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Here, we try to answer the question, how the energy demand in Rampura village can be met sustainably via two centralized clean coal (CCC) technology and three localized energy technology options analyzed. CCC technologies are unsustainable energy systems dependent on purchased external inputs almost 100%. However, increased efficiency and significantly lower environmental impacts of CCC technologies can lead to more environmentally benign utilization of coal as an energy source. CCC technologies supply electricity at a lower price compared to the localized energy options investigated. Out of localized energy options, the solar PV has the lowest water and land use, however, solar electricity has the highest price with a high GWP. Contrary to the general opinion, solar electricity is highly non-renewable. Although solar energy is a 100% renewable, materials utilized in the production of solar panels are mostly non-renewable inputs causing the low renewability of solar electricity. Best sustainability results are obtained for full capacity operation in anaerobic digestion and for single fuel mode (SFM) operation in biomass gasification. For both of the processes, cost of electricity reduces 2-3 times if they are operated properly. However, there is not enough ipomea to run the biomass gasifier in SFM in Rampura, hence optimum operation scheme is ideal dual fuel mode (DFM) operation for the biomass gasifier analyzed. Emergy analysis of Rampura village and its subsystems reveals that sustainability is not achieved both at the village and subsystems levels since they are highly dependent on non-renewable material and energy inputs. To improve sustainability in Rampura, dependency on purchased inputs fodder, fertilizer and diesel, non-renewable cooking fuel wood should be reduced.In satisfying energy demand in Rampura, biogas cooking and 70% biogas cooking scenarios perform better than electricity options in all of the objectives considered. The best option to meet the energy demand in Rampura would be to meet all the cooking energy with direct use of biogas. However, 70% biogas cooking scenario may be a more practical option since it both satisfies energy demand in an environmentally benign manner and satisfies the cultural needs of Rampura people. When 30% of cooking is performed by utilizing improved biomass cook stoves in the traditional way, the biogas potential becomes enough to meet all the remaining energy demand (70% of cooking, lighting and irrigation) in Rampura, hence energy security and reliability are ensured. The GHG emissions related to cooking with inefficient cook stoves are also significantly mitigated through the use of biogas and improved biomass cook stoves.Energy demand in developing countries is subject to increase with increasing prosperity and consumerism. This increasing energy demand will necessitate the utilization of centralized energy options even in the rural areas of developing countries in the near future. Utilizing CCC technologies to meet this demand can ease energy related environmental problems, especially global warming significantly. And, adopting conscious and renewable energy oriented consumption patterns, avoiding consumption beyond the carrying capacity of these regions can contribute to achieve global level sustainability and ease the environmental burdens and problems. |
