| |
ADB-Japan New and Renewable Energy Workshop:
In conjunction with the rapid economic progress witnessed in the country, the total energy demand in India has increased substantially over the past decade. While this progress has contributed to economic development in the country, a large segment of the population still lacks access to modern and clean sources of energy.
Renewable Energy, in India’s context, is significant for enhancing energy security through diversification of fuel sources and thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels, sustainable and environmentally efficient growth and for overcoming power shortages in the country. Renewable energy technologies have substantial potential to provide reliable and quality power supply in the remote villages and hamlets by supplementing grid power (if exists) or entirely on its own.
Hence, a novel method for judiciously utilising the available local renewable energy resources with an objective to reduce the reliance on the grid power is by adoption of ‘Smart Village’ techniques. With the usage of HVDS systems, net metering facilities and through introduction of robust Energy Monitoring Centre, the ‘Smart Village’ concept promises to resolve problem regarding the availability, reliability and quality of power. . With additional power, villagers could use agricultural pumps, floor mills, productive load and other agri processing machines on demand. Also, with the increase in the power purchase cost of the utilities over the time, the reliance on the grid power needs to be reduced, which could be ably done through adoption of smart village techniques.
Further, since almost 80 per cent of the crude oil consumed in India is imported, the domestic economy is susceptible to the vagaries of international prices. In an effort to improve energy access, shield domestic consumers from international price volatility and support energy-intensive industries particularly transport, the government has historically subsidized the four major petroleum products (petrol, diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas [LPG]). However, the reliability on imports of the petroleum products needs to be reduced and viable alternatives needs to be explored and re-enforced to support the burgeoning transport and vehicle industry. To address the issues of depletion of fossil fuels, rising gasoline prices, over-dependence on foreign energy, and growing greenhouse gas emissions, car manufacturers have increasingly found electric vehicles as a solution. Electric Vehicles (EVs) today hold the potential to transform the way we move. As an offshoot, EVs also create numerous job opportunities and enhance economic prosperity as well. However, to increase deployment of EVs on a large scale, sufficient support systems need to be created and integrated with the existing infrastructure. Further, ‘Smart’ techniques could be potentially exploited for powering the vehicles on community basis.
Event Objectives
The main objectives of the Workshop are to discuss emerging smart village and electric vehicle technologies and applications; share our experiences, accomplishments, and common concerns; support each other; and refresh our vision of the future. The specific objectives are:
- To discuss current status of electric vehicle and smart village technologies, especially possible and successful smart village configurations, energy management center and state-of-the-art battery electric car charging facilities;
- To identify general and technology specific factors that prevent promotion, development and financing of electric vehicle and smart village technologies , and to devise strategies to overcome barriers and propose technical and commercial options;
- To work directly with project developers, manufacturers, and end-users to assist them in implanting projects; and
- To update stakeholders on the latest developments and issues related to the EVs and Smart Villages.
|
|
