Renewable energy: An assessment of public awareness

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Renewable energy: An assessment of public awarenessV. P. Khambalkar a , S. S. Katkhede b , S. Dahatonde c , N. D. Korpe d & S. M. Nage ea College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh AgriculturalUniversity , Akola, 444 104, MS, Indiab College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh AgriculturalUniversity , Akola, 444 104, MS, Indiac Agricultural Prices Cell, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University , Akola, 444 104, MS, Indiad College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh AgriculturalUniversity , Akola, 444 104, MS, Indiae College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh AgriculturalUniversity , Akola, 444 104, MS, IndiaPublished online: 30 Mar 2011.

To cite this article: V. P. Khambalkar , S. S. Katkhede , S. Dahatonde , N. D. Korpe & S. M. Nage (2010) Renewable energy: Anassessment of public awareness, International Journal of Ambient Energy, 31:3, 133-142, DOI: 10.1080/01430750.2010.9675112

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2010.9675112

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International Journal of Ambient Energy, Volume 37, Number 3 July 201 0

energy:

of public

V. P. Khambalkar*, S. S. Katkhede**, S. Dahatonde*** N. D. Korpef and S. M. Nageft

V. P. Khambalkar, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Akola - 444 104 (MS), India. " S. S. Katkhede, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Akola - 444 104 (MS), India. *** Shilpa Dahatonde, Agricultural Prices Cell, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Akola - 444 104 (MS), India. t N. D. Korpe, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Akola - 444 104 (MS), India. tt S. M. Nage, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Akola - 444 104 (MS), India. 0 Ambient Press Limited 201 0

SYNOPSIS A survey was conducted to assess attitudes of the public towards renewable energy. The information gathered was analysed for respondents attitudes towards issues such as, knowledge of renewable energy sources and power generation, encouragement by government as well as at a personal level, comparison of fossil fuels use and renewable power, opinions for encouragement, leads for encouraging renewable energy growth with financial incentives, global warming problem and renewable energy as an option and public financial contribution towards lowering global warming. It was observed that the public has considerable awareness of the sources of the energy. It confirms from the data that the public understands mostly that renewable energy is the non polluting source and going for utilisation of renewable energy is a very good idea. It was also clear that people knew about wind and atomic energy generation systems. Among the renewable energy sources it was found that public opinion supported wind energy as the best option for generating energy. As for the comparison of the energy generation from the renewable energy with that from fossil fuel public opinion was that renewable energy was much better. Many slightly agreed that government encouragement is necessary for the promotion of renewable energy. It was observed that respondents individually had to take a lead for developing renewable energy use at the household level as well as business development. There was general agreement that there is evidence that global warming is taking place and some action has to be taken to control it. With a view that its application would probably lead to a reduction in global warming, people agree strongly with solar energy use. They would be willing to pay if the energy in their electricity bill comes from renewable energy. Most of the respondents in the area surveyed used solar equipment in some form.

The information will be helpful in bringing to market renewable energy equipment. The paper describes public attitudes for planning the use of resources towards reduction of global warming.

INTRODUCTION Each part of human development requires several natural inputs. Initially soil, water and air were essential to the early stages. After that, energy was a crucial input in socio-economic development. Recent advances and new techniques for harnessing energy will result in slowing the depletion of reserves of fossil fuel and bring environmental benefits.

Renewable energy sources are practically infinite in quantity, environmentally friendly, and have the potential of involving people at the local level. Solar, wind and bioenergy sources are nowadays prominent ways of satisfying the

Renewable energy: An assessment of public awareness Khambalkar, Katkhede, Dahatonde, Korpe, Nage

demands of households in rural as well as urban communities dependent on the use of traditional fossils fuels.

Solar based lighting systems, solar thermal, and biogas all these are all in use today in most parts of the country.

The Government of India, through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) are promoting renewable energy by various mechanisms such as direct incentives, subsidies and provision of loans towards installation of renewable energy equipment at household level. Presently in India, there are 4 million family size biogas plants, 70 thousand solar street lighting systems, 0.4 million home lighting systems, 2.15 million m2 of solar water heaters and 0.62 million solar cookers. This represents the lion's share of the public use of renewable energy equipment [I] . An attempt has been made to assess the extent that people know about and are aware of the importance of renewable energy in the growth of sustainability.

METHODOLOGY The application of sound methodology is of vital importance in any scientific investigation. It forms a study to arrive at the final conclusion. It comprises sampling technique, method of data collection, and analysis of data by applying appropriate statistical tools, interpretations and presentation of the results.

LOCALE OF STUDY The study documented in this paper was conducted in the Akola district of the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra State, and concentrated on the renewable energy user and general public attitude in the district towards renewable energy. The Akola district lies in the central east side of Maharashtra between 19' 44' and 21' 61' North and 76' 38' and 77" 44' East. The district is a semi- arid climatic type and solar power is abundantly available to the district for harnessing energy.

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE A comprehensive questionnaire was designed for the survey, covering the attitude of the general public towards renewable energy as an option for sustainable development. Specific questions were designed to analyse the respondents attitudes towards the following issues [2], [3], [4] and [5].

Types of energy sources, information of sources, knowledge of renewable energy sources and power generation. Encouragement by government as well as at a personal level, comparison of fossil fuels use with renewable power, their opinion on how to best encourage, suggestions for increasing the use of renewable energy by means of financial incentives.

The issue of global warming and renewable energy as an option, public financial contribution in lowering global warming.

The questionnaire was finalised after under- taking a literature review. A sample of 100 respondents was selected which included government employees, small businessmen, farmers and other renewable energy users. This sample covers the educated public. The survey was conducted by doorstep interviews during the months of April and May 2008. Questions were asked with various options. The respondent opinions were marked on the survey sheet along with their suggestions on appropriate ways forward.

RESULTS The survey results were analysed for the awareness of renewable energy, ways of producing electricity, contribution of the respondents towards a greener environment. The government role in promoting these sources was studied in a unique way to reflect the overall view of the people regarding renewable energy resources. We discussed attitudes toward energy in general, awareness and reaction toward specific renewable energy, their knowledge and opinions about public acceptance of the technology.

General attitudes towards renewable The attitude of the public was assessed in the survey along with their awareness and knowledge of resources. Many people knew a lot about renewable energy sources some 53% of the total. However, 48% had little information on renewable. This means that there is need for wide publicity of available technologies. Knowledge of renewable energy sources is shown visually in Figure 1.

Details of the awareness of electricity sources obtained from the media were collected to determine which of the media strongly influence the public. It is seen that the majority of people are most aware of electricity generation from television - 59%. The potential knowledge of electricity generation from schools and colleges was surprisingly very little - 13%. Many people have information about electricity generation from visiting power generating stations this contributes nearly 28%. The information on awareness of electricity sources is presented in Figure 2.

Understanding renewable energy was rarely at the top of their mind when the respondents did not know in what way renewable energy provides benefits. However 29% did know that renewable energy sources are non polluting. The term "re- use it" relating to renewable energy sources was familiar t o 28% of the respondents. However public knowledge of the term recycling remained low with levels of under 15%. The overall picture of knowledge levels of the public about the renewable energy sources is shown in Figure 3.

Renewable energy: An assessment of public awareness Kharnbalkar, Katkhede, Dahatonde, Korpe, Nage

Figure 1 Breakdown of the respondents knowledge.

Know a little 48%

A lot about sources

Figure 2 Knowledge of energy generation sources.

u Nlmedia 59 %

Good renewable energy sources nowadays are felt that renewable energy is a very good idea. power generators capable of meeting the demands Some respondents said it would be a good idea if of users and providing security of energy supply 40% of the total demand came from renewable [5] and [6]. Based upon this concept opinions were sources. Only a very few respondents described sought about renewable energy. 56% of people renewable energy as a fairly good idea (4%). The

Others

sources 15 %

Re-use it 28 %

Infinite source1

Figure 3 Respondents opinion for use of renewable energy.

Fairly good idea 4 0/n

good %

Figure 4 Overall idea of respondents.

survey also revealed that no respondents had a view that renewable energy is a bad idea. These opinions are shown graphically in Figure 4.

It was observed that public awareness of power generation sources strongly supported wind power and atomic energy, 24% and 22% respectively. It was also found that very few people responded positively to power generation from tidal and other renewable energy sources.

The level of public perception is presented in Figure 5.

Public assessment of power generation was carried out and it was shown that 32% of the sample were aware of wind power generation followed by solar energy, biomass energy and small hydro power plants. Very few respondents were aware of power generation from sewage waste (9%). These results are shown in Figure 6.

Other renewable energy 2 % Figure 5

Awareness of energy production.

Atomic energy 22 % Wind energy 29 %

Fossil fuel 19 % Hydro power 10 %

Solar energy 19 %

Figure 6

Solar energy 29 % Awareness regarding renewable energy as energy production.

Sewage waste 9 %

Energy options, government and personal encouragement The opinion data gathered was analysed to suggest what the people in the sample would feel was the best option for generating energy from renewable and fossil fuels. A high of 93% of respondents felt that the use of renewable energy is better. This means that the public in general would be likely to strongly and firmly support renewable energy sources as the best energy option (see Figure 7).

The information was collected to focus the government on encouraging promotion and use of renewable energy among the general public. Note that nearly 34% of respondents to the survey

A little better to use renewable

strongly agreed with encouragement by government, with respondents strongly of the opinion that government encouragement is necessary to develop domestic use of renewable energy. Other respondents agreed slightly and a few on neither point - 55% and 1 1 % respectively (Figure 8).

An attempt was also made to determine the reasons for personal encouragement of renewable energy. Nearly 24% agreed strongly that the use of renewable energy was important when looking forward towards the children of the future. Many people felt they would encourage the use of renewable sources because of their non polluting nature - 43% (Figure 9). Note that only 1 % would discourage the use of renewable energy.

Much better to use renewable

Figure 7 Better energy options in view of respondents.

Figure 8 Respondents opinion for government

igree strongly 34 % encouragement.

Agree slightly 55 % u Figure 9

Use of these for Reasons for personal encouragement of

better future 24 % respondents.

Less polluting than burning fuel 43 %

Energy saving in homes, promotional reasons and financing renewable energy In this part of the survey, some options were given about energy saving practices at home [5], [6], [ 7 ] , [8] and [9]. It was found that 38% of respondents actively turn light off but only a very few have used a shorter washing machine cycle - 4%. Other factors are demonstrated in Figure 10.

The information collected on previous uses of energy by respondent households indicated a habit of energy conservation at home. The view of the respondents are summarised in Table 1.

It is clear that respondents did generally save energy most of the time (41 %) with 31 % saying all the time.

People said renewable energy is a good idea as the sources are clean (25%). Very few

Table 1 Energy saving by the respondents.

Daily habits Percentages

All of the time 31 Most of the time 4 1 Some of the time 2 7 Rarely 1

people suggested that such sources are cheaper (Figure 11).

Respondents opinions may have been influenced by the development and leadership in the use of renewable energy systems at Akola [5] and [6]. Note that the majority of the public preferred

Rrchase energy Use shorter cycle efficient fridae etc

of w ashmg

Actweb turn off

Rrchase energy efficient lghts

43 Turn heatmp use Turn appl~nce off

off in s u m r 12%

rather than to standby

Security of energy supply 16 O h

Low cost

Figure 10 Practices at home for saving energy.

Wo hi ng with nature 1-J I %

Prevent climate changes 7 oh

Figure 11 Respondents reasons for renewable energy promotion.

Clean sources

Better than alternative 1 1 %

Protect the environment

Individual general public The government -

companies

Environmental District group1 NGO administration

4% 1 9Oh

individual growth of renewable energy at the household level (21 %). Very few people in the survey felt that a larger environmental group had to take the lead for the growth of the renewable energy in Akola (4%). Some public opinion favoured the development of renewable energy initiated by government (16%). The overall picture of the balance of leadership that must be taken to ensure the growth of the renewable energy market in Akola is shown in Figure 12.

The encouragement of renewable energy at household level and the development of business in the area have been analysed taking into account financial incentives [5], [8], [I 01, [I 11 and [I 21. The data from respondents are shown in Figure 13. It was felt that 45% of the public viewed financial

Figure 12 Market expansion of renewable energy.

Not at all Not wrv - - -

important Neither 2% important

4 4 0 /

incentive as fairly important for the installation of renewable energy at home and development of the business in the area.

Renewable energy and global warming In the present study, respondents awareness of global warming was assessed to assess which measures are needed to control it. The respondents opinions are shown in Figures 1 4 and 15 . It was deduced that people are aware there is some evidence of global warming but 40% felt no action for control need be taken at present. Some people, however, felt that global warming is a serious problem and very rapid action should be taken for controlling it (39%).

To what extent the public will give support to

Figure 13 Financial incentives for the development of renewable energy in area.

We don't Global warming

action is

Some eidence that global - warming is

taking place

as a serious problem and

, immediate

and action has to taken

reducing the global warming by using various technologies is presented in Figure 15. Public opinion on the preferred solutions was found to veer towards solar energy which is 28%. Very few saw nuclear energy as the preferred measure to reduce global warming (0.5%).

Besides the treatment for reducing global warming, the respondents were interviewed about uses of renewable energy technologies, how much they will contribute in term of rupees [5] and [13]. The data collected and the personal opinion of the participants regarding the direct financial burden represented by the electricity bill is presented in Figure 16. Most of the people would agree to pay in the range of more than INR 300 in the electricity bill if it benefited them using renewable energy (31 %). Very few expected an electricity bill of less than INR 50 once they were benefiting from renewable energy (4%).

Renewable energy users among respondents Among the respondents of the study area, 31 respondents were found to be renewable energy

Carbon capture and storage* 1-5 %

necessary 39%

Figure 14 Global warming in relation to respondents view.

users already, having installed solar lighting systems, solar water heaters, solar lanterns, and solar wind hybrid systems. The respondent's opinion about use of different renewable energy systems in their house is depicted in Figure 17. It was found that most of them were satisfied with the use of photovoltaic cells (39%). Very few used a solar and wind hybrid system (6%). Solar water heaters were installed in 32% of respondents residences.

It was noted that renewable energy equipment had been installed/ purchased in the years of 2005 to 2008 in which a maximum of users adopted the system in 2006. The participants purchased the equipment from local dealers in the area. It was realised that nearly 50 per cent of people in the study area had taken advantage of subsidies when purchasing renewable energy equipment. It was noted that users followed the guidelines of the dealers who helped with installation and maintenance. The annual operation and maintenance cost of the solar equipment was found in the range of INR 100 - 300.

Figure 15 Opinion of respondents for energy as a control measure for global warming.

Solar energy 8 %

Energy efficient appliances

Energy efficient vehicle

Less than INR 50

More than INR 4% INR 50 -100

Solar wind hybrid

Solar lanterns I

Figure 17 Scattering of renewable energy gadgets in the survey area.

Solar w a t u heater 32%

CONCLUSIONS The present research work was carried out in Akola district of Maharashtra state, India, for the assessment of awareness among the general public about renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources are non polluting in the opinion of the majority of the respondents. In renewable energy it was observed that the public saw wind energy as the best option for generating energy. As for the comparison of energy generation from renewable energy with fossil fuel, made by the public, they saw renewable energy as much better than fossil fuel. Many respondents slightly agreed that government encouragement was necessary for the promotion of renewable energy. Many respondents were positive about renewable energy because they saw it as non polluting. Many of the people surveyed had

Figure 16 Respondents willingness to pay for reducing global warming.

already developed the habit of actively turning off lights as a part of their daily routine. They stated that, the individual had to take a lead in developing the use of renewable energy at the household level as well as in the business world. Realising that some of the renewable energy techniques reduced the effect of global warming, the participants agreed strongly with solar energy use. They are willing to pay if the electricity in their electricity bill comes from renewable energy.

The household survey indicated that people strongly agree with the use of renewable energy sources. It was seen that nowadays the public is taking an interest in the problem of global warming. People are ready to pay for lowering global warming by using electricity generated from renewable energy. It is concluded that in this

region initiatives should be taken to promote renewable energy equipment especially solar energy devices.

REFERENCES 1. MNRE. "Renewable energy at a glance".

Akshay Urja, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2008, p . 48. 2 . Yokel Ibrahim. "Global warming and renew-

able energy sources for sustainable development in Turkey". Renewable Energy, Vol. 33, 2008, pp. 802-81 2.

3. Foster-Pedley, J. and Hertzog, H. "Financing strategies for growth in the renewable energy industry in South Africa". Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, Vol. 17, No. 4, 2006, pp. 57-64.

4. Hau J Wu Yi-Hsuan. and Jin Pang-Fu. "Prospects for renewable energy for sea- borne transportation - a Taiwan example". Renewable Energy, Vol. 33, 2008, pp. 1 056-1 063.

5. Anon. "Attitude to renewable energy in London: public and stakeholder opinion and scope for progress". Greater London Authority, pp. 1-44, available at www.london.gov.uk/ mayor/energy/renewable.jsp

6. Reddy Sudhakar and J. P. Painuly. "Barriers

and stockholder's perspectives". Renewable Energy, Vol. 29, 2004, pp. 1431-1447.

7. Singhal, A. K. "Supportive measures for promotion of solar water heating systems". Akshay Urja, Vol. 1, No. 6, 2005, pp. 16-19.

8. Dhingra Sunil. "Rural electrification: the story of Jemara village". Akshay Urja, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2007, pp. 29-31.

9. MNRE. News - "State: Maharashtra government supports solar energy". Akshay Urja, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2005, p. 15.

10. Beccali, M., Brunone, S., Cellura, M. and Franzitta, V. (2008). "Energy economics environmental analysis on RET-hydrogen systems in residential building". Renewable Energy; 300: pp. 366-382.

11. Khambalkar V. P., Gadge, S. R. and Shila Dahatonde. (2007). "The economics of wind energy in India". Wind Energy International Year Book 2007/2008, pp. 228-230.

12. Hvelplind, F. (2007). "Renewable energy governance system-political prices or political qualities: An overview". Wind Energy Inter- national Year Book 2007/2008, pp. 205-21 1.

13. Tongi, S. (2007). "Climate change mitigation and renewable energy policies in the European union". Wind Energy International Year Book 2007/2008, pp. 221-222.

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