Karnataka - Mysore   

A case for tapping alternative energy sources

MYSORE: The proposed move by the Government to establish three thermal power plants in the State to augment power generation, the annual increase in power tariff sought by electricity supply companies and the public opposition to both underlines the imperatives of tapping alternative energy sources while simultaneously enhancing efficiency level in power generation and distribution.

This is reckoned to be crucial in view of the growing public opposition to the coal-fired thermal power plant proposed at Chamalapura in Mysore district apart from two other places, Jewargi and Ghataprabha.

Experts in the field of power sector have drawn attention to the untapped potential harnessing which can obviate the need to establish such major power plants. What is more it helps save funds while addressing the need of industries and domestic consumers.

Shankar Sharma, a consultant on power-related issues who has worked for more than three decades in the electricity industry in various countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the U.S., noted that non-conventional energy potential in Karnataka was virtually untapped.

As against the existing potential of 650 mw for small hydro, the installed capacity was only 10.75 mw. The State has a wind energy potential of 1,180 mw against which the installed capacity is only 4.35 mw. Likewise, the State had not tapped biomass, including wood and biogas, which has a potential of about 600 mw, while the potential of solar and wave energy has not been adequately quantified.

According to Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd., “the earth receives more energy from the sun in one minute than the entire world’s consumption in a year. Solar radiation provides the earth with about 1370 watts per square metre and if we could harvest one per cent of this energy, we can bring plenty of clean and renewable energy.”

While tapping non-conventional sources could augment power generation, enhancing efficiency levels through various techniques could save more than what is proposed to be generated at Chamalapura, Jewargi and Ghataprabha at a vast social, economic and environmental cost, Mr. Sharma has said.

Also, renovation, modernisation and upgradation can bring in significant savings. About 160 mw of power could be saved through these techniques in hydro power generation while reducing transmission and distribution losses (now put at about 35 per cent) to the international level of 10 per cent to 20 per cent.

This could help save another 1,100 mw of power. Utilisation loss reduction in non-agricultural sector is reckoned to bring about a saving of 1,100 mw of power, according to Mr. Sharma.

Savings in wind energy, Mr. Sharma has pointed out, could be about 600 mw, while it could be about 480 mw from biomass. Energy savings can be obtained for other sources. These figures are significant considering the amount of energy saved which is more than the combined potential of the proposed thermal power plants.

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