Question

explain the DEVLOPMENT of non conventional sources of energy in India

Answer 1

 In India also efforts to utilize non-conventional, renewable sources of energy were started only during seventies and a separate Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources (DNES) was established.

Conventional sources of energy, coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy - are non-renewable and their use is invariably associated with problems of environmental pollution. Hydro-electric power generation has its own drawbacks. Large-scale use of wood which is important source o energy in Indian villages leads to deforestation.

Non-conventional sources provide energy in decentralized manner to small areas and can reach places where it is difficult to carry fossil fuels or power lines. Large-scale use of non-conventional energy resources tends to reduce the burden from conventional energy systems and therefore is helpful in enlarging their life span. The Indian efforts in the direction of utilizing non-conventional energy resources have been centred around the following major sources:

Utilization of Solar Thermal Energy

An enormous amount of energy is available in the form of sunshine in our country which provides light as well as heat. Solar heat can be trapped by using simple reflecting devices which concentrate solar energy to a particular area.

 Conversion of Solar Energy into Electricity:

Solar photovoltaic modules can convert solar energy into electricity. A large number of these modules are arranged on a panel which is called Solar panel which can either be directly connected] to the energy-using device or indirectly to batteries so that the electricity generated could be used Later when there is no sunshine.


Wind Energy:

Wind energy is another very important, clean and renewable source of energy which is slowly making its presence felt in India. In fact the efforts to use wind energy were started during the Seventh Five-Year Plan period in our country. It was in the year 1983 that wind velocity data from various observatories of Indian Meteorological Department were analyses and published which revealed the enormous wind energy potential of our country. 

. Other Non-Conventional Sources of Energy:

Proposals for utilization of ocean tidal energy, the energy of ocean waves and geothermal energy are also under consideration in India. Our country has a vast coastline - about 6000 kms and a number of places where we can conveniently harness energy from oceans. Similarly the hilly tracts of Himalayas and hills of Central India have a number of locations suitable for development of geothermal energy. However, the use of these forms of energy is in survey, research and planning stages only.