CEE Oct-Dec 2012

units of clean energy, as a result, of which the use of 9.4 million tonnes of coal was avoided and carbon dioxide levels were reduced by 13 million tonnes. On the wind technology front, refinements of existing designs have focused on drive-train improvements to reduce costs and increase reliability, on the one hand and enhance the size of wind turbines on the other. Gearless turbines have been introduced by several manufacturers - though at present it is only 1 0 per cent of total turbines production , it is growing substantially. Other areas of research have included higher grid penetration and expansion , storage and wind forecasting . Renewable energy certificates: Ensuring trading The National Renewable Energy objectives require a projected channelizing of 11 5 billion units of renewable power into the grid by 2014-15. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) will be a key driver in achieving these objectives. RECs are market-based instruments that provide renewable energy generators, an alternative to the prevai ling feed-in-tariff regime. They are also a means for distributi on utilities to meet their renewable purchase obligations (RPOs). At a macro level, the launch of the RECs is important for achieving the targeted renewable energy share of 1 0 per cent by 2015. Gujarat already has over 300 MW of renewable energy grid-connected projects under the REC mode, wherein the power produced is sold to the distribution licensee at the average pool purchase cost of Rs. 2.64 per kW, while the environment attributes are traded in the power exchanges set up for this purpose. Biomass power generation: The energy next Besides solar and wind energy, the State is also committed to harness the biomass energy potential of over 1200 MW. Currently, 31.2 MW of biomass-based power plants based on agricultural residues are being converted to energy through the combustion and gasification route in Amreli, Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Vadodara. Gujarat: Showcasing renewable energy • 1988-89: National Shield for Best Overall Performance by MNRE, New Delhi • 1988-89: Outstanding Performance in Solar Thermal Programme by MNRE, New Delhi • 1989-90: National Shield for BEST Overall Performance by MNRE, New Delhi • 1989-90: Outstanding Performance in Solar Thermal Programme by MNRE, New Delhi • 1990-91: National Shield fovr BESTOverail Performance by MNRE, New Delhi • 1990-91: Outstanding Performance inSolar Thermal Programme by MNRE, New Delhi • 1991-1992: 2nd Best Performance in Biomass Programmes by MNRE, New De.lhi • 1993-94: 2"d Prize for Windfarms Development by MNRE, New Delhi • 1994-95: 2"d Prize for WindfarmsDevelopment by MNRE, New Delhi . . Sustainable initiatives: Highlights • Gujarat aiming to be the solar capital of the world • First State in the country to announce a Solar Power Policy with targets and implementation mechanism. The State today leads in the implementation of solar power projects. • 85 investors signed PPA for setting up 971 .50 MW solar power projects . .~· ( ~- • · .1995-96: Outstanding Performance in Solar PV by. .MNRE, New Delhi • • • • • • • • 1995-96: 2nd Best Performance in Windfarm Development by MNRE, New Delhi ·! 1997-1998: Overall Best Performance in lnform~tion and Publicity by MNRE, New Delhi I . 2000-01; Overall Best Peiiormance by MNRE, New Delhi · 2001-02: 1st Prize for Solar Cooker Promotion by MNRE, New Delhi . 2002-07: Overall Best Performance in Solar Cookers Programme by MNRE i 2006-08: Best Wind Developer State byWISE, Pune, New Delhi · 2009-10: Best Case Study on Wind Energy Rene~ech Foundation, Pune 2011~12 c~~tury lnternationai Quality Award in Gold CategOry Business Initiative Directions, Spain. : .. ·. ' . · : •. I • Asia's first 500 MW Solar Power Park at Charanka , District Patan • Asia's first State to set up a separate Department of Climate Change • Gandhinagar declared as the Model Solar City by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). • 604.89 MW of grid-connected solar power projects commi ssioned 30