Context:
The Tripura government has identified 10 river sites to generate 185 MW of power using Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology, aiming to expand renewable energy capacity and ensure 24×7 electricity supply in the state.
Key Highlights:
Scientific Principle & Technology Overview
- Hydrokinetic turbines generate electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water.
- They operate with practically zero potential head, unlike conventional hydropower plants.
- Traditional hydropower relies on potential energy of stored water, requiring civil structures like:
- Dams
- Diversion weirs
- Barrages
- Hydrokinetic systems are installed directly within river channels, eliminating the need for large infrastructure.
Government Initiative
- Identification of 10 river locations in Tripura.
- Targeted generation capacity: 185 MW.
- Objective:
- Strengthen renewable energy portfolio
- Improve energy security
- Support uninterrupted 24×7 electricity supply
Advantages of Hydrokinetic Turbines
- Renewable Energy Source
- Utilizes continuous river flow.
- Reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
- Minimal Environmental Footprint
- No large-scale water impoundment.
- Preserves riverine ecosystems.
- Minimizes disruption to aquatic biodiversity.
- Scalable & Flexible Deployment
- Suitable for small local installations.
- Can be deployed in multi-turbine arrays for higher output.
- Cost-Effective Maintenance
- Fewer moving parts.
- Designed with debris protection systems.
- Lower long-term maintenance costs.
Significance
- Promotes decentralized clean energy generation.
- Particularly useful for hilly and river-rich states like Tripura.
- Aligns with India’s goals under:
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Energy transition commitments
- Expansion of non-fossil fuel capacity
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Hydrokinetic energy is derived from the kinetic energy of flowing water, not from stored water.
- It operates at zero or negligible head, distinguishing it from:
- Conventional hydropower
- Run-of-the-river projects (which still require some head difference).
- Does not require:
- Large dams
- Reservoir creation
- Major alteration of river flow.
- Can be installed in:
- Rivers
- Tidal streams
- Ocean currents
- Classified under renewable energy sources.
- Important in the context of:
- Small hydropower policies
- Distributed energy systems
- Energy access in remote regions
- Environmentally preferable compared to large hydropower due to:
- Reduced submergence
- Minimal displacement
- Lower methane emissions from reservoirs
Relevant Mains Points:
- Contributes to India’s transition toward a low-carbon economy.
- Supports energy diversification, reducing overdependence on thermal power.
- Suitable for the North-East region, where:
- River systems are abundant.
- Large dams face ecological and socio-political resistance.
- Enhances grid stability when combined with solar and wind under hybrid renewable models.
- Promotes sustainable river basin management by minimizing structural interference.
- Addresses concerns associated with conventional hydropower such as:
- Habitat fragmentation
- Sedimentation issues
- Large-scale displacement
Way Forward
- Conduct environmental impact assessments (EIA) tailored to river ecology.
- Integrate hydrokinetic systems with smart grids and battery storage.
- Encourage public-private partnerships (PPP) for technological scaling.
- Develop clear regulatory guidelines for river-based energy installations.
- Promote indigenous R&D under Make in India for cost reduction and efficiency enhancement.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS Paper I – Geography (Water resources, river systems)
- GS Paper II – Governance (Energy policy, federal initiatives)
- GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology (Sustainable energy), Science & Technology (Renewable technologies), Economy (Infrastructure & energy security)
- Prelims – Renewable energy technologies, hydropower concepts, environmental sustainability