DORA :: Browsing by Author "Palit, D."

Browsing by Author "Palit, D."

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Open Access
Adoption of cleaner cookstoves: barriers and way forward
(HEDON, 2014) Palit, D.; Bhattacharyya, Subhes
Globally 2.6 billion people, representing around 38% of the total population, depend on solid biomass fuels to meet their basic energy needs for cooking. While rural communities are shifting to modern fuels such as LPG and electrical energy for cooking, the International Energy Agency estimates that, in the absence of new policies, the number of people relying on solid biomass will increase to over 2.7 billion by the year 2030 because of population growth, calling for a higher adoption rate of improved biomass cookstoves. This article highlights the key barriers to adoption of improved cookstoves (ICS), sharing experiences from the field in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. More emphasis on technical design of stoves to achieve higher thermal efficiency and lack of sufficient attention to consumer perspectives such as user-friendliness, purchasing capacity, income variability of rural households as well as to local capacity development of market players and stove builders create the dissemination challenge. The article suggests that stronger stakeholder partnerships, knowledge sharing, and satisfaction of user requirements through appropriate designs and diversified financing options will be required for a rapid growth of supply and demand of ICS.
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Business Issues for Mini-Grid-Based Electrification in Developing Countries
(Springer, 2014-01-31) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
The off-grid electrification business in general and mini-grids in particular face investment as well as commercial challenges arising from, among others, locational disadvantage, limited customer base, poor paying capacity and ambiguous business environment. This chapter provides an overview of the business environment and discusses the financial and economic viability of projects. It then presents examples of alternative business models used for delivering such mini-grids. This chapter suggests that project design (i.e. sizing, technology choice and standardised delivery model) and appropriate utilisation of plant play a crucial role. Careful funding and risk mitigation finally improves the long-term viability of the project.
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Enabling policies for enhancing sustainability of electricity access programmes
(IGI Global, 2016-05) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
The chapter maps policy linkages, identifies the gaps in policies and recommends options for developing the enabling environment for enhancing electricity access. This chapter suggests that the policy environment governing electricity access at present is weak and that improvements are required to deliver a sustainable outcome.
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Energy poverty in Asia
(Routledge, 2017-10-17) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
This chapter presents a review of energy poverty situation in Asia, with a particular emphasis on South Asia. Lack of access to electricity and clean cooking energy is presented, followed by a summary of initiatives being taken in the region to address the challenge. Examples of successful and not-so-successful initiatives are then discussed to highlight the cross-learning potentials. Policies and interventions required to achieve universal energy access by 2030 are discussed in the final section. The chapter shows that Asia has made impressive improvement in enhancing energy access, particularly in the area of electricity access but clean cooking energy provision remains a challenge. Coordinated efforts are required to eradicate energy poverty in the region and countries can learn from each other in meeting the objective of universal energy access.
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From SHS to Mini-Grid-Based Off-Grid Electrification: A Case Study of Bangladesh
(Springer, 2014-01-31) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
This chapter presents a local-level study of a village off-grid system in Bangladesh. Using the recent census information and household survey information, the study presents the current status of rural electrification in Bangladesh and indicates the characteristics of rural energy use. It then applies an integrated methodology that identifies the demand in the off-grid village context using six alternative scenarios that capture the residential demand by household type, commercial demand and productive demand. The techno-economic analysis of the optimal off-grid system architecture is then presented using HOMER software. Three energy resources are considered, namely solar energy, wind and diesel fuel. The optimal configuration suggested for the scenarios consists of diesel generators for the basic level of demand and PV-diesel hybrid for higher demand and reliable supply scenarios. The cost of electricity per kWh remains high for the basic level of supply and decreases as the system size increases. However, the capital and asset replacement costs increase considerably for bigger systems. The business case is then analysed for each scenario and it is found that grid price parity is impossible to reach with even full capital cost subsidy, indicating a significant amount of operating cost subsidy requirement that makes the larger systems financially unviable. Moreover, the small mini-grid system for the basic level of supply emerges as a cheaper option than providing the consumers with solar home systems. However, the monthly electricity bill will become unaffordable for most consumers when demand restrictions are removed. Accordingly, the chapter suggests a mini-grid-based electricity supply to provide the basic level of provision alongside productive energy use during off-peak hours as the starting point. If the business develops and demand improves, the system can be expanded subsequently using appropriate technology combinations.
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Indian Approaches to Electricity Access
(Oxford University Press, 2014-11) Palit, D.; Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Chaurey, A.
This chapter provides a review of energy access situation in India and describes how India approached the challenge of enhancing energy access. It considers both electricity and cooking energy services and identifies the main challenges. The chapter also highlights a few lessons from the Indian initiatives.
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Introduction (to the Mini-grids for rural electrification of developing countries)
(Springer, 2014-01-31) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
This chapter introduces the mini-grid option as a decentralised approach to electrification of rural areas in developing countries. It also provides an overview of the content of the book.
Open Access
Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required?
(Elsevier, 2016-04-06) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
With 1.2 billion people still lacking electricity access by 2013, electricity access remains a major global challenge. Although mini-grid based electrification has received attention in recent times, their full exploitation requires policy support covering a range of areas. Distilling the experience from a five year research project, OASYS South Asia, this paper presents the summary of research findings and shares the experience from four demonstration activities. It suggests that cost-effective universal electricity service remains a challenge and reaching the universal electrification target by 2030 will remain a challenge for the less developed countries. The financial, organisational and governance weaknesses hinder successful implementation of projects in many countries. The paper then provides ten policy recommendations to promote mini-grids as a complementary route to grid extension to promote electricity access for successful outcomes.
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Mini-grids for rural electrification of developing countries
(Springer, 2014-01-31) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
The purpose of this book is to provide in-depth coverage of the use of mini-grids for rural electrification in developing countries, taking into account the technical, economic, environmental and governance dimensions and presenting case studies from South Asia. This book reports on research carried out by a consortium of British and Indian researchers on off-grid electrification in South Asia. It provides state-of-the art technical knowledge on mini-grids and micro-grids including renewable energy integration (or green mini-grids), smart systems for integration with the central grid, and standardization of systems. It also presents essential analytical frameworks and approaches that can be used to analyze the mini-grids comprehensively including their techno-economic aspects, financial viability and regulatory issues. The case studies drawn from South Asia demonstrate the application of the framework and showcase various successful efforts to promote mini-grids in the region. It also reports on the design and implementation of a demonstration project carried out by the team in a cluster of villages in Odisha (India).
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Poverty Amidst Plenty: Renewable Energy-Based Mini-Grid Electrification in Nepal
(Springer, 2014-01-31) Sarangi, G. K.; Pugazenthi, D.; Mishra, A.; Palit, D.; Kishore, V.V.N.; Bhattacharyya, Subhes
Providing access to electricity to a large section of rural population in Nepal has traditionally been a challenging exercise. This has been exacerbated by difficult geography, poor-socio-economic profile of rural Nepal and moreover by the on-going energy crisis. This chapter conducts an objective assessment of the renewable energy-based off-grid electricity sector in Nepal, with specific focus on micro-hydro-based mini-grid systems by applying a mixed method research design built on both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. While the country’s experiences of developing micro-hydro- and solar energy-based off-grid interventions are captured by qualitative analysis, a standard techno-economic analysis of a micro-hydro mini-grid project is conducted to explore the possibility of introducing additional productive loads and to examine the cost efficacy of generating energy from micro-hydro vis-à-vis solar. Assessment of off-grid electrification options reveals that despite visible progresses, there still exist multiple roadblocks to scale up. Absence of clearly spelt out policy goals, weak institutional designs, low load factors, and lack of adequate finance and overall regulatory concerns stand as major obstacles for off-grid electricity sector development in the country. In addition, project-specific analysis reveals that solar loses out as a cost-effective option compared to micro-hydro. But optimal use of energy generated from micro-hydro-based mini-grids requires creation of productive applications at the local scale on a sustainable basis.
Open Access
Solar PV mini-grids versus large-scale embedded PV generation: A case study of Uttar Pradesh (India)
(Elsevier, 2019-01-03) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.; Sarangi, G. K.; Srivastava, Vivek; Sharma, Prerna
Despite significant grid expansion during the last decade, globally India has the highest number of people lacking access to electricity. Mini-grid has been suggested as a possible electrification option and the new mini-grid policy of the state of Uttar Pradesh has attracted global attention. Relatedly, the drive for grid extension restricts off-grid areas to very remote locations and enhances the risks for mini-grid projects. Simultaneously, the pledge for increasing renewable energy share in the power supply mix opens the possibility of large-scale embedded renewable energy generation in the rural areas. This paper investigates the viability of solar PV-based mini-grids using a discounted cash flow analysis and considers the UP-policy prescriptions to explore the case of a megawatt (MW)-scale grid-connected solar PV under a power purchase agreement. It identifies the viability support requirements for both cases under different business conditions. It finds that mini-grids are not a viable proposition if the tariff prescribed in UP is used and that other cost minimising support (such as capital subsidy or low interest debt or an output-based subsidy) would be required to attract private investments. Large-scale solar projects, on the other hand, are more viable and can be an attractive proposition for rural electrification in the Indian context.
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Suite of off-grid options in South Asia
(Springer, 2014-01-31) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.; Kishore, V. V. N.
This chapter provides a review of alternative off-grid electrification options in South Asia. It covers four elements: the technical dimension, business models, regulatory governance and sustainability dimension of off-grid solutions. It concludes that in order to go beyond lighting applications, more careful consideration and investigation is required for electricity supply using local distribution networks (or mini-grids), particularly using hybrid technological options.
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Summary and Conclusions
(Springer, 2013) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
Open Access
Towards Scaling-up of Electricity Access - Summary and Policy Recommendations from OASYS South Asia Project
(Energy and Resources Institute, 2015-04) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.; Sarangi, G. K.
This paper provides a summary of outputs from the research carried out under EPSRC/ DFID funded research project on off-grid electrification in South Asia. The lessons from the studies are first presented, followed by a set of policy recommendations. Overall, the project finds and demonstrates that off-grid electrification can be an appropriate option for remote areas. However, no single solution fits all situations and a phased development process is more appropriate to take care of different levels of needs, local contexts, and resource availability. Given that mini-grid based local delivery systems can cater to household needs and productive loads, such an option can constitute an effective service delivery option for reliable and good quality electricity in rural areas. While lessons can be learnt from pilot projects, mass electrification requires scaling up of successful initiatives by providing a supportive environment. Ten policy recommendations distilled from various studies undertaken through OASYS South Asia project can guide us in the right direction.
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Viability of Husk-Based Mini-Grids in South Asia
(Springer, 2014-01-31) Bhattacharyya, Subhes; Palit, D.
As South Asia is a major producer of rice, this chapter analyses the financial viability of rice husk-based power generation in South Asia. The chapter first presents the business models of Husk Power Systems (HPS) and Decentralised Energy Systems India (DESI Power), two enterprises that have successfully provided electricity access by generating power using rice husks. It then presents financial analysis of two alternative supply options, namely a small 20 kW plant serving some 400 consumers under different demand scenarios, and a 20 kW plant serving a rice mill and a rural community of 400 consumers. It then explores the viability of a larger 200 kW plant serving a rice mill and a cluster of rural communities. We show that serving low electricity consuming customers alone leads to part capacity utilisation of the electricity generation plant and results in high cost of supply. But the tariff plan based on contracted capacity (Watts) rather than their electric energy use has so far ensured sufficient revenue generation for HPS to sustain its operations. The financial viability improves as some consumers use more electricity but the declining block tariff used to promote such consumption behaviour benefits high consuming customers at the cost of poor consumers. The integration of rice mill demand, particularly during the off-peak period, with a predominant residential peak demand system improves the viability and brings the levelised cost of supply down. Finally, using larger plant sizes to take advantage of economies of scale brings down the cost significantly and can be quite competitive with alternative sources of supply. But the higher investment need and the risks related to monopoly supply of husk from the rice mill, organisational challenges of managing a larger distribution area and plant operation challenges (or risk of failure) can adversely affect the investor interest. Moreover, the regulatory uncertainties in respect of off-grid electrification in general and the coverage of larger geographical areas in particular can hinder business activities in this area.

Browsing by Author "Palit, D."

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