To power up state, experts recommend energy mix

Panaji: While Goa pursues renewable energy sources and cleaner fuels, the expectation that Goa can end its dependence on fossil fuels in the next decade is untenable, said experts and government department heads at a brainstorming session on Wednesday.

The consensus view was that Goa, which depends on other states for its power supply, needs to find an energy mix to meet its daily power requirements. This should include biofuels, solar energy, fossil fuels and other sources such as compressed natural gas, ammonia and methane.

The deliberations were part of an Indo-German initiative for development of renewable and sustainable technologies in Goa. Germany’s International Measurement Confederation and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) have offered to fund local researchers and government departments that come up with viable and sustainable technology solutions to address Goa’s renewable energy needs.

TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), which played a major role in the brainstorming session, has offered to handhold local stakeholders keen on exploring production of biofuels and biodiesel using micro algae.

“While we talk about renewable energy, we have to accept that Goa cannot replace coal. Fossil fuels will remain here for the next decade,” director of PTB, Ravi Fernandes, said.

“Goa can’t have just one source of energy. You need a good energy mix,” Fernandes said.

He said that while Hydrogen appears like a promising source of fuel, it is extremely difficult to store, transport and handle. “Goa needs to explore the production of ammonia, because ammonia is the future,” Fernandes said.

Director, Indo-German Science and Technology Centre, R Madhan said that IGSTC has a research fund of Rs 100 crore per year for applied research. Madhan said that Goa University and other educational institutes should try to tap the fund.

Former National Institute of Oceanography scientist Ramaiah N said that while developing technology solutions to meet energy needs, Goa also needs to pursue carbon sequestration by expanding the mangrove cover in the state.

Various state government departments also highlighted their efforts to reduce Goa’s dependence on fossil fuels.

“Goa is the optimum place for such experiments because there are so many academic institutes here, NIO, IIT-Goa, NIT, Goa University,” Fernandes said.