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Abstract Enhancing microalgae biomass productivity through different abiotic and environmental factors optimization is crucial. Design of experimental (DOE) methodology using Taguchi orthogonal array (OA) was studied to evaluate the specific influence of eight important factors (light, pH, temperature, carbon concentration, nitrates, phosphates, magnesium ion concentration and carbon source) on the biomass production using three levels of factor (2 1 × 3 7 ) variation with experimental matrix [L 18 -18 experimental trails]. All the factors were assigned with three levels except light illumination (2 1 ). Substantial influence on biomass productivity is observed with carbon concentration contributing 16.8%, followed by nitrates 12.8% and light 9.3%. Experimental setup eight (Light, pH-8.5, Temperature 25°C, Carbon concentration 10 g/l, nitrates 1.5 g/l, phosphates 0 g/l, magnesium 150 mg/l, Carbon source (glucose)) showed maximum biomass growth (5.26 g/l) and good substrate degradation (63%, COD removal efficiency) contributing to carbohydrate production (257 mg/g biomass) which is further converted to lipids (20% Total lipid and 10% Neutral lipids). Chlorophyll ( a , b ), carbohydrates composition, FAME analysis for lipid percentage were monitored during process operation. Elemental analysis reveals that the carbon to hydrogen and oxygen ratio present in dried algal biomass can be hydrothermally liquefied (HTL) to produce biocrude.

Abstract Enhancing microalgae biomass productivity through different abiotic and environmental factors optimization is crucial. Design of experimental (DOE) methodology using Taguchi orthogonal array (OA) was studied to evaluate the specific influence of eight important factors (light, pH, temperature, carbon concentration, nitrates, phosphates, magnesium ion concentration and carbon source) on the biomass production using three levels of factor (2 1 × 3 7 ) variation with experimental matrix [L 18 -18 experimental trails]. All the factors were assigned with three levels except light illumination (2 1 ). Substantial influence on biomass productivity is observed with carbon concentration contributing 16.8%, followed by nitrates 12.8% and light 9.3%. Experimental setup eight (Light, pH-8.5, Temperature 25°C, Carbon concentration 10 g/l, nitrates 1.5 g/l, phosphates 0 g/l, magnesium 150 mg/l, Carbon source (glucose)) showed maximum biomass growth (5.26 g/l) and good substrate degradation (63%, COD removal efficiency) contributing to carbohydrate production (257 mg/g biomass) which is further converted to lipids (20% Total lipid and 10% Neutral lipids). Chlorophyll ( a , b ), carbohydrates composition, FAME analysis for lipid percentage were monitored during process operation. Elemental analysis reveals that the carbon to hydrogen and oxygen ratio present in dried algal biomass can be hydrothermally liquefied (HTL) to produce biocrude.

Abstract Small hydropower projects (SHPs), though generally considered more environmentally benign and socially acceptable as compared to large projects, yet their overall sustainability is under suspicion in the Himalayan regions. Almost all SHPs in this region are being developed as run of the river mode which generally causes less/no submergence and quite less displacement of people as compared to large reservoir based hydropower production mode. However, in the absence of proper planning and monitoring mechanism, these projects are causing implacable tunnelling of hills, choking of streams, conversion of streams into dry ditches and long term socio-environmental impacts. This paper presents a SHP development study from hydro rich Beas river basin of Himachal Pradesh, a state nestled in western Himalayan region of India. In depth field studies, focus group discussions with the project affected people and interaction with project proponents of five SHPs in this region suggest that sustainability issues with respect to SHPs are not small vis-a-vis size of their installed capacity. There is an urgent need to take steps to include SHPs having an installed capacity of above 10 MW into the ambit of environment clearance process which is absent in many countries of the world at present.

Abstract Small hydropower projects (SHPs), though generally considered more environmentally benign and socially acceptable as compared to large projects, yet their overall sustainability is under suspicion in the Himalayan regions. Almost all SHPs in this region are being developed as run of the river mode which generally causes less/no submergence and quite less displacement of people as compared to large reservoir based hydropower production mode. However, in the absence of proper planning and monitoring mechanism, these projects are causing implacable tunnelling of hills, choking of streams, conversion of streams into dry ditches and long term socio-environmental impacts. This paper presents a SHP development study from hydro rich Beas river basin of Himachal Pradesh, a state nestled in western Himalayan region of India. In depth field studies, focus group discussions with the project affected people and interaction with project proponents of five SHPs in this region suggest that sustainability issues with respect to SHPs are not small vis-a-vis size of their installed capacity. There is an urgent need to take steps to include SHPs having an installed capacity of above 10 MW into the ambit of environment clearance process which is absent in many countries of the world at present.

In the present world, renewable sources of energy have begun to make a significant contribution to meeting heat and power needs. In India, the Government is implementing a wide ranging programmes on renewable energy technologies. Several policy and fiscal measures have contributed to the rapid expansion of the progress during the last few years. This paper presents a review of renewable energy programme and vision in India. The present situation is seen to be much more promising and favourable for renewables.

In the present world, renewable sources of energy have begun to make a significant contribution to meeting heat and power needs. In India, the Government is implementing a wide ranging programmes on renewable energy technologies. Several policy and fiscal measures have contributed to the rapid expansion of the progress during the last few years. This paper presents a review of renewable energy programme and vision in India. The present situation is seen to be much more promising and favourable for renewables.

Abstract In India, utility-scale power plants face problems like, availability of larger land, Transmission & Distribution losses (T&D), Aggregate Technical & Commercial losses (AT&C) and availability of the grid because of which around 240 million of people do not have access to electricity. Increasing installed capacity of fossil-based power plants to meet the power requirement will increase the greenhouse gas emissions, our dependency on fossil fuels, adverse environmental and social impacts. Decentralized solar rooftop PV system, because of its proven technology and environmental benefits, will overcome these factors in a sustainable way. The growth and development of solar rooftop PV, as per the current status, are of substandard level despite the fact that the Government of India has set a target of installing 40 GW of decentralized solar rooftop PV up-to 2022. Therefore, this paper highlights the solar power policies adopted for the decentralized solar rooftop PV segment along with various business models adopted and current status in India. The author has also analyzed various factors which motivate the end consumer to invest in solar rooftop PV. At the end, the author has summarized some key barriers to the growth and development of the solar rooftop PV segment in India.

Abstract In India, utility-scale power plants face problems like, availability of larger land, Transmission & Distribution losses (T&D), Aggregate Technical & Commercial losses (AT&C) and availability of the grid because of which around 240 million of people do not have access to electricity. Increasing installed capacity of fossil-based power plants to meet the power requirement will increase the greenhouse gas emissions, our dependency on fossil fuels, adverse environmental and social impacts. Decentralized solar rooftop PV system, because of its proven technology and environmental benefits, will overcome these factors in a sustainable way. The growth and development of solar rooftop PV, as per the current status, are of substandard level despite the fact that the Government of India has set a target of installing 40 GW of decentralized solar rooftop PV up-to 2022. Therefore, this paper highlights the solar power policies adopted for the decentralized solar rooftop PV segment along with various business models adopted and current status in India. The author has also analyzed various factors which motivate the end consumer to invest in solar rooftop PV. At the end, the author has summarized some key barriers to the growth and development of the solar rooftop PV segment in India.

In this study, two freshwater cyanobacteria, Oscillatoria sp. 50A and Synechocystis sp. NN have been evaluated for biodiesel production. Among the two cyanobacteria, Synechocystis sp. NN was isolated, identified by its 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Effects of sodium bicarbonate (SBC), tannery effluent (TE), coir pith (CP) and light stress (L1) on biomass and lipid production of Synechocystis sp. NN were studied. Result showed that maximum biomass productivity of 18.7 ± 0.9 mg/L/day (1.9 folds) was observed in TE supplemented BG-11 media than normal BG-11 media. Meantime, maximum lipid productivity of 2.6 ± 0.4 mg/L/day (1.4 folds) was observed in CP supplemented BG-11 media than normal media. Further, fatty acid composition analyses by GC–MS showed that C16, C18:1 in Oscillatoria sp. 50A and C16, C20:1, C22:1 in Synechocystis sp. NN were predominant and the fuel properties were also in accordance with the international standards. Besides gene expression of acetyl CoA carboxylase D of Synechocystis sp. NN, analyzed by RT-PCR revealed that transcripts of accD were up-regulated by 1.2–4.7 folds in different media conditions. The findings of this study showed that Synechocystis sp. NN can be utilized as a suitable feedstock that is amenable for cultivation using wastes as nutrient source.