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Proceedings of the Workshop on Mini-grid development for livelihood generation
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OASYS SOUTH ASIA Workshop
January 3, 2014
Proceedings of the
Workshop on Mini-Grid Development for Livelihood Generation
Opportunities
Venue: Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar
Organised by TERI
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Produced by:
The Energy and Resources Institute
New Delhi
Published on August 25, 2014
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Acknowledgement
The activities reported in this report are funded by an EPSRC/ DfID research grant
(EP/G063826/2) from the RCUK Energy Programme. The Energy Programme is a RCUK
cross-council initiative led by EPSRC and contributed to by ESRC, NERC, BBSRC and
STFC.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the views of the institutions they are affiliated to or the funding agencies
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Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................... III
DISCLAIMER ................................................................................................................................. III
. ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.0 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE WORKSHOP ........................................................................................ 2
2.1 Speakers .................................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Participants .............................................................................................................................. 2
3.0 SUMMARY OF SESSIONS ....................................................................................................... 3
3.1 Inaugural Session .................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Session I: Experiences & Lessons from Green Mini-grids.................................................... 4
3.3 Session II: Breakaway Working Group discussion: .............................................................. 6
3.4 Session III: Scaling up green mini-grid projects in India ...................................................... 8
3.5 Concluding Remarks ................................................................................................................ 9
ANNEXURE I: PROGRAM SCHEDULE ..................................................................................... 11
ANNEXURE II: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................. 12
ANNEXURE III: PRESENTATIONS ........................................................................................... 15
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.
1.0 Background
In developing South Asian countries such as India, off-grid electricity access systems are of great
interest. Apart from the capacity to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity access
to remote villages as well as semi-urban areas that lack appropriate access to centralized grid
electricity, off-grid electricity also has the potential ability to support local development, create
local employment, and contribute to climate change mitigation. Despite growing popularity,
commercial viability, operational issues, social issues, local governance issues as well as
institutional challenges remain primary concerns for the sustainability of such decentralized
energy systems. Developing a techno-economically viable and replicable business model for
every region should be a priority for the efficient implementation of a successful off-grid access
system.
As part of the research project on Off-grid Electricity Access System in South Asia (OASYS), a
Regional Practitioners Workshop was organized on 2nd and 3rd of January 2014 at XIM
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. This workshop brought together a myriad of stakeholders from
India consisting of off-grid energy sector researchers and professionals, numerous organizations,
government representatives, consultants and developmental practitioners from various NGO and
CBOs.
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2.0 Objective of the workshop
The workshop was scheduled for the 2nd and 3rd of January, 2014 as an initiative of the OASYS
South Asia (Off-grid Access System in South Asia) Project and aimed to bring together experts
and stakeholders to share successful models of providing electricity access and discuss issues and
challenges of providing electricity access at affordable prices for livelihood development.
The OASYS South Asia Project is an on-going interdisciplinary research task targeting off-grid
delivery options, specifically those titled "Decentralized off-grid electricity generation in
developing countries: business models for off-grid electricity supply”. This research was initiated
in October 2009 and seeks completion by September 2014. De Montfort University in Scotland is
leading the project in partnership with TERI, Edinburgh Napier University, TERI University, and
The University of Manchester as consortium partners. The project aims to find appropriate local
solutions, which are techno-economically viable, institutionally feasible, socio-politically
acceptable and environmentally sound, for sustainable electricity supply to off-grid areas. [For
further details on the OASYS project, please visit http://www.oasyssouthasia.dmu.ac.in]
2.1 Speakers
Senior officials from the Government of India, multilateral organizations, academia, NGOs,
private organizations, consultants and reputable think tanks highlighted some of the key concerns
in the field of governance, regulatory aspects, institutional model, livelihood aspects, and
sustainability of off-grid electrification sector. There was an informed and educated discussion
about solution for resolving the challenges faced by this industry. The programme schedule and a
list of speakers are appended in Annexure I.
2.2 Participants
The participants of the workshop consisted of policy makers and regulators, business developers,
NGOs, consultants, people from grass root levels, consumer groups, scholars, representatives
from various think tanks, and several other stakeholders. Participants from the different NGOs
gathered together to debate and deliberate over the identified theme, discuss case studies, and
suggest ways to mainstream a regulatory regime for augmenting livelihood through renewable
energy in rural areas. The complete list of participants is also provided in Annexure II.
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3.0 Summary of Sessions
The workshop on January 3rd, 2014 comprised of 4 sessions which included the Inaugural speech,
2 presentations and Panel discussion along with breakout sessions as well. The following section
highlights the summary of each session.
3.1 Inaugural Session
Mr. Debajit Palit, Associate Director at TERI welcomed the participants and speakers present. He
advocated the importance of such workshops, where appropriate regulatory framework and
instruments are discussed for the betterment of the renewable energy sector in India. He stated
that although there is potential for the off-grid sector to drive developing economies in the
sustainable development trajectory, electricity regulators in the region have dealt with the off-grid
sector in a cautious manner. This introductory note was followed by a thematic presentation by
the Principal Investigator of the project, Dr. Subhes C Bhattacharyya from De Montfort
University.
The presentation described the aims and objectives of the projects achievements so far, and
proposed future activities and timelines for execution. The second part of the presentation
highlighted the need and the role of energy access in livelihood generation for rural
electrification. Dr. Bhattacharyya discussed the important role of energy in any sector in the
context of electricity and cooking; different energy access challenges and some possible
solutions; linkages of energy with livelihood generation; and enabling factors that can lead us to a
proper solution of energy access to all. Dr. Bhattacharyya concluded that integrating energy
access and livelihood generation together; with relevant market linkages and by replicating the
integrated approach rapidly to reach the billions without energy access is a very important aspect
and needs more focus than any other potential solutions.
Mr B C Jena, Chairman from the Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) of Odisha delivered
the inaugural address. He mentioned that different regulatory committees have identified both
centralized and decentralized solutions for the purpose of rural electrification. In 2010, the
International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that in order to achieve universal access to
electricity, 70% of the rural areas would require electrification through either off grid or mini grid
systems. However, the centralized solution in rural areas is not possible for a number of reasons,
including that of high infrastructure cost vis-à-vis its low demand, and the quality of service and
reliability is not accounted for.
Mr. Jena added that mini grids play an important role here as they can be initially sized and
scaled up later according to demand; they are an independent and reliable source of electricity
and are resource specific. Once a grid system come into an area, the mini-grid is able to feed the
grid electricity supply and a net metering system can be implemented. The integration of smart
grid technologies and load management are slowly transforming the mini-grid system into a more
viable option. The mini grid does not require a license for its start-up but requires abiding by the
safety standards. The Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vikas Yojana (RGGVY) states that every household
in India should have access to electricity, may it be through a conventional or non-conventional
source that is economical and feasible. The Decentralised Distributed Generation (DDG) also
focuses only on the reduction of carbon footprints that can be achieved by decentralized
electrification itself.
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3.2 Session I: Experiences & Lessons from Green Mini-grids
Chaired by Dr. Subhes C Bhattacharyya
3.2.1 Presentation by Mr K Rahul Sharma, Research Associate, TERI
Mr. K Rahul Sharma described TERI’s role in Odisha and the NFA project. Some of the overall
objectives of the project include the understanding of energy and the way it becomes a focal point
for development activities in an area and to integrate energy interventions with existing
initiatives; and how these findings and challenges can help aid the JNNSM projects in the future.
He also explained some specific objectives which included the following; 1) To use clean energy
as a facilitator for livelihood generation in rural areas; 2) Implement systems in four Indian States
and to ensure their technological, financial and institutional sustainability even after the project is
officially completed on TERI’s end; 3) In order to achieve the above, create customised
technology packages, and frameworks for demand assessment, livelihoods assessment, socio-
economic indicators and baselines, capacity building and innovative business models and
institutions; 4) To assess and compare performance of the above, across technological
configurations, climatic zones, institutional and business models; and ultimately 5) Test
technologies for smart renewable energy applications in the lab.
He also described the Solar Multi Utility (SMU), a centrally located clean energy system that is
used to power a variety of appliances such as grinders/mixers, water purifiers, information and
communication technologies such as laptops and mobile phones, fruit pulp-extracting machines,
and so on. An entrepreneur-driven solar DC micro grid model is implemented; it includes the
design customization for distributed solar electricity projects for improved reliability, efficiency
and flexibility. A breadth of interdisciplinary is needed for such an intervention to take place; for
example, specific knowledge on livelihood assessment, technology, capacity building efforts,
institutions in the area, market linkages that best fit with the field site area, and the overall
impacts of clean energy are needed for any livelihood generation to be successfully implemented.
Mentioning some of the features of TERI’s work, he described how the usage of a smart inverter
reduces the dependency on, and size of the battery. It is important to have an energy efficient
system and intelligent load management so the optimum battery size reduces replacement cost.
By monitoring PV performance, useful long term data on performance can be obtained and thus,
a need based design can be implemented.
On the financial side, it is vital to have a variable grant to implement such projects – the equity
ratio should be based on system size and not performance; a dedicated bank account for revenue
collection also aids the management process. Moreover, creating institutional linkages with other
similar developmental projects and increasing the potential for local capacities to manage the
entire system helps sell products as well as aid in management, and thus the sustainability of such
projects.
A “mini-grid” is a low-voltage distribution grid, providing electricity to a community –
typically a village or very small town - and derives electricity from a diverse range of
small local generators using renewable energy technologies with or without its own
storage.
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He cited a few examples of SMU in specific villages in Odisha and some DC micro-grid in
villages in Uttar Pradesh. He further described the Smart Controller Laboratory that’s located at
the TERI Retreat in Gual Pahari (Gurgaon, Haryana), where all necessary testing of solar
modules, inverters and battery is conducted. When dealing with livelihood generation, training
and capacity building of local operators and entrepreneurs, SMU operators, users, self-help
groups and all other stakeholders is fundamental. It is vital to impart skills on the operations of
machinery, maintaining and managing small faults and repairs, recordkeeping and revenue
collection, customer relations and entrepreneurship, use of appliances and production processes,
marketing and branding, etc. In addition to specific target groups being briefed about the entire
process, technical manuals and posters are also developed for both the SMUs and SMGs.
3.2.2 Presentation by Colonel Vijay Bhaskar, Country Director, Mlinda Foundation.
The second presentation addressed the convergences between energy provisioning and livelihood
enhancement. His presentation covered a number of points, but they all concluded with their
connection to Mlinda’s three goals: 1) Reverse environmental degradation, 2) Reduce green
house gas emissions, and 3) Sustainable consumption and production. Though some of their
products include electric vehicles as public transport system in the Sundarbans, they also focus on
Solar Electrification for schools, households, and marketplaces. Colonel Bhaskar gave the
specific example of their project in Sundarbans and Purulia in West Bengal.
Some of the main issues faced by rural mini grids include the pilferage of electricity and
overloading, non-payment of dues and lack of ownership, maintenance and servicing of products,
etc. Mlinda has opted to install a community owned AC mini grid where access to light and
mobile charging for household and institutions can be stretched to individual facilities. Col.
Bhaskar described in detail the Community owned model in contrast to the Entrepreneur owned
model, where both are linked to a rural bank with no collaterals required, and the community or
entrepreneur repays the EMI over one or four years respectively. Mlinda provides a supportive
framework in the form of assistance with loans, access to MNRE subsidies, equipment test hub,
enforcing warranties, providing alternative livelihoods, creating market linkages and building
capacities of local CBOs, EPC and community members.
By mapping the energy needs of livelihood; identifying livelihood options for intervention and
clean energy options in consultation with a technology team; developing business models for
implementation and sustainability, and finally reporting analysis from any baseline and periodic
impact assessments of the interventions, clean energy interventions for livelihood advancement
can be acquired. Col. Bhaskar emphasized Mlinda’s presence in villages so far and their future
aspirations so their three goals can be met. They have saved over 25,000 tons of greenhouse gas
emissions already and aim to maximize this number through their full potential.
3.2.3 Presentation by Mr. Nikhil Jaisinghani, Director, Mera Gao Power
Mr. Jaisinghani made a brief note on the issue of unsubsidized power in rural areas in Uttar
Pradesh, mentioning that expensive DG sets were prominently in use. Even with upcoming mini-
grid systems, the costs of providing reliable power are still high. Mera Gao Power has already
effected 16,000 households in over 800 villages by providing two light points along and a mobile
charging facility that may be used for up to seven hours at a stretch.
Mr. Jaisinghani emphasized on Mera Gao Power’s (MGP) salient features and goals of increasing
productivity. He clarified that productivity has little to do with what is typically seen as
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‘productive power’. This is because this power is used to operate machines that are already being
powered through diesel, and hence expensive solar energy would contribute more to a reduction
in the use of diesel, rather than enhance productivity. Therefore, productivity should be measured
by the extended hours users achieve through the renewable energy system. Everyone who does
any kind of productive work, such as weavers, welders, labourers, mechanics etc., are able to
work for longer hours under the solar light provided by MGP. Additionally, MGP believes that
the best outcome of their project is that students are studying for longer hours. Although they are
still trying to estimate the level of bulb brightness that is most effective and efficient for all
customers, they believe with renewable energy systems that provide solar lighting services affect
the end user the most. They aim to light up over 5,000 households, affecting more than 25,000
individuals as part of the OASYS Project.
3.2.4 Presentation by Mr Manik M Jolly, Founder & CEO, Grassroots and Rural Innovative
Development
Mr. Jolly started his presentation by stating the benefits achieved from smart mini grids in rural
areas; the key points included:
• Optimization of load management,
• Separate and organised irrigation and domestic lines,
• Possibility of including off-grid solutions into a network and power management
through PPAs/ IPP models,
• Improved power quality for urban as well as industrial areas.
He emphasized that productive loads and scaling up are an important step that needs to be taken
at the planning stage itself. He categorized the productive load into irrigation, commercial and
industrial load. Mr. Jolly’s emphasis was on enhancing the participation of the private sector and
bringing about clarity in the regulations and guidelines for mini-grid implementation, which is
currently hindering the rapid scaling up of private sector initiatives. Such a scaling up process, he
mentioned, would also require better linkages with financial institutions and government
programmes, which could provide a constant source of demand for the finished products from
small-scale enterprises established using electricity from mini-grids.
3.3 Session II: Breakaway Working Group discussion:
During the post lunch session, participants took part in two breakaway group discussions on
Energizing Livelihoods: challenges and opportunities and, institutional and operational
challenges in implementation of decentralized electricity solutions. The pointers for discussion
were as follows:
1. Do the Electricity Act 2003, the National Electricity Policy and the Rural Electrification
Policy have been successful in encouraging the development of mini-grids in the rural
areas?
2. What are the policies and regulatory frameworks that are required to support
commercially viable mini-grids, in particular renewable generation based mini-grids?
3. What could be the policy and regulatory thrusts required at sub-national/provincial
levels?
4. Is there a need to shift focus of rural energy delivery from providing access to energy to a
more service-oriented indicator like availability of electricity at the rural household level?
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5. What are the main structural barriers, which are limiting the investment by the private
sector into India's rural mini-grid sector?
6. Could franchisee based or PPP based models be considered as intermediate approach
towards greater private sector participation and engagement in the long run?
7. Is there a need for developing a hybrid subsidy delivery mechanism that is part capital
subsidy and part generation based incentive for ensuring viability of mini-grids?
8. How important is to develop livelihood opportunities along with energy service delivery
through mini-grid, given the fact that any additional capacity enhances the capital cost of
the system and thus the payback and possibly tariff or subsidy.
9. What may be the challenges and solutions for effective linkages of electricity access and
livelihood opportunities in the rural areas?
10. What are the key operational and management challenges in successfully operating a
mini-grid in rural areas? How they can be overcome?
11. How important is the role of institutions in the success and sustainable operation of mini-
grids? Will the utility model be more appropriate than the current NGO driven model?
Why?
12. What could be the role of local institutions like banks in sensitizing and promoting private
entrepreneur led or franchisee based models?
The following sections tried to answer some of the above questions.
3.3.1 Energizing livelihoods: Challenges and opportunities (led by Parimita Mohanty, TERI
University).
The discussion during this Breakout session focused on the need for income generating activities
that aim to enhance the livelihood and lifestyle of all users affected by it, be it entrepreneurs or
the end users. However, the quality of life aspect was skipped because it is a very broad and
different parameter.
All participants agreed that the ABC model is a viable implementation, so an anchored load is
applied for a steady and assured income while creating market linkages. But the unavailability of
energy products in the area prevents practitioners from executing such a model. The
establishment of a complete supply chain is very important for the sustainability and profitability
of the project in the long run.
There was an agreement that subsidy should not be used for hardware purposes, but instead for
viability gap funding, capacity building, revival of livelihood activity and enforce an established
supply chain. But, linkages with government programmes for the promotion and development for
local livelihoods are missing. Commercial financing and capacity building support can aid the
expansion of a market if local government programs, development banks & government
departments act as a catalyzer.
ABC Model (Anchor Business Community Model): There are two parts to this model. An assured
load is treated as the Anchor load which acts as a constant source of demand for the power plant,
such as telecom towers. This ensures steady revenue for the entrepreneur. As the majority of the
revenue is earned from this anchor load, which sustains the operation of the power plant, the same
power plant is also used to provide basic electricity services to nearby households (from which
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revenue may be lesser or not assured).
3.3.2 Institutional & operational challenges in implementation of decentralized electricity
solutions (led by Mr. Debajit Palit, TERI)
The discussion focused on the rural mini grid sector, and how structural, organizational,
operational and management challenges may be resolved. Additionally, the role of institutions in
the success and sustainable operation of the mini grid was also reviewed. The role of a structured
utility model was compared to the NGO model. Due to the variation in geographical terrains of
the different field sites, the way electrification is approached in various areas also varies. Some
factors may be more prevalent in one area as compared to another with different geography. For
example, the social parameters, different income generating activities, consumer payments, and
the demand for such systems varies significantly. Therefore, when such a project is implemented,
initial handholding and training is important.
The Divided Ownership Model is a viable option where installation and operation are done by the
Project Implementing Agency and an NGO is responsible for building and maintaining trust with
its community. The NGO can also setup and install part of the plant but do it in a commercial
manner, so as to achieve institutional, financial and operational sustainability. The ownership of
such important services safeguards the system and also helps them to understand the sensitive
nature of these services.
In case of a community based model or private sector based model, the subsidy and other
incentives are very useful in taking electricity to the remote parts. However, the model should be
performance based franchise model for providing financial support. Unfortunately, most such
projects are struggling to find financial stability because all the investments are coming from an
outside source. This lets the villagers take advantage of the ‘free’ service to them. It is essential
that villagers understand the importance of such a system and hence a subsidy or tariff funding
should be implemented, where only a part of the total operational and maintenance cost is
covered by a third party. A performance based franchisee model thus focuses on low capital cost,
creating trained manpower and having a robust supply chain, is essential. The participants felt
that there is a need for an organisation that can efficiently manage Risk financing. While IREDA
is such an organisation, it has not been able to fulfill that role yet. Hence, any model that aims to
succeed has to have social inclusion. Alternatively, target funding can also ensure the same,
where one part of the operations and maintenance is paid for. This funding may target the training
of the entrepreneurs or end users, creating market linkages, provision of infrastructure, etc.
3.4 Session III: Scaling up green mini-grid projects in India
The workshop ended with a panel discussion on Scaling up green mini-grid projects in India,
moderated by Mr Amit Kumar, Director, TERI. Mr. Amit Kumar reiterated the focus on
infrastructure creation and providing connections as cited earlier by Mr. Jena. The subsidy could
be restructured in the form of micro-subsidy finance instead of providing capital directly.
Entrepreneur creation is vital to the chain of livelihood generation. There was also a need for
socio-economic evaluation that requires support of the government. The panel discussion
included a special address by Shri. B K Mishra, Member (Technical), Odisha Electricity
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Regulatory Commission. Mr. BK Mishra provided insight regarding the situation prior to the
electrification of households in rural areas and connected it to the RGGVY project. There is a
need for an innovative model so for power supply. Some of the current barriers include poor
voltage profile, issues with revenue collection due to irregularity of power supply, policy issues
like forest clearance, non-existence of grid up to 15 km for decentralised generation, net
metering, tariff regulations, and cross subsidy. Mr Mishra in his address also stressed on the need
for tariff parity for grid and off-grid projects and some possible ways to achieve the same.
Other panellist who also forwarded their views included Mr Ashok Choudhary, Deputy Director,
Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency; Prof. (Dr) Haribandhu Panda, Pro Vice
Chancellor, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Mr Chris Neidl, Country
Manager, Arc Finance and Mr Piyush Jaju, Director, Punam Energy Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Ashok Chaudhary emphasized the need for clean drinking water, facilities for irrigation and
health, lighting requirements, option of scaling up in the near future, etc. Mr. Chaudhary
concluded that the plant should be led by a community and should be subsidy driven.
Mr. Piyush Jaju had a view that energy efficient appliances will be very helpful in making the
project successful. Thus, a small TV could also be accommodated in anchor load for improving
their lifestyle. Along with this, he felt the need of a computer centre, telecom tower, and
irrigation facilities to help the community develop in an all-round manner.
Mr. Chris Neidl agreed to most of the points mentioned by Mr. B. K. Mishra and Mr. Piyush Jaju.
Along with this, he stressed on subsidy availability and the need for social changes to make the
project successful from both sides i.e. PIA and the consumer.
Dr. Haribandhu Panda felt that the institutional model needs to be developed further; strengthen
the community, market linkages, and supply chain. Dr. Panda also said that there is a need for
new innovation like using fossil fuel as a source of power in a mini-grid system.
3.5 Concluding Remarks
Dr. Subhes Bhattacharyya of De Montfort University summarized the panel discussion and
thanked all the participants and speakers for their valuable contribution to the day’s discussion
and deliberation. Dr. Subhes Bhattacharyya suggested, based on day proceedings, two viable
solutions for scaling up the plant. Firstly, small micro-grids could be set up in a cluster and then
all the micro-grids could be interconnected to form a bigger structure. The second solution could
be setting up a micro-grid and then increasing its capacity and area with time. The diversity of
themes in the presentations and the in-depth discussions that followed brought about several key
points that could help the project in its subsequent activities. He indicated that the community
should be involved at a very early stage. This will help design the project in a better way and
ensure that their requirements are addressed properly.
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Annexure I: Program Schedule
09.30 – 10.00 Registration of participants
10.00 – 10.05 Welcome address: Mr. Amit Kumar, Director, TERI
10.05 – 10.20 The OASYS Project – Research Experiences and Key Lessons
Dr. Subhes Bhattacharyya, Principal Investigator, OASYS South Asia
Project, De Montfort University, UK
10.20 – 10.40 Inaugural Address
Mr B C Jena, Chairman, Central Electricity Supply Utility of Orissa,
Bhubaneswar
10.40 – 11.00 Tea/coffee Break
11.00 – 13.00 Experiences & Lessons from Green Mini-grids (Chair: Dr. Subhes
Bhattacharyya)
1. Mr K Rahul Sharma, Research Associate, TERI
2. Col Vijay Bhaskar, Country Director, Mlinda Foundation
3. Mr Nikhil Jaisinghani, Director, Mera Gao Power
4. Mr Manik M Jolly, Founder & CEO, Grassroots and Rural Innovative
Development
13.00 – 1400 Lunch
14.00 – 15.30 Breakaway Working Group discussion:
Energizing livelihoods: Challenges and opportunities (led Dr Arabinda
Mishra, TERI University)
Institutional & operational challenges in implementation of decentralized
electricity solutions (led Mr. Debajit Palit, TERI)
15.30 – 15.50 Tea/Coffee Break
1550 – 16.10 Presentation by Group Coordinator(s) of Breakaway Group Discussion
16.10 – 17.20 Panel Discussion: Scaling up green mini-grid projects in India
Moderator: Mr Amit Kumar, Director, TERI
Special Address : Mr B K Mishra, Member, Odisha Electricity Regulatory
Commission
Panelists:
1. Mr. Ashok Chaudhuary Dy. Director, OREDA
2. Dr. Subhes Bhattacharyya, Professor, De Montfort University
3. Dr. Haribandhu Panda, Vice Chancellor, Centurion Institute of Technology &
Management
4. Mr. Piyush Jaju, Director, Onergy
5. Mr. Chris Neidl, Country Manager, Arc Finance
17.20 – 17.30 Concluding Remarks – Dr. Subhes Bhattacharyya, Principal Investigator,
OASYS South Asia Project, De Montfort University, UK
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Annexure II: List of Participants
Sl N First Name Last Name Company Name
1 Mr. Swayam Prakash Baral Crux Power
2 Col.Vijay Bhaskar Mlindia
3 Mr. Ashok Chaudhury OREDA
4 Mr. Nachiketa Das IRADA
5 Mr. Vijay Deshpande Independent Consultant
6 Ms. Priya Jadhav IITB
7 Mr. Nikhil Jaisinghani Mera Gao Power
8 Mr. Piyush Jaju Onergy
9 Mr. B C Jena CESU
10 Mr. Manik M Jolly MEMC
11 Mr. Pramod K. Mishra Kalinga Solar
12 Mr. Biswajit Mohanty Wild Life Society of Orissa
13 Ms. Sudheshna Mukherjee Mlindia
14 Mr. Chris Neidl Arc Finance
15 Prof. Haribandu Panda Centurion University of Technology
and Management
16 Mr. Prashanta Panigrahi Gayatri Solar
17 Mr. Debi Patnaik Forum for Integrated Development
and Research
18 Mr. Shyam Patra Naturetech
19 Mr. Rabin Roy Sun Craft Energy
20 Dr. Naresh Chandra Sahu IITBS
21 Mr. Vernie Sannoo Barefootpower
22 Mr. Subro Sen WWF India
23 Mr. Jarnail Singh The Climate Group (TCG)
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24 Ms. Smita Rakesh Sambodhi Research and
Communications Pvt. Ltd.
25 Ms. Shikha Srivastava Practical Action
26 Mr. Benudhar Sutar Desi Technology Solutions
27 Mr. Bibhu Prasad Tripathy CEE India
28 Mr. Nirupam Banerjee Orissa Post
29 Ms. Sreevidya Gowda Mlinda Foundation
30 Ms. Bony Tarafder Mlinda Foundation
31 Ms. Sudeshna Bera Mlinda Foundation
32 Mr. J. P. Mahapatra Vibrant Odisha
33 Mr. Prashant K. Swain TERI
34 Mr. Rakesh Singh Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd.
35 Mr. Chandrashekhar Mishra Canyon Consultancy Pvt. Ltd.
36 Mr. Mrinmoy Chattaraj Green Peace
37 Ms. Suchismita Ghosh Mlinda
38 Ms. Tania Ghosh Mlinda
39 Mr. Krishnapada Sasmal RID
40 Mr. Sechindra Vallury Teri University
41 Mr. S. Pradhan REC
42 Mr. R. K. Sahoo OPMDC
43 Mr. M. Shan Baligu Mahashakti Foundation
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Annexure III: Presentations
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OASYS South Asia project
The Off-grid Access Systems for South Asia (or OASYS South Asia) is a research project funded
by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of UK and the Department for
International Development, UK. This research is investigating off-grid electrification in South
Asia from a multi-dimensional perspective, considering techno-economic, governance, socio-
political and environmental dimensions. A consortium of universities and research institutes led
by De Montfort University (originally by University of Dundee until end of August 2012) is
carrying out this research. The partner teams include Edinburgh Napier University, University of
Manchester, the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and TERI University (India).
The project has carried out a detailed review of status of off-grid electrification in the region and
around the world. It has also considered the financial challenges, participatory models and
governance issues. Based on these, an edited book titled “Rural Electrification through
Decentralised Off-grid Systems in Developing Countries” was published in 2013 (Springer-
Verlag, UK). As opposed to individual systems for off-grid electrification, such as solar home
systems, the research under this project is focusing on enabling income generating activities
through electrification and accordingly, investing decentralised mini-grids as a solution. Various
local level solutions for the region have been looked into, including husk-based power, micro-
hydro, solar PV-based mini-grids and hybrid systems. The project is also carrying out
demonstration projects using alternative business models (community-based, private led and local
government led) and technologies to develop a better understanding of the challenges. It is also
looking at replication and scale-up challenges and options and will provide policy
recommendations based on the research.
More details about the project and its outputs can be obtained from
www.oasyssouthasia.dmu.ac.uk or by contacting the principal investigator Prof. Subhes
Bhattacharyya (subhesb@dmu.ac.uk).
OASYS South Asia Project
Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development,
De Montfort University,
The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
Tel: 44(0) 116 257 7975