Chapter - 1
INTRODUCTION
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Energy is the most important component for economic development in a country. It
plays a vital role in human welfare as all important activities of development are
dependent on the use of energy. It is one of the indices of the measurement of prosperity
in a country, which is often being used by the per capita energy consumption. Thus, one
of the most important tasks of the country's planning process is to ensure that there is a
sharp increase in the production of energy and its effective utilization to increase and its
consumption pattern with respective to the forms of energy and sources also tends to
change.
The main aim of the thesis is to elucidate the importance, viability and feasibility of solar
application in the modern economy. Future, the importance of Biogas energy as a good
means to control pollution and save conventional fuels is also dealt. The purpose here is
to bring the importance and economic viability of biogas energy as a good alternate to the
conventional energy sources which are costly and scarce in nature.
Biogas energy
applications can indeed be good alternate to meet the rural energy crisis and substitute the
conventional sources like coal, petrol, and natural gas, etc. Emphasis is made on the
accessibility and use as well as the knowledge of solar application in the present economy
and an attempt is made to view the future prospects of the development of Biogas energy
in various countries in various countries and various biogas applications.
1.1 METHODOLOGY
The use of biogas energy is nothing new; it has been used for time immemorial. But the
fact is that all the biogas energy that is been used does not come into account or into the
books. It is very difficult to calculate the actual amount of Biogas energy has region
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would be using. Similarly there are many such loopholes in the calculation of the use of
Biogas energy. Only that biogas energy is considered that gets converted into some kind
of useful energy in commercial sense.
The data in this regard is not available in
continuous manner as in some year more stress and development took place due to
government policies and in some years it has been ignored.
A comparative study has been made with some solar application that has developed in
India and in the rest of the world.
A study has also been done as how much of
conventional energy can be saved if these biogas applications would be used. Future an
attempt is made to explain about the prospects of the future development. Attempts are
also made to explain about the prospects of future development. Attempts are also make
to explain the economic Payback period, ARR, NPV, IRR and Benefit -Cost ratio's.
Calculations are done in this respect for Family Biogas plants, and study is made to
understand the conventional energy saving by other Bio mass applications too. In total
the aim of this dissertation is to explain the Biogas is and alternate for the Rural Energy
Crisis. That is to say, molding of Biogas energy into useful form can give solution for
the present rural energy crisis that the world is facing
1.2 IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY IN RURAL AREAS
Ability to do work is called Energy.
Energy is the basic ingredient of all modern
societies and its per capita consumption is regarded as a standard for advancement of a
country. Energy is required to fulfill the basic needs of a human being like food, shelter,
clothing, health, sanitation and education, etc.
In rural areas energy is mainly used for cooking , heating and lighting purposes. The
energy demand for the cooking is the most common in rural household sector. Most of
the rural households, are using firewood, vegetable and agricultural waste, dung cake for
cooking purposes. On the other hand majority of the household use kerosene for lighting
purposes.
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Rural household sector uses with commercial and non-commercial forms of energy. The
consumption of any particular type energy depends on various social and economic
factors. In the rural areas, the majority part of the total energy consumption is accounted
by non-commercial sources i.e., fuelwood, animal waste, agricultural waste and other
bio-mass sources. The non-commercial sources are available to zero or negligible cost, it
is an important sources of energy for the rural poor.
Fuelwood is an important fuel in the rural households. In the rural areas, 90% of the
households development dependent on fuelwood. Energy is whatever form is used, it is
vital for conducting daily activities in rural areas. For example, in agricultural pump sets,
small scale and cottage industries, cooking etc.
1.2.1 Forms of Energy
Energy is found in different forms, such as light, heat, sound and motion. There are many
forms of energy, but they can all be put into two categories, potential and kinetic.
1.2.1.1 Potential Energy
Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position -gravitational energy. There
are several forms of potential energy.
(i) Chemical Energy is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules. It is
the energy that holds these particles together. Biomass, petroleum, natural gas,
and propane are examples of stored chemical energy.
(ii) Stored Mechanical Energy is energy stored in objects by the application of a
force. Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands are examples
of stored mechanical energy.
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(Hi) Nuclear Energy is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom-the energy that
holds the nucleus together. The energy can be released when the nuclei are
combined or split apart. Nuclear power plants split the nuclei of uranium atoms in
a process called fission. The sun combines the nuclei of hydrogen atoms in a
process called fusion.
(iv) Gravitational Energy is the energy of position or place. A rock resting at the
top of a hill contains gravitational potential energy. Hydropower, such as water in
a reservoir behind a dam, is an example of gravitational potential energy.
1.2.1.2 Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is motion-the motion of waves, electrons, atoms, molecules, substances,
and objects.
(i) Electrical Energy is the movement of electrons. Everything is made of tiny
particles called atoms. Atoms are made of even smaller particles called electrons,
protons, and neutrons. Applying a force can make some of the electrons move.
Electrons moving through a wire is called electricity. Lightning is another
example of electrical energy.
(ii) Radiant Energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves.
Radiant energy includes visible light, x-rays, gamma rays and radio waves. Light
is one type of radiant energy. Solar energy is an example of radiant energy.
(Hi) Thermal Energy, or heat, is the internal energy in substances-the vibration
and movement of the atoms and molecules within substances. Geothermal energy
is an example of thermal energy.
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(iv) Motion Energy is the movement of objects and substances from one place to
another. Objects and substances move when a force is applied according to
Newton's Laws of Motion. Wind is an example of motion energy.
(v)
Sound is the movement of energy through substances in longitudinal
(compression/rarefaction)
waves. Sound is produced when a force causes an
object or substance to vibrate-the energy is transferred through the substance in a
wave.
1..2.2 Conservation of Energy
To scientists, conservation of energy is not saving energy. The law of conservation of
energy says that energy is neither created nor destroyed. When we use energy, it doesn't
disappear. We change it from one form of energy into another. A car engine burns
gasoline, converting the chemical energy in gasoline into mechanical energy. Solar cells
change radiant energy into electrical energy. Energy changes form, but the total amount
of energy in the universe stays the same.
1.2.3 Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is the amount of useful energy you get from a system. A perfect,
energy-efficient machine would change all the energy put in it into useful work—an
impossible dream. Converting one form of energy into another form always involves a
loss of usable energy.
In fact, most energy transformations are not very efficient. The human body is a good
example. Your body is like a machine, and the fuel for your machine is food. Food gives
you the energy to move, breathe, and think. But your body isn't very efficient at
converting food into useful work. Your body is less than five percent efficient most of the
time. The rest of the energy is lost as heat. You can really feel that heat when you
exercise.
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1.2.4 Sources of Energy
We use many different energy sources to do work for us. Energy sources are classified
into two broad groups—renewable and non-renewable.
In the India, most of our energy comes from non-renewable energy sources. Coal,
petroleum, natural gas, propane, and uranium are non-renewable energy sources. They
are used to make electricity, to heat our homes, to move our cars, and to manufacture all
kinds of products. These energy sources are called non-renewable because their supplies
are limited. Petroleum, for example, was formed millions of years ago from the remains
of ancient sea plants and animals. We can't make more petroleum in a short time.
Renewable energy sources include biomass, geothermal energy, hydropower, solar
energy, and wind energy. They are called renewable energy sources because they are
replenished in a short time. Day after day, the sun shines, the wind blows, and the rivers
flow. We use renewable energy sources mainly to make electricity. Electricity is different
from the other energy sources because it is a secondary source of energy. We have to use
another energy source to make electricity.
Since the Non-conventional (Renewables) energy sources provide environment friendly
non-polluting energy, it helps keep atmosphere and environment clean and safe.
Moreover it is available locally, therefore it will reduce transmission costs losses. Their
development and utilization will enhance rural development and will bring about a
positive change in the life style of our rural folk.
1.3 DETERMINANTS OF RURAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The main determinants of the energy consumption in rural areas are, family size, farm
size, income, landholdings etc. The family size influences least compared to al other.
The season also an important variable in assessing bio-mass energy availability and
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utilization in different regions. Thus, with increases in income or farm sizes, the people
switch-over from non-commercial to commercial forms of energy sources.
1.4 DATA TO BE USED IN THE STUDY
The main sources for such data collection are:
•
Tata Energy Directory and Year Book, Published by Tata Energy Research
Institute (TER1), New Delhi, Various Issues.
"
Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy sources (MNE's) - State and Central
government reports.
•
NEDCAP - Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation, A.P
•
Economic Intelligence Service: India's energy sector, CMIE, Various Issues
•
Economic Survey:
Govt, of India, Ministry of finance, Economic Division,
Various Issues.
•
National accounts statistics: Statistical abstracts, Central Statistical Organization,
Various Issues.
•
National Sample Survey Organization reports (1970-2002)
"
NCAER reports
•
Sarvekshana - Various Issues
1.5 STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS
The thesis is divided into eight chapters.
Chapter - I:
Introduction including
presentation of the study and structure of the thesis. Chapter II: Rural Energy Crisis:
An Empirical Analysis deals with the Rural energy consumption patterns, Per capita
income, Problems of Rural energy crisis and Alternatives of the Rural energy problem
with the help of NSSO data regarding the energy consumption of different fuels in rural
areas. Chapter - III: Rural Energy in India: deals with the Evolution of Rural energy
or Renewable in India, Rural energy supply and demand, Rural energy development in
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India, Impact of Rural energy on society - environment - natural resource base etc and
finally it explains the Integrating Rural Energy with Rural Development. Chapter - IV:
Bio-gas Technology in India: explains Evolution of Bio-gas Technology in India,
Popular Bio-gas plants in India and
Contribution of
KVIC and NPBD for the
development of Bio-gas Technology in India. Chapter - V: Bio-gas plant - Technical
feasibility: An overview - the technological concepts, components, methodology, design
and construction of bio-gas plants are discussed. Chapter - VI: Bio-gas: A Sustainable
Rural Energy Alternative explains the role and benefits of energy, particularly Bio-gas
(Renewable) energy in sustainable rural development with the help of different experts
views and with the available date regarding the Energy Potential and Efficiency.
Chapter - VII: Economic Analysis of Bio-gas plants in India with the help of Payback,
and other discounted flow methods i.e , NPV, IRR and B:C ratio.
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