RENEWABLE ENERGY IN ASSAM: A STATE WITH TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL
The Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA) was constituted as the nodal agency for new and renewable sources of energy under the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources, GoI, for the state of Assam in July 2002. In 2002, the primary objectives of the AEDA were to act as the State Nodal Agency of Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources in the areas of new and renewable sources of energy for the State—to initiate, promote, support, and coordinate all activities in the field of non-conventional energy sources as well as to thereby tap the potential to generate energy for various uses either industrial or domestic and especially for the rural, hilly, and border areas not connected with the conventional grid; and to disseminate information about the recent technological advancement and already available technology in the field of non-conventional and renewable sources of energy.
Implementation of the NSM in Assam
The Government of India (GoI) launched the National Solar Mission (NSM) in January 2010 to accelerate development and promotion of solar energy technologies in the country. India has high potential for generating solar power as availability of solar radiation in various parts of the country is quite good. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems represent an attractive option due to low cost and ability to install in various sizes (kW to MW level). The MNRE has brought out various schemes for promoting solar power projects in different capacity ranges. This includes utility scale megawatt size projects as well as off-grid applications up to 100 kW.
To meet the NSM objectives, large area rooftop installations are considered as one of the potential route. In this type of systems, the generated solar power may be self-consumed. These projects are envisaged to mitigate diesel consumption, which is consumed while operating diesel generator backup. MNRE has brought out pilot scheme to promote solar PV systems with a view to generate feedback and further promotion in India.
The specific objectives of the Scheme include:
- Demonstration of off-grid connected and roof top solar power plants to facilitate reduction in consumption of diesel for power generation and dependency on grid power.
- To establish the effectiveness of these solar systems in different locations of Assam.
Areas of Implementation
Dibrugarh University: The University is situated at Rajabheta at a distance of about 5 km to the south of Dibrugarh in north-eastern India. A 100-kWp SPV power plant was installed at Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam, to meet the University’s power requirement by harnessing solar energy.
Srikishan Sarda College: The college is situated in the Hailakandi district in Assam—a remote region. Installation of 100 kWp SPV Power Plant at Srikishan Sarda College, Hailakandi, Assam, facilitated teaching–learning process of the college with uninterrupted power supply, especially the practical classes of Science stream.
Common Service Centre (CSC), AMTRON: The main of objectives of CSC are:
- CSCs are envisioned as the front-end delivery points for the government, private, and social sector services for benefit of rural populations in the remotest corners of the country through a combination of IT as well as non-IT services.
- The aim of the Scheme is not merely to roll out IT infrastructure but to build a network of 100,000+ rural businesses across India. To that effect, the CSC Scheme has been designed to create a value proposition for all stakeholders and alignment of their economic interests.
- The CSC Scheme is envisaged to be a bottom–up model for delivery of content, services, information, and knowledge that can allow like-minded public and private enterprises to integrate their goals of profit as well as social objectives, into a sustainable business model for achieving rapid socio-economic change in rural India.
A total of 20 2.5-kWp SPV Power Plants have been installed in each CSC of AMTRON at different locations of Assam for providing Xerox, DTP, Internet, and photo print.
Jorhat Government HS School: The Jorhat Government Boys’ HS and MP School is situated in Sonaru Path, near Head Post Office, Jorhat. The electricity generated by 1 kWp SPV power plant is used directly for running electrical appliances within the school premises.
DC Offices and BDO Offices: Solar Power Plant of 5 KWp capacity has been installed at each of the seven Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Assam and 1 kWp capacity has been installed at 75 BDO offices in Assam. The DC and BDO offices are carrying out there official works smoothly without any power interruption.
AEDA Office, Bigyan Bhawan: The Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA) is the state nodal agency of the MNRE, GoI, which implements renewable energy projects in Assam. AEDA has installed a 10-kWp SPV power plant for demonstration, which runs all electrical system from solar energy in the office.
Langpi Dehangi Rural Bank, Vokson Branch, Karbi Anglong: Langpi Dehangi Rural Bank, sponsored by State Bank of India has its Head Office in Diphu, the district Headquarter of Karbi Anglong District. The Bank’s area of operation comprises the two hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao in the state of Assam. Because of its location in rural hilly area, it lacks proper access to electricity and suffers from poor quality and interrupted supply. After installation of the 4-kWp SPV Power Plant in the bank, the day-to-day transactions are running smoothly benefiting both the bank employees and customers.
Langpi Dehangi Rural Bank, Ulukunchi Branch, Karbi Anglong: A 4-kWp SPV Power Plant was installed in the Ulukunchi Branch of the bank to carry out their day-to-day transactions for smooth functioning of the bank’s operations.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Birsing Juruwa Char, Dhubri: The School administrators of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidalaya, Birsing Juruwa Char, Dhubri, used the large roof of the school building for placing the solar panels of 5-kWp Solar Power Plant. The SPV Power Plant is now generating clean solar electricity that has not only cut energy costs but makes a lasting impression on students.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Amri Block, Ulukunchi, Karbi Anglong: A 5-kWp Solar Power Plant was also installed on roof of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidalaya , Amri Block, Ulukunchi, Karbi Anglong, to facilitate generation of clean solar electricity for the school.
Gaon Panchayat Offices in Jorhat: To facilitate carrying out the official works smoothly, 1-kWp SPV Power Plant were installed in 15 Gaon Panchayat offices in Jorhat region of Assam.
Gaon Panchayat Offices in Kamrup: Installation of the ten 0.5-kWp and three 1-kWp SPV power plants in Gaon Panchayat offices has enabled them to carry out their official work smoothly.
Chamaria Satra: Satras are monasteries established by Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449–1567 AD) and his followers in Assam and surrounding regions. Installation of 5-kWp SPV Power Plant has provided uninterrupted electricity supply for proper illumination. It also powers different gadgets primarily used for security for the inhabitants as well as numerous priceless treasures housed in Satara premises such as scriptures, artifacts, hundis, and so on.
Public Health Engineering Department (PHE), Dibrugarh: In four different areas of Dibrugarh district, 10-kWp SPV Power Plants were installed under Piped Water Supply Scheme (PWSS) to provide affordable and sustainable power to the water supply systems enabling villagers to receive continuous water supply.
Special Area Demonstration Programme
The Special Area Demonstration Project Scheme of the MNRE has been introduced with an objective of demonstrating application of various renewable energy systems in a project mode at places of national and international importance, including world heritage sites, heritage monuments, religious locations, and places of public interest, to create greater awareness of renewable and to supplement the energy requirement at such locations.
Areas of Implementation
Assam Rajbhawan: Raj Bhavan Assam is the residence-cum-secretariat of the Governor of Assam. The MNRE, GoI, had sanctioned the project ‘Installation of Renewable Energy Systems at Assam Raj Bhawan, Guwahati (Assam)’ under Special Area Demonstration Project Scheme. The objective of demonstrating application of various Renewable Energy systems in a project mode with 100 per cent funding from the Ministry is to create greater awareness of renewable energy and to supplement the energy requirement in the Assam Raj Bhawan Complex.
Under the Project, different Renewable Energy Systems have been installed and commissioned at Assam Raj Bhawan Complex as per sanction and guideline provided by the Ministry. The Renewable Energy Systems are as follows:
30-kWp Grid Interactive SPV Power Plant: A 30- kWp (15 kWp x 2) Grid Interactive SPV Power Plant has been installed successfully by AEDA through M/S Sunshine Power Product Pvt Ltd, Kolkata. Now the plant is capable for generating power and trail run have already been done. “Net Metering” facility with this power plant has already been initiated with concern authority of Government of Assam. It is expected to connect “Net Meter” with the power plant within a short period. The electricity bill of Raj Bhawan will reflect in payable amount direct reduction due to utilization of solar power.
6-kWp Solar–Wind Hybrid Aero Generator: A 6-kW solar–wind hybrid system with battery bank (3kWp Solar PV Power plant & 3 kWp Aero Generator) was installed in the Raj Bhawan Complex. The battery bank is being charged from the power generated from the solar power plant as well as Aero Generator. A power conditioning unit is also connected with the battery bank by which conversion of DC current to AC current are being done. Street lights installed under the project would be connected as lighting load with this system.
SPV Demonstration Programme
CSC, AMTRON: The main of objectives of the CSC are:
To develop a platform that can enable government, private, and social sector organizations to integrate their social and commercial goals for the benefit of rural populations in the remotest corners of the country through a combination of IT as well as non-IT services.
To roll out IT infrastructure as well as to build a network of 100,000+ rural businesses across India. To that effect, the CSC Scheme has been designed to create a value proposition for all stakeholders and alignment of their economic interests.
The CSC Scheme is envisaged to be a bottom–up model for delivery of content, services, information, and knowledge, that can allow like-minded public and private enterprises—through a collaborative framework—to integrate their goals of profit as well as social objectives, into a sustainable business model for achieving rapid socio-economic change in rural India.
Five 0.5 kWp SPV Power Plants have been installed in each CSC of AMTRON at different locations of Assam. The service centres of AMTRON are using the power pack for providing Xerox, DTP, Internet, and photo print. Under SPV Demonstration Programme, 1-kWp SPV power plant was installed at Rongjangphong Mini PHC in Karbi Anglong District. The doctors can perform surgeries under the electric light and also can refrigerate injections and vaccines.
Under SPV Demonstration Programme, 1-kWp SPV power plant was installed at Putsari Mini PHC in Karbi Anglong District. This has enabled doctors to perform surgeries under the electric light and refrigerate injections and vaccines.
Courtesy: Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA), Bigyan Bhawan, G S Road, Guwahati, Assam, India. Email: assamrenewable@gmail.com