CEE Jul-Sep-2012

energy efficiently. To quote an example, a French SME developed a unique type of roof tiles that are integrated with solar panels, (in BIPV sector - Building-integrated photovoltaic). So this is a very efficient way of using solar energy through domestic or commercial rooftops. The existing architecture in these European countries is very well designed and equipped with new technologies to tap energy. Can we think on those lines? Tiles are still primary rooftops being used in rural India and decorative in urban homes. Can we mass replicate this model on the Indian subcontinent? Of course, these models need adaptations in Indian context. The European Union has been promoting international Research and Development collaboration for quite some time now. This is the world's biggest R&D collaboration platform which will help India to improve its R&D know how and producers have to depend on Transmission and Distribution companies (Transco & Discerns) for their payments through power purchase agreements (PPAs). With many reports quoting that most of the power companies are facing about 30-40% AT&C losses, the financial health of distribution companies is of prime concern. There are many states in India where payments from Discoms are pending for several months and even more than a year. Hence reforming the larger power sector especially at the grid management level could be an urgent measure to tackle and reduce drastically, the technical as well as revenue losses. Installation of smart grid systems and two way smart communication meters in the country would help to arrest these issues considerably. The government has taken proactive steps like launching of India Smart Grid Task Force to coordinate between draw benefits from innovative technologies being practiced across the globe, especially The European Union intergovernmental activities pertaining to installation of smart grid. Some pilots are also being implemented in a few places related to these smart grids. The EU being in the forefront of the technology innovation in smart grid technologies could be a readymade platform to collaborate and integrate quickly. from EU. This can be an effective tool to enhance technological collaboration and innovative thinking in India. Another major R&D opportunity is testing & has been promoting international Research and Development collaboration for quite some time now. This is the world's biggest R&D collaboration demonstration in Indian platform which will help conditions. For instance, some solar panels manufactured abroad have not been able to India to improve its R&D knowhow and draw benefits from work properly at the higher innovative technologies temperatures of Rajasthan in India. The company in question has accepted that their modules are not working efficiently under Rajasthan climatic cond itions. being practiced across the globe, especially from EU. I definitely see India as a promising market for European Union member countries. India is already among the top five nations in terms of highest installed capacity in the Renewable Energy sector. It will soon become one amongst the top three and EBTC wants to be facilitators in that process. Courtesy: lnfraline Plus, Vol. 1, Aug. 2012, Pp 71-72. Such demonstration & testing of technology has to happen here before applying any technological model. That is why the EU has set up a Research & Development and Demonstration collaboration platform for larger benefits. The main idea is how cost effectively we can tap natural source of energy because the moment cost reduces, the scalability of energy generation increases. The EU is constantly working on ways through which countries can tap existing solar resource to produce the most sustainable and efficient form of energy. COMMITTEE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY SET UP At the moment, there is an urgent need for smart grids in the electric distribution system in the country. Integrating intermittent Renewable Energy into the main grid could be a challenge. Moreover, the smaller solar, wind and other renewable power The government has set up a committee to suggest legislative and policy changes to speed up capacity addition from renewable power sources like wind, biomass and the Sun. The committee will be headed by a senior official from the Power Ministry and include representatives from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, power distribution companies (d iscoms), Central Electricity Regulatory Commission , electricity regulatory commissions from renewable resource-rich states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan and power project funding agencies, like Power Finance Corporation(PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC). 28