Renewable energy stands as a beacon of hope in the global quest for sustainable development and combating climate change. Yet, despite its promise, the journey towards widespread adoption and integration of renewable energy sources is fraught with challenges. From technological hurdles to regulatory complexities, and from intermittency issues to economic considerations, the path to a renewable energy-driven future is laden with obstacles. These challenges not only impede the rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies but also underscore the need for innovative solutions and concerted efforts from various stakeholders to overcome them. In this dynamic landscape, understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by renewable energy is paramount to unlocking its full potential and ushering in a cleaner, more resilient energy paradigm for generations to come.
CAPACITY ADDITION OBJECTIVES AND HURDLES
- India has set ambitious goals for increasing renewable energy capacity. By 2031-32, solar energy is anticipated to comprise 42% of the total installed capacity, with wind energy contributing 14%.
- However, realizing these targets presents numerous challenges. Issues such as land procurement, delays in obtaining clearances, contract disputes, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have impeded progress.
ROOFTOP INSTALLATION CHALLENGE
- Rooftop solar installations offer significant advantages, including reduced land requirements and transmission costs.
- Although India aimed to add 40 GW of rooftop solar capacity by 2022, only 8 GW had been achieved by February 2023.
- Challenges include reluctance from distribution utilities and the necessity for upfront capital investment by consumers.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PM-KUSUM
- The solarization of agricultural pumps under the PM-KUSUM scheme aims to install 10 GW of small solar power plants and set up a total of 3.5 million solar pumps.
- As of June 2023, 113 MW of small solar plants and 2.45 lakh solar pumps have been installed.
- Challenges such as access to affordable financing and the lack of subsidies from state governments have hindered the scheme’s uptake.
SOLAR PANEL AVAILABILITY
- India heavily relies on imported solar panels, which constitute over 75% of its installed capacity.
- The rapid growth of the solar industry has been driven by imported panels, raising concerns about energy security and trade imbalances.
- To mitigate import dependence and foster domestic manufacturing, the government has implemented policies such as increased import tariffs and production-linked incentives.
- Consequently, domestic solar panel manufacturing capacity is projected to surge, enhancing India’s self-sufficiency in meeting its solar energy requirements.
SOLAR PANEL WASTE MANAGEMENT
- As solar panel installations proliferate, proper waste management becomes crucial to mitigate environmental and health risks.
- Solar panels contain hazardous elements such as silicon, aluminum, silver, copper, lead, and cadmium.
- Most panels were not designed for recycling, posing technical and cost challenges in extracting constituent materials.
- India is forecasted to generate around 80 million metric tonnes of solar panel waste by 2050.
- Establishing effective recycling and disposal mechanisms is imperative to minimize environmental impact and harness valuable materials for reuse.
- Collaboration between policymakers and industry stakeholders is essential to develop a sustainable waste management system for solar panels.
DEMAND SIDE CHALLENGE
- Demand response measures like time-of-day tariffs and smart meters can facilitate electricity consumption shifts to periods of higher renewable energy availability.
- The government has mandated smart meter installations by March 2025 and time-of-day tariffs implementation for all retail consumers (except agricultural consumers) by April 2025.
DEMAND AUGMENTATION AND RPO
- Renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets play a pivotal role in stimulating renewable energy demand. Many states have not met their RPO targets, prompting the government to set a target of 25% for 2022-23, escalating to 43% by 2029-30.
- These ambitious targets aim to incentivize investments in renewable energy projects and expedite the transition to a greener energy landscape.
- However, challenges related to discom perceptions and grid integration must be addressed for successful implementation.
- Creating an enabling policy environment can accelerate renewable energy adoption and advance India’s climate goals.
GRID SYSTEM
- The intermittent nature of solar and wind energy poses challenges in maintaining a consistent and dependable power supply.
- Fluctuations in energy output due to changes in weather conditions necessitate the integration of backup systems.
- Battery storage serves as a crucial solution, with costs ranging from Rs. 6.7-7.1 per kWh in 2021 and anticipated to decrease to Rs. 3.8-4.1 per kWh by 2030.
- These batteries store surplus energy during peak generation periods and provide electricity during times of low generation, ensuring a reliable power supply despite fluctuations in renewable energy production.
SMART GRID SYSTEM
In essence, an electrical grid serves as an interconnected network designed to transmit electricity from power producers to consumers. It comprises three primary components:
- Generating Stations: These facilities produce electrical power through various means such as coal-based thermal plants, gas-based thermal plants, hydroelectric plants, renewable energy sources, and nuclear power plants.
- Transmission Lines: These lines are responsible for transporting electricity over long distances, connecting distant power generation sources to areas of demand.
- Distribution Lines: These lines distribute electricity to individual consumers and businesses, ensuring that power reaches every corner of the grid.
As the electrical grid continues to expand, it becomes increasingly intricate. In India alone, there are numerous power generation units, including 432 coal-based thermal plant units, 206 gas-based thermal plant units, 358 hydroelectric plant units, 84 renewable energy generating units, and 32 nuclear-based power plants. Moreover, India boasts an extensive network of transmission lines, totaling over 400,902 kilometers in length, with a voltage of 220 KV or higher, further facilitating the efficient distribution of electricity across the country.
FAQs – CHALLENGES FACED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY
1. What are the main challenges faced by India in achieving its renewable energy capacity addition targets?
A: India’s ambitious goals for renewable energy capacity expansion face hurdles such as land acquisition, delays in obtaining clearances, contractual disputes, and disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Why has India struggled to meet its targets for rooftop solar installations?
A: Despite the advantages of rooftop solar, including reduced land requirements and transmission costs, challenges persist due to reluctance from distribution utilities and the need for significant upfront capital investment by consumers.
3. What are the objectives of the PM-KUSUM scheme, and what challenges has it encountered?
A: The PM-KUSUM scheme aims to solarize agricultural pumps and install small solar power plants. Challenges include limited access to affordable financing and the absence of subsidies from state governments.
4. How does India’s heavy reliance on imported solar panels impact its renewable energy goals?
A: India’s dependence on imported solar panels raises concerns about energy security and trade imbalances. To address this, the government has implemented policies to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce import reliance.
5. What are the environmental concerns associated with solar panel waste, and how is India addressing them?
A: The proliferation of solar panel installations raises waste management challenges due to hazardous materials. India aims to establish effective recycling and disposal mechanisms to minimize environmental impact and promote reuse of valuable materials.
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