By Valsala Menon
Renergy 2014 is an International Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy which is scheduled to be organized by Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency at Chennai Trade Center from June 12th to 14th of 2014.
Renergy 2014 is expected to be twice as large as those organized in the previous years. And around twenty foreign speakers and more than 2000 delegates from abroad, 200 exhibitors and 15000 visitors are expected. The event will focus on exhibiting and promoting solutions from diverse stakeholders along the business value chain for all renewable energy sectors. More than 15 state nodal agencies will be participating with 25 key officials from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and other States.
Renergy 2014s vision is to enable industry and end users to understand about the latest available energy renewable solutions. These providers will also benefit by gaining relevant exposure for their solutions and this is also a platform wherein they can get to know the needs of their target segments.
The primary focus of Renergy 2014 Conference is to make our country an even more attractive destination for renewable energy investors and entrepreneurs. To facilitate this, the Conference will analyze critical points for the primary renewable energy sectors, viz. solar, wind, biomass, waste to energy and energy efficiency.
Heres a brief glance at the steps TEDA is taking to promote renewable energy generation in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The Government of Tamil Nadu is placing emphasis on development of renewable energy by offering various schemes like financial incentives to individuals and also by organizing public awareness programs on the use of renewable energy, its technical expertise and so on.
There is an ever increasing demand for energy in spite of escalating prices of oil and other fossil fuels. Large scale electricity production due to increased demands has resulted in creation of fossil fuel based power plants that emit substantial green house gas or carbon emission into the atmosphere causing climatic changes and global warming. The Government of Tamil Nadu is strongly committed towards mitigating the climate change effects by bringing out policies conducive to promoting renewable energy generation in the state. In fact, the Government intends to make renewable energy a peoples movement similar to that of rain water harvesting.
The state of Tamil Nadu is blessed with various forms of renewable energy sources, viz, wind, solar, bio mass, small hydro and so on. Municipal and industrial wastes are also purported to be used as renewable sources of energy while ensuing safe disposal. Renewable energy sources provide a viable option for on/off grid electrification and wide industrial applications, thereby providing a welcome relief to industrialists spread all over the state.
In fact, Tamil Nadu has achieved tremendous success in harnessing renewable energy for generation of quality grid power. Right now it has an installed capacity of 4790 MW from renewable sources against the countrys installed capacity of 14485 MW. As a share of grid power, renewable energy with installed capacity of 4790 MW accounts for about 32 percent of TNEBs total grid capacity of about 15, 100 MW, while the national average is just 9 percent.
In wind power, Tamil Nadu ranks No. 1 in India, with an installed capacity of 4287 MW, as on 31. 3. 2008, which is about 44 percent of the total installed capacity in India. The private investment in wind power exceeds Rs 182000 crore. And the power generation has exceeded 40 billion cumulative units.
Tamil Nadu is a pioneer in introducing cogeneration in sugar mills, and continues to lead the forefront with an installed capacity of 466 MW of which exportable surplus is 266 MW, which comes to about 250 percent of installed capacity in the country. The installed capacity from bio mass is 147.5 MW, and this includes conversion of waste to energy projects.
Under the category of small hydro projects, implemented by TNEB directly, the state of Tamil Nadu has an installed capacity of 89.7 MW as on 31.3.2009.
25068 solar domestic lighting systems have already been installed in the state with assistance from the Government. Over 6095 solar street lights have also been installed in public places and streets, mostly in village Panchayat with Government assistance and active support of the Rural Development Department.
Apart from these, the state has solar water and air heating and drying systems which have been installed over an area of 28791 sq.m. Biomass gasifiers with cumulative capacity of 5444KW are in operation already. Under a subsidy scheme, 189 communities and toilet linked biogas plants have been constructed in the state.
It is only apt that this proactive state of Tamil Nadu has come forth to host Renergy 2014.
A writer by profession, a journalist by intuition and an author by passion. Has worked with several start-ups and acclaimed magazines and dailies and has explored several beats of writing. Formerly Associate editor, Ability Foundation, Adyar, and also Associate editor, Eves Times, a citizen centric magazine. Regular contributor to the Chicken Soup series, with work published in many. Currently penning down her first novel, she is always game for challenges in the literary space. Drop a mail : valsala.menon7@gmail.com