Renewable Sources of Energy: Prospects and Issues

Wind Energy

More than 2000 wind turbines are in use around the world for generating electricity, and over a million for pumping water. Although experimental wind turbines up to several megawatts in size have been built, the optimum size currently appears to be around 300-500 kilowatt. There are many areas in the world in which wind energy is plentiful. It is a pollution free means of generating electricity on a potentially significant scale that is attracting most current interest in the subject. Wind resources in the developing countries are sufficient to produce thousands of megawatts of power in Asia and Latin America.  It is especially strong along coasts, Western China, parts of India, northeast and South Brazil, the Andes and North Africa. The wind energy potential in the UK can supply all the electricity needs of all Western Europe. ^[4] The progress in wind power generation has earned India recognition as a “World Superpower” in the state of the world 1998 Report of the Worldwatch Institute. According to mid-80s estimates the wind power potential of India is around 20,000 MW. The installed capacity of the grid quality power generation has reached 1,300 and the ninth plan aims at the addition of 3000 MW. ^[5] This shows remarkable progress India made in wind power sector. From Auroville's foundation in 1968, the absence of adequate electrical connections provided the motivation to start work on pumping water with wind energy. In 1972, the Indian Aeronautical Laboratory, Bangalore, donated five discarded windmills. These were overhauled and modified so successfully that 3 are still operational. At present, there are more than 30 windmills of various designs for pumping water spread over the Auroville plateau. In 1979, the first prototype high-output windmill was designed in Auroville, which later led to new models being designed and constructed. The design of the Auroville Multiblade Windmill AV55 has evolved from practical experience gained in operating these windmills over the last two decades. Now 21 systems of AV55 wind pump model are operating successfully all over South India. A market study done for the Government of the Netherlands revealed that the AV55 wind pump is clearly the most cost-effective wind pump in India. The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES), Government of India, has included the AV55 wind pump in their subsidy program covering approx. 30% of the cost of each installation.