Strategies for a nation-wide survey of renewable energy resources available in village in India

India has varied geo-physical, agro-climatic and socioeconomic conditions in the various regions. About 0.6 million villages spread over the length and breadth of the country offer various economic opportunities for judicious exploitation of local resources. Such optimal use of resources holds the key to sustainable development. Among the various factors for growth & development, energy is the crucial input for sustainable development of the rural areas in the long run. The demand for energy is likely to continue to rise due to the development process and increase in population. The need for bringing about efficiency in the usage of non commercial fuels such as firewood & agricultural residues is important, while at the same time, renewable sources of energy such as sun, wind & hydel potential have to be harnessed for meeting the increasing demand of energy in the rural areas. Renewable sources of energy being decentralised in nature, are cost effective in modular form and help cut transmission/transportation cost. The electricity needs of the villages are by and large taken care of by SEBs under the REC schemes. However, there is need for survey of villagewise energy resources from the point of view of planning so that least cost energy options could be exercised as between conventional and renewable sources of energy. The availability of data is poor. Proper statistical analysis is needed to ascertain the load potential and demand in the villages and appropriate system arrangements. In the first instance, unelectrified villages may be covered and the exercise subsequently extended to all the villages. The census data 1991 contains valuable information about the villages. However, more details are required to be gathered in the ensuing Census 2001, so that energy plans may be drawn up villagewise/blockwise/districtwise in a systematic manner based on updated national data. However short term plans will involve random sample survey for homogenous groups of villages in each district. Energy schemes can be formulated for development of renewable sources of energy such as biomass, wind, small hydel, solar, gee-thermal etc. suited to local conditions & needs. This paper discusses the various strategies required to be adopted for a nationwide survey including classification, selection criteria, division of work, questionnaire and action plan systematically compile the data to prepare a master plan for the use of non-conventional sources of energy.