Investigation of renewable energy potential in union territory of Lakshadweep islands

Abstract

The Energy Supply of most islands depends mainly on expensive oil derivative importation; the others are linked by usually a week electricity grid connection to the main land. Due to high Energy Costs, the islands are proving to be excellent test beds for the introduction of new technologies, and some islands are trying to become so-called renewable Islands to satisfy their energy demand mainly or entirely from indigenous and renewable sources, thus increasing the security of supply, and employment opportunities, without increasing the cost significantly along with environmental pollution mitigation. A great deal of work has been carried out in this specific aspect of energy supply on different Islands in the world. Unfortunately due to Island specific energy use profile, resources and different kind of environmental conditions, study to One Island can't be applied to other islands. The main source of electricity in Lakshadweep Island is Diesel Generators even though there is an abundance of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. In this paper an investigation has been made to find out total available potential of solar, wind and biomass in five islands of union territory of Lakshadweep (UTL).