Technology alternatives and the Indian energy crisis

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Economic and Political Weekly; ()

OSTI ID:5587823

Reddy, A K.N.; Prasad, K K

It is pointed out that while the recent concern for the energy crisis resulting from the increase in OPEC oil prices affected the consumption-oriented lifestyle of the urban elite in India, the rural poor have been facing the real energy crisis of surviving on zero-cost non-commercial energy long before 1973. The origins of the recent energy crisis are summarized and various manners of meeting this problem are considered, e.g., reducing oil consumption, increasing coal consumption, exploiting hydroelectric power more effectively, conserving non-commercial energy sources and adopting alternative energy production technologies and alternative patterns of consumption. Solar energy is considered with emphasis on conversion problems. Interesting proposals include the use of a thick transparent plastic bag, partly aluminized to serve, upon inflation, as a low-cost cylindrical reflector to concentrate sunlight onto a central pipe containing a heat transfer medium and the use of solar ponds on roofs for low-cost heating and cooling of dwellings. The designs, potentialities and economics of biogas plants are also considered with various possible applications, e.g., operating engines, pumping water, lighting, refrigerating and powering small-scale industries. Utilization of wind power, animal and human energy are also analyzed. It is concluded that the real energy crisis experienced by the rural poor in India can be solved with alternative technologies.

• Research Organization: Indian Institute of Science, Karnataka
• OSTI ID: 5587823
• Journal Information: Economic and Political Weekly; (), Journal Name: Economic and Political Weekly; () Vol. 12:33/34
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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BIOCONVERSION
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BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
DEMAND
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ENERGY
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY SHORTAGES
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INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
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SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SOLAR ENERGY