Daily Special Current Affairs Material for IAS (Pre) 2013 - Topic: "Tapping Energy From Small Hydro Power Projects"
Daily Special Current Affairs Material for IAS (Pre) 2013
Chapter: Science & Technology
Topic: Tapping Energy From Small Hydro Power Projects
Q. What is the potential and present status of SHP in India?
Ans. Small Hydro Power (SHP) in India has been standardized up to the level of 25MW. India has an estimated SHP potential of about 15,000MW of which only 20% has been tapped.
It is proposed to install 2000MW additional power generation capacity from SHP in the Twelfth Five Year Plan.
The energy is converted into electricity by using a turbine coupled to a generator. The hydro power potential of a site is dependent on the discharge and head of water. These projects can be set up on rivers, canals or at dams.
Q. In how many categories SHP can be classified?
Ans. They are classified as Micro hydro (up to 100kW), Mini hydro (101-2000kW i.e. 2MW) and Small hydro (above 2MW up to 25MW). SHP is economical and at the same time is compatible with use of water for other purposes like drinking, irrigation etc. It can also provide electricity in a decentralized manner. It gives the flexibility of installation and operation in a distributed mode.
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- These Materials Covered Gist of Editorial & Articles of The Hindu, News of The Hindu, Gist of Press Information Bureau Articles, Gist of India Year Book & Economic Survey, Government Plans Programme & Policies, Important Materials on Environment & Ecology
Q. What are the main benefits of SHP?
Ans.
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The power generation is environmentally friendly because it causes negligible or no submergence; minimal deforestation and hence reduced impact on flora, fauna and biodiversity.
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The standard indigenous technologies for the SHP are available and hence only minor adaptation to specific site conditions is required. While SHP projects on rivers involve higher costs of civil works than those on canals, the cost of equipments for canal based projects is relatively higher. SHP projects generally cost between Rs.7-8.5 crore per MW. SHP projects generally have a pay- back period of 5-7 years depending upon the capacity utilization factor.
Q. What is the concept of Water Mills and what its presence in India?
Ans. Water mills also known as gharats in the northern part of the country are traditionally used for mechanical energy. The Himalayan region alone is the house for about 100,000 water mills, used for mechanical applications like grain grinding and oil extraction. Water mills have, generally, low conversion efficiency and hence improved water mills have been developed for mechanical applications as well as electricity generation.
The state of Uttarakhand has the distinction of already setting up over 500 such water mills in its remote and isolated areas. While about 3342 MW capacity has been installed in the small hydro power sector, 2025 water mills/micro hydel projects were also functional at the end of February, 2012.
