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Providing basic minimum energy services has become a real challenge for developing countries of the world. India encounters the problem of provisioning basic minimum electricity services to a section of her population. Renewable energy-based decentralised systems have emerged as a viable electrification option for many developing countries of the world, particularly for rural and remote areas of the country. This study explores the replication and scaling-up of potential of such mini-grids in the least electrified states of India by considering a set of evaluation criteria i.e. grid-extension option, renewable energy resource potential, electrification rate, organisational strength, presence or absence of technical support system, and ease of access to banking services. Overall rankings suggest that top 20% districts offer good business potential for private investors to venture into the mini-grid market. However, the concern lies with the districts placed at the bottom, which require specific government interventions through appropriate policy, regulatory and financial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India, as a rising economic power, has undergone significant macro-economic and structural changes in recent decades. The accelerated economic growth in recent times has brought wide-ranging changes in life styles and behaviors of its growing population. At the same time, the population is undergoing a structural change and as this continues in the future, the country has the potential to reap the population dividend. As a consequence of these changes, the country is experiencing increased migration to urban areas, visible signs of consumerism in the fast-growing middle-class segment of the population, and an increasing trend of mimicking international styles. This paper provides an overview of the macro-economic and structural changes in India and considers the implications of such changes on India's residential energy needs. It suggests that life-style changes will have a significant implication on Indian future energy demand but there is a window of opportunity to follow a low-carbon pathway by adopting 'smart' technologies and creating efficient infrastructure. However, it requires a coordinated effort at various levels. WIREs Energy Environ 2014, 3:535-539. doi: 10.1002/wene.108 For further resources related to this article, please visit the . Conflict of interest: The author has declared no conflicts of interest for this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Renewable energy-based off-grid or decentralised electricity supply has traditionally considered a single technology-based limited level of supply to meet the basic needs, without considering reliable energy provision to rural consumers. The purpose of this paper is to propose the best hybrid technology combination for electricity generation from a mix of renewable energy resources to satisfy the electrical needs in a reliable manner of an off-grid remote village, Palari in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. Four renewable resources, namely, small-scale hydropower, solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines and bio-diesel generators are considered. The paper estimates the residential, institutional, commercial, agricultural and small-scale industrial demand in the pre-HOMER analysis. Using HOMER, the paper identifies the optimal off-grid option and compares this with conventional grid extension. The solution obtained shows that a hybrid combination of renewable energy generators at an off-grid location can be a cost-effective alternative to grid extension and it is sustainable, techno-economically viable and environmentally sound. The paper also presents a post-HOMER analysis and discusses issues that are likely to affect/influence the realisation of the optimal solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To redress the problem of poor electricity access in rural India, even after 50 years of sustained electrification effort has proved to be a challenging task. And in order to address this problem, India launched a massive rural electrification programme in April 2005 with an objective of achieving universal household electrification by 2012. This short paper discusses the issues facing this programme and suggests that unless the risks are carefully mitigated, the programme may not succeed in achieving its principal objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor and inadequate access to clean, reliable and affordable energy is now considered a major concern for sustainable development. India houses about a third of the world's population without access to electricity and about 40% of those without access to modern energy. This article considers India's challenge in this area, examines the energy access situation, and analyses measures pursued to improve it. The article argues that the current focus on rural electrification is unlikely to resolve the energy access problem, due to the low penetration of electricity in the energy mix of the poor. The article also argues that strategies based on energy market reform, promotion of renewable technologies and correct price signals are unlikely to succeed in changing the situation, as acceptance of this policy prescription is rather low. Instead, a bottom-up, holistic, long-term approach is suggested that integrates energy access with economic development, and relies on selective market intervention, local resources and local governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes issues related to deregulation of petroleum product prices, certain conceptions, and options available for a deregulated price environment in India. Taxation of petroleum products; Rent-seeking and rent-sharing; Needs of the structure of the market to be well defined; Cost-plus method.