Renewable Energy Studies
Following the global study The Energy Report – 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 published by WWF International in 2011, a need for a similar exercise for India was envisaged. Thus, 100 per cent renewable energy options at the national, state and district level were looked into, that rendered into the following reports:
I. The Energy Report – India: 100% Renewable by 2050
The Energy Report – India, a WWF-India and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) report, theoretically demonstrates that a renewable-energy-based economy can be achieved. The study examines the possibility of a near 100 per cent renewable energy scenario (REN) for India by the middle of the century. Two scenarios are analysed – the REN scenario is compared with a Reference Energy Scenario (REF) – with the intent of examining what changes would be required to move towards a 100 per cent (or near 100%) renewable scenario, and whether the country is likely to have the adequate technical potential for moving towards such a transformational change in its energy mix. This report is a sequel report to The Energy Report – 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 released by WWF International in 2011 that researched the technical potential and long term economic viability of a renewable-energy-based future at the global level. Read the report here.
II. The Energy Report – Kerala: 100% Renewable by 2050
The Energy Report – Kerala, a study by WWF-India and World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE), provides a vision for a 100 per cent renewable and sustainable energy supply by 2050. The report is an attempt to model the energy requirements (across power, transport, agriculture, industry, domestic and commercial sectors) of Kerala up to 2050, in order to assess the feasibility of meeting 100 per cent of the state’s energy demand through renewable sources. Various scenarios were considered in the study - business as usual, curtailed demand scenario (based on aggressive energy conservation, energy efficiency and carrier substitution) and a renewable energy scenario whereby RE supply sources match the curtailed energy demand. Read the report here.
III. 100% RE at the District Level
Mandla District Energy Plan
The Mandla District Energy Plan provides a detailed analysis of the current energy demand and supply trends in Mandla district, resource mapping of all clean energy options and an analysis of the techno-commercial viability for the implementation of clean energy plans. Being a predominantly agrarian and forest district, Mandla has access to large amounts of soft and woody biomass. Therefore, the green energy plans prepared for Mandla focused on maximizing the bio-mass and solar capacity. Vasudha Foundation was the technical partner for this study.
Moradabad District Energy Plan
Moradabad District Energy Plan focused on generating electricity through clean energy sources, ultimately achieving 100 per cent renewable energy for the region. The study provides a detailed analysis of the current energy demand and supply trends in Moradabad district, resource mapping of all clean energy options, and an analysis of the techno-commercial viability for the implementation of clean energy plans. The clean energy plans (for the period 2013-22) focus on maximizing the solar capacity, one to simply meet the demand for the district and the other to generate surplus electricity that can be exported to other regions. Vasudha Foundation was the technical partner for this study.
Renewable Energy Plan by 2030 for Palakkad District, Kerala
The report by WWF-India and World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE) for the Palakkad District shows that the district can make a transition to a 50 per cent Renewable Energy (RE) scenario (including 100 per cent electricity from RE sources). This district specific report - Renewable Energy Plan by 2030 for Palakkad District, Kerala - provides a vision for a renewable and sustainable energy supply by 2030. This report is a sequel to the national level study, “The Energy Report-India – 100% Renewable Energy by 2050” published by WWF-India & TERI, and the state level study, “The Energy Report-Kerala – 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 by WWF-India and WISE in 2013.
Read more here.
IV. RE+: Renewables Beyond Electricity
The report RE+: Renewables Beyond Electricity by WWF-India and Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is a compendium of innovative renewable energy applications (beyond electricity generation) which can be utilized for diverse societal needs. The 14 renewable energy applications documented in this report cover four renewable energy sources – biomass, wind, geothermal and solar energy. The report documents a wide variety of renewable energy applications and technologies from different parts of the country which can be used for heating, cooling, cooking and mechanical energy. Read the report here.
RE+: Renewables Beyond Electricity - Solar Air Conditioning & Desalination in India
As a follow up to the above study, WWF India and CEEW have undertaken a comprehensive analytical study of two renewable energy technologies, namely, solar air conditioning and solar desalination. Findings of these studies have been documented in the report entitled – RE+: Renewables Beyond Electricity - Solar Air Conditioning & Desalination in India. These applications were selected based on their large potential, but limited existing installation, attractive payback yet significant financing challenges, interested stakeholders, environmental and social benefits, and government support, but limited awareness and market research. Read the report here.