-16 sq. km area through a 100 metre wide integrated corridor along the periphery for installing solar panels, the requirements of the whole town can be met with a distribution network only. The high cost of transmission lines and allied losses can be totally done away with.

Drawbacks/shortcomings of solar energy

• Available only for limited time during a day and that too only on sunny days. So either we have adopt a solar thermal power station (with 30% conversion efficiency) with cost effective thermal storage or tweak the solar panel power (photo voltaic with 15% conversion efficiency) with energy storage batteries and an instantaneously switchable electricity generator.
• Large tracts of land are required for setting up of solar farms. The land resource is so very scarce in most countries. However it is not a problem in Indian Thar desert and African Sahara desert as both have very little population and are more or less barren. Additionally the land employed in the form of corridors along rail and highway network and irrigation canal system running into thousands of kilometres can be gainfully utilised with no extra burden on land resources. Incidentally the rail and highway corridors emanating from Delhi in all directions total upto 1200 Kms and if a 50 metre width can be used for collection of solar energy, a potential of about 1000 MW is available which can easily meet the requirements of area covered by200 kms radius around Delhi.

If humanity starts working in this direction with all its might, huge cost cutting in the capital outlay could be achieved in a short time. Simultaneously technologies for storing energy to cater for black out periods and cutting down transmission losses to almost zero with super conducting cables can be the harbinger of a new era. For developed nations, reasons for putting in all their resources and might behind this effort may not be that compelling immediately, but it is not understood why Indian politicians in particular and leaders of other energy starved nations are dillydallying on this front.

Energy Security:Clean Energy Technologies : The Best Place To Be In

US President Barack Obama wants America to stay way ahead in the global race for clean energy innovation and wants his country to make sure that the new technological breakthroughs do not take place in countries like China and India. Such is the importance of wind, solar and other renewable energy sources and the growing realization across the world that clean energy technology is the way to future as it is going to help spur job creation and economic growth for years to come.

Surprisingly these lines and thought process of the Head of the super economic power of this globe do not cut any ice with Indian leaders and technocrats. For some strange reason and logic they only want to ensure Obama's wish and vision by buying from US and France nuclear power plants for trillions of dollars so that these nations have enough funds in their kitty to spend on research, technology development and creation of relevant industrial infrastructure to remain technology world leaders for future also.

Let us spend all the money meant to be spent on our nuclear energy program i.e. a sum of 9.6*10^12 i.e.  1.0 million crore rupees for 20000 mwatt of nuclear power to be added in the next decade or so. Cost includes  measures for waste management, disaster compensation insurance and stringent safety norms likely to be imposed in the light of Japanese disaster. In comparison 200000 mwatt of wind/hydro or 60000 mwatt of solar power can be installed at the same cost. On the top of it  environment issues,  security hazards and risks, disaster possibility and above all dependence for fuel on other countries will no more be issues of any concern. Let us give opportunity to our research labs, our engineering giants and i am convinced that we will add much more power in the coming decade and huge financial and opportunity inputs in these renewable energy technologies will catapult India to be the world leader in these fields.

Energy Security:Renewable Energy Sources-The Right Perspective

Electricity from renewable sources i.e. hydel, wind and solar is certainly the best option for any country on this globe, particularly for India as it has availability of vast quantum of these resources. The basic advantage in the use of these resources can be summed up as:

• All three are eternal sources of energy
• Clean pollution free energy generation
• No consumable costs and saves scarce fossil fuel and carbon reserves
• Least environment effect on global warming
• Very low on logistics cost

The overall hydro, wind and solar power  potential available in  the country is of  the order of  8-10 lakh mw

( Considering only Thar desert area for solar power ). The same can grow considerably if we decide to make use of all our rail, road and canal corridors. India is actively considering Mega Manufacturing Hubs each of which will be spread over 2000 hectares covering an area of about 20 sq.kms. and a periphery of about 20 kms. Consider a 100 metre wide integrated rail / road corridor on this periphery which gives us an area of 2 sq. km carrying a solar power potential of 40 mw .

The hype created about nuclear energy as the only viable source to give India its energy security in future is a result of some vested interests and compulsions on the part of government and lack of professional integrity on the part of concerned technocrats. We are excellent scientists and technologists but when it comes to choosing between two or more available alternates we never have the courage and professional uprightness to go in for the best solution. In such matters petty personal gains and desire to further one's own empire and clout in the technical community take the front seat.

American and West European interest in selling nuclear power technology is quite understandable, for they will like to earn maximum from the technologies wherein billions of dollars have been spent and invested in research and infrastructure for commercial exploitation. They couldn't care less if these technologies are redundant today or better and safe alternates are available till such time they can force sell them to some one. We are planning to have about 20000 mw of nuclear power in the coming years. The costs involved are a mind boggling sum of Rs 2.4*10^12 i.e. 0.240 million crores as per 1995 prices. Through the same money, science, technology and relevant manufacturing facilities for wind and solar power generation will be developed and optimised and sold off to countries like us after 10-15 years. Incidentally setting up of a nuclear power plant involves a time period of more than 10 years.

The nuclear danger in Japan resulting out of earthquake and tsunami are a big wake up call  for everyone and let us respond in the same way as any well meaning citizen of a country will respond. Let us have Energy Security in a National Mission Mode. We have done wonders in the field of television penetration, mobile telephony, missile programme and Delhi Metro through such approach. We are working on UID project and let us have a similar approach to Energy Security problem also. These last two measures can in fact revolutionise the fate of our teeming millions in a decade