Renewable Energy Technology Unit1edit
Renewable Energy Technology Unit1edit
Acknowledgment: The data mentioned in the document regarding the energy sector
and installed capacity of India and others is sourced from the NITI Aayog website
solely for study purposes.
Non-renewable energy sources are those that are consumed faster than they can be
replaced.
Non renewable energy sources include nuclear energy as well as fossil fuels such as
coal, crude oil, and natural gas. These energy sources have a finite supply, and often
emit harmful pollutants into the environment.
Renewable energy sources are those that are naturally replenished on a relatively short
timescale.
Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal energy, and
biomass fuels. These energy sources are sustainable and generate fewer greenhouse gas
emissions than fossil fuels.
1. Domestic Sector
2. Industrial Sector
• Energy Demand: The industrial sector is a major consumer of energy, accounting for
approximately 40% of India’s total energy consumption. This includes electricity,
coal, and natural gas.
• Shift to Renewables: Industries are increasingly adopting renewable energy sources,
both for sustainability goals and cost savings. There is a growing trend in using
captive solar power and participating in renewable energy certificate markets.
• Energy Efficiency Initiatives: The Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme
under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) aims to
improve energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries.
3. Commercial Sector
4. Agriculture Sector
• Energy Use: The agriculture sector primarily uses diesel for irrigation and other
operations. Electricity is also used, especially where grid access is available.
• Renewable Energy: There is an increasing push towards solar-powered irrigation
systems and solar water pumps, which aim to reduce dependency on diesel and
increase sustainability.
• Government Initiatives: Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
(PMKSY) include components for improving irrigation efficiency and energy use in
agriculture.
5. Transportation Sector
Overall, India is making significant strides in diversifying its energy sources, improving
efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices across different sectors.
Coal:
India has rich deposits of coal in the world. Total estimated reserves of coal as on 01-
04-2022 were 361.41 billion tonnes, an addition of 9.28 billion tonnes over the
corresponding period of previous year. In terms of percentage, there has been a growth
of 2.64% in the total estimated coal reserves during the year 2021-22 over 2020-21
(Table 1.1.).
• The top three states with highest coal reserves in India are Odisha, Jharkhand,
Chhattisgarh, which account for approximately 69% of the total coal reserves in the
country.
Oil:
The estimated reserves of crude oil in India as on 01-04-2022 stood at 651.77 million
tonnes against 591.92 million tonnes in the previous year. An increase of over 10%
over last year. Geographical distribution of Crude Oil indicates that the maximum
reserves are in the Western Offshore (33%) followed by Assam (23%).
Natural gas:
The estimated reserves of Natural Gas as on 01-04-2022 was at 1138.67 Billion Cubic
Meters. The maximum reserves of Natural Gas are in the Western Offshore (29.6%)
followed by Eastern offshore (23.6%).
Year wise availability of Energy Resources
Sector wise energy consumption
Commercial sector:
Industrial sector:
Agricultural sector:
Transport sector:
Residential sector:
Conventional energy
As of early 2024, the installed energy capacity in India reflects the country's ongoing efforts
to diversify its energy mix. Here’s a summary of the installed capacity for both conventional
and non-conventional energy sources:
Conventional Energy Sources
1. Coal Power:
o Installed Capacity: Approximately 233 GW.
o Contribution: Around 55-60% of the total electricity capacity.
o Details: Coal remains the largest source of electricity generation, though
efforts are underway to reduce dependency and shift towards cleaner sources.
2. Oil-Based Power:
o Installed Capacity: About 2.5 GW.
o Contribution: Less than 1% of the total electricity capacity.
o Details: Oil-based power is minimal in the energy mix due to its high cost and
environmental impact.
3. Natural Gas Power:
o Installed Capacity: Approximately 30 GW.
o Contribution: Around 7% of the total electricity capacity.
o Details: Natural gas is being increasingly used to reduce reliance on coal,
though its share is still relatively small compared to coal.
4. Hydropower:
o Installed Capacity: About 50 GW.
o Contribution: Approximately 12-13% of the total electricity capacity.
o Details: Hydropower plays a significant role but is subject to seasonal
variations and environmental concerns.
ndia has significant potential for various renewable energy sources, making it one of the
leaders in the global renewable energy transition. Here's an overview of the potential and
recent developments in India's renewable energy sector:
1. Solar Energy
• Potential: India has an estimated solar energy potential of about 748 GW, primarily
due to its high solar insolation and vast available land. The states of Rajasthan,
Gujarat, and Maharashtra have the highest potential.
• Installed Capacity: As of 2023, India's installed solar capacity reached 70 GW,
making it the largest contributor to the country's renewable energy capacity. The
government aims to reach 280 GW by 2030 as part of its National Solar Mission.
• Recent Developments: Large-scale solar parks, rooftop solar projects, and floating
solar plants are rapidly expanding, with new policies promoting domestic
manufacturing of solar cells and modules.
2. Wind Energy
• Potential: India has an estimated wind energy potential of about 302 GW at a hub
height of 100 meters, with Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra being
key regions.
• Installed Capacity: The installed wind energy capacity in India stood at
approximately 43 GW as of 2023. Wind power is the second-largest renewable
energy source in the country.
• Recent Developments: Offshore wind energy is gaining attention, with the
government exploring the potential in coastal areas. The target is to achieve 60 GW of
wind capacity by 2030.
3. Hydropower
4. Biomass Energy
5. Geothermal Energy
Conclusion
India’s renewable energy sector has immense potential across various sources, with
significant growth in solar and wind capacities. The government’s ambitious targets,
supported by favorable policies and international collaborations, are driving the rapid
expansion of renewables, positioning India as a key player in the global energy transition
As of 2024, the global installed capacity of renewable energy sources has seen significant
growth, reflecting the increasing focus on clean energy to meet climate targets. Here’s a
snapshot of the installed capacity by major energy sources:
• Solar Power: Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity continues to lead the renewable
sector, with an installed capacity exceeding 1,250 GW globally by the end of 2023.
Solar power has been the fastest-growing source of energy, driven by cost reductions
and widespread adoption.
• Wind Power: Global wind power capacity reached approximately 950 GW in 2023,
with offshore wind playing an increasingly important role alongside onshore
installations.
• Hydropower: Hydropower remains the largest source of renewable electricity, with
an installed capacity of around 1,350 GW. However, its growth has been relatively
stable compared to other renewables.
• Bioenergy: Installed capacity for bioenergy (including biofuels, biogas, and solid
biomass) stood at around 140 GW in 2023, with a focus on combined heat and power
(CHP) applications.
• Geothermal: Geothermal energy has a global installed capacity of about 16 GW,
concentrated mainly in regions with significant geothermal resources such as the
United States, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
• Coal: Despite a gradual decline in many regions due to environmental concerns, coal
still contributes significantly to the global energy mix, with installed capacity
estimated at around 2,100 GW as of 2023.
• Natural Gas: Installed capacity for natural gas-fired power plants is approximately
1,850 GW globally. Natural gas is often seen as a transitional fuel due to its lower
emissions compared to coal.
• Nuclear Power: The global nuclear power capacity was about 390 GW by the end of
2023, with new plants being constructed mainly in Asia and Eastern Europe.
The global energy landscape is shifting rapidly, with renewables playing a central role in
meeting future energy needs while addressing climate change challenges
The future of energy is poised to be shaped by several transformative trends and technologies
as the world moves toward more sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy systems. Here's
an overview of the key areas that are expected to define the future energy landscape:
• Solar and Wind Power: Solar and wind energy are expected to dominate the future
energy mix due to their decreasing costs and scalability. Technological advances,
such as more efficient photovoltaic cells and larger, more efficient wind turbines, will
continue to drive growth.
• Offshore Wind Farms: Offshore wind energy, especially floating turbines, will
become more prevalent, allowing access to stronger and more consistent wind
resources in deeper waters.
• Hydropower and Geothermal: While already established, these sources will see
enhancements through innovations like pumped storage and advanced geothermal
systems, which could tap into deeper and hotter resources.
• Microgrids: Decentralized, localized grids that can operate independently from the
main grid will become more common, especially in remote or disaster-prone areas.
These microgrids will often be powered by a mix of renewables and storage systems.
• Distributed Generation: With the rise of rooftop solar, small wind turbines, and
home energy storage systems, more consumers will become "prosumers," generating
and consuming their own energy, and potentially selling excess back to the grid.
4. Hydrogen Economy
• AI and IoT Integration: The energy grid of the future will be more intelligent, with
AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) optimizing energy distribution, predicting
demand, and managing distributed energy resources in real time.
• Demand Response: Smart grids will enable more dynamic pricing and demand
response programs, where consumers can reduce their energy use during peak times
in exchange for lower prices or other incentives.
6. Electrification of Transportation
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): The shift toward electric vehicles is expected to accelerate,
supported by falling battery costs, increasing vehicle ranges, and expanding charging
infrastructure.
• Electric Aviation and Shipping: Research and development are increasingly
focusing on electrifying aviation and shipping, either through battery power or
alternative fuels like hydrogen.
8. Nuclear Energy
• Transitioning Economies: Developing countries will play a crucial role in the global
energy transition, with many expected to leapfrog directly to renewable energy
technologies, bypassing the fossil fuel-intensive stages of development.
• International Cooperation: Global collaboration on energy research, development,
and policy will be essential for addressing climate change and achieving international
goals such as those set by the Paris Agreement.
The future energy landscape is set to be more decentralized, cleaner, smarter, and more
resilient, driven by innovation across multiple sectors and strong policy support aimed at
mitigating climate change and ensuring energy security.