A comparative study of critical factors influencing the renewable energy systems use in the Indian context

The use of renewable energy technologies in developing countries has steadily increased over the past few decades. The widespread use of renewable sources requires a greater understanding of the available options. In order to ascertain the quantum of acceptance of renewable energy sources in the context of possible deterioration of the environment, on account of the increased use of fossil fuels, a Delphi study had been conducted. The feedback from the study was collected and analysed, so as to arrive at a general consensus. By the year 2020, the renewable energy contribution is expected to be 25% of the total energy use in India. At that time, the main resources utilised would be biomass, wind and solar in the order of their quantum of use. Using skewness and rank correlation analysis the results of the Delphi study were studied. It is identified that price, equipment efficiency and technology are the critical factors for commercialising renewable energy sources as denoted by skewness coefficients of 11.6, 5.55 and 0.68, respectively. Rank correlation indicates that the correlation between biomass gasifier electric conversion and biogas electric conversion for lighting is positive, denoting the possibility of integration of the two systems. Similarly, it has been analysed for integrated systems in the area of cooking, pumping, heating, cooling and transportation. This study will help in the formation of strategies which will ensure the development of the optimal integrated energy systems for continuous power supply. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.