subject: Renewable Energy Through Mini-grids [print this page] Most people n the rural areas do not have access to electricity. In these areas getting power through extension can be really expensive. Mini-grids can be of great use in such places. They are particularly useful in small towns and villages where they can be used to generate adequate energy for household as well as local business purposes.
Mini grids use the local distribution network of a village to provide centralised electricity generation. If they are used along with other renewable energy systems, there will obviously be higher availability of power. However, since it is after all a source of renewable energy, no harm to the environment is caused as such.
These are also known as hybrid-grids. They generate electricity from the renewable energy sources that are available in a particular area. These include wind, solar, hydro energy as well as biomass such as plant material which can be transformed into liquid or gaseous forms of energy. The most common forms of bio mass energy are waste plant material and fuel wood. Ethanol gel and methane gas are found from plants and animal waste or landfills respectively. These can be used to produce electricity.
Indias first Renewable Energy Based Smart Mini-Grid System has been commissioned in Gurgaon. Mini-Grids Gurgaon is a smart way of distributing electricity through a network system. It operates at or below 11 KV. The energy demand is controlled by a varied range of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as solar PV, micro-hydro power plants, wind turbines, biomass, small conventional generators such as diesel gensets etc in combination with each other through smart control techniques.
The best thing about Mini Grids Gurgaon and Mini-Grids Delhi-NCR is that it reaches many unreachable areas. Thus, they can be very well be used for stand-alone projects in villages and areas which are otherwise inaccessible. Developed systems of communication, sensing, control technologies are used for smart grids these days for the generation, transmission of power as well as distribution and utilization of electricity. This makes the whole process much more flexible and smart manner.
The use of this kind of application enables to maintain inter-connection and utilization of multiple renewable energy resources. It also helps carry energy to the farthest villages. All of this is done with optimum efficiency of the entire system.
Mini Grids Delhi-NCR can be used effectively in remote un-electrified as well as electrified locations as well as large commercial and industrial complexes, shopping malls, hospitals, residential complexes, apartments, educational institutions. They are adjustable to the needs of the differing locations and are also safe compared to other systems of electricity distribution.
Technologies for production of renewable energy will improve with time. This way their usage will increase and thus they will become cheaper. Hence they can be used for mass production purposes. Gated communities, large office parks or whole suburbs will be able to generate electricity as per their own needs. This can be done by making use of solar energy as well as conversion of waste material into biogas. With emergence of new technologies, they can also be used.
