RENEWABLE ENERGY IN INDIA

India’s renewable energy market is showing the first signs of revival as the installed capacity jumped by 12.9% in past 1 year. 

India has the fifth largest power generation portfolio worldwide. The country transitioned from being the world's seventh-largest energy consumer in 2000 to fourth largest one within a decade. 

The Government of India had set targets which will take the total renewable capacity to almost 175 GW by the end of 2022. This includes 60 GW from wind power, 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from biomass power and 5 GW from small hydro power.

Growth Drivers

1. India is the fourth largest importer of oil and the 15th largest importer of petroleum products and LNG globally. The increased use of indigenous renewable resources is expected to reduce India’s dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels.
2. Wind energy equipment prices have fallen dramatically due to technological innovation, increasing manufacturing scale and experience curve gains.
3. Renewable energy is becoming increasingly cost-competitive compared to fossil fuel-based generation.

INCENTIVES OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOLAR ENERGY SECTOR INCLUDE:

1. Exemption from excise duties and concession on import duties on components and equipment required to set up a solar plant.
2. A 10-year tax holiday for solar power projects.
3. Wheeling, banking and third party sales, buyback facility by states.

SOME OF THE ACTIONS COMPLETED BY THE GOVERNMENT SO FAR FOR EASE OF DOING BUSINESS ARE:

1. Real-time registration
2. Payments through 56 accredited banks
3. Online application process for environmental and forest clearances.
4. 14 government services delivered via eBiz, a single-window online portal.

NANOTECHNOLOGY

Introduction

The art and science of manipulating and rearranging individual atoms and molecules to create useful materials, devices, and systems is called Nanotechnology. One nanometre is just one-billionth of a meter in size. Physicist Richard Feynman, who discussed this concept first in the year 1959, is called the father of nanotechnology.

Some of the applications of Nanotechnology are:- 

1. Nanoscale additives are used to make baseball bats, tennis rackets, motorcycle helmets, automobile bumpers etc making the parts stronger, and more wear resistant. 
2. Nanoscale additives help resist wrinkling, staining, and bacterial growth in clothes. 
3. Nanoscale thin films on eyeglasses, computer, camera displays, windows and other surfaces makes them water-repellent, resistant to ultraviolet or infrared light and scratch-resistant. 
4. Nano-engineered materials help to minimize carbon dioxide leakage out of carbonated beverages.
5. Sunscreens are utilizing nanoparticles that are extremely effective at absorbing light, especially in the ultra-violet (UV) range. 
6. Used in packaging, like beer bottles, as a barrier, allowing for thinner material, with a subsequently lighter weight, and greater shelf-life. Reduced weight means transportation costs decline. Changing from glass and aluminum - think beer and soda bottles - to plastic also reduces production costs.

Nanotechnology is an emerging and rapidly growing field whose dynamics and prospects pose many great challenges to scientists and engineers.Huge research all over the world is likely to bring out further benefits by use of this technology in diverse fields.