<p>New and emerging technologies like Hydrogen energy, Fuel Cells, Biofuels, Electric & Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Geo-thermal energy and Tidal energy hold major promise for meeting the growing energy needs in the country, especially for power generation and transportation. Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is implementing a broad based programme on these frontier technologies and has taken several initiatives to accelerate their development, demonstration and operationalisation with the participation of premier research and academic institutions, universities, laboratories and industries in the country. A brief write-up on these programmes is given in the following paragraphs:</p></sec><sec id="sec002"><title>Hydrogen Energy & Fuel Cells

In recent years Hydrogen has been receiving worldwide attention as a clean and efficient energy carrier with a potential to replace liquid fossil fuels. Significant progress has been reported by several countries including India in the development of hydrogen energy as an energy carrier and an alternative to fossil fuels. Serious concerns relating to energy security, depleting fossil fuel reserves, green house gas emissions and air quality are driving this global transformation effort towards a hydrogen-based economy. Hydrogen has high energy content. When burnt, it produces only water as a by-product and is, therefore, environmentally benign. At present, hydrogen is available as a by-product from several chemical processes, plants or industries.

Hydrogen can be produced by several methods including steam reforming of hydrocarbons, electrolysis, thermo-chemical and photo-electrochemical decomposition, photo-catalytic, microbial and from various renewable sources like biomass, solar energy and wind energy etc. Hydrogen production from hydrocarbons is well established and most commonly used. Therefore, the focus of research is on hydrogen production through various non-hydrocarbon routes. Hydrogen can also be produced by thermal decomposition of water through solar energy or nuclear power. Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Minister of Non-conventional Energy Sources chairing the second meeting of the National Hydrogen Energy Board at New Delhi

Hydrogen can be used for a wide range of applications including power generation and vehicular transport. Hydrogen can be used either directly in IC engines or through fuel cells for production of motive power and electricity. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts energy into electricity and heat without combustion. Fuel cell systems generally operate on pure hydrogen and air to produce electricity with water and heat as the only by-products. Fuel cells are modular in construction and their efficiency is independent of size.

Fuel cells are emerging as a clean and fuel-efficient technology for stationary and portable applications. Fuel cells can be potentially used in domestic, industrial, transport and agricultural sectors and also in remote areas for reliable power supply. Fuel cell power systems can be used as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, replacing batteries and diesel generators. Low operating temperature (up to 100°C) fuel cells are better suited for transport and small power generation applications. Medium and high temperature (up to 1000°C) fuel cells are preferred for power generation/combined heat and power applications. Hydrogen powered three-wheelers and REVA cars equipped with fuel cell stack was demonstrated on 26th July 2004 at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi

In July, 2003 Planning Commission constituted a Group on Hydrogen Energy under the chairmanship of Member (Energy). The group members included Secretaries of the concerned departments, experts and Senior Adviser, MNES as Member Secretary. The Group made a quick examination of four major aspects concerning hydrogen energy as an alternate energy source, namely; (i) production, (ii) storage and transportation, (iii) safety and codes; and (iv) applications. The Group energy technologies, the report of the Group has proposed that it will be necessary to start planned demonstration of existing hydrogen energy technologies.

In order to effectively co-ordinate national efforts on different aspects of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in the country and prepare the National Hydrogen Energy Road Map, NHEB was set up in October, 2003 under the Chairmanship of Minister for Non-Conventional Energy Sources. The Board has members from government, academic institutions, industry, experts and other prominent persons who are concerned with this emerging technology. The Board is providing guidance for the preparation and implementation of the National Hydrogen Energy Road Map, covering all aspects of hydrogen energy starting from production, storage, transport, delivery, applications, codes & standards and public awareness and capacity building. The second meeting of the Board was held on 15th September 2004.

A Steering Group of NHEB under the Chairmanship of Shri Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons is in the process of preparing the action plan, define goals and time frame for the specific proposals on hydrogen energy powered vehicles, power generating systems and the hydrogen energy road map including modalities for public-private partnerships.

During the year a demonstration of hydrogen powered systems including a motorcycle, a three-wheeler and a REVA car equipped with fuel cell stack was organised on 26th July, 2004 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. On this occasion some electric vehicles, being promoted under the Ministry's programme, were also demonstrated.

The Ministry has been supporting a range of projects on research, development and demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies including production, storage and utilisation of hydrogen as a fuel. Several research, scientific and educational institutions, laboratories, universities, industries etc. are involved in implementing the projects. During 2004–05 emphasis of the research has been on further improvements in renewable energy-based hydrogen production techniques, its storage methods and materials used for storage and utilisation of hydrogen energy as a fuel. The focus of the research on fuel cell technology has been on improvements in the fuel cell related materials, sub-systems and systems. Sixteen R&D projects on different aspects of hydrogen energy and six projects on fuel cell technology were under implementation during the year. Vaccuum induction melting system for synthesis of metal hydrides at BHU, Varanasi

A project on biological hydrogen production concluded at Shri AMM Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC), Chennai. Under this project bioreactors up to a 125-m³ capacity have been set up to demonstrate production of hydrogen from distillery waste. At present the institute is working on demonstration of regular operation of the plant to optimise the performance of hydrogen production and demonstrate applications of hydrogen. Under another project, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is also working on production of hydrogen through bacterial route, employing bagasse. Under this project BHU has also fabricated a bioreactor. Experiments are being conducted to study hydrogen production rate and other performance parameters.

During the year, a project on development of metal hydride reactor progressed at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. Under this project carbon nano-materials have been developed and characterised. IIT, Madras is also working on adsorption characteristics of carbon materials. International Advanced Research Centre for Power Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad and IIT, Madras are working on a project on synthesis and evaluation of hydrogen absorbing alloys by mechanical alloying techniques. IIT, Kharagpur is working on a project on compressor driven metal hydride cooling and heating systems. A project on demonstration of solar heat driven metal hydride based water pumping, cooling and heating hybrid system is progressing at IIT, Madras. A battery operated REVA Car

A project on demonstration of hydrogen fuelled two-wheeler transport concluded at BHU. Under this project five motorcycles have been converted to run on hydrogen fuel and their performance tested. Two different types of fuel injecting systems have been developed under the project. Under another research project at BHU, it is proposed to take up field trials of another 10 motorcycles, with improved fuel injection system and safety features. BHU is also working on preparation of a feasibility report for hydrogen fuel four wheelers including initial testing of a vehicle with hydrogen fuel.

Under a recently concluded project at IIT, Delhi hydrogen-diesel dual fuel engine (125 kVA) has been developed. IIT, Delhi has studied the performance of the engine under different operating conditions. SPIC Science Foundation (SSF), Tuticorin is working on development of portable hydrogen generator using organic fuels such as methanol.

Three new R&D projects sanctioned during 2003–04 are progressing. Under these projects, IIT Madras will be developing thin film fiber optic hydrogen sensors, IIT Delhi will develop and install a hydrogen gen-set unit and University of Rajasthan, Jaipur will undertake development of polymer membrane gas filters for hydrogen purification.

During the year four new R&D projects relating to hydrogen production and utilisation have been sanctioned. These projects are concerning scale up studies on production of hydrogen by fermentation route using enterobactor cloacae IIT-BT 08 by IIT, Kharagpur; solar hydrogen production from water for fuel cell application by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad; studies on application of bio-hydrogen by MCRC, Chennai; and development of hydrogen-fuelled agricultural diesel engine by Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

The Centre for Energy Research, SPIC Science Foundation (SSF), Tuticorin continued to work on a project on field trials of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell based 3 kW UPS systems for stationary application. Under this project, closed loop cooling and a new method of membrane humidification has been developed. Power controllers for the UPS with improved safety features have also been developed. It is proposed to install five units at select locations for performance evaluation.

A research project on development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) concluded at the Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata. This project has helped in understanding the technical issues involved in development of SOFC. IIT Madras, Chennai, in collaboration with SSF, Tuticorin, is working on development of a 250-watt Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) stack. Under this project technology for making anodes has been developed. Two cell stacks have been assembled and tested. A project on development of direct ethanol fuel cell is under implementation at the IIT, Delhi.

Another project on development of a 50 kW fuel cell power pack with methanol as primary fuel has been taken up at IICT, Hyderabad. Under this project work is in progress on development of reformers. IICT has developed laboratory methods for carbon monoxide removal in hydrogen gas.

Under a new project on development of 5 kW Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) power packs sanctioned to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, (BHEL) Hyderabad during 2003–04, BHEL will improve existing PAFC assembly methods to incorporate liquid cooling arrangement. BHEL will also develop control and instrumentation (C&I) package to allow easy operation of PAFC power packs by a common user. The project is progressing at BHEL, Hyderabad. The proposed development for C&I package under the project can be utilised for other type of fuel cells also. During the year two new R&D projects relating to development of membrane for fuel cell applications by IIT Madras, Chennai and development of fully automated 3 kW PEMFC power packs and demonstration of the same for stationary applications by BHEL, Hyderabad were sanctioned.

Alternative fuels for surface transportation

The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources has implemented a scheme for development of electric vehicles under the Alternative Fuels for Surface Transportation Programme. The programme aimed at developing and deploying battery operated vehicles (BOVs). One of the major limitations of the existing EVs, which use lead-acid batteries, is the limited driving range of the vehicle per charge of the battery. Therefore, efforts are being made by the Ministry to develop and deploy newer types of rechargeable batteries, which have higher energy and power densities, besides lasting longer cycle life with higher depth of discharge and lower costs through R&D activities.

Lithium-ion batteries are an important development in the area of advanced battery technology. Under a project for development of novel route synthesis characterisation and electro-chemical studies of high quality cathode materials for lithium batteries sponsored to Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Pune has successfully developed prototype lithium-ion cells using lithium manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide and lithium nickel oxide cathode materials with the help of industry. Efforts will be made to use this prototype lithium-ion cells in battery-operated vehicles with the help of industry.

Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi has successfully designed 1 Ah Li polymer cell, fabricated and tested upto 50 cycles only under an MNES sponsored project on “Development of High Energy Lithium Batteries of 1 Ah capacity with cycle life of 350 for vehicular traction”. Improvement in the cycle life of these batteries is possible through creating additional facilities such as dry room and advanced welding facilities, i.e., laser welding and through further research and development.

Department of Electrometallurgy, Regional Research Laboratory of CSIR at Bhubaneshwar have optimised the conditions for preparing nickel hydroxide suitable to Nickel-Cadmium & Nickel Metal hydride batteries using different types of complexing agents to improve the discharge capacity value under an R&D project entitled “Preparation of Nickel Hydroxide suitable to Nickel-Cadmium & Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries” sponsored by the Ministry.

R&D projects sanctioned during the 9th and 10th Plans were reviewed by the Ministry in April, 2004, by the R&D Sectoral Panel on New Technologies under the Chairmanship of Dr. R. Natrajan, Member, R&D Advisory Committee of the Ministry and Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The sectoral panel also suggested broad R&D areas for efficient, low-cost batteries and battery-operated vehicles.

The Ministry continued the demonstration programme on battery operated vehicles (BOVs) during 2004–05 which includes battery operated passenger three wheeler and battery operated passenger cars, besides battery operated buses through State Nodal Agencies and Departments in the States and Union Territories. The programme provided subsidy for the purchase of these types of indigenously manufactured vehicles. Under this programme, a total of 21 BOVs were procured by different agencies through State Nodal Agencies during 2004–2005. The existing programme of battery operated vehicles has met its objectives and from fiscal 2005–06 will be replaced by the hybrid vehicle programme.

Biofuels for surface transportation

Petroleum resources are finite and, therefore, search for their alternative is continuing all over the world. Moreover gases emitted by petrol and diesel driven vehicles have an adverse effect on the environment and human health. There is universal acceptance of the need to reduce such emissions. In India, domestic supply of crude oil meets only about 22% of the demand and the rest is being met from imported crude. Biofuel has been considered as one of the most preferred alternative fuel for petrol and diesel, particularly in the transport sector. Biofuels are fuels generated from biomass, which are renewable energy sources. There are different routes to use biomass as energy source such as directly burning it, controlled combustion to generate producer gas, anaerobic digestion to generate methane and fermentation process to produce alcohol. Oil extraction from the oilseed plants, transesterification of oil with alcohol to produce biodiesel is another way of using biomass as a fuel. While all above processes/methods generate biofuels, internationally alcohol and biodiesel have been named as bio-fuels. Brazil, USA, Canada, Australia, China are some of the countries using ethanol in transport sector.

The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources has initiated a comprehensive programme on Biofuels for surface transportation since 2002–03 to develop the technology for converting vegetable oils, mainly non-edible oils, to biofuels and promote the use of these biofuels in automotive sector after taking care of different aspects of the conventional diesel/petrol engines. The Ministry have also taken up a scheme on Biofuel Pilot Demonstration Project in rural areas for implementation initially in one village in each State, namely, Menasina Adya, Kallugudda in Chikkamagalur district, Sipri and Sahariya (cluster) in Lalitpur district, Basghari in Mandla district and Gadrdih in Bokaro district in the States of Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand respectively with an objective to provide energy through non-edible vegetable oilseeds for rural people in far-flung areas for lighting, agricultural operations and other community based stationary applications such as drinking water etc.

A number of developmental activities are being taken up in the country for development and production of biofuels, which include 5% compulsory blends of ethanol in petrol in 9 States and trials for 10% & above ethanol blends. While in European Union (EU) countries and the USA, edible vegetable oils are being used to produce biodiesel, India is endowed with a number of non-edible vegetable oil producing trees and shrubs, which can be used for the production of biodiesel for use in diesel engines.

The Ministry has sponsored an R & D project at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi entitled “Production of Bio diesel from non-edible oils and field trials of diesel car with bio-diesel operation”. This R&D project aims at formulation and development of process conditions for producing bio-diesel from non-edible oils especially Pongamia pinnata (Karanja) oil-seeds through transesterification process using methanol and ethanol, selection of appropriate bio-diesel for long term operation, studies on shelf-life of bio-diesel on storage, determination of physico-chemical properties of neat diesel oil, bio-diesel and the blended fuel as per ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) specifications, utilisation of the biodiesel developed in the lab to evaluate the performance and emission studies on a typical diesel-powered car engines to generate baseline data. IIT has extracted Karanja oil from the kernels by mechanical as well as soxhlet extraction at lab scale. Bio-diesel has been produced in the laboratory through transesterification process using methanol (1 litre and 6 liters batch capacities). Engine tests were being carried out using karanja oil methyl ester (KOME). The physico-chemical properties of the karanja oil have also been determined and some of the properties of bio-diesel fuels have been evaluated according to ASTM standards at IOC R&D Centre, Faridabad.

Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, is studying various aspects on conversion of Jatropha curcas oil into bio-diesel by transesterification process using methanol and ethanol and to carry out the performance of diesel car engine using biodiesel particularly in terms of full load operation of power, torque, fuel efficiency and smoke with regular diesel and blended bio-diesel, etc. IIP, Dehradun has reported that a catalyst has been developed to convert free fatty acids.

An R&D project on “Development of an efficient bio-diesel reactor for rural applications and utilization of multi-feedstock derived bio-diesel in medium capacity diesel engine” has been sanctioned to Delhi College of Engineering during 2004–05 with an objective to develop an efficient bio-diesel reactor specially aimed for use by rural population.

R&D projects sanctioned during the Ninth Five Year Plan including the current projects were got reviewed by the Ministry in April 2004, through the R&D Sectoral Panel on New Technologies under the Chairmanship of Dr. R. Natrajan, Member, R&D Advisory Committee of the Ministry and Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

It is proposed to expand the biofuel pilot demonstration project to cover all the States. Further, it is proposed to intensify R&D work on the identification and characterisation of different non-edible vegetable oils, and develop appropriate technologies for converting such identified oils to bio-fuels and their use in automotive sector.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy can be harnessed for power generation, space heating and other thermal applications. Preliminary data of resource assessment has been generated for 340 hot springs in the country. Magneto telluric investigations for assessing the suitability of sites and other studies have been taken up at a few sites through National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad. NGRI has been conducting magneto-telluric (MT) studies in Satluj-Spiti, Beas and Parbati valley in Himachal Pradesh, Badrinath-Tapovan in Uttaranchal and Surajkund in Jharkhand. A total of 36 stations were set up in Badrinath-Tapovan region to collect the data, which is being analysed through computer modeling and quantitative interpretation. Currently, harnessing geothermal energy is not commercially viable.

Ocean Energy

Power generation through tidal energy has been found to be the only technically viable option. In India, Gulf of Kutchh and Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat and delta of Ganga in Sunderbans, 24 Parganas district, West Bengal are potential sites for generating tidal power. The Ministry sponsored a detailed project report and environmental impact assessment study for setting up of a 3.6 MW capacity tidal power plant at Durgaduani Creek in Sunderbans area of West Bengal. West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency has taken steps to obtain environmental clearance and other statutory clearances for the project. However, tidal energy is not commercially viable at this juncture and its technology also needs to be imported.

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