president speech

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam www.presidentofindia.nic.in

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Address at the inauguration of The South Asian Conference on Renewable Energy

New Delhi 18 April 2006

Energy Independence

“Energy Independence

is the lifeline of a nation”

I am delighted to participate in the inauguration of the

South Asian Conference on Renewable Energy organized by

the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources in

partnership with the Associated Chamber of Commerce and

Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). My greetings to the organizers,

energy experts, energy planners, academicians and the

distinguished guests participating in this conference. I

particularly greet the energy specialists from SAARC countries,

Myanmar, Thailand, China and Mauritius and the invited

speakers from Europe and USA.

Energy Independence

The era of wood is almost nearing its end. The world

energy forum has predicted that fossil based oil, coal and gas

reserves will last for another less than ten decades. The

unpredictable increase in the cost of oil continuously

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prompted me the study the Energy scene. Based on the study

I have discussed about Energy Independence as part of my

Independence Day Address to the nation, on 15 August 2005.

There I mentioned that Energy Independence has to be our

nation’s first and highest priority. Our target is to achieve

Energy Security by 2020 leading to Energy Independence by

2030 and beyond. This study may be of useful to the

participating countries of the South Asia conference on

Renewable Energy. Hence, I would like to present the actions

suggested to be taken in the generation of renewable energy

for realizing energy independence in India as a case study.

Structure of Energy Sources

For meeting the development targets of India our power

generating capacity has to increase to 400,000 MGW by 2030

from the existing hundred and thirty thousand Megawatts of

power. This has got to be achieved through three different

sources namely hydel capacity, nuclear power and non-

conventional energy sources primarily through solar energy.

The hydel capacity generated through inter-linking of rivers is

expected to contribute additional 50,000 megawatts of power.

Large scale solar energy farms of 100’s of megawatts capacity

in certain number could contribute around 55,000 MW. The

nuclear power plants should have a target of 50,000 MW of

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power. The balance has to be generated through the

conventional thermal plants through coal and gas and other

renewable sources of energy such as Wind power, Biomass,

power through municipal waste and solar thermal power.

The strategic goals for Energy Independence by 2030

would call for a shift in the structure of energy sources.

Firstly, fossil fuel imports need to be minimized and secure

access to be ensured. Maximum hydro and nuclear power

potential should be utilized, apart from the use of coal and gas

based thermal power generation. The most significant aspect,

however would be that the power generated through renewable

energy technologies has to be increased to 25% against the

present 5%. It would be evident that for true Energy

Independence, a major shift in the structure of energy sources

from fossil to renewable energy sources is mandated. I have

given an energy independence mission to my country. Also, I

would like to share with you my thoughts on how the certain

areas of both conventional and non-conventional energy can

be structured together to meet our national development

needs. Let me discuss about the profile of renewable energy

systems. Firstly I would like to talk to you on Solar Energy.

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Solar Energy

Solar energy in particular requires unique, massive

applications in the agricultural sector, where farmers need

electricity exclusively in the daytime. This could be the

primary demand driver for solar energy. Our farmers demand

for electric power today is significantly high to make solar

energy economical in large scale. Shortages of water, both for

drinking and farming operations, can be met by large scale

seawater desalination and pumping inland using solar energy,

supplemented by bio-fuels wherever necessary.

We also need to embark on a programme in solar energy

systems and technologies, for both large, centralized

applications as well as small, decentralized requirements

concurrently, for applications in both rural and urban areas.

CNT based solar cells for higher efficiency: One of the

important need for achieving energy independence by 2030 is

to increase the power generated through renewable energy

sources from the existing 5% to 25%. Particularly, the energy

produced through solar energy has to increase substantially.

The low efficiency of conventional photo voltaic cells has

restricted the use of solar cells for large application for power

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generation. Research has shown that the Gallium Arsenide

(GaAs) based PV cell with multi junction device could give

maximum efficiency of less than 30%. Hence it is essential to

launch a research mission on Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) based

PV cell which has got higher level of promise in efficiency.

The CNTs provide better electron ballistic transport

property along its axis with high current density capacity on

the surface of the solar cell without much loss. Higher

electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of CNT could

improve the quantum efficiency to the order of 35%. But, this

is not sufficient. Recent research has shown that the

alignment of the CNT with the polymer composites substrate is

the key issue and this aligned CNT based PV cells would give

very high efficiency in photovoltaic conversion. The polymer

composites increase contact area for better charge transfer

and energy conversion. In this process, the researchers could

achieve the efficiency of about 50% at the laboratory scale.

Our scientists have to take up this challenge and come up

with the development of a CNT based PV cell with an efficiency

of at least 50% within the next three years so that it can go

into the commercial production within five years. In addition,

they can also take up the development of organic solar cells,

dye-sensitized solar cells and third generation solar cells.

There are lots of opportunities for research in fundamental

science in this area and I would like to suggest the energy

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experts participating in this conference to work in a coherent,

consorted way with a mission mode programme to achieve

faster realization of commercial availability of CNT based PV

cell with 50% efficiency. There can be multiple projects for the

laboratories and Universities of the South Asian countries.

In addition to this there is a need to create a “Rural

household solar mission” which will provide LED based Nano

Crystal lighting system through small solar PV Power Plants to

the 70 millions households who are presently using kerosene

oil for lighting. Let me now share with you certain experience

in how economically disposed of municipal waste. This

experience may be useful to the some of the South Asian

nations.

Power through Municipal Waste

In the Power generation Sector of the energy economy, we

need to fully use the technologies now available for generating

power from municipal waste. Today, two plants are operational

in India, each plant generating 6.5 MW of electric power.

Studies indicate that as much as 5800 MW of power can be

generated by setting up 900 electric power plants spread over

in different parts of the country (India) which can be fueled by

municipal waste. Municipal waste is generally considered to be

a health liability. The electric power generation using

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municipal waste can help in the creation of clean environment

and also add to the incremental power. India will be happy to

share this technology with all the South Asian countries.

As the transportation sector in India consumes about

90% of the total available oil, I would like to discuss the

possible energy policy in this sector. Energy in Transportation Sector

The Transportation sector in India is the fastest growing

energy consumer. It now consumes nearly 112 million tonnes

of oil annually, and is critically important for Indian economy

and security. We produce only 25% of our total requirement.

In the scene of dependability of fossil material based systems,

is becoming uncertain, it is essential energy policy has to

evolve new energy avenues. They are the Bio-fuels, hydrogen

based fuel, electric powered vehicles.

Use of Biofuel: India has nearly 60 million hectares of

wasteland, of which 30 million hectares can be made available

for energy plantations like “Jatropha” or any other bio-fuel

plant. Once grown, the crop has a life of 50 years. Each

hectare will produce about 2 tonnes of bio-fuel per year at

about Rs. 20 per litre. Biodiesel is carbon neutral and many

valuable by-products such as glycerin, oil cake and herbal

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products flow from this agro-industry. Intensive research is

needed to burn bio-fuel in internal combustion engines with

high efficiency, and this needs to be an urgent R&D

programme. India has a potential to produce nearly 60 million

tones of bio-fuel annually using 30 millions hectares of land

thus making a significant and important contribution to the

goal of Energy Independence. Indian Railways has already

taken a significant step of running two passenger locomotives

(Thanjavur to Nagore section) and six trains of diesel multiple

units (Tiruchirapalli to Lalgudi, Dindigul and Karur sections)

with a 5% blend of bio-fuel sourced from its in-house

esterification plants. In addition, they have planted 75 lakh

Jatropha saplings in Railway land which is expected to give

yields from the current year onwards. This is a pioneering

example for many other organizations to follow. Similarly

some of the States such as Chattisgarh, Andhrapradesh,

Madhya Pradesh, Uttranchal and Tamilnadu have energy

plantations in India.

Farmers have started cultivating Jatropha in many areas.

But they have certain problems such as low productivity, non-

availability of standardized good seeds and technical advice,

non-availability of information about oil extraction and

esterification agencies and lack of knowledge about

prospective purchasers of Jatropha seed or Biofuel. To enable

the farmer to work without interruption, there is a need to

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take a comprehensive view of the total chain from Jatropha

plantation to efficient, extraction, esterification and marketing.

I would suggest action to be taken by different stake holders in

the following way.

Research, Development and Production of Plant

variety: India’s waste land is spread in different regions with

different climatic conditions and also falls in the category of

rain fed or irrigated land. To cater to this variety of soil and

climatic conditions research is required to determine the

particular plant variety which will give the maximum yield of

Jatropha seeds and the maximum yield of oil from that

particular seed. Also research is required to find varieties of

species and hybrids which will start yielding Jatropha seeds

early with a higher yield per crop. Based on this research seed

farm or stem farm are required to be created for each state

and the selected proven seedlings or seed must be provided to

the farmers including the know-how on the number of plants

and pattern to be used per hectare, preparation of soil prior to

plantation and the right time of planting the seeds. Later,

farmers should also be advised to use the right type of

fertilizers and organic pesticides including trimming

methodology and the periodicity. Also farmer should be given

advice on friendly intercropping plants along with Jatropha

which will enhance his revenue. Finally it has to result in

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establishing number of high yield Jatropha seed banks in the

country.

Government Support: The available waste land must be

allotted to self-help groups or bio-fuel co-operatives on lines of

dairy development co-operatives being successfully run in

Gujarat and many other states. They should create a focus

state wise bio-fuel mission with specific bio-fuel production

targets and the facilitating mechanism to be provided to all the

willing farmers from bio-fuel plantation to esterification and

marketing. The co-operatives or self-help groups must create

bio-fuel or Jatropha seed collection centers with a notified

payment in different villages, so that the farmers producing

Jatropha can sell their products without difficulty. It is also

essential to encourage youth with entrepreneurial ability to

create bio-fuel enterprises including contract farming of

Jatropha plantation.

Crushing and Esterification: Some of our agricultural

universities have developed small sized bio-fuel plants and

technology is available for 250 liter per day production. There

is need to scale up this plant and standardized in the range

one to five tonnes per day capacity for installation in different

regions. Also there is a need to identify plant manufacturers

who can produce quality standardized plants to different

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regions in the country and also undertake trouble free

maintenance of the plant. Some of our large industries should

undertake indigenous design and production of cost effective,

high efficiency, seed processing, crushing and esterification

plants for commercial availability including exports.

Automobile Manufacturers: It has been reported that

some four wheelers, trucks and heavy vehicles have been run

fully on bio-fuel without any change to the automobile power

plant. In other cases, successful tests have been conducted in

running cars to specified distance with 10% blending of bio-

diesel. There is need for the automobile manufacturers in

partnership with laboratories and Universities to carry out

research for determining the optimal blend of bio-fuel without

modification to the engine or the modification required for the

engine for 100% utilization of bio-fuel. The automobile test

agencies can become certifying agencies.

Nations have to have a policy that they will introduce in

cars which will use 25% blend of bio-fuel with the diesel, and

trucks with 100% bio-fuel use by the year 2012. This will call

for the automobile manufactures to incorporate the

appropriate design changes and development in future cars.

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The aim should be to take the short term and long term

view of the economics of bio-fuel plantation and provide a

facilitating environment to the farmer, bio-fuel enterprises,

researchers, so that eventually the nation could move forward

towards energy independence in a time bound manners. It is

pertinent to note that apart from providing energy

independence this bio-fuel sector is a large volume

employment generator for our rural youth which no other

sector can match in the present circumstances. I am sure

what is applicable to Indian situation will definitely be useful

to some of the South Asian countries since they enjoy the

same climatic and terrain conditions.

Let us now study the nuclear energy profile of India.

Nuclear Energy

The present nuclear power capacity of 14 reactors which

is 2720 megawatts is expected to go to 7420 megawatts by

2010 with the completion of nine reactors which are now in

progress. Eventually as per present plan BARC is expecting

the capacity to be 24,000 megawatts by 2020. Hence, there is

a need to plan right from now to increase this capacity to

50,000 megawatts by 2030.

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Nuclear power generation has been given a thrust by the

use of uranium based fuel. However to meet the increased

needs of nuclear power generation, it is essential to pursue the

development of nuclear power using Thorium, reserves of

which are higher in the country. Technology development has

to be accelerated for Thorium based reactors since the raw

material for Thorium is abundantly available in our country.

To maximize the thorium utilization the development of Fast

Breeder Reactor has been rightly taken it up.

Conclusion

The world has already realized that the peace and

prosperity of any nation is secure only when the rest of the

world is also prosperous and at peace. Similarly, the energy

consumption from renewable resources has to be maximized

for all nations irrespective of their economic status if the world

has to remain a livable habitat for our future generations.

Hence, sharing of knowledge of useful technologies without

much of a concern for intellectual property rights for the good

of the mankind should be the defining spirit for international

collaboration in this sector. Keeping the above reality in mind,

I have the following suggestions for the participants of this

conference.

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(a). The conference can create a web site with details of

participants, their interests and their experiences in different

areas of renewable energy programmes. The web site can be

designed to provide updated information on the progress made

by participating South Asian countries in different renewable

energy projects and experts in the field. Any one in the

participating countries should be able to post questions in

areas where they would like to get expert advice on specific

scientific and technical issues.

(b). Most of the knowledge from various research and

development agencies on renewable energy is in the form of

technical reports, best practices and experimental results and

technology review reports. These are what are known as

information bases from which practicing farmers and

entrepreneurs would like to obtain specific knowledge which

could be in the form of answers to his or her questions. In

other words, what the farmer or entrepreneur is looking for is

the knowledge culled out of many reports reflecting the

experiences of all the partner countries. With the advances in

data mining and knowledge engineering, it is possible today to

make this facility available to the user through human and

computer assisted interface. This conference must

symbiotically combine the experiences of all the Scientists and

Engineers of South Asian countries to make interactive

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consultancy for encouraging people to use non-conventional

energy.

(c). The conference may consider creation of different

multinational technical task teams for various areas of

renewable energy programmes such as Solar, Wind, Biofuel,

Geothermal and Tidal. The leadership for these teams can be

assigned based on the core competence of different countries.

(d). The conference may also consider laboratory to

laboratory, industry to industry collaboration without

geographical barriers for combining the core competencies of

multiple nations and lead to products and systems.

(e). The conference must draw a road map for the

percentage of energy consumption to be met by renewable

energy at the global and national levels, as well as city and

household levels of each country.

(f). While the Wind and Biofuel may be well suited for

localized needs, thus contributing to distributed compact

power systems, this conference should explore the possibility

of a large scale renewable energy project of several thousands

of megawatt capacity as a commercially viable joint venture

between South Asian nations. One such possibility is in the

regime of efficient use of renewable solar energy. This will

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need the combined power of the joint venture nations to

conduct state-of-the art research, development, professional

implementation, management and commercial exploitation.

With these words, I inaugurate the South Asian

Conference on Renewable Energy and my best wishes to all

the participants of this Conference on Renewable Energy for

success in their mission of realizing Energy Independence by

2030.

May God Bless you all.

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