ENERGY PLANNING FOR AN ISLAND

Abstract

Energy planning for an isolated remote island using abundantly available solar, biomass, wind hydro and ocean energy resources has been found to be the ideal solution for meeting energy demands of the people of that island not only in cost effective manner but also ensuring self sustained energy availability. The main objectives of the present study is to plan a self sustained energy system as a source of guaranteed supply of power to a remotely located island with the point of view of an impetus to growth, and to ensure that there should not be any adverse impact on the socio-economic life of the people of the island as well as on the environment. To achieve the desired goal, models for integrated renewable energy systems have been studied and financial analysis carried out to select the best option considering all the factors like environment issues and self sustainability etc. for an off grid isolated remote island. Many islands of the country are so isolated that extension of power grid to such areas neither economical nor technically feasible. Providing electricity to these islands is important not only for meeting the energy demand of the inhabitants but also for improving the quality of life and reducing migration to mainland. The diminishing fuel resources like coal and petroleum products make it necessary to search for and harness new and renewable sources of energy in order to ensure self sustained energy supply to isolated islands. In the present work, it was proposed to take up the energy planning for Neil Island situated in Bay of Bengal and is the part of the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands. This island is 37 km. away from Capital city Port Blair. The area of this island is 18 sq km and consists five villages with total 581 households and 2806 persons. There is no grid power supply to this island and it is being fed presently from dedicated diesel powerhouse of 400 kW capacity and a 50 kWp solar power plant running in parallel. Based upon the survey conducted during January- February 2006, the analysis to compute the energy potential assessment from available resources, energy demand and the cost of energy for each useable resource is carried out. The cheapest energy resource is utilized first to meet the demand and for remaining energy requirements the other resources are used in order of their cost of energy to provide optimum solution to meet energy requirements.