Diversity
and Security of Supply
Wind is not only free, it is inexhaustible. As the technology
leaps to offshore generation, and other new sites, turbines
can be installed almost anywhere where there is sufficient
wind potential to provide secured, centralized or distributed
generation. There are no substantial obstacles to the integration
of large quantities of wind power into the electricity grid.
In Denmark, peak levels up to 50% have been managed in the
western parts of the country during very windy periods,
and at least 20% penetration worldwide is attainable.
Wind Energy and the environment
The impetus behind wind power expansion has come increasingly
from the urgent need to combat global climate change. Most
countries now accept that greenhouse gas emissions must
be cut in order to avoid environmental catastrophe. Wind
energy offers both a power source, which completely avoids
the emission of carbon dioxide, the main green house gas,
but also produces none of the other pollutants associated
with either fossil fuel or nuclear generation. The electricity
generated from the entire wind energy installed world wide
in 2001 saves an equivalent annual amount of 33 million
tones of carbon dioxide.
Key Advantages of Wind Power
- Environmental Protection
- Low Cost-Wind can be competitive with
nuclear, coal and gas
- Diversity and Security of supply
- Rapid Deployment - modular and quick to
install
- Fuel is abundant, free and inexhaustible
- Costs are predictable and not influenced
by fuel price fluctuations
Wind Energy in India
For thousands of years wind energy has been exploited but
it's re-emergence as one of the most cost-effective renewable
sources of generation of grid quality of electricity is
of relatively recent origin. India has not only been quick
to make a foray into this area, but has also made a mark
as one of the top ranking countries in the world in wind
power generation. With an installed capacity of 1080 MW
of wind power, India now ranks 5th in the world after Germany,
USA, Denmark and Spain and has earned recognition as the
"New Super Power" as per State of World 1998 World
Watch Institute's Report. According to a recent study, the
gross wind power potential is estimated to be about 45,000
MW at 50msub height.
Energy Scenario in India
India has the second largest population in the world with
a billion people and, is considered and rapidly growing
economy. Being a developing country, the energy technology
base in India is relatively inefficient and has a slow turnover;
consequently, the economy is highly energy-intensive. India's
commercial energy system is heavily dependant on coal; with
oil and natural gas being the primary other major sources
of energy among the commercial fuels. The traditional biomass
fuels of fuel-wood, animal waste and crop residues play
an important role especially in the rural areas where they
meet a very large proportion of the energy requirements.
While the share of the commercial energy is from the fossil
fuels is seen to be increasing every year, the traditional
fuels are estimated still to be contribute over one-third
of the total energy. The total installed capacity in India
is 91006.18MW as on 31st March 2000, including Thermal,
Hydro, Nuclear and renewable. However there is a demand
gap of 8-10% and peak load demand of 18-20%. This has also
been accentuated by the non-decentralized nature of power
generation with vast areas in the rural segment not connected
by the grid power.
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