25 Jul WIND ENERGY
WIND ENERGY
The topic talks about how wind energy impacts the Indian Power System
TOPIC IN NEWS:– Centre to stop ‘reverse auctions’
Other Important Points:-
- India has committed to installing 60,000 MW of wind power projects by 2022 but has met only two-thirds of the target.
About Wind Energy
- Wind energy or wind power is mostly the use of wind turbines to generate electricity.
- It is one of the fastest-growing renewable energies and its usage also rises worldwide.
- If we look at the time frame of 2009-2013, the production of wind electricity doubled, and in 2016 it accounted for 16% of the electricity generated by renewables.
- For the production of electricity by this energy, there is the transformation of kinetic energy created by air in motion into electrical energy using wind turbines or wind energy conversion systems.
- The amount of power generated from wind depends on the size of the turbine and the length of its blades.
- Many parts of the world have strong wind speeds, but the best locations for generating this energy are sometimes remote ones or where there are fewer population sites.
- Offshore wind power also offers tremendous potential.
Advantages
- Cost-effective. The land-based utility-scale wind is the lowest-priced energy source available today. The wind is also freely and unlimitedly available. Any country can harness this energy as per its requirement without any cost.
- Clean Source of Energy. It doesn’t pollute the air like thermal power plants which emit particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, etc. These harmful toxic gasses cause human health problems and economic damage. Wind turbines don’t produce such atmospheric emissions, as a result, it helps to protect the environment also.
- Creates jobs. It will also create many jobs in different areas like manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and supporting services of these energy plants.
- Doesn’t impact Farmland Activities:- Farmers can also get extra income by giving their lands for the installation of wind turbines and it takes up little space at the ground level, so it doesn’t disrupt their farm’s production.
- Reduces Dependence on Fossil Fuels:- Energy generated from fossil fuels not only contributes to global warming, but we’ll one day run out of it. But renewable energy is unlimited and we can utilize this energy free of cost. The promotion of this energy at a large level will help to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
CHALLENGES OF WIND ENERGY
- Dangerous to Wildlife:- Birds, Bats have been killed by flying into spinning turbine blades. Nowadays research is ongoing to develop and improve solutions to reduce the impact of wind turbines on these species.
- Noisy:- Wind turbines can be quite noisy, that’s why they’re mostly found in those areas where most people don’t live. Depending on the location of the turbine, such as offshore, noise isn’t an issue.
- High Initial Cost:- There is a high initial cost involved in this energy like massive structures are often hundreds of feet tall, large blades, installation costs, maintenance costs, etc.
- Variation in wind speed:- Area where the speed of the winds varies, for those locations wind energy is not suitable. Since wind can blow at various speeds, it’s hard to predict the amount of energy it can collect at a given time.
Status of Wind Energy in India
- India is committed to achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by the year 2030.
- As of 30th Nov-2021, India’s installed Renewable Energy (RE) capacity stands at 150.54 GW (solar: 48.55 GW, wind: 40.03 GW, Small hydro Power: 4.83, Bio-power: 10.62, Large Hydro: 46.51 GW) and nuclear energy based installed electricity capacity stands at 6.78 GW.
- India has the 4th largest wind power capacity in the world.
- In India northern, western, and southern regions have the most wind power capacity.
- According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), 7600km of coastline can generate 127 GW of offshore wind energy. And states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, M.P, Karnataka, A.P, Maharashtra, and T.N account for more than 95 percent of commercially exploitable resources.
- The government has set a goal of installing 5 GW of offshore wind by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030.
Government Initiatives
- National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy- 2018:- The main objective is to provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure, and land.
- National Offshore Wind Energy Policy- 2015:-The main objective is to develop offshore wind energy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) along the Indian coastline of 7600 km.
Major Wind Power Plants in India
- Muppandal Wind Farm:- Tamil Nadu
- Jaisalmer Wind Park:- Rajasthan
- Vankusawade Wind Park:- Maharashtra.
- Brahmanvel Wind Farm:- Maharashtra
Source:
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