02-04-2010, 03:27 PM
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
Abstract
.
Today's crisis in the field of energy supplies, environmental control, population increase, poverty and shortage of food and materials are closely interrelated. It is gradually realized that they demand a holistic, systematic and integrated approach to deal with. Now we see that a 5 % yearly increase in the use of energy not only points to fuel depletion, but is also a main cause for increase in pollution level and related disasters. Too many ambitious single-purpose plans are made with little or no regard to the interdependent short and long-term social-economic and environmental effects, which has caused concern over the arising global environmental issues.
The present paper highlights the perspectives and some issues related to integrated renewable energy system. Though the global issues related to renewable energy are discussed here, the paper concentrates on the issues, which are more directly related to developing country like India. Extensive survey has been carried out in Kolar (a dry district in Karnataka State) so as to cover domestic, agricultural and industrial sector to know their energy related details. The study shows that bioenergy caters about 84% of the domestic energy needs. This study shows that the present use patterns is non-sustainable and planning of regional energy lacks integrated approach. Thus, even though the bioenergy is a renewable resource, because of vast gap between rate of consumption and rate of regeneration has led to unsustainability. The factors, which directly and indirectly affect the use and promotion of energy sources in the area, are discussed in detail.
