Sep 30, 2024
INDIA’S OCEAN ENERGY ATLAS AND BLUE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
INDIA’S OCEAN ENERGY ATLAS AND BLUE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
1. What is the Ocean Energy Atlas developed by INCOIS?
The Ocean Energy Atlas is a comprehensive mapping tool developed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). It identifies and assesses the potential sites along India’s coastline that can generate energy from blue renewable sources such as tidal waves, ocean currents, salinity gradients, and ocean thermal energy.
2. What are blue renewable energy sources?
Blue renewable energy sources refer to the energy derived from marine environments, including tidal power, wave energy, ocean currents, salinity gradients, and ocean thermal energy conversion. These sources are clean, sustainable, and can significantly contribute to the global energy mix if harnessed efficiently.
3. How much energy can India generate from blue renewable sources?
According to the Ocean Energy Atlas, India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has the potential to generate up to 9.2 lakh Terawatt hours (TWh) of energy annually from blue renewable sources. This capacity highlights the untapped potential of India’s marine resources for clean energy generation.
4. Why is the Ocean Energy Atlas significant for India?
The Atlas is crucial as it helps in identifying viable sites for tapping blue renewable energy, aiding in energy planning and decision-making. It supports India’s transition to a blue economy by encouraging the use of marine energy resources, which are currently underutilized.
5. What technologies are used to map ocean energy potential?
The mapping for the Ocean Energy Atlas was done using data from the last 20-30 years, including weather models, in-situ (on-site) measurements, and satellite data. This data-driven approach provides accurate assessments of renewable energy reserves within India’s coastal and island regions.
6. How does the Ocean Energy Atlas contribute to India’s net-zero goals?
By identifying and harnessing blue renewable energy sources, the Atlas helps India reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, thereby aiding in the reduction of carbon emissions. This is a significant step toward achieving the country’s net-zero emission targets.
7. What are the potential benefits of blue renewable energy for India?
Blue renewable energy offers several benefits, including:
• Sustainability: Provides a continuous and reliable source of energy with minimal environmental impact.
• Energy Security: Reduces dependency on imported fuels and enhances energy security.
• Economic Growth: Promotes the blue economy by creating new industries and job opportunities.
• Environmental Protection: Supports the shift to greener energy, reducing pollution and conserving marine ecosystems.
8. What challenges exist in harnessing blue renewable energy in India?
Some of the challenges include high initial costs, the need for advanced technology, environmental concerns related to marine biodiversity, and regulatory hurdles. Overcoming these challenges will require investment in research, technological innovation, and supportive government policies.
9. How can the Ocean Energy Atlas aid in industrial planning?
The Atlas provides critical data that industries can use to plan and implement renewable energy projects. It helps in site selection, project feasibility studies, and environmental impact assessments, making it a valuable tool for the renewable energy sector.
10. What role does INCOIS play in the development of blue renewable energy?
INCOIS plays a pivotal role by conducting research and providing data on oceanographic conditions that are essential for the assessment and development of blue renewable energy projects. Its efforts in creating the Ocean Energy Atlas are part of broader initiatives to promote sustainable energy solutions in India.