Application of Renewable Energy in Indian agriculture

Abstract

Energy plays a key role in agricultural production, post-production, rural domestic and livestock raising sectors, both directly as different forms of energy and fuel inputs for various purposes like operation of machinery, equipment, lighting, etc., and indirectly, for seed, fertilizers and chemicals production used in rural activities. India needs a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system to power effective economic growth well supported with renewable energy sources. Engineering interventions for effective (functionally, energetically and economically) systems is utmost needed for rural India. There is need for a revolution in mechanized agriculture, so that new energy efficient systems and machines can be recommended and introduced for small and marginal farmers. There is need to enhance the power availability and optimize the energy input to the rural sector to obtain the better income to agro-rural producers, traders and industrialists. Energy interventions are needed to use the locally available energy sources curtailing the use of fossil energies. The major targets in Indian perspective are the use of available and developed renewable and conventional energy sources and gadgets in rural society and agro-industry using all kinds of available biomass resources including solar electricity, heating and pumping at decentralised mode. We need to employ recent advanced technologies like plasma technology, nano-technology, IoT, artificial intelligence and robotics for effective generation of energy and valued products from rural local renewable resources. Research on solar energy use for production agriculture is challenging due to fluctuating need of torque depending on the agricultural field conditions. The use of batteries for storing and releasing power is another concern for long term use of solar photovoltaic (SPV) gadgets. Bio-CNG has emerged as an option for ex-situ management of crop residue. Thermo-chemical and bio-chemical conversion based electrical power routes are available and there is a need to promote these with better incentives. Energy efficient functionally improved mechanical systems to be introduced in the Indian farms need to be evolved.