Spatial mapping of renewable energy potential

An energy resource that is renewed by nature and whose supply is not affected by the rate of consumption is often termed as renewable energy. The need to search for renewable, alternate and non-polluting sources of energy assumes top priority for self-reliance in the regional energy supply. This demands an estimation of available energy resources spatially to evolve better management strategies for ensuring sustainability of resources. The spatial mapping of availability and demand of energy resources would help in the integrated regional energy planning through an appropriate energy supply-demand matching. This paper discusses the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) to map the renewable energy potential talukwise in Karnataka State, India. Taluk is an administrative division in the federal set-up in India to implement developmental programmes like dissemination of biogas, improved stoves, etc. Hence, this paper focuses talukwise mapping of renewable energy (solar, wind, bioenergy and small hydroenergy) potential for Karnataka using GIS. GIS helps in spatial and temporal analyses of the resources and demand and also aids as Decision Support System while implementing location-specific renewable energy technologies. Regions suitable for tapping solar energy are mapped based on global solar radiation data, which provides a picture of the potential. Coastal taluks in Uttara Kannada have higher global solar radiation during summer (6.31 kWh/m2), monsoon (4.16 kWh/m2) and winter (5.48 kWh/m2). Mapping of regions suitable for tapping wind energy has been done based on wind velocity data, and it shows that Chikkodi taluk, Belgaum district, has higher potential during summer (6.06 m/s), monsoon (8.27 m/s) and winter (5.19 m/s). Mysore district has the maximum number of small hydropower plants with a capacity of 36 MW. Talukwise computation of bioenergy availability from agricultural residue, forest, horticulture, plantation and livestock indicates that Channagiri taluk in Shimoga district yields maximum bioenergy. The bioenergy status analysis shows that Siddapur taluk in Uttara Kannada district has the highest bioenergy status of 2.004 (ratio of bioresource availability and demand).Renewable energy Spatial analysis Solar energy Wind energy Hydroenergy Bioenergy Energy demand Energy potential Bioenergy status GIS

Environmental audit of Municipal Solid Waste Management

The management of municipal solid waste has become an acute problem due to enhanced economic activities and rapid urbanisation. Increased attention has been given by the government in recent years to handle this problem in a safe and hygienic manner. In this regard, Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) environmental audit has been carried out for Bangalore city through the collection of secondary data from government agencies, and interviews with stakeholders and field surveys. Field surveys were carried out in seven wards (representative samples of the city) to understand the practice and identify the lacunae. The MSWM audit that was carried out functional-element-wise in selected wards to understand the efficacy and shortfalls, if any, is discussed in this paper

Spatial mapping of renewable energy potential

An energy resource that is renewed by nature and whose supply is not affected by the rate of consumption is often termed as renewable energy. The need to search for renewable, alternate and non-polluting sources of energy assumes top priority for self-reliance in the regional energy supply. This demands an estimat+ion of available energy resources spatially to evolve better management strategies for ensuring sustainability of resources. The spatial mapping of availability and demand of energy resources would help in the integrated regional energy planning through an appropriate energy supply–demand matching. This paper discusses the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) to map the renewable energy potential talukwise in Karnataka State, India. Taluk is an administrative division in the federal set-up in India to implement developmental programmes like dissemination of biogas, improved stoves, etc. Hence, this paper focuses talukwise mapping of renewable energy (solar, wind, bioenergy and small hydroenergy) potential for Karnataka using GIS. GIS helps in spatial and temporal analyses of the resources and demand and also aids as Decision Support System while implementing location-specific renewable energy technologies. Regions suitable for tapping solar energy are mapped based on global solar radiation data, which provides a picture of the potential. Coastal taluks in Uttara Kannada have higher global solar radiation during summer $(6.31 kWh/m^2)$, monsoon $(4.16 kWh/m^2)$ and winter $(5.48 kWh/m^2)$. Mapping of regions suitable for tapping wind energy has been done based on wind velocity data, and it shows that Chikkodi taluk, Belgaum district, has higher potential during summer (6.06 m/s), monsoon (8.27 m/s) and winter (5.19 m/s). Mysore district has the maximum number of small hydropower plants with a capacity of 36 MW. Talukwise computation of bioenergy availability from agricultural residue, forest, horticulture, plantation and livestock indicates that Channagiri taluk in Shimoga district yields maximum bioenergy. The bioenergy status analysis shows that Siddapur taluk in Uttara Kannada district has the highest bioenergy status of 2.004 (ratio of bioresource availability and demand)

Wind energy potential mapping in Karnataka, India, using GIS

Increasing negative effects of fossil fuel combustion on the environment in addition to limited stock have forced many countries to explore and change to environmentally friendly alternatives that are renewable to h sustain the increasing energy demand. Changing to renewable sources and implementation of effective conservation measures would ensure sustainability. Currently, wind energy is one of the fastest developing renewable energy source technologies across the globe. Wind energy is an alternative clean energy source compared to fossil fuel, which pollute the lower layer of the atmosphere. It has the advantage of being harnessed on a local basis for application in rural and remote areas. In order to tap the potential of wind energy sources, there is a need to assess the availability of the resources spatially. Mapping potential sites for tapping wind energy in Karnataka (a federal State in India) is the focus of this study. The study employs the geographical information system (GIS) to map the wind energy resources of Karnataka state and analyse their variability considering spatial and seasonal aspects. Considering these, the present status of the potential is assessed and maps of locations suitable for tapping wind energy have been prepared. A spatial data base with data of wind velocities has been developed and used for evaluation of the theoretical potential through continuous monitoring and mapping of the wind resources. The study shows that the average wind velocity in Karnataka varies from 0.85m/s in Bagalkote to 8.28m/s in Chikkodi during the monsoon season. Chikkodi, in Belgaum district, has high wind velocity during the period May to September with a peak value of 9.18 m/s in July. Agroclimatic zone wise analysis shows that the northern dry zone and the central dry zone are ideally suited for harvesting wind energy for regional economic development

Wind energy potential in Karnataka, India

For securing maximum output of power using a given type of wind electric generator, an assessment of the wind resource available at any prospective site is essential. Estimation of wind power potential is based on data of the wind frequency distribution at the site, are collected from official meteorological data. The analyses show that coastal and dry arid zones in Karnataka have good wind potential

Decision Support System for Regional Domestic Energy Planning

Rural energy planning depends solely on the existing levels of energy consumption in domestic sector. In India, energy requirements for cooking and water heating depend predominantly on biomass fuels, which are often burnt in traditional stoves (efficiency < 10%), while kerosene and electricity are used for lighting. Decision Support System (DSS) with relevant data helps the decision makers to take appropriate timelier decisions and assist in the evaluation of reliability and the generation of alternatives. This paper presents a conceptual framework for analyzing energy consumption at domestic sector via DSS. The framework is based on material flux, comparative analyses of village level domestic energy consumption patterns across various zones considering regional and seasonal variations. The system with a synergistic integration of software tools will assist decision makers in understanding the process status better and also aid in providing timelier decisions and efficient outputs. DSS is validated with the data pertaining to energy situation of Kolar district. Stratified random survey covering 2500 households distributed uniformly over the district shows that most households still use traditional stoves for cooking (97.92%) and water heating (98.3%)

Bioresource status in Karnataka

Energy is a vital component of any society playing a pivotal role in the development. Post oil crises shifted the focus of energy planners towards renewable resources and energy conservation. Biomass is one such renewable, which accounts for nearly 33% of a developing country’s energy needs. In India, it meets about 75% of the rural energy needs. In Karnataka, non-commercial energy sources like firewood, agricultural residues, charcoal and cow dung account for 53.2%. The energy released by the reaction of organic carbon (of bioresources) with oxygen is referred to as bioenergy. Bioresource availability is highly diversified and it depends on the region’s agroclimatic conditions. Inventorying of these resources is required for describing the quality, quantity, change, productivity, condition of bioresources and requirement in a given area. The present study assesses bioresource status across the agroclimatic zones of Karnataka, considering the bioenergy availability (from agriculture, horticulture, forests and plantations) and sector-wise energy demand (domestic, agriculture, industry, etc.). Bioresource availability is computed based on the compilation of data on the area and productivity of agriculture and horticulture crops, forests and plantations. Sector-wise energy demand is computed based on the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO study) data, primary survey data and from the literature. Using the data of bioresource availability and demand, bioresource status is computed for all the agroclimatic zones. The ratio of bioresource availability to demand gives the bioresource status. The ratio greater than one indicates bioresource surplus zones, while a ratio less than one indicates scarcity. The study reveals that the central dry zone (1.4), the hilly zone (3.79), the southern transition zone (3.12) and the coastal zone (3.40) are bioresource surplus zones, whereas the northeastern transition zone (0.48), northeastern dry zone (0.23), northern dry zone (0.58), eastern dry zone (0.39), southern dry zone (0.93) and northern transition zone (0.45) come under bioresource-deficient zones. Among the bioresource surplus zones, horticulture residues contribute significantly towards bioenergy in the central dry zone, southern transition zone and the coastal zone, while in the hilly zone the main contributor of bioenergy are agricultural residues. Amidst the bioresource-deficient zones, agriculture is the major contributor of bioenergy in the northeastern transition zone (52%), northern dry zone (59%), and northern transition zone. Based on the bioenergy status of the zones and land use pattern, feasible management and technical options have been discussed, which help in optimising the available bioenergy and in building a sustainable energy society. This study also explores various programmes that can be initiated and implemented like social, community and joint forest management involving public participation. Such schemes will lessen the burden on the existing resources and also help the rural masses to procure biomass on a sustained basis

Decision Support System to Assess Regional Biomass Energy Potential

Biomass is a renewable source that accounts for nearly 33% of a developing country's energy needs. In India, it meets about 75% of the rural energy needs and the rural population constitutes 70% of the total population. Sustainable management of these resources requires better and timely decisions, which can lead to increased cost-efficiency and productivity. This would help in regional energy planning and conservation through appropriate decision interventions. To assist in strategic decision-making activities, considering spatial and temporal variables, Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) are required. Spatial decision support system is an interactive computerized system that gathers data from a wide range of data sources, analyze the collected data, and then present it in a way that can be interpreted by the decision maker to deliver the precise information needed to make timely decisions. Decision support system (DSS) framework is designed and implemented to ease and speed up the use of environmental systems. In this regard, to assist planners to plan and manage bioresources in a sustainable way, Biomass Energy Potential Assessment (BEPA) decision support system is designed and is being implemented at regional levels through proper training. Overall objective of this DSS is the development of a set of tools aimed at transforming data into information and aid decisions for bioresources. This article outlines the design and implementation of DSS for assessment of biomass energy potential of a region considering the resources available and the demand. It is designed with user friendly GUI's (Graphic User Interface) using VB (Visual Basic) as frontend with Microsoft Access database as the backend. This helps to build executive information systems and reporting tools that tap vast data resources and deliver information in the context of daily processes. This tool can be used to form a core of practical methodology that will result in more resilience in less time and can be used by decision-making bodies to assess the impacts of various scenarios and to review cost and benefits of decisions to be made. It also offers means of entering, accessing and interpreting the information for the purpose of sound decision making

Decision support system for regional domestic energy planning

163-174 Rural energy planning depends solely on the existing levels of energy consumption in domestic sector. In India, energy requirements for cooking and water heating depend predominantly on biomass fuels, which are often burnt in traditional stoves (efficiency 3/capita/d. </smarttagtype

Bioresource status in Karnataka

Energy is a vital component of any society playing a pivotal role in the development. Post oil crises shifted the focus of energy planners towards renewable resources and energy conservation. Biomass is one such renewable, which accounts for nearly 33% of a developing country's energy needs. In India, it meets about 75% of the rural energy needs. In Karnataka, non-commercial energy sources like firewood, agricultural residues, charcoal and cow dung account for 53.2%. The energy released by the reaction of organic carbon (of bioresources) with oxygen is referred to as bioenergy. Bioresource availability is highly diversified and it depends on the region's agroclimatic conditions. Inventorying of these resources is required for describing the quality, quantity, change, productivity, condition of bioresources and requirement in a given area. The present study assesses bioresource status across the agroclimatic zones of Karnataka, considering the bioenergy availability (from agriculture, horticulture, forests and plantations) and sector-wise energy demand (domestic, agriculture, industry, etc.). Bioresource availability is computed based on the compilation of data on the area and productivity of agriculture and horticulture crops, forests and plantations. Sector-wise energy demand is computed based on the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO study) data, primary survey data and from the literature. Using the data of bioresource availability and demand, bioresource status is computed for all the agroclimatic zones. The ratio of bioresource availability to demand gives the bioresource status. The ratio greater than one indicates bioresource surplus zones, while a ratio less than one indicates scarcity. The study reveals that the central dry zone (1.4), the hilly zone (3.79), the southern transition zone (3.12) and the coastal zone (3.40) are bioresource surplus zones, whereas the northeastern transition zone (0.48), northeastern dry zone (0.23), northern dry zone (0.58), eastern dry zone (0.39), southern dry zone (0.93) and northern transition zone (0.45) come under bioresource-deficient zones. Among the bioresource surplus zones, horticulture residues contribute significantly towards bioenergy in the central dry zone, southern transition zone and the coastal zone, while in the hilly zone the main contributor of bioenergy are agricultural residues. Amidst the bioresource-deficient zones, agriculture is the major contributor of bioenergy in the northeastern transition zone (52%), northern dry zone (59%), and northern transition zone. Based on the bioenergy status of the zones and land use pattern, feasible management and technical options have been discussed, which help in optimising the available bioenergy and in building a sustainable energy society. This study also explores various programmes that can be initiated and implemented like social, community and joint forest management involving public participation. Such schemes will lessen the burden on the existing resources and also help the rural masses to procure biomass on a sustained basis.Biomass Bio-energy Availability Demand