Patel A. R.

Mechanical Engineering Department

Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

Role of power in the development of a society with emphasis on Indian scenario

 Rural issues related to power

Poor availability of power in rural areas. Frequent shutdown, poor quality of power, large
depending on off grid generation of power, mostly by use of diesel generation sets (small to
medium reciprocating engines). Large use of polluting fuel, diesel. Basic facility of living and
supporting an ordinary lifestyle could not be achieved. People have to depend on costly captive
power generation facility. 3-4 times costly compared to the cost of electricity supplied by
electricity boards. Wasteful use of electricity due to inefficient and old equipment. Lack of skill
people and poor education of rural people make new technology absorption even more difficult.
Large farm subsidy provided to farmers for carrying out farm activity causes problem in the
economy. For instance, electricity board have to satisfy with a fixed amount of receipt against
use of electricity for submersible bore well for irrigating farm at night. This arrangement leads to
bankruptcy of electricity boards (states like Punjab is a good example to cite). Also low or
almost free electricity for farming leads to excess and even wasteful use of water. Due to poor
financial capacity or low purchasing power, use of renewable energy is low. Wasteful use of
wood is observed in rural area leads to pollution and a reduction in health of his wife and
children. Gasification of woody biomass can generate electricity in rural area. Pollution due to
open field burning of agro residue is another issue in rural area. Efficient use of this agro residue
can also generate power by use of techniques of pyrolysis.

 Urban issues related to power

Poor management or planning of load and worsening of peak demand. Need to do more in
demand management side. Load shedding is another issue which reduces the economics of
production units. Night time use of electricity is not planned. For industry maximum demand
(MD) management is essential. Use of capacitor to improve power factor is implemented by
many industries. Large diameter wire can also reduce power loss in transmission and distribution
and saving can go in several rupees per year, approximate payback can be 1-2 years. Cost of
 Patel A. R. Mechanical Engineering Department
Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

power in urban area is increased due to the forced use of costly thermal option (5-8 Rs/kWh) and
reduction in the availability of water, (not sufficient even for drinking) which reduces the power
generation from hydro plant which traditionally gives cheap power (1 Rs/kWh). Poor
observation of pollution norms at thermal power plants. More and more stringent regulation (SO2
scrubbing, ESP, etc.) further increase the cost of thermal power. The government insisted all
electric regulatory company to the mandatory generation of a certain percentage of power from
renewable sources. An urban area is ill posed to enjoy renewable energy source. Delhi is not
capable to generate mandatory norms of 5% power from renewable energy source. There is a
large disparity in the renewable energy source with different states. For instance, northern states
are good in biomass, while southern states are having good wind resources, whereas western
states are good in solar energy. Mandating percentage this potential are not maximized and cost
reduction due to large investment is not possible. For instance, it is easy for states like Tamil
Nadu to achieve such norms. There's no motivation for state to achieve more and sell electricity
to other states. At present there is no intra state power exchange policy for renewable energy.
This limits the states like TN for sale excess renewable energy to Delhi.

 General considerations leading to the choice of power plant

1. Financial considerations: cost of fuel, infrastructure requirement for a particular fuel (rail
transportation and pulverization facility for coal, availability of water for thermal power
plant, space to store and dray wood in case of biomass gasifier plant, Briquetting facility
required to use biomass waste) choice of logistic and road, approach from city (load
center), availability of water can take advantage of co-generation power plant,
availability of gas and other related infrastructure, availability of skilled manpower and
labor.
2. Environmental factors: stringent pollution norms need CO2 scrubbing, SO2 scrubbing,
electrostatic preceptor (ESP). The requirement to purchase carbon credit for the
generation of emission. Government mandated to purchase a certain percentage of
renewable energy through a third party who generates renewable electricity. Producer of
such Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) may sale electricity to a beneficiary or he can
 Patel A. R. Mechanical Engineering Department
Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

use it and he can sale REC to another party. Option of hydro power is conditionally
renewable. The establishing hydro power plant attracts large land that will be submerged
in the water and will lead to permanent deforestation of that land. This will reduce CO 2
sink from the earth. The technology like floating solar power plant will overcome such
loss in terms of CO2 liability. Emission from solar is also conditionally neutral. Emission
from battery containing lead is currently exempted. Nuclear power plants also require
large land to be reserved as a safe land where no person or animal is allowed to stay due
to the possible radiation activity of the plant. Issue of biomass to be neutral is also subject
to discussion. The heavy use of subsidized fertiliser attracts large environmental liability.
The largest amount of emission is reported in the literature by the decay of these biomass
(agro residue) if unused after cultivation in the form of CH4 releasing in the air, which
affects 21 times more to the greenhouse effect compared to release of CO2 due to
combustion. This is due to global warming potential (GWP) of CH4 is 21 times that of
CO2.
3. Social factors: There is a recent trend to consider the social cost of power generation for
different fuel alternates. In case of hydro power generation, large displacement of people
is a big social issue. Depletion of resources due to consumption pattern is also considered
as a social issue. It is observed that socioeconomic issues are having a cyclic effect on the
peoples living. For instance a hydro power plant will displace people, they lose
agriculture land and reduce their earning. This will further deteriorate their lifestyle and
social standing. The emission of black carbon released due to combustion of fuel
(especially by biomass) may last for a longer duration in the air and if inhaled it can
cause disease like asthma and lungs related disorders. Production of biochar from the
agro - residue (by way of using technology like pyrolysis) can work as fertiliser in the
land at the same time it can permanently absorb carbon from the environment. It is the
cheapest way of carbon sequestration available.
 Patel A. R. Mechanical Engineering Department
Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

 Role of fuels in power plant economics

o Use of Coal for power generation:

The coal needs certain infrastructure like, rail connectivity, storage and fire safety precautions.
Large ash in the coal is a limitation for Indian coal, the heat carried away by ash, is around 12-
15% of the heat generated. The landed price of imported coal is almost double then Indian coal.
Production of emission from the coal is the biggest cause of global warming effect. Use of coal
also generates large reserves of ash from power plants. There are certain options to use this ash
from power plants. Disadvantage with coal is as the coal mines become deeper and deeper the
cost of exploring coal increases. There are health and safety issues with the people working in
unsafe conditions in coal mines. With privatization of coal mines in India there is absolutely no
control on the use of coal in power plants. During India coal transportation is a compulsion with
most of the reserves are in the eastern states (Bihar) and need of power is huge in western states
(Gujarat and Maharashtra).

o Use of fossil fuel:

Use of diesel (commercial name High Speed Diesel Oil), derivatives of diesel (commercial name
Light Diesel Oil and Furnace Oil) is used for the power generation in the remote area and in
industry where power supply is not possible to deliver (salt processing). This source of fuel is
also a large source of emission generation. The diesel is a refinery derived fuel and India heavily
depends on the import of fossil fuel. Therefore the use of diesel puts pressure on the economy
and result in balance of payment problems. With a reduction in the price of crude several
projects that aimed at switching of diesel to gas has become uneconomic and we have no option
but to continue with use of diesel.

o Use of gas:
Vast recent discovery of gas in Russia, USA and Turkmenistan arises recent interest in
exploration and use of gas. Gas generate roughly 1/4th of emission (CH4) compared to fossil fuel
 Patel A. R. Mechanical Engineering Department
Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

(C-H-C-H-C). Recent use of cryogenic technology (crayo-cooling) of storing gas at -162ºC

shrinks its volume to 1/600th of original volume made transportation of gas become economic.
LNG achieves a higher reduction in volume than compressed natural gas (CNG) so that the
energy density of LNG is 2.4 times greater than that of CNG or the 60 percent that of diesel fuel.
A typical value of the lower heating value of LNG is 45 MJ/kg. LNG typically contains more
than 90 percent methane. It also contains small amounts of ethane, propane, butane, some
heavier alkanes, and nitrogen. Use of gas gives advantages like clean combustion, lower excess
air. Due to odour free generation of flue gases is can be suited for direct application of heat
transfer. Gas has significantly less free hydrocarbon in the flue gases and so is termed as clean
fuel. However, it requires special arrangement of supply and store the gas. The fuel is ideally
suited for gas turbine power generation applications as deposition and erosion and corrosion of
the blade is low in this case. Additionally, it can still be used after removing propane from the
gas. Propane is in huge demand as domestic cooking fuel. Emission liability is very less and this
is a big advantage since most of the thermal power plants are peak load plant are near to the load
center. Switching from coal to gas for such plant can reduce situation like a fog and acid rain for
a big city.

o Use of Nuclear fuel:

Economically nuclear power generation cost is higher than solar power generation. This reduced
its utility as a cheap power source. The life of the power plant is very long, but the uncertainty of
accidents reduces its attractiveness. Needs high safety standards. Technology is not easily
available to developing countries, including India. Supply of fuel is monopolized by nuclear
supply group country. Fear of proliferation of nuclear technology and its possible use as nuclear
weapons for terrorist activity limits is available. High pressure boiler and turbine parts require
special skills. Issue of discarding nuclear waste adds problem with the technology use.

o Use of Renewable energy:

Several renewable alternates are viable these days, it includes wind, solar, biomass and hydro
power generation.
 Patel A. R. Mechanical Engineering Department
Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

 Use of biomass as fuel:

Biomass has certain benefit of using as fuel. The use of biomass is considered as environment
neutral. However, it is noted the emission from biomass burning is even greater compared to that
takes place when diesel is used. Moisture content in the biomass is an issue when burned in logs
and can significantly quench the flame. Biomass gasification and pyrolysis are two options by
which power can be generated. Under biomass gasification pieces of dry biomass are fed to a
unit where partial combustion is carried out. This will release CO, CH4 and H2 from biomass.
These gases have good calorific value and are used to supply the gases to the Diesel generating
set. There can be two modes of power generation is possible, mixed mode of power generation
where diesel is partially used for the combustion or a 100% gas based power generation engine
can be used. The up-draft design generates gas of poor quality and therefore is suitable only for
thermal applications. However a down-draft design with gas cooling and cleaning arrangements
can generate gas suitable to feed it to the engine. Downdraft operations require large capital cost
and need high skills to operate compared to up-draft designs. Pyrolysis is a technique where dry
biomass is heated up to 400ºC in the absence of oxygen. This will lead to thermo-chemical
reaction and large amount of vapour due to such complex reactions. These vapours are cooled to
generate bio-oil, non-condensable gases and char residue. The bio-oil can be used to generate
power and char residue can be used as bio-char in the field as a slow release fertiliser.
Gasification and pyrolysis technology also allows use of dry biomass waste from several sources.
This waste can be converted into pellets or briquettes.

 Use of solar energy for power generation

The technology of using power from solar energy is very old. Recent advancement in the
technology substantially reduced its cost. Today cost of solar PV is comparable with thermal
power generation option. The government encouraged this power generation option by means of
several incentives and subsidy scheme. India is in the high solar energy density zone and there is
large potential to explore this technology.
 Patel A. R. Mechanical Engineering Department
Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

 Use of wind as a source of power

Wind power plant is an age old technology. However the technology has changed a lot in recent
days with a lot of sophistication and safety features. India is in the low to middle wind speed
zone and based on installing capacity the contribution of the wind energy in the country is ranked
3rd in the world. There are horizontal axis wind turbines and vertical axis wind turbines. The
overall plant load factor of wind turbine parks is around 20-25% of installed capacity. Horizontal
axis wind turbines are very popular. The states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are leading in the
installed capacity of turbines in the country. Advantage of wind power is it works for 24x7,
unlike solar option, which may work only for 8 hours. The installed capacity on one tower of the
offshore wind power turbine can have a capacity of 5-8 MW. Higher wind speeds available at a
large wind resource of European countries make them enjoy the maximum potential of the
power. Note that the power generated from the tower is proportional to the cube of the wind
speed.

Relevant questions and suggested extra readings:

1. Why quality of power is poor in rural areas.
2. A brief note on the billing system and role of decreasing of MD on the billing.
3. What is power factor improvement and role of capacitors in it?
4. Reason for diesel is termed as ‘polluting fuel’.
5. What is the captive power generation and it is beneficial under what type of
circumstances.
6. What are the pros and cons of electricity subsidy offered to farmers by electricity boards?
7. Use of biomass for cooking in rural households is inefficient one, support the sentence by
suitable arguments.
8. What is open field burning and why it is an inefficient process of use of agro-residue?
9. What are the options for load management for an industry?
10. What is ESP and where is used, give an advantage and disadvantage of this?
11. Why India needs interstate energy transfer facility?
12. What's the role of infrastructure is as applied to coal and biomass power plants?
 Patel A. R. Mechanical Engineering Department
Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

13. What essential facility co-generation thermal power plant requires?

14. What is ‘Carbon credit’ and how it is being traded?
15. What is ‘Renewable energy certificate’?
16. Why hydro power is conditionally renewable?
17. What is GWP, list different greenhouse gases and its GWP factor?
18. Explain the sentence ‘subsidized fertiliser attract large environmental liability’
19. Why efficient combustion of biomass is a compulsion and not a choice (if not used in
efficient manner what will happen to it if it is allowed to decay)?
20. What is the social cost of power generation?
21. Why social cost is essential in case of power generation from nuclear and hydro options?
22. Explain socioeconomic issues and its effect.
23. What is bio-char, and what are its advantages?
24. What is carbon sequestration, give few carbon sequestration alternates and explain them
in brief?
25. How technology like pyrolysis gives power as well as a good carbon sequestration
benefit also?
26. What are the advantages of pulverized coal power plants?
27. What are the advantages of co-generation power plants?
28. What are the effects on the globe due to the greenhouse gases because of the use of coal?
29. What is the captive power generation and under what circumstance, it is required?
30. Discuss the effect of import of crude on the Indian economy
31. What is crayo-cooling of LNG, how it is economic for transportation?
32. What are advantages of the use of gas compared to diesel or coal?
33. What are the advantages and limitations of the use of Nuclear power options?
34. Discuss the issue of disposal of nuclear waste.
35. What are the feasible renewable energy generation options available for power
generation? Why they are feasible these days?
36. What is biomass gasification and what type of fuel can be used under this technology?
 Patel A. R. Mechanical Engineering Department
Associate Professor Faculty of Technology & Engineering
The M S University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 001
E-mail: a.r.patel-med@msubaroda.ac.in; amit.at.msu@gmail.com
Ph:+91–9898300277
Web: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patel_Amit7

37. What is up-draft and down-draft biomass gasifiers, what are its merits and de-merits
when applied to use for power source?
38. What is bio-gas generation technology and what are its advantages?
39. Why pyrolysis is considered as a complete and sustainable source of energy?
40. What is the difference between partial-combustion and pyrolysis?
41. Explain in brief pyrolysis process.
42. What is bio-char and what are its advantages?
43. What is carbon sequestration? Mention various methods to achieve the same and discuss
any one of them?
44. What is the advantage of converting biomass waste into pellets and briquettes?
45. What is the present cost of power generation using solar PV for Indian conditions?
46. What are different designs of wind power generation options?
47. What are the advantages of offshore wind power plants?