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Background: Rice is the major crop in India in terms of area, production and consumption. Rice occupies about 23% of the gross cropped area and 35% of the total area under food grains in the country. Rice is of one key importance to the economy as well as a staple food for Telangana people, requiring about 50 lakh tons annually to feed the state population. In recent times the area under rice cultivation has been increased and is expected to hit the one crore acre mark by rabi season 2022. In any type of crop production system an accountability of inputs, energy spent, yield and costs must be monitored, by that one can modify it or substitute it for obtaining the better results. Methods: Due to decline in the share of agriculture workers in the country, there is a need to adopt new technologies in rice cultivation. Dry direct seeding of rice refers to direct sowing of rice seeds in the dry field rather than by transplanting seedlings from the nursery. A study was conducted to compute the inputs and energy consumptions in manual transplanted rice production (MTR) and dry direct seeding rice production (DDSR) methods of paddy cultivation in the combined Nalgonda district of Telangana State, during 2020-21. Firstly, the different operations performed in these two methods were listed out, then by using suitable energy equivalents total energy consumed in two methods of operations were calculated. Result: The human energy spent in the manual transplanted rice production and dry direct seeded rice productions were 506 and 92.84 MJ/ha respectively. Specific energy noted for dry direct seeded rice production and manual transplanted rice productions were 2.10 and 2.28 MJ/kg respectively. A total saving of Rs. 16,000/-ha-1 was recorded by practicing the dry direct seeded rice production method over the manual transplanted rice production method. On comparing both the methods for overall energy consumption, manual energy consumption and cost of cultivation DDSR method was found to be more efficient than MTR method in the district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The information on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and energy use patterns from vegetable production in the Chotanagpur plateau region of Jharkhand state is minimal. The current study analyzed the energy input–output and GHG emission and their relationship with the productivity of two critical vegetables grown in the region, viz. summer season okra and tomato. In this regard, data were collected from 30 vegetable farmers of the region in a pretested questionnaire through personal interviews. The results show that the overall energy input used in the okra production was 8828.71 MJ ha−1 of which human energy (27.62%), petrol (27.31%), farmyard manure (13.59%), and animal energy (13.22%) contributed the primary inputs. The total energy required for tomato production was 4798.66 MJ ha−1, where petrol (25.13%) contributed the highest, followed by fertilizer (16.94%), diesel (14.67%), electricity (12.06%), farmyard manure (12.03%), and human energy (11.65%), respectively. The energy ratio (energy output to energy input) for okra and tomato was estimated at 2.85 and 7.58, respectively. The benefit cost ratios for tomato and okra production were 7.87 and 1.71, respectively, showing that the cultivation of both the vegetables is remunerative in the region, with tomato being more remunerative than okra. The total GHG emission was 875.41 and 322.75 kg CO2eq ha−1 for okra and tomato, respectively. The economical use of inputs could help reduce GHG emissions in vegetable production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural production system faces two main challenges: sustainability and climate change. For greater profitability, they must trade off against one another. To reduce the dependence on non-renewable resources, agricultural energy efficiency needs to be increased. Additionally, weed control is crucial to sustainability. In order to evaluate the energy balance, major energy indicators and profitability of maize under various weed control strategies, the current study was carried out. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out at farmers’ field in Kurmalur village of Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu, India during Kharif season of 2021 in order to evaluate different weed management practices on production and energy analysis of maize. The field experiment was laid out with ten treatments with three replications. The treatments consist of control, hand weeding on 15 and 30 DAS, pre-emergence application of atrazine, post emergence application of tembotrine, 2,4-D, halosulfuron methyl, Tembotrine, Mesotrione + Atrazine. Pre emergence application of Atrazine 1 kg/ha on 3 DAS fb Post emergence application of Tembotrine 105 g/ha on 20 DAS recorded the highest grain (4469 kg/ha) and straw yield (5708 kg/ha) with Net energy (156860 MJ/ha) and Energy Use Efficiency (14.55). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sand-coated solar air collector (SCSAC) is simulated and optimized using an integrated expert technique fuzzy C-Means Takagi–Sugeno–Kang fuzzy logic technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (FCM-TSK-FL-TOPSIS) for climatic conditions of Bangalore rural, Southern part of India. In this study, the FCM method was used to cluster the experimental dataset, and TSK-FL is used to predict the optimal experimental data, while TOPSIS is applied in order to optimize SAC input and output parameters. Different governing characteristics are taken into account as input parameters, such as air mass flow rate, collector tilt angle, solar radiation, and ambient temperature, while thermal efficiency, temperature rise, and pressure drop are output parameters. Initially, the input parameters of a sand-coated SAC are varied in order to conduct experiments. Finally, results are revealed from the integrated method for sand-coated SAC experimental optimal input setting as 0.010 kgs−1 mass flow rate, 933.7 Wm−2 solar radiation, 35.33 °C temperature inlet and corresponding output optimal parameters such as temperature rise is 61.4 °C, energy efficiency 34.48%, and pressure drop of 6.86 Pa. This integrated method is beneficial for researchers who are engaged in the optimization of solar thermal systems and industries applications which involve drying, heating, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying sustainable crop production systems that improve yield from existing farmland while improving resource use efficiency is critical to meet the growing demands of the increasing human population and diminishing natural resources. Considering the increasing cost associated with inorganic fertilizer, integrated nutrient management using both organic and inorganic sources is important. Therefore, optimizing nutrient management practices that increase yield, improve soil quality, build up soil organic carbon storage, and maintain energy balance can help achieve sustainability in farming systems. In this regard, different nutrient management practices under the rice–rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system were evaluated using five different criterions, namely, (i) crop yield response, (ii) soil quality, (iii) soil carbon stock, (iv) energy efficiency, and (v) profitability under lowland situations in the Goa state situated in the western coast of India. We tested six nutrient management treatments, namely, inorganic fertilizers, organic (farmyard manure), rice straw, and their combinations over three years from 2016 to 2019. The results revealed that integrated nutrient management improved soil carbon stock, microbial biomass carbon, and soil fertility more than the other treatments. The integrated use of farmyard manure and chemical fertilizer showed significantly higher crop yield (9.86 v/s 9.41 Mg ha−1), microbial biomass carbon (354 v/s 233.7 mg kg−1 soil), soil carbon stock (36.65 v/s 25.5 Mg C ha−1), energy efficiency (23.8 v/s 22.3), and net return (1776 v/s 1508 USD) than those associated with chemical fertilizer alone. We conclude that the application of chemical fertilizers/organic sources alone may not be sustainable for the rice–rice cropping system in the Goa state of India; the focus should be on integrated nutrient management systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problems and effects of global warming stand a primary concern for most of the people in today’s world. As the demand for energy increases, the available energy resources noticeably decrease which rapidly upsurges the need for energy-efficient buildings. Housing is one of the largest energy consumers as it consumes about 40% of the total energy. This study aims to improve the energy consumption and the strength of houses in India compared to other materials in construction walls. The study includes the record of electricity life cycle, fuel consumption and Life Cycle Energy Costs (LCEC), the intensity of the annual energy consumption and the peak value of the annual demand, its evaluation and presents the comparison with the original planning. Finally, the measure of the total annual energy and total electricity and fuel life cycle costs for the building wall in the Indian scenario using sustainable energy efficient design and construction methods under BIM and tools like Revit, Insight360 and Green Building Studio are presented. An energy analysis model that integrates BIM to create precise residential performance forecasts with better optimization scenarios is represented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fluctuating outputs of glass-tedlar PVT-TEC air collector are estimated using ANN model. • Comparison with glass-glass PVT-TEC air collector is presented. • Annual performance of glass-tedlar PVT-TEC air collector is predicted. • A reasonable prediction accuracy is attained. In this research, a three-layer feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) model has been developed for glass-tedlar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) air collector incorporating thermoelectric cooler (TEC). The ANN model is used for estimating the fluctuating outputs of the glass-tedlar PVT-TEC air collector, i.e. thermal energy gain, electrical energy gain, overall thermal energy gain and overall exergy gain, as a result of intermittent and varying weather conditions. The traditional modelling techniques, used for predicting the output performances of a PVT system, rely on analysis of complex relationships between different components of PVT collector, solution of differential equations and several design parameters. ANN model, however, aids in approximating the outputs by learning through training examples and hence, does not involve complex analysis and calculations. The developed ANN model is based on global solar radiation, diffuse solar radiation and ambient temperature, as inputs. Further, the outputs of glass-tedlar PVT-TEC air collector [Case I] are compared against glass-glass PVT-TEC air collector [Case II], using ANN model. The monthly and annual outputs of glass-tedlar PVT-TEC air collector [Case I] have been estimated for New Delhi, India. Also, a comparison between the annual results of Case I and Case II, obtained using ANN model, has been presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Integrating biomass energy generation with carbon capture will result in "carbon neutral" to "carbon negative" technology. Countries like India and China possess significant reserves of limestone. Calcium looping (CaL) technology can prove to be a promising option for carbon capture in these countries. The present work aims at improving the performance of CaL‐integrated biomass‐fired power plant (BFPP) by exploring different looping configurations. In this study, (i) standalone BFPP, (ii) conventional CaL (single stage), and (iii) double CaL‐integrated BFPP have been systematically evaluated. A comparative performance evaluation of these three plants in terms of energy, exergy and ecological assessment, has been carried out. A detailed parametric study and unit‐wise exergy analysis of the best configuration among the three are presented to identify the scope for further improvement in efficiency and energy savings. The assessment of sugarcane bagasse‐based energy generation with CO2 capture for India.Steady state simulation of double calcium looping‐integrated BFPP.Thermodynamic and ecological assessments of calcium looping‐integrated BFPP.Influence of carbonator temperature and organic fluid content on the performance of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continual need to optimize costs and the recent competitive pressure from renewables have seen renewed focus on improving and optimizing plant components' efficiency. Combined cycle power plants are better from thermal efficiency point of view compared with coal-based power plants. Exergy analysis offers better alternative to energetic analysis based on simpler model of energy balance only. Identifying system energy losses is easier using exergy analysis, making it a better analytical tool. The paper presents a case study of exergy analysis of Gautami combined cycle power plant. Component level theoretical analysis is done first and applied to the operational data from the plant. The results showed that the gas turbine combustion chamber has the highest exergy loss of 33%. Impact factors like ambient temperature, pressure ratio, turbine inlet temperature and heat recovery steam boiler are also considered on the exergy losses of the power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The performance of the solar air collector is experimentally investigated at the climate of North Eastern India. Various governing parameters considered for the present investigation are collector tilt angles (30⁰, 45⁰, and 60°), single and double glazing, mass flow rate (0.0039–0.0118 kg/s) and two different absorber plates (plain and corrugated). Results reveal that double glazing absorber plate always gives better performance both energy and exergy point of view, because of reduction of top loses. Increase in mass flow rate of air enhances the energy efficiency. An overall increment of the efficiency with the increase of mass flow rate and number of glazing is as high as 10.35–17.42%. Use of corrugated plate enhances the energy efficiency by 14%, because of improved turbulence effect and increment of the heat transfer area. The maximum enhancement of exergy efficiency for double glazing collector is 6.867% for mass flow rate 0.0118 kg/s compared to single glazing collector. Corrugated absorber plate show 30Pa higher pressure drop than plain absorber plate. Thermo-hydraulic efficiency is found to deviate by almost 6.35% from the corresponding thermal efficiency. Mass flow rate of air in the range of 0.0078–0.0094 kg/s is found to yield qualitative heat transfer. Highlights • Comparison of flat and corrugated plate solar air collector is presented. • Double glazing reduces losses and increase the thermal efficiency by 6.87%. • Increase in mass flow rate by 3 times results in 6%increase of efficiency. • Corrugated plate provides 14% higher efficiency than flat plate collector. • Mass flow rate of air enhances energy efficiency and reduce exergetic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the low productivity per unit area of a single basin solar still, a stacked solar still configuration which has two basins stacked together has gained popularity due to its increased output for the same area. This paper delivers a detailed comparison between single basin and stacked solar still configurations based on thermodynamic and economic analysis. A single slope single basin and double basin solar still of same base area of 0.5 m 2 were fabricated and tested at Velammal Engineering College, Chennai, in the month of March 2020. The average daily productivity obtained from the single basin and stacked still configuration are 1.416 L/day and 1.913 L/day, respectively. The thermo-economic analysis gives detailed information about the exergy destruction of each component of the solar still and the overall exergy efficiency of both the configurations. The energy and exergy efficiency of the stacked solar still is higher than the single basin solar still due to lower energy loss in the stacked solar still configuration. In order to optimize the cost of the distilled water, an economic feasibility analysis is carried out, and it is observed that the cost per liter of distilled water produced from a single basin solar still is 29.9% higher than the stacked solar still. The payback period of the stacked solar still is 540 days, whereas it is 459 days for a single basin solar still. The results from the analysis further justify the thermo economic feasibility of a stacked solar still., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Abstract: Fodder plays a major role in crop–livestock–manure–soil nutrient cycle of farms in middle mountains of the Himalaya. In Garhwal part of Indian Himalayan Region fodder is mainly collected by lopping the vegetative biomass of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses. The present study was carried out to understand the fodder utilization pattern, energy budget and problems related to fodder biomass removal in existing traditional hill agro-ecosystems prevalent at different altitudes of Garhwal Himalaya. The total fodder collection at different altitudes varied for green and dry fodder. The total green fodder collection ranged from 64.4 ± 3.60 to 84.0 ± 6.23 kg household−1 day−1 whereas, total dry fodder collection ranged from 62.4 ± 1.66 to 80.4 ± 5.11 kg household−1 day−1. Fodder collection was varied in summer (March–October) and winter months (November–February) of the year. The labor energy expended for fodder collection varied from 832.78 ± 61.05 to 1192.44 ± 45.66 MJ household−1 year−1. In last few years fodder removal has enhanced resource extraction conflicts, malnutrition of women and their off-springs, improper education of females, increased health and life hazards, accidents because of collapse, etc. For better utilization of dry fodder in hilly areas, the farmers and livestock owners should be motivated and educated toward modern feeding options. Novel feeding system of complete feed and silage preparation for lean periods is well suited to hilly states like Uttarakhand that needs to be promoted. The study also aims to help in developing suitable policy to lessen the impact of degradation of forests for fodder by developing fodder bank models in each village cluster of Uttarakhand. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The data on energy use patterns and resources present in village ecosystems of the arid region are seldom available. India possesses about 31.71 Mha of hot arid areas of which 61.8% is in Rajasthan State, commonly known as the “Thar Desert”, and is characterised by harsh climatic conditions with active dunal activities. Precipitations are far lower (100–420 mm/yr) than evapotranspiration potentials (1500–2000 mm/yr). Soils are sandy, having an undulating topography with poor organic carbon content (0.04–0.3%) against the average value, (0.8%), on an all India basis. Ground water is limited and often brackish. To further add to this grim situation, there is a continuous occurrence of severe drought in the region since the last three years (1997–1998 to 1999–2000). As a result, about 50–60% of the kharif crops (rainfed crops) failed and numbers of animals perished, resulting in shattering of the economy of the region. The data on energy input for cultivating different crops for the 1998–1999 (drought year) were collected, analysed and presented for the representative village “Choukha” district, Jodhpur. Owing to the drought, the farmers of the village have grown kharif crops (rainfed crops) by providing life saving irrigation. Although 50–60% of the crops failed, due to the irrigation, the yield levels were the same or even more during the period compared to the normal rainfall year yield.Operationwise, the total energy use values (weighted mean) for cultivating the pearl millet crop were found to be 3807.4 MJ/ha compared to 2697.9 for green gram and 8726.3 for wheat. The average value of the energy input–output ratio was found to be 4.8, 6.8 and 3.2, respectively, for pearl millet, green gram and wheat, suggesting that cultivation of green gram is most remunerative to the farmers compared to the pearl millet and wheat crops. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]