Current Status of Alternative Source of Energy & their Future Prospects

India is facing an acute energy scarcity which is hampering its industrial growth and economic progress.
It is essential to tackle the energy crisis through judicious utilization of abundant the renewable energy resources, such as biomass energy, solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy.
Apart from augmenting the energy supply, renewable resources will help India in mitigating climate change. India is heavily dependent on fossil fuels for its energy needs.

Need of Alternative Source of Energy

The average per capita consumption of energy in India is around 500 W, which is much lower than that of developed countries like USA, Europe, Australia, Japan etc.
However, this figure is expected to rise sharply due to high economic growth and rapid industrialization.
The consumption of electricity is growing on the worldwide basis.
Energy is a necessity and sustainable renewable energy is a vital link in industrialization and development of India.
A transition from conventional energy systems to those based on renewable resources is necessary to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy and to address environmental concerns.

Total Renewable Energy Installed Capacity (31 Nov 2015)

Source	Total Installed Capacity (MW)
Wind Power	24,759.32
Solar Power (SPV)	4,684.74
Small Hydro Power	4,161.90
Biomass Power(Biomass & Gasification and Bagasse Cogeneration	4,550.55
Waste to Power	127.08
Total	38,283.59

Souce: Wikipedia

Solar power, a clean renewable resource with zero emission, has got tremendous potential of energy which can be harnessed using a variety of devices.
With recent developments, solar energy systems are easily available for industrial and domestic use with the added advantage of minimum maintenance.
Solar energy could be made financially viable with government tax incentives and rebates.
An exclusive solar generation system of capacity of 250 to KWh units per month would cost around Rs. 5 Lacs, with present pricing and taxes.

Wind turbines have become larger, efficiencies and availabilities have improved and wind farm concept has become popular.
The economics of wind energy is already strong, despite the relative immaturity of the industry.

India has a huge hydro power potential, out of which around 20 % has been realized so far.
New hydro projects are facing serious resistance from environmentalists.
Resettlement of the displaced people with their lands becomes major issue.

Biomass energy can play a major role in reducing India’s reliance on fossil fuels by making use of thermo-chemical conversion technologies.
Biomass energy could also aid in modernizing the agricultural economy.
The integration of biomass-fuelled gasifies and coal-fired energy generation would be advantageous in terms of improved flexibility in response to fluctuations in biomass availability with lower investment costs.
Waste-to-energy plants offer two important benefits of environmentally sound waste management and disposal, as well as the generation of clean electric power.

Microgeneration, also called “micropower”, is the generation of zero or low-carbon electrical power by individuals, small businesses and communities to meet their own needs.
The most widely-used microgeneration technologies include small wind turbines, solar power photovoltaic or biomass conversion systems that have been promoted for decades as alternative sources of renewable energy.
Microgeneration is both a serious form of clean energy production and also a cultural movement that is gathering momentum worldwide.

There is an urgent need for transition from petroleum-based energy systems to one based on renewable resources
Renewable energy has the potential to create many employment opportunities at all levels, especially in rural areas.
It would be possible to attract foreign investments to herald a Green Energy Revolution in India.