Decentralised Renewable Energy Technologies for Sustainable Livelihoods
Recently released report titled ‘Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Technologies for Sustainable Livelihoods’.
The report has been jointly published by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and Villgro Innovation Foundation.
Key facts of the report –
- Presently, there are 12 major technologies driven by DRE in use in India. For example, high capacity irrigation pumps as well as micro pumps, silk reeling machines, dryers, spinning wheels, etc.
- These DRE technologies can positively improve the livelihoods of 37 million people in India’s agriculture and textile sectors.
- The opportunity for DRE technologies to impact livelihoods the most is in Uttar Pradesh. After this is the place of West Bengal.
- DRE is a system that uses renewable energy to generate, store and distribute electricity locally.
- The market potential of DRE technologies in India is valued at around Rs 4 lakh crore.
Why is there a need to promote DRE?
- Energy-efficient technologies powered by decentralized renewable energy options can promote climate action. At the same time, they can increase the income and resilience of India’s more than 60 million micro enterprises.
- DRE can reduce the dependence of livelihoods on diesel, especially in rural settings. Also, it can act as a supplement to the grid supply. The use of DRE in livelihood related activities will help in achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Challenges:
- Lack of direct contact with manufacturers to rectify technology based defects,
- It is capital intensive, so it can be difficult for end users and enterprises to finance it etc.
Source – Down to Earth
