Solar Resource Assessment & Technology Roadmap Report: SEI-1

As a large developing country, India’s challenge is to meet its development aspirations in a carbon-constrained world. This study, undertaken by CSTEP, uses Sustainable Development (SD) as the overarching framework and aims at equitable access to energy, clean air and water, food, health and livelihoods and economic growth. The study connects elements of SD in an integrated bottom-up approach to understand the implications for economy, energy trajectories, emissions and costs. Any reduction of CO2 is treated as a co-benefit of the framework mentioned above.

Sand is an essential element in concrete and hence plays an important role in the construction and infrastructure industry in a modern economy. It is typically sourced from riverbeds which are located in ecologically sensitive areas. Hence, excessive mining leads to the degradation of riverbeds, which affects the local groundwater system, potential biodiversity and the recreational potential of these regions. A large quantity of the official sand production per year in Karnataka is currently sourced from riverbed mining, some of which is also imported from neighbouring states.

With increasing trends in road congestion, air pollution, energy demand and emissions, there is a need to look for effective solutions to meet the urban transport demand in Bengaluru. BMTC and Bangalore Metro Rail with their collective network can contribute to an effective and integrated public transport system in the city. The report lists out the imperatives for sustained investments in a bus system. It also provides certain recommendations for supporting the existing bus system which has high network coverage in Bengaluru and serves 50 lakh passenger trips per day. 

The Government of India, through its Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS), National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) and Make in India, has announced several measures and incentives favouring renewable manufacturers. The National Wind Mission and the Renewable Energy Law also include a variety of measures that would benefit domestic manufacturers. This report comprehensively examines the manufacturing supply chain of different components used in Renewable Energy (RE) systems, especially wind and solar technology, in India.

There are continuing concerns over economic and environmental developments in many countries - some of these have intensified due to prolonged global energy, food and financial crises. In this context, “green economy” was proposed as a means for catalysing renewed national policy development and international cooperation and support for sustainable development. However, there is still a lack of clarity around what “green economy policy” encompasses and how it integrates with national and sub-national priorities and objectives relating to economic growth and poverty eradication.

With deteriorating air quality, there is a need to promote public transportation. The shift from conventional diesel buses to electric buses holds several benefits. Electric buses can play a positive role by reducing local pollution, noise and fuel consumption. However, it currently faces many challenges with respect to cost and safety concerns. These challenges can, however, be addressed by a good Battery Management System (BMS), rigorous implementation of standard operating procedures and customisation of bus fleet.

Biofuels are produced from renewable biological sources and have been considered as viable alternatives to fossil fuels. The National Policy on Biofuels has set a target of 20% blending of biofuels, both for bio-diesel and bioethanol by 2017. However, India achieved an average blending rate of close to 5% (ethanol blended with gasoline) for the first time only in 2016. This report discusses the various challenges and opportunities associated with ethanol blending in India. The report also summarises the best practices across the globe.