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• The work done in this paper provides the solutions for power access to rural and remote areas in developing nations. • The proposed affordable solution offers many advantages over the traditional central inverters. It provides more output power as compared to traditional central inverters under shading and dusting conditions. The results are validated through experimental investigation with regard to Indian weather conditions. • The proposed solution presents an optimal sizing strategy for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) for the low power rural household application. In literature, this kind of solution is yet not reported which makes this work novel. • This work presents the customized design of solar microinverter based PV System for different power provisioning levels for rural EWS houses. The proposed solution has an added advantage of addition of load in future without change in existing infrastructure. Reliable power supply is the key requirement for developing nations. Most of these nations are trying to modernize the rural lives by electrification in remote areas. Access to electricity is a bare requirement in future ages. This paper discusses the challenges faced by the utility companies in ensuring sustained electricity access to the new consumers followed by the various solutions. The techno – economic aspects of the proposed solution is validated by the experimental study. Based on the results, an optimal low-cost design is proposed in order for everyone to fulfil the minimum power needs. The paper presents an optimal size strategy for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) for the low power rural household application. The solar microinverter based PV System has been designed based on the daily load needs for one of the proposed layout plans of the (Gramin) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna adopted by Government of India. The proposed designs are also applicable for other developing nations. The proposed micro-inverter has been tested under different operating conditions and experimental validation proves its superiority over other inverter types, particularly for a low power application, as is the case for a typical low-income rural household. Economic considerations such as payback period has also been evaluated in this study. In addition, the proposed microinverter technology has also been tested in terms of power quality parameters under various operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper thoroughly analyses energy, economic and environmental (3E) performance of using different battery (BAT) energy storage system like lead acid battery (LAB), lithium-ion battery (LIB), vanadium redox flow (VRF) battery and mechanical energy storage (MES) like flywheel and pumped hydro storage (PHS) using three different dispatch strategies (DS) such as cycle charging (CC), load following (LF) and generator order (GO), respectively. Andaman and Nicobar(A&N) Island of India have no main grid. Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) Pro software is used to study feasibility of power generation using various sources. Study incorporating tidal plant with wind turbine and Bio-DG in micro grid is considered first time for an Indian scenario as per authors' knowledge with application of various DS and energy storage technologies. The superiority of LIB over LAB and MES is proved in this study. Wind/Bio-DG /tidal/LIB have relatively least net present cost(NPC), cost of energy (COE) of $1.30M and $0.263, respectively among five energy storage devices using CC dispatch strategy compared to other two strategies. It is investigated that LIB uses only 250 units of batteries, which is 46% less than total utilized LAB units for catering same load. In terms of expected lifespan, energy losses, energy production and state of charge (SOC), performance of LIB are superior to LAB. SWOT and sensitivity analysis have been performed considering fuel price and wind speed. Different techno economic indicators like cost summary, cash flow, fuel summary, economics, electrical parameters, renewable fraction (RF), return of investment (ROI), lowest simple payback period, internal rate of return (IRR), pollutant emission are considered and compared with each other for LAB and LIB combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Techno-economic analysis of hybrid solar-wind-biomass-battery system is proposed. • Numerical modelling and varied operational scenarios for the system are formulated. • Evaluating system feasibility across various power loss probabilities is conducted. • Giza Pyramids construction outperformed by $177 saving and 8% less simulation time. The economical electrification of rural settlements extensively utilizes renewable energy sources. In recent years, the deployment of solar photovoltaic, wind turbine, and biomass gasifier-based power generation technologies for electricity accessibility in remote regions has received greater prominence. This paper presents an optimal component design of a hybrid solar PV-wind and battery system along with a biomass gasifier to provide continuous electricity for rural communities of Uttarakhand, India. In this study, a recently developed population-based giza pyramids construction (GPC) methodology is applied to determine the optimal component sizing. The findings of the GPC method are contrasted with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) methodology to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method. The annualized system cost and levelized cost of energy of the hybrid renewable energy system have been minimized subject to technical reliability indicators such as loss of power supply probability and renewable fraction. Moreover, a systematic exploration of the system has been conducted to assess its optimal feasibility across different values of power loss probability ranging from (0% to 4%). The simulation indicates that the proposed method adeptly identifies globally optimal values, leading to a $177 decrease in annual cost and 8% reduction in average simulation time compared to PSO. The research reveals that the balanced point (relative attainment), where system reliability and cost-effectiveness intersect optimally, is achieved at a 3% power loss level, resulting in the most significant cost reduction of $199 compared to other probability levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first comprehensive hourly-resolution scenario study of the Indian electricity system with a view to investigate the transition from fossil to renewable energy-based power generation. Currently, India is 76% dependent on coal for power generation, however ambitious goals exist. Energy organisations including International Renewable Energy Agency and The Energy and Resources Institute, have presented scenarios but neither with support of dynamic simulation nor with assessment of optimal renewable energy contributions. In this paper, the optimal electricity system is analyzed in comparison with these. Results show that an optimal scenario could supply the hourly electricity by (i) increasing production capacity to about 615 GW, which is a 98.3% increase compared to the 310 GW in 2016, (ii) improving capacity factor of wind power and photovoltaic to 27% and 21% respectively, (iii) increasing wind power production to 433 TWh/yr (from 46 GWh/yr in 2016), solar photovoltaic to 290 TWh/yr (12 GWh/yr in 2016), river hydro to 42 TWh/yr (7.7 GWh/yr in 2016), biomass and nuclear power of 15 GW each. The costs of the identified optimal scenario are lower than of the previous scenarios. Finally, simulations show that inclusion of optimal proportion of biomass and nuclear could avoid any import dependency. • Design and analysis of renewable energy scenarios for India. • Evaluation of the cost structure of renewable energy scenarios. • Comparison with official Indian scenarios. • Proposes the Renewable Nuclear Dependency Index (RNDI) for evaluating scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid renewable based power generation has emerged as a major breakthrough in electrical power system due to their capability of providing competitive and carbon free electricity to the consumer. This paper presents techno-economic analysis of a grid connected solar photovoltaic-fuel cell based hybrid energy system to supply the electrical load demands of a small shopping complex located at the University campus in India. The proposed system has been designed by considering the cost of energy purchase and sold to the utility grid and further ensuring the smooth power flow management between elements of the system and the utility grid. A simplified mathematical modeling of the proposed hybrid energy system, including power and hydrogen management has been presented to access the potential of hydrogen based energy systems. Component sizing to optimize the net present cost of the proposed system has been performed employing three meta-heuristic algorithms, i.e. , artificial bee colony, particle swarm optimization and a hybrid of both. The experimental results obtained from three algorithms have been compared in terms of cost effectiveness of the system. The hybrid system has been designed to cater the total electricity demand of 135 M W h / y r of a small community center. It has emerged from the simulation results that the total electricity demand could be met with a 106 k W solar photovoltaic, 8 k W fuel cell, 45 k W electrolyzer and a 150 k g of hydrogen tank. The proposed grid connected system has 30 k W grid purchase and 25 k W grid sale capacities, respectively. In this paper, grid sale and purchase capacities have been considered as a decision variable along with other system component sizing. Loss of power supply probability is minimized along with objective function i.e., levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) using the exterior penalty method. It is evident from the results that the proposed system is economically viable with a LCOE of 0.104 $ / k W h. It has emerged from the results that the proposed hybrid energy system may be helpful to promote hydrogen and solar based energy system to reduce the reliance on the overburden grid, particularly, in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban and suburban advancement has increased the consumption of energy per capita gradually. Electrical distribution companies have expanded their network to cater to the demand, making the system more vulnerable to low probability high impact events. The extreme events occurred in last five year had shown us complete to partial blackout, which calls for resiliency enhancement. The presented study concentrates on the Dehradun, India, which listed as the most earthquake-prone region by Union Nations Development Programme. Hence, this paper proposes three main strategies to make a resilient distribution grid against an earthquake; (i) Hardening approach at grid side and demand side against earthquake disaster (ii) Monte-Carlo methodology for earthquake hazard model (iii) K-means algorithm with clustering quality index to identify the multiple vulnerable zones. Grid side hardening is performed using the optimal unit placement of the Solar PV plant (SPP) with storage and parallel cables with sectionalizers. For demand-side hardening, electric vehicles are considered storage after an event, duly taking their future growth rate into account. Furthermore, a Mixed Integer non-linear problem is formulated to identify the optimal sizing and sitting of SPP with storage. The proposed methodology is developed and applied to the distribution system (156-bus) of Dehradun, India. • Resiliency enhancement at grid-side & demand-side using DER and EVs. • Earthquake hazard model is developed using Monte-Carlo methodology. • Identification of optimal number of vulnerable zone with clustering quality index. • A case study on 156 bus mixed-terrain real distribution system of Dehradun, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

of a HOMER based techno-economic assessment of an electricity supply option based on a hybrid system comprising of a PV component, a diesel generator (DG) and electricity grid have been presented in this paper. The study includes analysis of electricity unavailability data for 132 locations in India spread over state capitals, district headquarters, municipal areas and villages. The values of Net Present Cost (NPC) and Cost of Electricity (CoE) have been estimated for 25 selected locations in the country and a comparison with corresponding values for conventional alternative (grid+DG) has also been presented. The study internalizes all relevant location specific parameters. The values of NPC and CoE are lower in the range of 9.5%–36.6% and 16%–33.6% respectively for the proposed system (grid+PV+DG) as compared to conventional system at all 25 locations considered. The inclusion of PV component results in reduced purchase of grid electricity and much lower hours of operation of DG. • Analyzed real-time hourly grid power supply outage status for outdoor telecom towers at 132 locations • Designed optimal hybrid systems for powering BTS in telecom towers at 25 selected locations in India, • Presented a detailed techno-economic comparison of solar PV based hybrid system for powering BTS • The values of NPC and CoE are lower in the range of 9.5%–36.6% and 16%–102.4% respectively for the hybrid system • The PV component results in reduced purchase of grid electricity, DG operation, electricity fed to grid, and CO 2 emissions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

This paper presents an economic and enhanced technological solution for rural electrification of a village Jalalabad, in Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh state, India. The considered system concentrates on optimal sizing of an integrated renewable energy system (IRES) with grid provide a more continuous power supply with respect to the existing system. The different available sources Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV), Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and a time constrained grid are considered in designing of the system. The system size optimization, sensitivity analysis and techno-economic viability has been done by using a standard software tool HOMER to fulfil the demand of the study area under consideration. A demand response strategy has been applied for the different load profiles. The configuration with the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) and Total Net Present Cost (TNPC) with maximum value of renewable fraction (RF) has been considered as optimum. This ensures the minimization of the Carbon dioxide (CO 2) emission. A comparative analysis has been presented showing the impact of the demand response on the LCOE and NPC as well as the system size. The economic analysis has been done according to four different cases obtained by varying the fraction (β NELS) of non-essential load shifting. It has been observed that the value of LCOE with the strategy of demand response and optimal resource management under which β NELS = 0.25 is reduced Rs. 11.23/kWh and Rs. 8.36/kWh with the grid tariff Rs.10/kWh and Rs.6/kWh respectively while the value of TNPC Rs. 1.99 × 107 and Rs. 1.48 × 107 respectively with the maximum renewable fraction of 31.06. An exhaustive performance analysis has been done and the obtained results show the effectiveness of proposed resource and demand management to provide 24 × 7 supply with limited, time constrained grid availability. • An economic, enhanced solution for PV & BESS with grid is determined in this study. • Demand response and resource optimization is used to achieve 24 × 7 power supply. • Optimal sizing, sensitivity analysis and energy cost with grid price is analyzed. • Demand response strategy has been used to reduce LCOE & TNPC. • It is found that LCOE & TNPC decrease with fractional non-essential load shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First time the solar-wind-biogas-VRFB integrated micrgrid is modeled and validated. • The capacity optimization and energy management with lowest LCOE is done by HOMER. • Peak load shaving with optimal sources and grid is shown by PSCAD using real data. • Optimal schedule of renewable sources and VRFB ensures zero LPSP at consumer end. • Financial study of hybrid microgrid demonstrates project viability and up scaling. Uninterrupted access to electric power has become the basic need of today's world. Rural parts of many countries still do not have access to electricity or have electric power access to weak distribution grids with inadequate transmission and distribution system infrastructure. However, the countries where there is an abundance of solar radiation, a good potential of bio-degradable waste and average availability of wind source, access to electricity for those remote areas can be managed by distributed power generation. Considering the fact that the renewable energy sources (Solar, Wind etc.) are intermittent in nature, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other reservoirs like biogas energy sources are the potential candidates to be integrated with the renewable sources to ensure continuous access to electricity and energy security. In this paper, a unique combination of Solar PV, Wind, Biomass and Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) storage integrated hybrid Microgrid has been modeled and implemented practically for the first time. The capacity selection of different renewable sources for satisfying daily energy demand and their techno-commercial optimization has been performed through HOMER simulation. Further, the peak load shaving that is a limitation of HOMER model, has been established through PSCAD simulation by providing the real life data of different renewable sources, VRFB storage and the load profile as input to the model. The simulation model performances have been validated by a practical 10 kW P solar PV, 1 kW wind and 15 kVA Biogas generator integrated with 1 kW 6 h VRFB storage based Microgrid installed at India Institute of Engineering Science and Technology campus, India. In addition to these, zero loss of power supply probability (LPSP) has been ensured by implementing smart scheduling and controller considering the intermittency of the renewable sources. As a part of the financial analysis, project Investment on Return (IRR) and pay back has been calculated considering initial investment, operation and maintenance cost and revenue of generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Majority of the power generation in India is carried out by conventional energy sources, coal and fossil fuels being the primary ones, which contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emission and global warming. The Indian power sector is witnessing a revolution as excitement grips the nation about harnessing electricity from various renewable energy sources. Electricity generation from renewable sources is increasingly recognized to play an important role for the achievement of a variety of primary and secondary energy policy goals, such as improved diversity and security of energy supply, reduction of local pollutant and global greenhouse gas emissions, regional and rural development, and exploitation of opportunities for fostering social cohesion, value addition and employment generation at the local and regional level. This focuses the solution of the energy crisis on judicious utilization of abundant the renewable energy resources, such as biomass, solar, wind, geothermal and ocean tidal energy. This paper reviews the renewable energy scenario of India as well as extrapolates the future developments keeping in view the consumption, production and supply of power. Research, development, production and demonstration have been carried out enthusiastically in India to find a feasible solution to the perennial problem of power shortage for the past three decades. India has obtained application of a variety of renewable energy technologies for use in different sectors too. There are ample opportunities with favorable geology and geography with huge customer base and widening gap between demand and supply. Technological advancement, suitable regulatory policies, tax rebates, efficiency improvement in consequence to R&D efforts are the few pathways to energy and environment conservation and it will ensure that these large, clean resource bases are exploited as quickly and cost effectively as possible. This paper gives an overview of the potential renewable energy resources in Indian context while evaluating the present status, the energy demand of the country and forecast consumption and production, with the objective to evaluate and assess whether India can sustain its growth and its society with renewable resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the steady growth in the use of electric vehicles in India, and the need to locate charging stations in various places to fulfill the corresponding demand, this paper focuses on an applicable Electricity Tariff Policy Framework in the context of power supply to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations(EVCSs). The framework is conceptualized by a theoretical foundation, an operational/functional foundation, and a transactional foundation. The theoretical foundation incorporates justice risk across the Energy Lifecycle stages by classifying the relevant international, regional, and national issues within the legal layers of Energy Law while examining the core ideas of the 'Energy Trilemma'. The paper identifies two basic dimensions, (a) the target sets of end-users, and (b) EVCSs settings and the applicable tariff schemes, as the foundation of the framework. The operational/functional foundation consists of techno-economic and social criteria, and the transactional foundation involves the consideration of different target sets of end-users. The proposed framework will benefit policymakers in general and those, especially in India. Adaptation and use of the framework in other countries should consider their basic economic, geographic and political structures. • Identification of basic dimensions of the ETPF in the context of EVCSs. • Justifications for developing a dynamic and adaptive ETPF applicable to EVCSs. • Relevance of justice risk in the electric mobility system. • Tariff Framework for Power supply to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biomass has often been regarded as a promising renewable energy resource to mitigate climate change. However, what will be the impact on global surface temperature if biomass replace fossil fuel remain unclear. This paper, through a case study in Uttar Pradesh, India address this issue by assessing biomass resource potential to reduce fossil fuel demand and mitigate climate change. Impact of biomass power related GHG emissions on global surface temperature is estimated using the Absolute Global Temperature change Potential (AGTP) climate metric. Uttar Pradesh can produce 71 Mt surplus biomass annually, equivalent to 7298 MW power. Power density of biomass range between 0.10 and 0.25 Wm-2. Significant amount of GHG emissions reduction is possible if biomass replace fossil fuel as a power source in the region. Annual GHG emissions associated with 1 MWh of power derived from coal, natural gas and biomass would cause 4.10 × 10−7, 2.40 × 10−7 and 1.25 × 10−7 mK rise in global surface temperature, 100 years after an initial emission, indicating potential of biomass power to mitigate climate change. Variation in spatio-temporal distribution and low power density could be delimiting factors in large-scale deployment of biomass power. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Biomass resources and power potentials are assessed for Uttar Pradesh, India. • GHG emissions from biomass power is assessed and compared with fossil fuels. • Climatic impact of power generation is assessed via novel climate metric. • Biomass power can mitigate climate change by replacing fossil fuels. • Spatio-temporal variability and low power density are limitations of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Distribution transformer is a most important component of the distribution system to provide uninterrupted power supply to the consumers and it should be highly reliable. Distribution transformer failure affects the reliability and power quality of the supply system. This paper presents distribution transformer failure analysis to find out causes of failures responsible for very high rate of failure in a state owned electric utility Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in India. Detailed failure analysis is conducted on 348 distribution transformers failed from 2010 to 2015 in a city based sub division area. Failure analysis is carried out in accordance with IEEE standards and summarized the results statistically in the first part. In second part, the failure modes, effect and criticality analysis (FMECA) is used to analyse distribution transformer failure modes, causes of failure and effects of failure. Further, criticality analysis is performed and a risk priority number is assigned based upon the severity classification, probability of occurrence and probability of detection to identify most critical parts of transformer. FMECA leads to identify preventive actions to be taken to reduce the risk of the transformer in future by eliminating the causes of failure, reducing severity and probability of occurrence. Highlights • Analysis of distribution transformer failure in conjunction with a real time data of failure in public sector utility. • Failed transformers are analysed for month wise, year wise, age wise, component wise failure and causes of failure. • Failure Modes, effect and criticality analysis (FMECA) to identify most critical components of transformer. • Compensatory provision are provided to save the distribution transformer from premature failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • India has set a goal to achieve 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030. • Indian bioenergy sector increased by 5.42 times in last 10 years. • Small scale biomass gasification plants, solution for waste biomass disposal. • Energy generation for environment protection. • Reducing air pollution by utilizing crop residue in energy generation. India is an agriculture based economy, and also has a forest cover that comprises roughly 24% of its total geographic area. Thus, an abundance of biomass, in the form of waste material is readily available throughout the country annually. The forest biomass, which consists of deadwood and residues, and the agricultural biomass in the form of crop residues, are presently disposed of by burning, which causes air pollution and damage to the local ecology. This waste biomass can be better used for electricity generation using gasification technology. The total installed capacity for electricity generation in India is 344 GW as of March 2018. Renewable energy makes up 20% of this total, and bioenergy, in turn, makes up 14% of renewable energy. Bioenergy makes up 2.8% of total energy installations in India at present. However, the power being generated through bioenergy sources is about 9.5 GW. In this paper, the most recent statistical data regarding energy generation through bioenergy resources has been presented using currently available sources. Brief descriptions of gasification conversion routes have also been included, with their sustainability conditions, as well as the government policies necessary for implementation in the Indian context. [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]

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]

Access to energy for cooking is one of the major challenges that rural India faces. Most of the rural households of North-Eastern India rely heavily upon fuelwood and traditional open-fire cookstoves for cooking activities. And everyday collection of fuelwood is time-consuming. Hence, women often gather fuelwood to make charcoal. While the use of charcoal has some advantages, it is not clear whether the investment of time in making charcoal is worthwhile. In this paper, we compare household time investments for fuelwood and charcoal production. The study is done using survey data on Napaam village situated in Sonitpur District of Assam, Northeast India. We developed a model to analyse fuelwood needed and time spent upon the introduction of improved cookstoves and/or charcoal production. This analysis reveals that improved cookstoves using fuelwood results in the least time expenditure on the production of cooking fuel. Whilst introducing charcoal marginally reduces the amount of fuelwood, but increases time spent on cooking, due to the time required to produce the charcoal. Hence, rural households who make their own charcoal spend more time on producing cooking fuel than those households relying on direct use of fuelwood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper presents economic analysis of two small solar distillation plants coupled to fountain reservoir designed to meet drinking water requirement of 300 l/day for hot and dry climate of Jodhpur (India). Performance of proposed plants (1) FRP single slope solar still and (2) FRP multiple wick solar still is compared with conventional single slope solar still plant. To enhance product output of plants, it is proposed to utilize cooled water stored in reservoir to cool glass cover of solar stills. The result shows that still area (distillation area) required for proposed plants is 37.8% to 39.5% less in comparison to conventional single slope solar still plant (without flow). Cost of distilled water produced is Rs 0.40/l (US $0.0061/l) and Rs 0.41/l (US $0.0063/l) for proposed plant-1(FRP single slope solar still) and proposed plant-2 (FRP single slope multiple wick solar still) respectively, which is about 29.2% to 32.5% less than the conventional single slope solar distillation plant. To replenish loss of water due to evaporation over glass cover, average additional make-up water required in fountain reservoir is 738 l/day. The proposed plant is particularly suitable at a place were plenty of brackish (impure) water is available, may be near to river, lake, canal or pond. (1US$ = Rs65/-). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant amount of current oil production in India comes from the matured fields. Insufficient discovery of new oil and gas fields raises a momentous issue for the demand of energy supply irrespective of significant fluctuation of oil price. Therefore, to meet this growing and continuing global crude oil demand, innovative enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques are required to emerge and currently implemented ones need to be revisited. This paper presents a strategic review on the current status of oil production and future prospect of implementation of EOR methods in depleted oil reservoirs in India. Specifically, this paper emphasizes on the enhanced oil and gas recovery (EOGR) policy approved by the Government of India on October 2018 and its implementation in coming 10 years. Furthermore, the current status of oil recovery in India, fields under EOR operation, challenges of EOR in India, advantages and future prospects of EOR in India and a brief description of EOR methods are discussed as an overview of oil production scenario in India. Our analysis and assessment revealed that enhanced recovery screening and its implementation will add significant value to India's energy economy and lower the crude oil import. • Current status of oil production of India needs to be improved. • Enhanced oil and gas recovery methods can mitigate the energy crisis of India. • Newly implemented enhanced oil and gas recovery policy in India is beneficial. • Screening criteria of EOR implementation in India should be properly investigated. • Future prospects of EOR policy in India have utmost importance. [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]

This research aims to bridge the gaps to produce sustainable energy cost-effectively and technically efficient. The paper explores the techno-economic-environmental viability of photovoltaic (PV)/biomass energy potential for a rural village, Sidhwanbet, Punjab, India. The data investigation was performed by HOMER Pro v3.14 software. A hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) was designed, simulated and modelled to ensure the continuous energy supply for 770 households. The proposed optimal HRES consists of a PV module, biomass generator, converter and battery with the static specification and further improved by optimization. The optimal HRES out of the best five configurations was elected with Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) based on net present cost (NPC), cost of energy generation (COE), operating cost (ƠƇ), initial capital cost (ƗƇƇ), energy generation (ĖƓ), and a renewable fraction (Ȓϯ). The selected optimal HRES has been analyzed for economic, renewable energy and environmental aspects. The sensitivity study had performed while considering the discount and inflation rate. A simulation was performed for a 10-kW biomass generator, 1.1 kW solar array, five lithium-ion batteries, and a 3.96 kW converter. Results revealed that the PV's payback period (PBP) was 1.58 years, less than the useful life of optimal HRES. The cost of constructing an HRES for 25 years was equivalent to $21087, including initial cost, operating, replacement, and project costs. Thus, 35.6% of the necessary electricity is generated with PV and 64.4% biomass under optimal conditions for a 100% renewable energy integration. The CO 2 /year emission performance of optimal HRES is much better than Grid-only and PV-diesel generators. This technique may be used in rural regions in every other developing nation. [Display omitted] • Study of hybrid PV/Biomass/Battery energy for India rural area. • Design and optimization for off-grid electricity generation system using HOMER. • Technically and financially viable optimal configuration costs 0.0362 $/kWh. • System performance economically and environmentally analyzed by sensitivity analysis. • HRES reduced GHG compared to conventional grid and PV-biogas generator only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of state level institutional differences in attracting FDI (foreign direct investment) in wind energy in India. The role of institutional differences is measured by means of constructing a policy index using five key policies in wind energy: feed-in-tariff, open access transmission, third party sale, banking, and wheeling charges. Panel data techniques are then employed to investigate the impact of the policy differences on FDI inflow in wind energy for eight Indian states that have significant resource potential over the seven year period (2004–05 to 2010–11) after controlling for several state-specific factors. The results indicate that state-specific policy index for wind energy is significant in attracting FDI in a state irrespective of whether control variables are included or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper justifies photovoltaic (PV)-powered electrodialysis (ED) as an energy and cost-effective means of desalinating groundwater in rural India and presents the design requirements for a village-level system. Saline groundwater, which underlies 60% of India, can negatively impact health as well as cause a water source to be discarded because of its taste. A quarter of India's population live in villages of 2000–5000 people, many of which do not have reliable access to electricity. Most village-scale, on-grid desalination plants use reverse osmosis (RO), which is economically unviable in off-grid locations. Technical and ethnographic factors are used to develop an argument for PV-ED for rural locations, including: system capacity, biological and chemical contaminant removal; water aesthetics; recovery ratio; energy source; economics of water provision; maintenance; and the energetic and cost considerations of available technologies. Within the salinity range of groundwater in India, ED requires less specific energy than RO (75% less at 1000 mg/L and 30% less at 3000 mg/L). At 2000 mg/L, this energetic scaling translates to a 50% lower PV power system cost for ED versus RO. PV-ED has the potential to greatly expand the reach of desalination units for rural India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bringing the asset management of transformer under the purview of building manager from utility. • Derived mathematical model of demand response from transformer thermal model. • Method to estimate transformer temperature time constant from measurements and algorithm for improving the life of transformer by regulating HVAC and AHUs. • Smart grid architecture for demand responsive HVAC. • Real time simulation of impact of demand response using the actual building consumption data from an academic campus. Overloading and ageing effects contribute to 12-15% of distribution transformer failures in India. This research is motivated in extending life of transformer by using demand response as an operational strategy where the demand response events are issued by predicting overheating of transformer before it occurs. In this paper heating ventilation and air conditioning is considered as a flexible load for responding to demand response events. A demo site is created at 11 KV/440 V substation with 1.6 MVA transformer at Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) campus and the proposed architecture and algorithm is implemented. This substation supplies power to chiller plant and three academic buildings with heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). Analysis for improving the transformer lifetime is carried out for 5 consecutive days during the period (25–29)th Feb 2020 using real time field data. It is observed that during this period 11 demand response events occurred with a total demand response of 919 kWH. From the obtained results it is observed that there is a saving of 15 hoursof transformer life within a period of 5 days (120 hours) of transformer operation. The key contribution in this paper is to bring together three concepts transformer lifetime estimation, HVAC flexibility and demand response for improving the transformer lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• FPGA based EMT simulation framework for the power distribution network is presented. • Conjugate-gradient based electrical network solver is implemented. • Simulation framework is validated for the Jail substation of Guwahati city, India. • Results are compared with the MATLAB based EMT implementation. The electrical power distribution network (PDN) is in the transition phase due to the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs). Therefore, an accurate and efficient modeling and simulation platform is the need of the hour to determine the dynamic behavior of the PDN. The recent computational hardware, such as GPU, FPGA, etc. enables new simulation paradigm and develop a more realistic platform in the form of system emulators. In this paper, an FPGA based electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation framework for the PDN is presented. Conjugate-gradient (CG) based electrical network solver is implemented in the proposed framework, and a test case is analyzed for Jail substation of Guwahati city, India, to validate the simulation environment. It has been compared with the MATLAB based implementation for verifying its accuracy. The proposed EMT simulator is approximately 12.5 times faster as compared to its MATLAB implementation and exhibits good accuracy as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]