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Worldwide, more than a billion rural dwellers live without electricity. Billions more endure awfully intermittent service even when connected to the grid. Most of these access challenged communities are in the Global South and may benefit from surging spread of distributed energy resources. However, associated investment necessity is large and so is the time required to address infrastructural bottlenecks. Recognising criticality of universal access to affordable, eco-friendly and reliable electricity in inclusive human development, the United Nations adopted 'affordable and clean energy' as one of the Sustainable Development Goals. To treasure electricity access, measurement of the same is important. The evolution of electricity access measurement has given rise to multi-tier, multi-parameter matrix. This improved measurement framework has facilitated researchers and policymakers in capturing various electricity access parameters in order to script focused energy strategy for the common man. This paper studies electricity availability, consumer aspiration and prevailing consumption in an impoverished, isolated, high-altitude valley, nestled in the Himalayas in India. It outlines evolving technology-aided, access measurement supported innovative access tier advancement opportunities in the valley. The result underscores the importance of consumer-focused approach for improving infrastructure utilisation. Consumer collaboration may result in fast, economical access advancement. Supply reliability may transform from abrupt complete disruption to gradual, cognisant decay. Such transition may encourage consumers to avoid costly, individual backup and instead use available resources sensibly. Embedding aspiration-supporting nudge in electricity regulation may promote co-operation, helping empowered consumers in scaling access tier affordably. • Electricity metering has advanced since comprehensive consumption reporting. • Metering advances can at present support inexpensive consumer Collaboration. • Collaborative consumption may help consumers scale access tier inexpensively. • Improved resource use may favourably impact affordability and consumer utility. • Participative consumption may promote equity, inclusivity and empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapidly increasing energy demand and growing concern about economic and environmental consequences call for renewable/sustainable energy technologies׳ adoption in India. Renewable/sustainable energy technologies have faced a number of constraints that have affected their rate of adoption. In this paper an attempt has been made to identify and rank the major barriers in the adoption of ‘renewable and green’ energy technologies in the Indian context. Twenty-eight barriers have been identified from an extensive literature review. These identified barriers have been categorized into seven dimensions of barriers, i.e. Economical & Financial; Market; Awareness & Information; Technical; Ecological and Geographical; Cultural & Behavioral; and Political & Government Issues. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique has been utilized for ranking of barriers to adopt renewable/sustainable technologies in the Indian context. All pair comparisons in AHP have been made based on experts’ opinions (selected from academia and industry). Sensitivity analysis has also been made to investigate the priority ranking stability of barriers to adopt renewable/sustainable technologies in the Indian context. This paper may help practitioners, regulators and academician focus their future efforts in adoption of ‘renewable/sustainable energy technologies’ in India. Further, this understanding may be helpful in framing the policies and strategies towards adoption of renewable/sustainable energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal combustion engines power the great majority of automobiles on the road today. However, the challenges of complying with other propulsion systems and near-zero-emission standards are inevitable. Current stringent emission standards are becoming universal and globally harmonized test cycles are being recommended. As per the BS-VI norms, PM and NOx emissions are to be reduced by 80% and 70%, respectively for diesel engines. Indian OEMs are integrating the Euro-VI emission control technologies into their vehicle and also limiting the production of diesel engines, especially in the passenger sector. In this respect, it is necessary to enhance the current understanding of the improvements in combustion chambers, after-treatment devices, and potential low-carbon fuels for sustainable transport mobility. This paper comprehensively outlines the prospects of future fuels, modified combustion systems, and after-treatment devices. The fuel composition of both fossil and biofuels plays a vital role in altering the exhaust soot and NOx characteristics. Thus an overview of hydrogen formulated fuels, the optimal combinations of the fuel–engine–after-treatment systems are also highlighted. In the end, a brief discussion concerning the total life cycle analysis is also presented in this paper. The review concludes by suggesting potential fuels and technologies for lowering the emission levels and provides directions for future work to address the challenges facing alternate energy resources for automotive applications, particularly in India. • Comprehensively outlines the prospects of future fuels, combustion systems and after-treatment devices. • Fuel composition affects the emissions of NOx and soot formation. • Biodiesel operation enhances the filter regeneration rate and the conversion efficiency of the diesel oxidation catalyst. • Displacing 50% diesel with hydrogen is found to lower the total GHG by 47%. • Implications for technology development roadmap in India are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China and India accounted for two-thirds of the world׳s rise in energy use between 2000 and 2012. This paper aimed to calculate the P (population)– A (affluence)– T (technology) effects of energy use in China and India – the world׳s two most populous and largest developing countries. To this end, a combination of the IPAT method and the logarithmic mean divisia index technique, and annual time-series data on population, energy consumption, and gross domestic product during 1970–2012 are used. In China, a 12.53-fold growth of energy use emissions from 1970 to 2012 is driven by a combination of rapid growth in individual income and slow growth in population, with offset by technological advancement since 1980. The accelerating rise in energy use since 2000 is a result of accelerating growth rates in individual income and a reversal of earlier declining in energy intensity (technological advancement). Unlike China, the long-term rise in energy use exceeded the long-term rise in individual income in India. In addition, a strong trend of decline in energy intensity has not yet occurred in India. Thus, a 7.39-folds growth of Indian energy use for 1970–2012 was a result of relatively rapid increase in population and relatively slow increase in income, without effective offset by technological advancement. It suggests that market-oriented economic and energy reforms need to send the correct price signal to promote energy-efficient technologies thus improving energy efficiency, which is the key to a sustainable energy future in China and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand for electricity in rural India has been met by extending the grid electricity distribution network. But the costs of extending lines to rural facilities are prohibitively expensive. Grid extension varies in cost on the distance to be covered, the land, utility and the size of the load. Considering these challenges, rural electrification will require considerable skill in the selection and implementation of technical and economic strategies for electrification. In rural places where the condition and quantity of grid power is expensive or insufficient, renewable energy alternatives may be the only option. So this paper estimates the domestic, industrial, agricultural, BTS load in a remote village called Kadayam, Tamilnadu, South India, identifies the optimal option for RE based electrification and compares it with conventional grid extension using HOMER software. The solution obtained from HOMER software shows that a hybrid combination of solar/wind/hydro/battery is a cost effective, sustainable, techno-economically and environmentally viable alternative to grid extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: India has a very large potential for harnessing renewable energy sources. However, there is a large gap between the estimated potential and the cumulative achievements made so far. A variety of reasons are attributed to the current low levels of dissemination of renewable energy technologies in India as against their respective estimated potentials. Several of these attributes could, one way or the other, be related to the current status of development of the technology, its appropriateness and dissemination strategies adopted for their diffusion and deployment. Results of an attempt to assess the current status of some renewable energy technologies in India are briefly presented in this paper. The main findings of a structured questionnaire based survey undertaken for eliciting views of different categories of stakeholders on various issues affecting dissemination of renewable energy technologies in India are presented in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper discusses the potential of renewable energy, investment and CO2 mitigation by renewable energy technologies. Currently, India's per-capita emissions are around one tonne of CO2/year. The present energy scene offers India a window of opportunity to invest in renewable energy. The annual turnover of renewable energy industry has reached $12.3 billion in 2011, which is 36% higher than 2010 investment of $7.5 billion. Increasing the share of renewable energy in overall energy mix is an effective option to mitigate CO2 emission. Presently, the share of renewable energy is around 12% in the energy mix. The present study estimated CO2 mitigation potential of Indian renewable energy sector about 203milliontonnes with an installed capacity of 24GW in 2012. However, enormous potential identified in renewable energy sector with favorable CO2 mitigation the government is compromising with limited financial resources. However, policy efforts need to be strengthened to encourage a massive scale-up of renewable technologies to build sustained low carbon economy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An extensive canal irrigation network in South Asia has developed over the past 170 years that consists of thousands of kilometers of constructed channels and distributaries. These canals cut across many energy-poor regions along their paths. In India, this canal network provides a unique opportunity for renewable energy generation that is yet to be realized. Existing technologies for energy generation on canals include small hydropower on canal falls and, recently, canal-top solar panels. In addition, opportunities for hydrokinetic generation in irrigation canals have received limited attention. This paper develops a novel canal-network level framework for energy planning that integrates generation with local energy needs in a canal-corridor. This framework for integrated spatial assessment analyzes the supply of renewable energy generation potential and the demand of unmet energy needs in a canal-corridor, using the Upper Ganga Canal in Uttar Pradesh, India as a case study. We consider the theoretical and technological potential of hydropower and solar power generation and develop three indices to assess the agricultural, domestic, and composite unmet power demand of the canal-corridor. Our results show an overall theoretical potential of 149.1 MW and 13,213 MW for small hydropower and solar power, respectively, which could more than help meet the current 18 hours per day electricity service standard in Uttar Pradesh. The framework uses standardized irrigation and census datasets and therefore is generalizable for canal networks across India and South Asia more broadly. • Irrigation canal energy technologies include small hydro and canal-top solar power. • Novel canal-network level framework for energy planning. • Integration of generation potential with local energy needs in a canal corridor. • Theoretical and technological potential of energy generation on canals. • Three indices for agricultural, domestic, and composite unmet power demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Energy crisis and environmental problems require a new sustainable energy supply option that uses renewable energies and is economic at the same time. Solar Thermal Power (STP) generating systems are proven renewable energy technologies and often a very cost effective way to produce electricity from solar radiation. In this paper, the potential and the cost-effectiveness of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) type solar thermal power plant for meeting the energy demand of garment zone at Sitapura industrial area, Jaipur is analyzed. In this, the present energy demand of garment zone, design of proposed solar power plant and economic evaluation of the power plant has been carried out. The estimated energy requirement of the selected garment zone was 2.21MW for year 2011. To meet the present energy demand and expected increase in the demand a PTC type solar power plant of 2.5MW capacity is proposed, which require about 15.76 acres of land area and has 256 solar collector elements. Looking to the scarcity and cost of the land near the city, off-site proposal of the power plant has also been considered and compared with on-site option. Four economic scenarios were analyzed for the proposed system and their financial performance is evaluated. For the onsite solar power plant internal rate of return is 19.21%, NPV at 10% discount rate is 372.77 million INR, simple payback period is 5 years and discounted payback period @10% is 7 years and 4 months, while for the off-site power plant IRR is 27.85%, NPV is 550.55 million INR, simple payback period is 3 years and 6 months and discounted payback period is 4 years and 7 months. Levelised cost of energy (LCOE) for onsite power plant is Rs 9.41/kWh and for offsite power plant is Rs 6.89/kWh. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Jammu and Kashmir State of India is one of the energy starved states despite of having tremendous potential for utilization of renewable energy. The natural energy sources like sunshine, wind, vegetation, water flow, biomass and other biological wastes are abundantly available in the state yet are not being potentially harnessed resulting in very low per capita energy availability forcing peoples to use wood resulting into deforestation. The fossils fuels, which pollute the environment, are extensively utilized even though they are not sustainable. Developing and properly implementing renewable energy technologies in this state can provide secure energy supply for rapid domestic and industrial development which will attract new investments, thereby creates additional employment. It shall also generate additional state income by allowing the state to sell renewable energy trading certificates to other states. Therefore, it is important that the region moves to clear and sustainable energy. This paper presents an overview of the present status of renewable energy development and summarizes key issues in each of the major industrial segments. It also examines crucial gaps in the renewable energy market, describes the goals set out by various government programs, and estimates the resources and effort required to meet these goals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In developing countries like India where 70% of country''s petroleum needs are met by import, energy security assumes significance in view of uncertainty of supply and increasing price of petroleum fuels. Fuels of bio origin not only provide energy security, but also reduce emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases and ensure rural upliftment by increasing employment in agricultural sector. India cannot afford to produce biodiesel from edible oil seeds as it is done in the American and European countries. Extensive focus has been given on producing biodiesel from non-edible sources, specifically from Jatropha. Discrepancies between the expectation and realities regarding Jatropha as a feedstock necessitate efforts for diversification of the feedstocks. Scientific research should therefore be directed towards oilseeds like Karanja, Sal, Mahua, Neem, etc. that are widely available and sustainable to the diverse socio-economic and environmental conditions of rural India. Among them the evergreen neem with its wide availability and various useful uses may be a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. In this paper attempts have been made to overview the morphology of neem tree, various useful uses, physical and chemical characteristics of neem oil and optimized production process for biodiesel production from neem oil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Spatial assessments of crop residue biomass and its power potential at village level in Sonitpur district of Assam, India is presented in this paper. Recent IRS P6 LISS-III remote sensing data of the study area is analyzed in GIS environment to map crop areas and subsequently residue biomass availability at village level. Altogether 16 different types of crop residues are identified in the district with rice crop as dominant residue. About 0.17 million tonnes of crop residue biomass, having about 17MW potential power, is spatially distributed in the rural areas of the district. Village level biomass power mapping is done assuming combustion route of decentralized power generation. Considering the acute shortage of grid connected power supply in the study area, the decentralized crop residue based power generation could be an attractive option. At individual level, thermal power plant up to 72kW could be possible to cater the essential power need of the villager. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, an optimal off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV)/hydrogen fuel cell (FC) (HFC) based energy system is proposed for renewable energy generation to supply electricity to the end-user load demand in north-east (NE) Indian states. The energy system is modeled and simulated in the HOMER software. The monthly average global horizontal solar radiation (GHSR) and ambient temperature of the NE states are found to be 3.95–4.79 kWh/m2 and 12.9–25.3 °C, respectively. The synthesized typical AC electrical load profile of 10 kWp is assumed to have a scaled daily annual mean value equal to 138 kWh/d and an average base demand value equal to 5.75 kW. With the considered connected load, the available GHSR and ambient temperature, the optimal sizes of renewable energy components for the considered eight geographical locations (latitude: 23° 30′-27° 3′ North, longitude: 88° 37' – 94° 7′ East) are determined based on the minimum levelized cost of energy (COE) and lowest net present cost (NPC). The optimal system architecture range obtained is 110–120 kW PV array, 10–15 kW FC, 30–60 kW electrolyzer, 40–60 kg hydrogen tank capacity and 15 kW converter. Based on optimization results, the levelized COE and NPC range obtained are 0.509–0.689 $/kWh and $ 3,27,557–4,43,004, respectively, which confirm the cost-effectiveness of the proposed optimal energy system. Besides, with a renewable fraction of 100%, the electricity generated by the PV/HFC system satisfied the load demand and produced excess electricity with capacity factor found to be 16.4–31.2% in all the NE Indian states. Moreover, the optimized electrical profile, PV profile, inverter profile, and hydrogen production from an FC are compared and analyzed in terms of monthly average and annualized values for all the NE states. Also, the range of net hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer over the year obtained is 1538–1856 kg/yr. [Display omitted] • Recommended an optimal off-grid PV/HFC energy systems for eight India north east (NE) states. • System profiles are compared, analyzed and discussed for all the NE states. • The levelized COE is 0.509 – 0.689 $/kWh and NPC is $ 3, 27,557-4, 43,004. • Excess electricity produced in NE states ranges from 21.4-41.4%. • Net hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer over the year is obtained as1538-1856 kg/yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper analyses the present situation of renewables international cooperation in China and India and the reasons, basis and conditions of China-India cooperation for renewable energy and explores China-India cooperation strategies for renewable energy. This study indicates that (1) the two countries have made a lot of progress in the international cooperation of renewable energy, but China-India cooperation for renewable energy is still in its primary stage; (2) there are not only the common benefits but also the solid basis and good conditions for China-India cooperation in the field of renewable energy; (3) there is need to explore and design the cooperation strategies for renewable energy of China and India in order to strengthen renewables cooperation between two countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sustainable and equitable development is the most important challenge before mankind. After food, most pressing concern is energy for a decent living. The energy consumption has been recognized world wide as a parameter of development in a society. In the present paper an attempt has been made to review the demand of energy, the potential of renewable energy sources in India and its prospects for development in cost effective and sustainable manner. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]