Wind is generated due to heating of the earth’s surface. Uneven heating of different areas of earth causes difference in pressure and makes the air flow from high pressure region to low pressure region, which is termed as “Wind”. As wind contains tremendous amount of energy, it can be harnessed to generate power on a large scale matching with conventional sources.

India is at present ranked 4th in the world in wind power generation as shown below :

S.No.

Country

Installed Capacity
(December 2007) MW

1

Germany

22247

2

United States

16818

3

Spain

15145

4

India

8000

5

China

6050

6

Denmark

3125
   
       Worldwide   -  93849 MW as on 31.12.2007
The total installed capacity in India is 9521 MW on 30.9.2008, of which Tamil Nadu with installed capacity of 4099 MW accounts for 43 % and is No. 1 State in the country.
Potential in Tamil Nadu

S. No.

Location

Tentative Gross Potential

Harnessed upto 31.10.2008

MW

(i)

Aralvaimozhi Pass (Muppandal area) Kanyakumari / Tirunelveli Districts

 2100 1583

(ii)

Sengottah Pass (Kayathar area) Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi Districts

 1300 840

(iii)

Palghat Pass (Kethanur area) Coimbatore, Erode and Dindigul Districts.

 1650 1670

(iv)

Coastal area Ennore near Chennai and Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram District and other areas.

 450 8

Total

 5500 4101
Wind Resource Assessment
This programme was started in Tamil Nadu after the inception of TEDA in 1985 – 86. Under this programme, identification of high wind prone zones with annual mean wind speed of 18 kmph and above and annual mean Wind Power Density ( WPD ) of 150 W / m2 and above, at 50 m height was undertaken by TEDA with financial assistance from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy ( MNRE ), Govt. of India and Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Technical assistance was provided by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Bangalore initially and now by Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C'WET), Chennai. TEDA, set up a total of 69 stations in 16 districts, each covering a radius of 10 km. The study in each station lasted for one to two years with bimonthly data collection after which the stations were dismantled and installed in other places.

Micro survey was also carried out by C-WET to provide reliable data to wind farm developers. 

No. of sites surveyed assessment carried out: 69

No. of sites identified as potential                   : 41 

No. of sites under exploitation                        : 26

Sites for which micro survey conducted           : 27

Sites currently under installation  and study    : 9

Demonstration Wind Farms

To demonstrate the techno-economic viability of wind power and attract private investments in wind mills, demonstration wind farms were set up for the first time in India at Mullaikadu in Thoothukudi in 1986.  This was later extended to 7 other locations in 4 Districts for a total capacity of 19 MW till 1993 with financial assistance from MNRE and Govt. of Tamil Nadu.(View Details).  This helped to convince the private investors about the potential for power generation from wind mills and its viability.

Growth of wind farms in Tamil Nadu

The spectacular growth of wind farms in Tamil Nadu is attributable to early efforts of Government to assess wind resource potential, set up demonstration farms and the conducive policies adopted to attract private investment.  As a result of combination of various favourable factors, private investments came in a big way, starting with the first wind electric generator of 55 kW capacity in Muppandal in 1990 in the private sector.

The capacity of single wind electric generator which was less than 100 kW initially has gone up gradually to 2.0 MW in 2004.

The total installed capacity has also increased to 4101 MW including 17 MW under demonstration programme as on 31.10.2008. Tamil Nadu continues to maintain # 1 position in the country in wind power with 43% of total installed capacity in India.

View Details on Growth of wind mills

Tamil Nadu and India

 

 

2007 – 08

(MW)

Cumulative total as on

31.3.2008
(MW)

2008-09 up to October

(MW)

 

Cumulative total as on

30.09.2008
(MW)

India

1663

8757

 764 9521

Tamil Nadu

381

3856

 243

4099

During 2003 – 04 alone, 371 MW capacity was added, out of total of 613 MW created in the country. The growth during 2004 – 05 is also remarkable with capacity addition of 679 MW. In 2005-06, the addition is 858 MW.  During 2006-07, the addition is 577 MW. During 2007-08 the addition is 381 MW. For 2008-09, the addition upto 31.10.2008 is 245 MW.

The private wind farms consist of 7978 wind electric generators (a total capacity of 4084 MW ) as on 31.10.2008 apart from 111 Nos. of 17 .555 MW from demonstration wind farms, all of which generated a total of 32312 million units of electricity (cumulative) as on 31.10.2008. The units generated in the year (2007 - 08) is 6092 Million Units and during 2008-09( up to October 2008) is 6538 million units.

GROWTH OF WIND POWER (INDIA & TAMILNADU)

Technologies for harnessing Wind Energy

  1. Wind Electric Generator for power generation

  2. Wind mills for water pumping

  3. Small wind power generators (small aero generators)

Efforts taken in Tamil Nadu to promote wind power:

  • Carried out extensive wind resource assessment studies.

  • Set up demonstration wind farms to establish the techno-economic viability.

  • Conducted micro surveys in potential areas to provide detailed information on power generation potential.

  • Encouraged commercial wind farms through investor - friendly policies - such as wheeling & banking facilities for captive consumption, etc.

  • TNEB developed adequate infrastructure including power evacuation facilities

  • Enabled setting up of Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) in Tamil Nadu

  • Facilitated a good manufacturing / servicing facilities in the state.

Economics of Wind Power ( Tentative )

Capital Cost

Rs 5 to 6 crores per MW.

 

Power Generation

30 -35 lakhs kWh / MW / year

 

Plant Load Factor (PLF) in Tamil Nadu

25 - 30 %

 

Operation and Maintenance           (O&M)

1.5% to 2% of capital cost

 

Interest on loan

12 % / year (IREDA lending rate)
Annual earnings (tentative) Captive use : Rs.114 lakhs / MW / year

Export : Rs.94 lakhs / MW / year
Tax benefits

  1. Accelerated depreciation 80%

  2. Income Tax holiday for 10 years

Incentives offered for investors

MNRE, Govt. of India

  1. Accelerated depreciation on wind electric generator is permissible upto 80 % for income tax calculations subject to a minimum utilization for 6 months in the year in which deduction is claimed.

  2. Import of wind electric generator is permitted under Open General License

  3. Customs duty concessions on wind electric generators and certain essential spares.

  4. Tax holiday is allowed for 10 years in respect of profits / gains from the private wind electric generators

Govt. of Tamil Nadu

  1. TNEB buys surplus energy at the rate of Rs.2.75 per unit from the existing wind mills commissioned before 15.5.2006 from the date of renegotiation of existing agreement and Rs.2.90 per unit from the wind mills commissioned after 15.5.2006 as per the new Tariff order issued in May 2006 by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission. These rates have come into effect as per TNEB order dt. 14.9.07

  2. Concessional wheeling charges are levied at 5 % for captive use of power under which industries can draw the power produced any where in the state at the point of consumption

  3. Banking facilities are also allowed subject to 5 % charges for using the power anytime of the year up to 31st March of the financial year

Why Tamil Nadu is a favourable destination for investment in wind power?

  1. Conducive and consistent policies of the State Govt. / TNEB such as attractive wheeling and banking facilities on charges of 5 % each

  2. Favourable terrain in potential locations with easy accessibility

  3. Higher plant load factor ( PLF ) of 30 % and therefore higher power generation per MW.

  4. Reasonable power tariff and regular payment by TNEB

  5. Adequate infrastructure for power evacuation including permission for investors to put up their own sub-stations

Services offered  by Manufacturers / Suppliers:

  1. Preparation of project report for availing loan, etc.

  2. Selection of suitable sites, purchase and registration of land

  3. Co-ordination and follow up with Govt. and other statutory agencies for necessary clearance

  4. Assembly, erection and commissioning

  5. Operation & maintenance services under AMC

View list of Wind Energy Generator manufacturers

Small aero generator (Mini-wind mills)

It is a stand alone type generator which can be used to produce electricity for captive purposes. It can be installed in places where the wind speed is more than 15 kmph. 41 such places have been identified in 8 districts from 67 sites surveyed which are suitable for installing aero generators.  In other places too aerogenerators could be installed where wind speed is > 15 kmph.

It consists of smaller capacity wind electric generator, (up to 30 kW) a tower, a battery bank with an inverter and electronic control system.

Working Principle

Wind force makes the blade rotate and produce mechanical energy which in turn drives the wind electric generator to produce AC electricity, converted as DC, stored in a battery and used for electrical applications ( DC or AC ) whenever required to supplement EB supply or to save on diesel. There is an in-built self protection mechanism to reduce power output in severe weather conditions.

Potential for use

Industries 

Lighting & other electrical uses in Office / factory buildings, Guest houses, residential quarters, street lighting etc.

Local bodies/Institutions

Office buildings, guest houses, tourist home, hostels, remote buildings in remote locations, street lighting etc.

Individuals 

Farm houses, gardens,  campus lights

Economics (Tentative)

  • Cost of system - Rs.2.50 - 3.00 lakhs / kW

  • MNRE Subsidy available for the system for 2007 - 08 upto 50% of Ex-works cost for individuals and 75% for community users subject to a maximum limit (subject to change)

  • Saves around 2500 kWh per kW per annum depending on wind speed and duration.

Eligible categories of beneficiaries

  • Community uses such as street lighting

  • Direct use by central and State Govt. agencies  

  • Individuals, Industrial users

  • R & D and academic institutions 

No. of systems installed

As pilot project, 5 kW capacity systems have been installed in -

  1. Shri Shiridi Saibaba Spiritual and Charitable Trust, Saipuram, Injambakkam, Chennai.

  2. Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari District.

  3. SCAD, Gramodyog Institute, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District.

Manufacturers

  1. Auto Spare Industries, 4, Kalathiswaran Koil St, Pondicherry – 605001

  2. Auroville Energy Products, Auroshilpam, Centre for Scientific Research, Auroville, Tamilnadu – 605101

Wind Mill Water pump

This device is ideally suited for pumping water for drinking purposes and / or for minor irrigation. It can operate in places where the wind speed is about 18 kmph. Gear-type wind mills are also available which can operate at a speed of 9 kmph.

Types

There are two types –  (i) Gear type and (ii) Gearless type.

Description

Gear

Gearless (AV55)

Tower Height        (m)

10

13.5 to 19.5

No of blades

18

24

Blade diameter  ( m)

3.3

 5.6

Pipe size (inches)

2 to 4

3 to 5

Wind speed     (kmph)

9

18

Water output     (lph)

1000

4000

Water depth  (m)

20

15

Working Principle

The wind force striking at the blades is converted to mechanical energy which in turn is used for operating a pumping rod, as in the case of hand pump, to pump water from open or bore well.

Potential for use

Industries                   :  

Drinking water supply, gardening, especially with drip irrigation

Local bodies /            : Institutions 

Micro irrigation / drinking water supply, horticulture farms especially with drip irrigation, community parks etc.

Individual                  :

Micro irrigation / drinking water , horticulture farms with drip irrigation

Systems installed as on 31.03.08  :  Gear Type       - 108
                                                      Gearless Type - 770

Economics (Tentative)

  • Cost of system - Rs.1.50 to 2 lakhs

  • MNRE subsidy available for 2007 - 08 Rs.30,000/- per pump for Gear type and Rs.45,000/- per pump for AV55 Type (subject to change)

  • Saves around 1500 kWh per annum depending on wind speed and duration.

Financial Assistance provided by the Central Government for installation of wind energy systems as per the specification of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.

Manufacturers

  1. Auto Spare Industries, 4, Kalathiswaran Koil St, Pondicherry – 605001

  2. Aureka Aspiration, Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605101

Bio Energy  ||  Solar Energy  ||  Other Project