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India has abundant solar power assets. Many districts get better than expected insulation compared with different parts of the world. The essential innovation for incorporating and changing sun‐based energy into electrical energy in India depends on photovoltaic (PV) cells. Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants have barely added to the nation's general introduced solar‐based force limit. The difficulties that have restrained the development of CSP and CST are part of the discussion and potential arrangements recommended. The primary difficulties for CSP and CST are identified as the absence of a dependable direct normal irradiance database, indigenous assembling, and rivalry from PV. The after‐effects of a contextual analysis evaluated the effect of indigenous assembling and economies of scale on capital expenses and levelized cost of power. We will evaluate the current status of CSP plants in this paper. The paper shows different incorporated technologies in solar thermal application in India with indigenous manufacturing and the energy policy supporting the solar thermal analyzing the barriers to implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. Also, the techno‐economic evaluation of the CSP and CST is covered. This paper provides a framework of CSP and CST technology in India's industrial sector with their impact on goods and services provided by the sector and the cost‐effectiveness of the product and technology. Furthermore, the environmental aspects and base electrical load accumulating are researched, and various policy measures and amendments are suggested to the government from this study‐based study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean and sustainable energy holds preeminent importance from a socio-environmental standpoint and can be achieved through the implementation of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES). As well as ensuring the stable and reliable operation of power systems amidst the increasing integration of renewable energy sources, precise source forecasting becomes indispensable. Thus, this paper presents a pioneering HRES design incorporating photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), and biogas generator (Bio) technologies, wherein animal manure is utilized as biomass for the sustainable valorization of animal waste. The preliminary objective of this study is to address the prevailing gaps to attain sustainable energy production that is both cost-optimal and technically efficient. Consequently, this paper investigates source forecasting through time series modeling, and assesses the techno-environmental and economic viability of HRES (both off-grid and on-grid) within the northeastern state of India, specifically focusing on the case study of the Cachar district in Assam state. Moreover, real data analysis is conducted to model and optimize the hybrid system. The findings reveal promising outcomes in terms of cost, emissions, and electrical energy potential, in which the optimal configuration PV/Bio with grid results in a net present cost (NPC) of 0.659 M$, cost of energy (COE) of 0.00684 $/kWh, and CO2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$_2$$\end{document} emission of 2368 kg/yr. For the off-grid, the optimal configuration PV/Bio/Battery obtained with NPC of 2.49 M$, COE of 0.218 $/kWh, and CO2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$_2$$\end{document} emission of 346 kg/yr. The analyzed results of the off-grid case are compared and validated with existing literature on different energy economics with optimum configurations. The obtained optimum system is more cost-effective than the existing systems in the literature. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is performed to assess the system’s robustness. Finally, this study endeavors to project a future power system for one of the prominent regions in Assam, an Indian state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development lies at the heart of sustainable entrepreneurship. In the context of this view, the current paper explores the linkages among sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Since Gujarat ranks among the five top Indian states in terms of renewable energy (RE) potential, we studied this sector using a case study approach. The study explores factors that affects the shift from conventional to sustainable entrepreneurship. These factors include major opportunities, as well as challenges for RE entrepreneurs. The findings suggest that RE entrepreneurs are driven by a mix of economic, personal commitment for the environment and social concerns. Institutional support in the form of skill development programmes, subsidies and easing entry level barriers to RE serve as opportunities for entrepreneurs. Technological expertise is another enabler for RE entrepreneurship. Major challenges identified in this study include inadequate access to formal and institutional finance, especially for start-ups, bureaucratic obstacles, limited number of government-accredited certification labs, and inconsistency in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) guidelines. Knowledge barriers in the form of lack of information regarding usage, maintenance and utility of solar technologies are also challenges for this sector. Technological risks related to the adoption of RE technologies also puts them at a cost disadvantage in comparison to conventional technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted towards life cycle economic analysis (LCEA) of a solar photovoltaic (PV) powered tri-cycle. The paper is meant to propose a more systematic approach in determining the optimum use of scarce resources in order to determine the most cost-effective option of the solar tri-cycle. This analysis is based on the life cycle cost of this solar vehicle, involving its comparison with the customary fuel-based tri-cycle which exhibits the relatively less expenditure of the solar alternative. The economic analysis takes into account the fact that over 20 years, the overall price of solar component, replacement and electricity charges, is much lower as compared to that of a fuel-based tri-cycle in India taking into consideration the fuel cost, maintenance and annual inflation over the same period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India has set aggressive targets to install more than 400 GW of wind and solar electricity generation by 2030, with more than two-thirds of that capacity coming from solar. This paper examines the electricity and carbon mitigation costs to reliably operate India's grid in 2030 for a variety of wind and solar targets (200 GW to 600 GW) and the most promising options for reducing these costs. We find that systems where solar photovoltaic comprises only 25 to 50% of the total renewable target have the lowest carbon mitigation costs in most scenarios. This result invites a reexamination of India's proposed solar-majority targets. We also find that, compared to other regions and contrary to prevailing assumptions, meeting high renewable targets will avoid building very few new fossil fuel (coal and natural gas) power plants because of India's specific weather patterns and need to meet peak electricity demand. However, building 600 GW of renewable capacity, with the majority being wind plants, reduces how often fossil fuel power plants run, and this amount of capacity can hold India's 2030 emissions below 2018 levels for less than the social cost of carbon. With likely wind and solar cost declines and increases in coal energy costs, balanced or wind-majority high renewable energy systems (600 GW or - 45% share by energy) could result in electricity costs similar to a fossil fuel-dominated system. As an alternative strategy for meeting peak electricity demand, battery storage can avert the need for new fossil fuel capacity but is cost effective only at low capital costs (USD 150 per kWh). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is one of the leading nations in the world for the development and utilization of wind energy. The country's wind power potential at 100 m above ground level is 302 GW. The Indian wind industry is on track to achieve the government's 60 GW wind capacity target ahead of the 2022 deadline as it has already crossed 34 GW. Wind energy sector contributes to the country by generating employment, reducing the adverse effects of greenhouse gases and increasing the size of gross domestic product. To date, the Indian wind sector has developed by private sector investment. The government, on its part, supporting the wind industry in the country via a range of financial incentives and innovative schemes. That ensures scaling up of wind energy to reach the national energy demand in a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable manner. Attempts have been made in this review to frame a clear picture of the current status of India in the onshore and offshore sectors. Various guidelines for the development of wind power projects, policies and programmes by the ministry and its growing concern for the country's energy security are discussed. This paper also highlights the importance of wind energy tariff and also explores the cost and economics of wind energy production. Current wind energy-related research studies are summarized. Concerns that are adhered in developing wind energy power plants including social, environmental and techno-economic impacts are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Addressing environmental concerns alongside economic development and energy transitions is a challenge for all countries and effective policy making requires approaches that can balance all these concerns. In this paper, combining a range of modeling methodologies is proposed as a way of addressing these questions in an integrated manner. The choice of models to be used would depend on the specific characteristics of the system and region being studied. One possible combination of models is discusses in this paper for the specific case of India. The Integrated Modeling Framework (IMF) proposed combines three modeling approaches – i) index decomposition to estimate impacts of structural changes in the economy, ii) constrained optimization to estimate least cost fuel options for the power sector, iii) input-output analysis to estimate economic impacts. The model results indicate that the mode of investment for climate change mitigation is a significant determinant of the impact on economic growth, incomes, and income distribution in India. In some scenarios, higher investments in green energy negatively affects low income households significantly more as compared to other households. The paper also demonstrates how the IMF can be used to determine the reasons for and therefore alleviate the negative impacts. Highlights • An Integrated Modeling Framework (IMF) combining three modeling methods is presented. • IMF built for India, but applicable for other developing countries also. • IMF useful to study balance between energy, environment, economy, and equity. • Negative trade-off between equity and renewable energy transition in some scenarios. • IMF useful for identifying ways to alleviate the negative trade-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an enquiry into the role of State policies in influencing wind installed capacity. The paper studies the impact of policies on deployment of wind potential across the States of India over two decades. Aggregate indices are computed for each of the seven wind resourceful States of India indicating attractiveness for installed capacity of wind energy. For computing the indices, four policies, Feed-in-Tariff, Renewable Purchase Obligation, Banking facility, and Wheeling charges are considered. Panel data techniques are then employed to investigate the impact of the policy differences on wind potential deployment over the 19 year period (1993–2012) after controlling for three State-specific factors. The controlling factors include per-capita income of the State, power deficit, and ratio of installed capacity of wind to geographic potential indicating unmet capacity. The results show that that policy index positively impacts wind deployment whether control variables are included or not. Moreover, the control factors like the per-capita income of the State and unmet capacity have positive influence over the investment in wind energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using two very different empirical settings, this paper emphasizes the required conditions for the successful crafting of sustainable institutions. In the first setting, different farmer groups in Cambodia and Vietnam try to establish a collective approach for small-scale community-based aquaculture and fail. In the second setting, the collective initiatives of urban women in India are analysed. The Indian women succeed in their objective of a fuel transition from firewood to gas cookers using a cooperative approach. Ostrom's variables identified in the “Multitier Framework for Analyzing Social–Ecological Systems (SES)” ( Ostrom, 2007 ) are applied to local collective action initiatives in both settings to understand which factors make some of the groups succeed in their objectives and others fail. This research highlights the complexity as well as the uniqueness of different SESs. At the same time, the paper contributes to demonstrating the usability of the SES and certain variables to estimate the likelihood of success of self-organisation and crafting of rules. It highlights the relevance of certain conceptual variables for sustainable or unsustainable outcomes for different cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this communication biomass energy resource, potential, energy conversion and policy for promotion implemented by Government of India are discussed. The total installed capacity for electricity generation in India is 2666.64 GW as on 31st March 2013. Renewable energy is contributed 10.5% of total generation out of which 12.83% power is being generated using biomass. India has surplus agricultural and forest area which comprises about 500 million metric tons of biomass availability per year. In India total biomass power generation capacity is 17,500 MW. At present power being generated is 2665 MW which include 1666 MW by cogeneration. The various category of biomass in India is also discussed in this paper. And the research reveals that India has large potential for bio mass feed stock from different sources. Government of India deployed different policies and executed that the strategies for biomass power generation. Such approaches have included the whole biomass energy sector which incorporated the bio gas, bio diesel etc. in the policies. Government of India has focused on the deployment and development biomass energy sector with strategic policy and program which is notable portion of this review paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 21,136 MW of wind energy installed in 2014, India is considered a success story in terms of net installed capacity. Few existing studies on Indian wind energy have highlighted the important role of institutions, and how they stemmed from the work of advocacy groups; studies also tend to focus on short time periods. This paper uses the notion of collective institutional entrepreneurship to analyze Indian wind energy across three time periods (1985–1995, 1995–2003, and 2003–2013). The analysis shows that Indian wind power development was driven by collective efforts of institutional entrepreneurs using two aggregated strategies, that is, supportive techno-economic and socio-political networks and an indigenous innovation infrastructure. The paper highlights setbacks, controversies, and tensions between various entrepreneurship groups and argues that actions must be taken for including actors who have been marginalized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the details and results obtained from a study carried out on a roof top 20 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in a reputed manufacturing industry in India. Although there is plenty of sunshine, various financial supports and government policies, the growth of photovoltaic (PV) power plants in developing countries is still facing significant barriers due to unclear techno-economic aspects of the PV power plant. Therefore this paper highlights a few salient features of the installation, operational performance and economic calculations of a grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant. A few important aspects of solar power plant installation such as the feasibility of location in terms of geographical data, solar panel mounting design, interfacing aspects of PV system with grid are outlined. The results obtained from the study such as month wise energy generation, performance ratio, capacity factor, maintenance aspects, economic analysis, etc. of the system are discussed in detail. The study enables researchers and engineers in this area to understand roof top solar PV power plant and its economic viability. It is expected that this study will encourage and provide guidance to industries in this region to set-up similar PV power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's fossil fuel based energy-led economic growth and carbon emissions are largely influenced by economic liberalization. In this paper, we have considered twenty years before and after liberalization (1971-2010) and by formulation of an error correction model, we have demonstrated how causal associations among economic growth, drivers of growth, and negative consequences of growth undergo changes based on three constructs, namely industrialization, energy efficiency, and rural-urban migration. Analysis of missing feedback link in Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis using contextual interventions is the primary contribution of this paper in ecological economics literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing the transition to a low carbon economy is a complex challenge that needs both early wins and a longer-term alternate technologies leapfrog, to better supplement existing public policies. Relative to the significant investment and policy focus on renewable energy generation and Electric Vehicles (EV) - both globally and in India - Stationary Energy Storage systems (ESS) have received far lower investment and policy attention. This is an important issue to redress for two key reasons. Firstly, ESS is a key rate limiting constraint to achieve the desired benefits of further increasing the share of renewables in the energy generation mix, in India's case from the current 20–25% to a target 40%+ range by 2030. Secondly, several ESS applications are already/very nearly economically viable. Although the dominant discourse focuses on EVs, our analysis in this paper shows that there is a bigger near term opportunity in India for Stationary Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to replace diesel gensets for power backup. Interestingly India offers a meaningful level of scale for power-backup applications, for adoption directly by end-users. BESS as an alternative to Diesel Generator (DG) for power backup is economically viable in the Telecom sector and for roof-top solar installations; further non-subsidy levers e.g. differential tariffs and an annual cess on DG use, can drive economic viability in large campuses e.g. residential, schools and commercial buildings. These applications could offer a BESS demand ranging from 40 to 145 GWh over the next three years – which is more than the BESS demand estimates for EV segment of 40 GWh. Our study is verified and supported by experiential insights derived through primary research, personal interviews and hosting round-table discussions with relevant private and public policy experts. The conclusions from this paper raise the interesting public policy and business strategy implications, 1 of given the economic viability and significant demand why has the adoption up to this potential not yet taken off, and what will it take to achieve this potential? 1 1 These issues are addressed in the author's subsequent working paper, interested readers can contact the corresponding author • Techno-economic feasibility study of battery energy storage systems (BESS). • Identify early adopter consumer scale use cases that are/near economic viability in India. • Demand estimates for BESS as Diesel genset replacement in Telecom, Consumer & Industry. • Our Results confirm greater near term for this application than EVs. • Raises important implications for greater Public policy and Business Strategic focus on this opportunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this paper, we investigate the relationship between energy poverty and economic development in India and its trend over a decade. For this purpose, we estimate a Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) and an index of development at the district level using household level data. Empirical results show that energy poverty is quite extensive in India with substantial variations across the states and districts. Over the years, energy poverty shows a declining trend at all-India level, but with the exception of few bigger and less developed states. Further, the study records a negative relationship between economic development and energy poverty, the strength of relationship has increased during the study period. Among the components of economic development, education has a greater impact on reducing energy poverty compared with income. The study observes that energy poverty and socio-economic backwardness in India are highly correlated; Dalits and Adivasis have higher energy poverty and a lower rate in the reduction of energy poverty in comparison with the national average. Energy poverty is lower in urban India in comparison with rural India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy planning in many developing Asian countries has neglected the structure of energy demand and how it is likely to evolve as development takes its path. The limited availability of energy consumption data makes it very difficult to assess the energy savings potential at end-use level. Energy planning requires the formulation of a proper modelling framework that supports the definition of energy policies. From the different approaches available, Input - Output (I-O) models are particularly useful, since they allow considering different impacts that can be consistent with different energy policy options. This paper proposes a novel I-O modelling framework by introducing a bottom-up approach into an I-O model which is combined with technical data for the holistic assessment of energy efficient technologies in the residential sector, which can assist energy decision-makers of India on the appraisal of the future impacts of the current national energy saving targets. A large size platform of real data has also been gathered considering different data sources, namely the household building stock characterization, the number of operating days according to the climatic regions of India, the lifetime and the investment cost of equipment. Finally, the main results are discussed and future research opportunities are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key barriers to diffusion of domestic solar water heater in India is its high capital cost. Hence, there is a perception among people that it is not economically viable. The objective of this paper is to check the validity of this perception using net present value as a tool. An explicit formula has been developed from first principle to calculate the net present value of a domestic solar water heater which can be used globally. Scenario analysis has been conducted taking three scenarios: current, pessimistic and optimistic, to understand the spread in net present value. Taking probability of each scenario, expected net present value is calculated. The next objective is to go a further step to simulate using Monte Carlo simulation to attach a probability value with the net present value. Monte Carlo simulation model has been developed for risk assessment of solar water heaters. A range of values of all input variables have been considered assuming a normal distribution curve and based upon that a probability distribution curve of net present value is obtained. It was found that solar water heater is a viable option for east-coastal region of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since coal will be widely used in the next decades, mainly in the developing countries such as China and India, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies will have a key role in the containment of global warming. This paper presents a techno-economic comparison between the most promising power generation technologies for a CO 2 -free power generation in a short-term future. In particular, three different power generation technologies have been considered in their conventional (without CCS) and CO 2 -free configurations: (a) ultra supercritical (USC) pulverized coal combustion, (b) oxy-coal combustion (OCC) and (c) integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC). Process simulation, based on Aspen Plus and Gate Cycle commercial tools, allows to calculate plant performance, including the energy penalty due to the CCS system (10.9% points for USC and 8.7% points for IGCC). In parallel, a detailed economic assessment shows that, among the commercial-ready technologies, USC could be the most convenient solution for power generation without CCS (presenting a levelized cost of electricity – LCOE – of 38.6 €/MW h, significantly lower than 43.7 €/MW h of IGCC), whereas IGCC becomes competitive for CO 2 -free systems (with a LCOE of 59.6 €/MW h, to be compared with 63.4 €/MW h of USC). Moreover, oxy-coal combustion, which is currently not mature enough for commercial-scale applications, promises to become strongly competitive for CCS applications due to its relatively low levelized cost of electricity (62.8 €/MW h). This kind of analysis typically presents strong uncertainties, due to the variability of several key parameters (e.g. fuel and CCS prices, determined by the fluctuation of the international markets, or an improvement of the technologies). Therefore, a sensitivity analysis has been done to determine the effects of these potential fluctuation or the improvement on the economic performance of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent years, small scale power generation has been recognized as a suitable option for energy access in isolated rural areas due to uneconomical grid extension. A techno-economic feasibility study on the development of an Integrated Renewable Energy System (IRES) is carried out in the paper in order to meet the electrical and cooking energy demands of cluster of village hamlets of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state (India). An attempt has been made to estimate the potential of locally available renewable energy resources and demands of the study area. The selection of small wind turbine model for the site specified is performed among the various models available in market. Further, nine different combinations of renewable energy resources have been investigated by considering economic, technical and social aspect criteria. Finally, a sensitivity analysis has also been carried out in order to determine the most sensitive parameter of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nexus between technological innovations and environmental quality has been much discussed in the field of energy economics and policy. However, the role of overseas eco‐friendly innovation collaboration on environmental quality in India remains unaddressed. In such a line, our study raises the question of whether overseas eco‐friendly innovation collaboration and total technological innovations collaboration are important towards health protection of the natural environment in India. This motivates us to study their effects on India's carbon dioxide emissions function in the presence of energy consumption and economic growth as important control variables. The usage of annual data from 1985 to 2016 permits us to use traditional and structural break unit root tests before the application of ARDL model to evaluate the long‐run relationship between the variables. Besides confirming the long‐run relationship among the variables, we find that eco‐friendly innovation and total innovation collaborations drive health of the natural environment while energy consumption impedes it. The adverse effect of economic growth on environmental quality becomes ineffective. These findings are robust to the usage of alternative techniques, urging climate policymakers in India to house greater overseas eco‐friendly innovation collaboration with other advanced and emerging economies to drive environmental quality sustainability in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the remote communities of India, government policies have allowed for an increase in the share of solar energy-based technologies used by consumers, making the low-income households in these areas an emerging market for decentralized energy distribution. Despite the policies and involvement of both public and private energy developers, this market has not seen significant expansion in the last decade. Development is plagued by improper promotion strategies, incoherent financial models, and unpredictable markets. These missteps have fostered a negative perception of the technologies, which has a direct effect on low-income households and their ability to purchase renewable energy, impeding expansion of the energy sector. Decentralized solar energy technologies can serve as a major energy provider, but energy market developers have been tapping the wrong energy markets, leading to misappropriation of such technologies. This article explores the concept of energy poverty, with emphasis on solar energy markets and their potential to address the energy crisis in remote communities. It reviews the challenges and opportunities in this sector and suggests methods to accelerate their development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately forecasting energy demand can better predict future changes in energy demand. This study is aimed to develop more accurate clean energy prediction model from two perspectives of the modeling mechanisms and improvements on the model structure. For this purpose, a novel Riccati–Bernoulli differential equation is established through social practice theory, supply–demand relationship, and the preference of consumption in the energy economy. Considering the limited information in observation data, this differential equation is then transformed into a grey Riccati–Bernoulli model (GRBM(1,1)) according to the differential information principle. With the response function solved on the basis of polynomial equation theory and the power exponent optimized combining the modified flower pollination algorithm, the main process of GRBM(1,1) can be summarized. The four validation examples are provided for confirming the effectiveness and reliability of the new model by comparing with other existing models. Finally, the proposed model is employed to estimate and forecast the clean energy consumption in China and India. The results show that the proposed model demonstrates better estimation in all cases and efficiency in short-term clean energy consumption forecasting. Therefore, by using this optimum model, China's preference coefficient in total energy consumption is 0.7103, lower than that of India (0.8799), and China's preference coefficient in clean energy consumption is 0.9665, higher than that of Indian (0.7155), which means China has less interest to increase total energy consumption but more interest in popularizing the clean energy. • This paper proposed a novel grey Riccati–Bernoulli model for energy consumption prediction. • A specific solution algorithm for this Riccati–Bernoulli equation is discussed in this research. • We compared the proposed novel grey model with other 12 exiting prediction models. • The novel model also reveals China's effort in popularizing the use of clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to understand the ecological and economic sustainability of floriculture and other main crops in Indian agro-ecosystems. The cultivation practices of four major flower crops, namely Jasminum multiflorum, Crossandra infundibuliformis, Chrysanthemum and Tagetes erecta, were studied in detail. The production cost of flowers in terms of energy was calculated to be 99,622-135,996 compared to 27,681-69,133 MJ ha for the main crops, namely Oryza sativa, Eleusine coracana, Zea mays and Sorghum bicolor. The highest-energy input amongst the crops was recorded for Z. mays (69,133 MJ ha) as this is a resource-demanding crop. However, flower cultivation requires approximately twice the energy required for the cultivation of Z. mays. In terms of both energy and monetary inputs, flower cultivation needs two to three times the requirements of the main crops cultivated in the region. The monetary inputs for main crop cultivation were calculated to be ₹ 27,349 to ₹ 46,930 as compared to flower crops (₹ 62,540 to ₹ 144,355). Floriculture was found to be more efficient in monetary terms when compared to the main crops cultivated in the region. However, the energy efficiency of flower crops is lower than that of the main crops, and the energy output from flower cultivation was found to be declining in tropical agro-ecosystems in India. Amongst the various inputs, farmyard manure accounts for the highest proportion, and for its preparation, most of the raw material comes from the surrounding ecosystems. Thus, flower cultivation has a direct impact on the ecosystem resource flow. Therefore, keeping the economic and environmental sustainability in view, this study indicates that a more field-based research is required to frame appropriate policies for flower cultivation to achieve sustainable socio-ecological development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is experiencing energy crisis and a widening gap between energy supply and demand. The country is, however, endowed with considerable, commercially and technically available renewable resources, from which surplus agro-biomass is of great importance and a relatively untapped resource. In the policy making process, knowledge of existing biomass use, degree of social reliance, and degree of biomass availability for energy production is unequivocal and pre-conditional. Field observations, documentation, and fill-in sheet tools were used to investigate the potential of biomass resources and the existing domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of biomass in selected Indian states. To do so, a team of field observers/supervisors visited three Indian states namely: Maharashtra (MH), Madhya Pradesh (MP), and Tamil Nadu (TN). Two districts from each state were selected to collect data regarding the use of biomass and the extent of biomass availability for energy production. In total, 471 farmers were interviewed, and approximately 75 farmers with various land holdings have been interviewed in each district. The existing uses of biomass have been documented in this survey study and the results show that the majority of biomass is used as fodder for domestic livestock followed by in-site ploughing, leaving trivial surplus quantities for other productive uses. Biomass for cooking appeared to be insignificant due to the availability and access to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in the surveyed districts. Opportunities exist to utilize roadside-dumped biomass, in-site burnt biomass, and a share of biomass used for ploughing. The GIS-based maps show that biomass availability varies considerably across the Taluks of the surveyed districts, and is highly dependent on a number of enviromental and socio-cultural factors. Developing competitive bioenergy market and enhancing and promoting access to more LPG fuel connections seem an appropriate socio-economic and environmental approach to reduce the use of biomass for indoor cooking and increasing the share of surplus biomass for energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]