DECENTRALIZED ENERGY PLANNING-MODEL FOR A TYPICAL VILLAGE IN INDIA

A simple linear model has been developed to minimize the cost function for an energy-supply system consisting of a mix of energy sources and conversion devices. The model has been applied to a typical village in India for both the domestic and irrigation sectors. The energy-demand assessment was made with an energy audit. The results of the study show that wood and agricultural residues are preferred energy sources for cooking in the domestic sector when stoves with 18 or 16% efficiencies are used. Biogas becomes economically feasible only for plants holding 8 m3. Electricity is the best option for lighting. For irrigation, diesel-powered pumps are preferred to electric pumps. Biogas is economical for lighting only when the biogas-conversion efficiency in the mantle is taken to be twice the 2% that is presently available.