Energy problems it seems are an unending problem in this country. We still do not have enough electricity and we still struggle with deciding what should be subsidized and what should not be subsidized. Why does our government not adopt a decentralized approach to solve the energy crisis?
The rural India has completely different needs and opportunities compared to the urban India. It would be extremely inexpensive for the government to start off bio-gas plants in rural areas and supply all the village's gas requirements just from the bio-gas plant. It will be fed by the huge amounts of cow-dung produced in our villages. In fact a lot of toilets can also be connected to the bio-gas plants putting an end the the horrible sanitation conditions in our villages.It could you effectively used in Mumbai where people use railway tracks as a toilet. Converting their waste into bio-gas could potentially light up a few more homes or cook food in a few more huts.
Solar powered home lighting and water heating solutions are easier to install than running power cables all the way from the closest substation. Also, it prevents theft of electricity. Often I am asked if it is economically viable to do so. No it is not economically viable. However, currently so many villagers steal electricity and recovering these recurrent losses are so difficult that a decentralized electric generation solution becomes economically viable.
Research must be enabled in India's premiere educational institutions to study about use of unusual sources of energy. Multinational companies are already trying to make this a reality as evidenced by this article. It is time we start pushing unique solutions taking advantage of India's bright sun and relatively predictable weather.
The rural India has completely different needs and opportunities compared to the urban India. It would be extremely inexpensive for the government to start off bio-gas plants in rural areas and supply all the village's gas requirements just from the bio-gas plant. It will be fed by the huge amounts of cow-dung produced in our villages. In fact a lot of toilets can also be connected to the bio-gas plants putting an end the the horrible sanitation conditions in our villages.It could you effectively used in Mumbai where people use railway tracks as a toilet. Converting their waste into bio-gas could potentially light up a few more homes or cook food in a few more huts.
Solar powered home lighting and water heating solutions are easier to install than running power cables all the way from the closest substation. Also, it prevents theft of electricity. Often I am asked if it is economically viable to do so. No it is not economically viable. However, currently so many villagers steal electricity and recovering these recurrent losses are so difficult that a decentralized electric generation solution becomes economically viable.
Research must be enabled in India's premiere educational institutions to study about use of unusual sources of energy. Multinational companies are already trying to make this a reality as evidenced by this article. It is time we start pushing unique solutions taking advantage of India's bright sun and relatively predictable weather.
It is now increasingly becoming viable to tap solar energy. In fact if you have roamed around in rural India, especially north-east India, you will be amazed by the penetration of the use of solar power. Such use is a function of policy decisions. Technology is improving day by day.
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