Daily Special Current Affairs Material for IAS (Pre) 2013 - Topic: "Wind Energy: A Nature’s Bonanza For Eternity"
Daily Special Current Affairs Material for IAS (Pre) 2013
Chapter: Science & Technology
Topic: Wind Energy: A Nature’s Bonanza For Eternity
Q. What is the position of India in the generation of wind energy?
Ans. India is the fifth largest producer of wind energy globally after China, the U.S.A., Germany and Spain with a cumulative installed capacity of over 16000 MW till the end of January 2012. The total potential for wind power in India was first estimated by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), Chennai at 45 GW and has been recently increased to 49.13GW. In fact, in the twelfth five year plan the Government proposes to add 15000 MW of capacity through new wind energy projects.
Q. Currently, in how many ways wind technology is being used?
Ans. Currently, wind technology is being primarily used in three ways:
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Wind pumps, which use mechanical energy from wind mainly for water- pumping purposes (used for drinking and irrigation).
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Wind energy generators (WEGS’s), connected to turbines, which are used to produce electricity, to be distributed on electricity grids and are meant for rural and/or urban use.
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Wind-electric battery chargers which produce electricity and store it in batteries to promote the use of wind energy in the country the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is promoting two programmes: (a) Wind Energy Programme and (b) Small Wind Energy & Hybrid Systems Programme.
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Q. What are the achievements of India in the field of wind energy?
Ans. A total of 627 wind monitoring stations covering 13 States and Union Territories have been established. Demonstration Wind Power Projects are taken up to create necessary infrastructure to open up the sites for commercial deployment by demonstrating the success so that private sector gets confidence to invest. The first demonstration project in the country was set up near Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu in 1986. Subsequently, more demonstration projects have been established at different locations in the country.
A total capacity of around 16000 MW has been established up to January, 2012, mainly in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan. Wind electric generators of unit sizes between 225 kW and 2.5 MW have been deployed across the country.
Q. What are the main features of Small Wind Energy & Hybrid Systems Programme?
Ans. The wind energy and hybrid system programme consist aero-generators/wind-solar hybrid systems which are useful for meeting water pumping and small power requirements in rural/semi urban/urban windy areas of the country. An aero-generator is a small wind electric generator having a capacity of upto 50 kW and is suitable for unelectrified areas having adequate wind speeds. It produces optimum power at the rated wind speed of 30 km per hour. The wind-solar hybrid system mainly consists of one or two aero generators along with SPV panels connected with battery bank to supply AC power. The power generated from both wind and solar components is stored in a battery bank for use whenever required. Water pumping wind mills pump water from wells, ponds etc. and can lift water when wind speed approaches 8-10 Km per hour. They are capable of pumping water in the range of 1000 to 8000 litres per hour.
