Electricity Generation In India Research Articles

Modeling hydro, nuclear, and renewable electricity generation in India: An atom search optimization-based EEMD-DBSCAN framework and explainable AI

Background and objectiveTracking clean electricity generation in developing economies is highly challenging owing to the influence of turbulent external factors. Clean electricity is a significant enabler of striving toward environmental sustainability. In this research, we aim to model hydro, nuclear, and renewable electricity generation in India through applied predictive modeling. We also strive to uncover the influence of the critical determinants responsible for clean electricity growth. MethodologyWe propose a granular predictive framework comprising ensemble empirical mode decomposition, clustering applications in spatial data based on density, including noise, and atom search optimization-based novel optimization methodology to predict absolute figures of clean energy generation. The framework uses a series of socio-economic factors reflecting household demand and industrial growth in India as explanatory variables. ResultsThe rigorous scrutiny of the predictive framework specifies hydro electricity generation is relatively more predictable during the time horizon influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The deployment of dedicated explainable artificial intelligence (AI) tools suggests an increased adoption of clean electricity in selected industrial sectors in India, which broadly governs the evolutionary pattern. ConclusionThe underlying research is the first of its kind to fathom the daily temporal dynamics of clean electricity generation in the Indian context. Consideration of three distinct clean electricity sources during highly volatile time regimes underscores the contribution of the work. The predictive framework survives a stringent performance check, which justifies the robustness of the same. Demand in different industrial sectors in India profoundly influences the growth toward clean electricity.

Ground and solar assisted heat pump systems for space heating and cooling applications in the northern region of India – A study on energy and CO2 saving potential

In the recent past, energy demand of India has increased multifold as a fast-growing developing country, due to progressive expansion of industrial and building sectors. The demand for devices that provide both cooling and heating has increased in both commercial and residential buildings. However, nearly two-thirds of electricity generation in India is obtained from fossil fuel sources such as coal, oil and gas. Hence any attempt to save electricity consumption by the conventional space heating/cooling devices will benefit the country to meet other electricity demands and will indirectly aid for reduction in CO2 emission. Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and solar assisted GSHP are sustainable systems that consume less electricity compared to conventional devices. They can achieve cooling and heating more efficiently by exploiting the temperature difference between the deep ground and ambient during winter and summer. In this research work, a detailed analysis has been made to assess the scope for the use of GSHP and Solar Assisted Ground Source Heat Pump (SAGSHP) systems for space cooling and heating applications in ten cities located in northern region of India. Calculations on the saving of electricity and reduction in CO2 emission has been carried out by comparing SAGSHP with conventional devices such as electric heater, solar coupled heat pump system for space heating. Air-conditioners are compared with GSHP for space cooling. Implementation of SAGSHP and GSHP technologies for space heating and cooling applications will result in the saving of 151.77 GW of electricity for space heating in ten cities and 88.39 GW of electricity for space cooling in six cities respectively with forthright reduction in CO2 emission of 123.83 million ton and 144.2 million ton. For 1.5-ton capacity heating load of SAGSHP and cooling load of GSHP, the payback period is estimated as 6.8 and 4.5 years respectively.

Applications of Nanomaterials in Electricity Generation in India: A Review

Applications of Nanomaterials in Electricity Generation in India: A Review

Biochar production from crop residues, its characterization and utilization for electricity generation in India

Post COP-15, the push is to reduce coal dependence for electricity generation and GHG emissions from the national electrical grid. Phasing out coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) does not favour India's economic and social interests. Therefore, it becomes imperative to make coal-based power plants clean. Biochar derived from crop residues has been considered a clean fuel and an economical substitute for coal. The present study investigated the biochar potential of crop residues from rice, wheat, maize and sugarcane cultivation, accounting for 89% of total agro production, for coal replacement in TPPs using primary & secondary data and ArcGIS for mapping agro-residue collection point and TPP. Results show that biochar produced from the identified agro resources in the temperature range of 400 °C–500 °C are suitable for cofiring with coal. 121 MT surplus residues of the selected crops could produce 40 MT biochar having 90 TWh electricity generation potential. Biochar produced from surplus residues is equivalent to 69 MT of coal, about 11% of coal consumed annually in Indian TPPs. Also, biochar cofiring could reduce 165 MT annual CO2 emissions from coal-burning in TPPs, about 14% of CO2 emissions by the energy sector and 7% of overall CO2 emissions by India. Techno-economic analysis showed that the infrastructure development & operation cost for the biochar conversion facility is in the range of 2–3 USD/MWh, which is significantly lower than that of the new biomass to electricity generation facility (43–53 USD/MWh). The results would provide baseline data for policy decisions to avoid net GHG emissions from TPPs, and site identification for additional infrastructure to develop alternative clean fuels for India's coal-based TPPs.

Exploring a Design of Carbon Tax for Coal- and Lignite-Based Thermal Power Sector in India

According to India’s ‘Third Biennial Update Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’, electricity production contributes half of India’s total carbon dioxide (CO2) emission (without land use, land-use change and forestry [LULUCF]) and 40% of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) emission in 2016. Coal- and lignite-based thermal power sector is the predominant source of electricity generation in India, and it contributes 74% in 2019–2020. In the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26), India has committed to achieve net zero (in CO2e emission) target by 2070. Therefore, any strategy to reduce the total CO2e emission in India cannot spare emission reductions from coal- and lignite-based thermal power plants (TPPs). To accelerate achieving India’s emission intensity reduction target to 45%, we explore a design of carbon tax for coal- and lignite-based TPPs. Given the constraints involved in designing carbon tax based on cost-benefit analysis as well as integrated assessment models, we estimate a revenue neutral rate of tax on CO2e emission by converting taxes on coal and lignite. Our carbon tax proposal sets the floor (minimum) rate, and it requires regular upward revisions to induce TPPs to take action. To reduce disruptions in tax administrations, we propose adjustments of input tax credits with carbon tax liability. JEL Classification: H23, Q54, Q4, P43

Feasibility of Solar Power Plant in Kathua District, J&K

As the non-renewable sources of energy are depleting day by day, the world is turning towards renewable sources like solar, wind, hydro for fulfilling their power requirement. Solar is one of the major sources of renewable energy which is used for electricity generation in India and its installed capacity has been increased from 2.6 GW to more than 42 GW in the last 7 years and India also acquired 5th position in solar power deployment. Solar power can be harnessed in India using proper techniques providing huge scalability and it also has capability of power generation on distributed basis which helps in additional capacity with short lead times. Jammu and Kashmir has vast amount of solar potential and government is also taking some steps to maximize the use of renewable resources than non- renewable resources in UT but people are still unaware of how to use these renewable resources efficiently. In this paper, the feasibility study of solar power plant installation in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir has been carried out using NASA LARC so that in future maximum number of solar power plants can be installed in Jammu and Kashmir and people can rely on renewable sources. The solar irradiance parameter has been used for assessing the feasibility of this area and the data is collected with the help of NASA LARC website.

Study of environmental radioactivity and radon measurement associated health effect due to coal and fly ash samples

The increasing demand for electricity generation in India primarily depends on coal-fired power plants. The burning of coal is known as fly ash and a prominent factor of pollution in the environment. Fly ash generation in plants leads to the creation of radon and radionuclide, which affects the health of the general public. Since the general public around the area adjoining power plants are at considerable risk of radiation exposure. Also, inhalation of radon gas at a high level increases the possibility of lung cancer. So monitoring radon and radionuclide concentrations is essential. In the present investigation, radon and thoron exhalation rates have been estimated by implementing the accumulation method-based active technique. Natural radioactivity concentrations have been found out using NaI(Tl) detector-based gamma-ray spectrometry. Since the radiation hazard index is less than unity, so fly ash retains not a considerable amount of radiation effect. The result obtained concludes that radon/thoron exhalation rate and radioactivity concentration from fly ash residues are within the limits prescribed by the competent authority. So, the uses of fly ash in coal-based power plants cause no effectively adverse effect on health.

Forecasting India’s Electricity Demand Using a Range of Probabilistic Methods

With serious energy poverty, especially concerning power shortages, the economic development of India has been severely restricted. To some extent, power exploitation can effectively alleviate the shortage of energy in India. Thus, it is significant to balance the relationship between power supply and demand, and further stabilize the two in a reasonable scope. To achieve balance, a prediction of electricity generation in India is required. Thus, in this study, five methods, the metabolism grey model, autoregressive integrated moving average, metabolic grey model-auto regressive integrated moving average model, non-linear metabolic grey model and non-linear metabolic grey model-auto regressive integrated moving average model, are applied. We combine the characteristics of linear and nonlinear models, making a prediction and comparison of Indian power generation. In this way, we enrich methods for prediction research on electrical energy, which avoids large errors in trends of electricity generation due to those accidental factors when a single predictive model is used. In terms of prediction outcomes, the average relative errors from five models above are 1.67%, 1.62%, 0.84%, 1.84%, and 1.37%, respectively, which indicates high accuracy and reference value of these methods. In conclusion, India’s power generation will continue to grow with an average annual growth rate of 5.17% in the next five years (2018–2022).

Electricity Generation in India: Present State, Future Outlook and Policy Implications

India is one of the fastest developing countries in the world. To sustain this growth, energy and electricity demands will increase. In 2015, of the 1337 TWh produced, 916 TWh were from fossil fuels. We prepared several models of electricity demand from 2015 to 2030, based on publicly available datasets and trends. Models were tested on data from previous years and adjusted accordingly. From several scenarios, we decided to introduce two possibilities, i.e., a scenario using high energy savings in all sectors, and a scenario counting on a high industrial growth not supported by an equal increase of electricity savings. For both cases we prepared models for extreme situations: (1) where coal- and lignite-based power plants are preferred after slow-down of a renewable energy boom, and (2) with high utilization of renewable energy supported by natural gas and nuclear energy. With GDP and population increasing at the same rate as in previous years, the unambiguous result in all scenarios is a 2 to 3-fold increase of the electricity demand by 2030. On the electricity production side, all scenarios stress the role of coal, renewables and nuclear sources. Both energy and climate policies should be prepared for such a development in advance.

Improvement in Power Quality of Matrix Converter Interfaced Wind Turbine Emulator

We have seen that the nominal power of single Wind Energy Converter Systems has been steadily growing up and reaching power ratings close to 10 MW. In the power conversion stage, we found that the medium-voltage power converters are replacing the conventional low-voltage back-to-back topology. Due to this reason the Matrix Converters interfaced have appeared as a promising solution for Multi-MW WECSs due to their characteristics such as modularity, reliability and the capability to reach high nominal voltages. In 2009-10, the country imported 159.26 million tons of crude oil which amounts to 80% of its domestic crude oil consumption and 31% of the country's total imports are oil imports. The growth of electricity generation in India has been hindered by domestic coal shortages and as a consequence, India's coal imports for electricity generation increased by 18% in 2010. So in this paper I try to develop fuzzy-logic based control strategy to capture maximum wind energy and reduce harmonics for proposed wind generation system and then develops fuzzy control for indirect matrix converter under steady-state and dynamic conditions. With these assumptions finally try to validate the proposed wind generation system in simulation environment to validate the developed control algorithms under various balanced /unbalanced conditions. Finally evaluate the performance of the developed wind generation system and its controls under various balanced/unbalanced wind conditions. During investigating details the robustness of the steady-state and dynamic performance of the developed system under various balanced/unbalanced conditions using simulation software I presents the experimental performance evaluation of the developed matrix converter prototype with wind emulator.

Sustainability assessment of gas based power generation using a life cycle assessment approach

PurposeIndia is a developing economy along with an increasing population estimated to be the largest populated country in about seven years. Simultaneously, its power consumption is projected to increase more than double by 2020. Currently, the dependence on coal is relatively high, making it the largest global greenhouse gas emitting sector which is a matter of great concern. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the environmental impacts of the natural gas electricity generation in India and propose a model using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach.Design/methodology/approachLCA is used as a tool to evaluate the environmental impact of the natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant, as it adopts a holistic approach towards the whole process. The LCA methodology used in this study follows the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards (ISO 14040: 2009; ISO 14044: 2009). A questionnaire was designed for data collection and validated by expert review primary data for the annual environmental emission was collected by personally visiting the power plant. The study follows a cradle to gate assessment using the CML (2001) methodology.FindingsThe analysis reveals that the main impacts were during the process of combustion. The Global warming potential is approximately 0.50 kg CO2 equivalents per kWh of electricity generation from this gas-based power plant. These results can be used by stakeholders, experts and members who are authorised to probe positive initiative for the reduction of environmental impacts from the power generation sector.Practical implicationsConsidering the pace of growth of economic development of India, it is the need of the hour to emphasise on the patterns of sustainable energy generation which is an important subject to be addressed considering India’s ratification to the Paris Climate Change Agreement. This paper analyzes the environmental impacts of gas-based electricity generation.Originality/valuePresenting this case study is an opportunity to get a glimpse of the challenges associated with gas-based electricity generation in India. It gives a direction and helps us to better understand the right spot which require efforts for the improvement of sustainable energy generation processes, by taking appropriate measures for emission reduction. This paper also proposes a model for gas-based electricity generation in India. It has been developed following an LCA approach. As far as we aware, this is the first study which proposes an LCA model for gas-based electricity generation in India. The model is developed in line with the LCA methodology and focusses on the impact categories specific for gas-based electricity generation.

Economic dynamics and technology diffusion in indian power sector

There is a growing concern among policy makers about how electricity is generated and consumed in the context of energy security and global climate change. In such a scenario, renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind energy, are likely to play a significant role in providing reliable and sustainable electricity to consumers as they are locally available and their carbon foot print is small. The future share of power by renewables will greatly depend on the expected generation cost and the government's support to investments in the sector. Using levelised cost approach, capital cost, operating and fuel costs of major electricity generation technologies are compared. Then, a forecast is made for electricity generation in India, using non-linear Bass diffusion model over 15-year horizon, until 2030, for all major energy technologies, viz., coal, natural gas, hydro, solar, wind, and biomass. The results show how present trends and future forecasts of electricity-generating technologies change the electricity generation mix, and how solar and wind power may increase their share in the total generation. However, fossil fuels will continue to remain competitive relative to renewables due to their cost advantage. The main issue considered here is whether each energy technology has reached its maximum penetration level. This helps set out a path for renewable energy technology diffusion in the Indian power sector

Multi-Criteria Sustainability Assessment of Coal and Solar Power Generation in India

About 70% of total electricity generation in India in 2015-16 came from thermal power plants that burn coal. Further, coal power plants still dominate the planned power capacity additions under the 12th and 13th five-year plans. The coal-based thermal power plants are considered to be least expensive and more reliable in the present electricity grid infrastructure. Here, we present a holistic overview of coal and solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation options. The former is dominant in today's power grid and the latter is expected to play a major role in future low-carbon grid. These power supply options are evaluated with respect to a set of seven sustainability criteria. This study examines the two power generation options based on technoeconomic and environmental indicators.

Water for electricity in India: A multi-model study of future challenges and linkages to climate change mitigation

This paper provides projections of water withdrawals and consumption for electricity generation in India through 2050. Based on the results from five energy-economic modeling teams, the paper explores the implications of economic growth, power plant cooling policies, and electricity CO2 emissions reductions on water withdrawals and consumption. To understand how different modeling approaches derive different results for energy-water interactions, the five teams used harmonized assumptions regarding economic and population growth, the distribution of power plants by cooling technologies, and withdrawals and consumption intensities. The multi-model study provides robust results regarding the different but potentially complementary implications of cooling technology policies and efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. The water implications of CO2 emissions reductions depend critically on the approach to these reductions. Focusing on wind and solar power reduces consumption and withdrawals, a focus on nuclear power increases both, and a focus on hydroelectric power could increase consumptive losses through evaporation. Policies focused specifically on cooling water can have substantial and complementary impacts.

The potential of electricity imports to meet future electricity requirements in India

As resources of electricity generation in India are not sufficient, this paper analyses the potential of electricity import from neighboring countries to meet the future electricity requirements of India. Based on the data of electricity generation, consumption, and future generation potential, we work out projected electricity generation/ demand of India and its neighboring countries by 2050 to identify the possibility of India’s cross-border electricity trading with its neighboring countries, more particularly the electricity import potential.

Assessment of wave and solar energy potential along Western coast of India

Renewable energy is the need of the day to address energy crisis in the world. Renewable energy share in India is nearly 14% of the total installed capacity. Ocean energy does not contribute to this share at all. With a long coast line ocean energy has enormous potential of electricity generation in India especially for remote coastal areas which are still deprived of electricity. Although India is blessed with large amount of solar power, but during south west monsoon months, western coast of India experiences rainy season for around three to four months i.e. from June to September. Wave energy potential increases during monsoon months, which is evident from considerable increase in significant wave height and mean wave period. A hybrid arrangement with wave energy and solar energy generation using stand alone micro-grids can solve the problem of energy deficit and can also supply households of remote coastal areas of India that have no electricity.

STUDY OF RADON, THORON EXHALATION AND NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN COAL AND FLY ASH SAMPLES OF KOTA SUPER THERMAL POWER PLANT, RAJASTHAN, INDIA.

Electricity generation in India is largely dependent on coal-based thermal power plants, and increasing demand of energy raised the coal consumption in the power plants. In recent years, study of natural radioactivity content and radon/thoron exhalation from combustion of coal and its by-products has given considerable attention as they have been recognised as one of the important technically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials. In the present study, radon, thoron exhalation rate and the radioactivity concentration of radionuclides in coal and fly ash samples collected from Kota Super Thermal Power Plant, Rajasthan, India have been measured and compared with data of natural soil samples. The results have been analysed and discussed.

Time value of emission and technology discounting rate for off-grid electricity generation in India using intermediate pyrolysis

The environmental impact assessment of a process over its entire operational lifespan is an important issue. Estimation of life cycle emission helps in predicting the contribution of a given process to abate (or to pollute) the environmental emission scenario. Considering diminishing and time-dependent effect of emission, assessment of the overall effect of emissions is very complex. The paper presents a generalized methodology for arriving at a single emission discounting number for a process option, using the concept of time value of carbon emission flow. This number incorporates the effect of the emission resulting from the process over the entire operational lifespan. The advantage of this method is its quantitative aspect as well as its flexible nature. It can be applied to any process. The method is demonstrated with the help of an Intermediate Pyrolysis process when used to generate off-grid electricity and opting biochar route for disposing straw residue. The scenarios of very high net emission to very high net carbon sequestration is generated using process by careful selection of process parameters for different scenarios. For these different scenarios, the process discounting rate was determined and its outcome is discussed. The paper also proposes a process specific eco-label that mentions the discounting rates.

Breakthrough IH2 biofuel technology has commercial-scale in sight

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.

Comparative Analysis of Pine Needles and Coal for Electricity Generation using Carbon Taxation and Emission Reductions

Abstract Mitigating global climate change via emission control and taxation is promising for strengthening the economic benefits of bioenergy generation and utilization. This study examines the cost effectiveness of pine needles as an alternative fuel for off-grid electricity generation in India. We first examined the changes of prices in coal for electricity generation due to CO2 emission reductions and taxes using experimental data of gasification plants. The time value of money and depreciation scale were used to find out the real levellized cost of electricity generation of gasification plants. Then, the costs of electricity generation fuelled by pine needles and coal were estimated using the cost analysis method. Our results indicate that pine needles would have more competitive edge than coal if emission had taxed at about an emission tax INR 525.15 Mg-1 of CO2 (US$ 8.4), or higher would be needed for pine needles at a yield of 202.176 dry Mg hm-2 yr. The price of coal used for electricity generation would have significantly increased if global CO2 emission had abridged by 20% or more. However, pine needles were found a much better fuel source with an increasing yield of 5.05 Mg hm-2 yr (with respect to power generation) and 2.335 Mg hm-2 yr (with respect to feedstock production).