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India as a developing economic power, has to rely much on its energy sector for growth and development. The growth is largely interlinked with the availability of energy and its judicious utilization. Also involved is the question whether the available energy is environmentally acceptable and technically viable. With the growth of country's economy, per capita power consumption has also increased resulting greater demands for power. India's power sector is mainly dependent on conventional or fossil fuels i.e., coal (60.1%) and gas (8.7%) (2015). India has around 10% of the world's coal reserves that will last for about another 30–40 years at the present consumption rate. The use of conventional fossil fuels has a negative impact on the environment due to the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. On the other hand, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, the country has untapped source of renewable energies such as, wind, solar power, nuclear energy and biomass. Globally, depletion of conventional fuel resources, is increasingly turning the focus on non-conventional sources of energy. The present paper is a review of biomass energy, its sources and its energy efficiency. Even though sources of biomass fuels are widely available all across India, these are still largely underutilized. According to the available statistics, in India the share of renewable energy has increased from 7.8% to 12.3% during 2012-13 and to 12.95% as on 31st March 2014, this paper also highlights the challenges and advantages of biomass energy over conventional fuels as well as utilization and applicability of biomass in sintering process as a replacement for coke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rising population in India the demand for energy is also shooting up. This paper examines the potential, scope and the opportunities of biomass in the Indian economy. India, being an agricultural country, has a lot of possible resources from the agronomic sector like crop residue, animal manure, etc., which has not been utilised in an efficient way. This paper also gives an insight into anaerobic digestion and the many other digesters implemented in India. The accelerating economic growth leads to the rapid rise in urbanisation which in turn generates an increased production of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). This MSW can be used in biomass production in quite a lot of innovative ways. The study also focused on the potential sources and their proper conversion technique. The feasibility of biomass conversion and achievements made by India was also looked into. Use of bioenergy in cheaper and economically feasible ways is also a practical solution to the energy crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term “polygeneration” is referred to as “an energy supply system, which delivers more than one form of energy to the final user”, for example: electricity, heating/cooling, desalination can be delivered from polygeneration process. The polygeneration demonstrates unique integration of energy efficiency and renewable energy. It is the next generation energy production technique with a potential to overcome intermittence of renewable energy, reduce cost of power generation and greenhouse gas emissions. The feasibility study of this paper is divided in three sections: In first section of this study, solar and biomass have been arranged to produce steam for power generation. In the second section, cooling is produced by vapor absorption refrigeration (VAR; LiBr-H 2 O) system as per demand load requirement using steam, extracted from pass-out turbine. In the last section of this paper, multi effect dehumidification (MED) water desalination is produced by using limited amount of heat from water vapor (refrigerant; H 2 O) through HE1 of VAR cooling system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Renewable energy sources and technologies have potential to provide solutions to the long-standing energy problems being faced by the developing countries. The renewable energy sources like wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, ocean energy, biomass energy and fuel cell technology can be used to overcome energy shortage in India. To meet the energy requirement for such a fast growing economy, India will require an assured supply of 3–4 times more energy than the total energy consumed today. The renewable energy is one of the options to meet this requirement. Today, renewable account for about 33% of India''s primary energy consumptions. India is increasingly adopting responsible renewable energy techniques and taking positive steps towards carbon emissions, cleaning the air and ensuring a more sustainable future. In India, from the last two and half decades there has been a vigorous pursuit of activities relating to research, development, demonstration, production and application of a variety of renewable energy technologies for use in different sectors. In this paper, efforts have been made to summarize the availability, current status, major achievements and future potentials of renewable energy options in India. This paper also assesses specific policy interventions for overcoming the barriers and enhancing deployment of renewables for the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Electricity generation for rural applications through biomethanation process is very promising in countries like India where availability of biomass feedstock is very high. However, sustainability of biomass power plants requires meticulous planning starting from assessment of feedstock availability to collection, storage, transport and conversion in power plant. All these parameters are spatially inter-linked and therefore use of spatial tools such as GIS is helpful in such planning. This paper investigates electrical power generation potential of a newly constructed biomethanation plant in Sonitpur district of Assam, India. Spatial availability of locally available biomass feedstocks for methane generation is assessed using GIS. The GIS is also used for optimal biomass collection and transportation network design. Altogether, 7 different types of biomass feedstock (kitchen waste, vegetable waste, cow dung, pig droppings, goat droppings, poultry droppings and rice straw) are identified in the surrounding villages of the plant within optimum biomass supply radius. Biomass feedstock of the area can produce 37,000 m 3 methane; sufficient for continuous generation of 5.3 MW electricity. Power supply from the proposed plant would improve rural living standard and key areas such as education and health will be particularly benefited. However, biomass assessment and supply logistics would require managerial attention to minimize cost of power generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of biomass resources for power generation can reduce environmental emissions while fulfilling energy requirements in developing countries. But, the biomass conversion to electric power seems to be financially viable under optimized conditions (for some economic objectives). This paper presents a step-by-step methodology to determine the possibility of installation of straw based power plants in a region. Further, various issues regarding installation of power plants are discussed and reviewed. The study takes into consideration the average fuel distribution, the straw collection mechanism, the plant characteristics and the economic objectives. The methodology has been used for optimal sizing of the straw based plants in Punjab (a north Indian state) for minimum power cost and investment. The optimization models that can handle all possible restrictions for installation of the plants are applied and the results are analyzed under the influence of input parameters. The study indicates that the optimum capacity of plant is of the order of 20 MW, which can produce electricity at a cost of 5 Rs/kW h. Each plant requires a collection radius of 14 km for providing a continuous and sustainable fuel to the plant. The capital cost required for installation of the plant has been estimated to be 45,144 Rs/kW. In order to achieve these objectives, it is essential to integrate the power generation system with the biomass management system. The literature review shows that an efficient biomass recovery system is required to be developed for collection of agricultural straw (within the stipulated time) for implementation of power generation programme in the state. In overall, the study reveals that the efficient utilization of straw for electric power requires careful identification of different techno-economic parameters like biomass management cost, scale factor, fuel supply and thermal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Most developing countries such as India use biomass as a primary source of energy especially in domestic sectors in the rural area. The increasing population exerts more pressure on the biomass resource thereby initiating energy crisis in the region. The issue of shortage of fuelwood in the remote mountain regions is increasing since the alternative energy resources have limitations either due to poor economic condition of the people, complex technology involved or being inaccessible due to remoteness. It is also seen that the use of traditional biomass as a source of energy will improve the livelihood conditions of the people and it will give ecological benefits to the region if other associated factors like health, gender etc. are taken care of and thus the planners aim to focus on sustaining the natural fuelwood resources. The present paper attempts to predict the future fuelwood demand based on the present consumption pattern in the upland villages of Indian Himalaya. Major consumption characteristics such as fuelwood consumption at different altitude and per capita fuelwood consumption (PCFC) are studied. Population dynamics model is postulated in order to assess future population vs. fuelwood consumption scenario, thereby projecting the future population and the future fuelwood demand in the region. It is observed that variations in fuelwood consumption exist at different altitudes in the hilly region. Mathematical modelling and time-series simulation model was proposed and validated model to predict the future expected demand of fuelwood resources in Phakot watershed. Based on the projected population and season based fuelwood requirements, the watershed will have a total fuelwood demand of 19,327t in 2011 which is expected to reach 36,462t in 2021. Such studies on the future resource demand trends will help in finding suitable region-specific and need-based alternative strategies for achieving sustainable fuelwood management at the micro-level. [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: 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]

Abstract: The potential of biogas generation from anaerobic digestion of different waste biomass in India has been studied. Renewable energy from biomass is one of the most efficient and effective options among the various other alternative sources of energy currently available. The anaerobic digestion of biomass requires less capital investment and per unit production cost as compared to other renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar and wind. Further, renewable energy from biomass is available as a domestic resource in the rural areas, which is not subject to world price fluctuations or the supply uncertainties as of imported and conventional fuels. In India, energy demand from various sectors is increased substantially and the energy supply is not in pace with the demand which resulted in a deficit of 11,436MW which is equivalent to 12.6% of peak demand in 2006. The total installed capacity of bioenergy generation till 2007 from solid biomass and waste to energy is about 1227MW against a potential of 25,700MW. The bioenergy potential from municipal solid waste, crop residue and agricultural waste, wastewater sludge, animal manure, industrial waste which includes distilleries, dairy plants, pulp and paper, poultry, slaughter houses, sugar industries is estimated. The total potential of biogas from all the above sources excluding wastewater has been estimated to be 40,734Mm3/year. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper critically discusses the scope, potential and implementation of biomass conversion to energy in Indian scenario. The feasibility as well as suitability of the various categories of biomass to energy in India has been discussed. Brief descriptions of potential conversion routes have been included, with their possible and existing scope of implementation in Indian context. As far as possible, the most recent statistical data have been reported from the available sources. The figures reported have been updated as on March 2009, in most of the cases. The discussion reveals that a large potential exists for the biomass feed-stocks from the various kinds of waste biomass. The gasification as well as anaerobic digestion processes seem to be most attractive in Indian scenario. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]