Anert
Programmes
The major programmes being implemented by ANERT are the
following –
1.
Solar Photovoltaic Programme
2. Solar Thermal Energy Programme
3. Wind Energy Programme
4. Bio-energy Programme
5. Micro Hydel Programme
6. National Programme on Improved Chulha
7. Integrated Rural Energy Programme
8. Rural Technology Programme
Solar
Photovoltaic Programme
Solar
Photovoltaic (SPV) energy generation and Solar Thermal applications
are familiar to the people of Kerala. Even with the two
rainy seasons, the state receives a good sunshine all over
the region. The average solar insolation over the state
is about 800-1000 Whr/m2 per day. This could be worked out
as equivalent to 2.9x107 MW of power generation capacity/year
(Less than half of it might be the most optimistic utilizable
capacity). However the cost of energy storage and maintenance
makes SPV applications expensive. Yet they are cost effective
option for electrification of isolated hamlets and other
remote areas.
Solar home
lighting systems (HLS) and stand alone solar power plants
have been provided to 130 remote backward colonies under
the first phase of SPV Village Electrification Programme
during the 9th plan period, which altogether amounts to
241 kW installed capacity. The SPV Village Electrification
Programme now completes its 2nd phase and till now about
19,000 backward houses are electrified under this programme.
Another commendable achievement during the 9th plan period
is the 25 kW grid interactive solar power plant installed
atop Vaidyuthi Bhavan (KSEB HQ), Thiruvananthapuram. These
installations added to the previous SPV installations (including
lanterns) works out to approximately 1000 kW of installed
capacity within the state from solar energy.
Solar
Thermal Energy Programme
Compared
to SPV installations Solar thermal applications have an
additional advantage of being economical at current fuel
prices. Solar Water heaters (domestic and industrial), Solar
crop dryers and solar cookers are propagated under this
programme; of which, the Solar Water heaters have wide acceptance
in Kerala as it could replace the use of electric geysers
thereby helping to conserve significant quantity of electrical
energy.
Wind
Energy Programme
Wind
power has emerged as the most promising source among all
other renewable energy sources for power generation and
it is a viable and cost effective option for grid connected
power generation. Thus ANERT had conducted detailed studies
and resource assessments at 21 different locations in Kerala,
with the assistance from Ministry of Non-conventional Energy
Sources (MNES), Government of India. Out of 21 sites, 16
sites were found to have mean annual wind power density
more than 150 watts/m2 (or the wind speed is above 15 km/hr)
and so were identified as wind potential areas.
The
main windy areas in the State are the eastern mountainous
regions of Idukki district along the border of Tamil Nadu
and elevated areas in Palakkad gap. If land availability
is assumed as 1% in these regions, an installable capacity
of 890 MW and 1026 MW are estimated in 30 m level and 50
m level. The total technically feasible wind potential of
the state is estimated as around 605 MW, assuming 20% grid
penetration, limited to 16 potential locations in the districts
Palakkad, Idukki and Thiruvananthapuram, where the wind
power density is above 150 Watts/m2. However there is much
higher potential for the direct mechanical application of
wind energy i.e., for windmill pumping systems where the
average wind speed required is about 10 km/hr only.
ANERT presently concentrates on time bound development of
the full potential available at the most windy location
of the state viz., Ramakkalmedu in Idukki District. Private
investment is envisaged to be mobilized for the development
of this site.
Bio-energy
Programme
The Bio
energy projects are viewed as a solution to the waste disposal
problem, which is drastically affecting environmental balances.
The activities in this area comprises of biogas generation
from organic waste from agriculture, animal husbandry and
domestic sectors, and Power generation from Municipal Solid
Waste (MSW) and Industrial Waste.
The total capacity of the Bio energy sector is estimated
as 300 MW in the state. The achievement so far is only about
50kW only. The commendable achievement during the 9th plan
period in this sector was the installation of 49 large size
biogas plants under institutional, community and night soil
based units. The total gas generated per annum is 2 lakhs
cubic meter, which is equivalent to 0.35 million units of
electricity.
Micro
Hydel Programme
Abundant
small hydropower potential is available for the state of
Kerala all throughout the Western ghat region. The technology
of SHP generation is well proven and cost effective. The
total SHP potential of the state is estimated as 500-1000
MW. In this sector ANERT concentrates on the development
of very small range of SHP potential (less than 3 MW) usually
termed as ‘Micro and Mini Hydel’. Such sites
are especially suitable for stand-alone projects providing
power to remote rural villages. ANERT assists and supports
implementation of such projects being taken up by Local
Self Government Institutions, rural communities and individuals.
National
Programme on Improved Chulha
National
programme on improved chulhas aims to propagate chulhas
of higher thermal efficiency and thereby reducing fire wood
consumption. The thermal efficiency of conventional chulhas
is about 10-15% only. Main losses are due to incomplete
combustion of firewood and radiation from the spread out
flame. These losses are minimized in improved chulhas by
introducing better air circulation and flame routing. Such
improved chulhas are available for domestic purpose as well
as for community cooking purpose. Subsidy is made available
for the beneficiaries of SC- ST and Below Poverty Line categories,
installing such chulhas.
Integrated
Rural Energy Programme
The
Integrated Rural Energy Programme envisages total planning
of various energy sources available in the selected backward
Block Panchayats of the State. At present there are 28 such
project areas were ANERT has conducted detailed energy surveys
(both domestic and industrial) and based on its evaluations,
various measures to solve the energy crisis or backwardness
in the region are being taken. This programme enables to
find the actual needs of the area and to satisfy the needs
(as far as possible) in the most environment friendly manner
with the resources abundant in a particular area.
Rural
Technology Programme
ANERT
visualizes Rural Technology development as an area complimentary
to our activities in Renewable Energy development as the
ultimate aim of both sectors are to improve the income generation
capacity and living standards of rural population. So ANERT
sponsors projects for the development and modification of
tools for the improvement of productivity and removing drudgery
especially among women as well as provides trainings on
various technologies relevant to the rural areas. The training
programmes were also organised under this scheme with an
aim to enable the unemployed rural youth to set up production
units by themselves and earn a livelihood. The wide acceptance
received for the training programmes has proved that this
approach is much relevant in the present social situation
of increasing unemployment. All the programmes were organised
with the help of a local voluntary organisations/ social
welfare groups, so that the newly formed Self Help Groups
could get necessary back up till they achieve self reliance.
The trainings were given in the production of items having
much need in the rural and sub-urban areas so that the marketing
of the product may not be a bottleneck. Accordingly priority
was given to training of production of Notebook, Umbrella,
Soap, Agarbathi, Bamboo articles etc. The trainees were
selected from the real needy sections of the society. During
the current financial year approximately 300 youth were
trained in 13 training programmes conducted in a span of
2 months at various centres. It also worth mentioning that
about 80% of the trainees were women.
