INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF LOSSES OF EFFICIENCY IN AGRICULTURAL PUMPS SETS & THEIR REMEDIAL MEASURES

Abstract

The growth of a developing economy is highly dependent on the growth on its energy consumption. Because of the possibility of inter-fuel substitution in end-use applications, the optimal long-term energy supply requirement of a country necessitates examination of all energy resources available both indigenously and globally. India currently ranks sixth in the world in term of primary energy demand. Improving the efficiency of pump motor sets directly affect the reduction in overall power consumption, improving efficiencies of ground water extraction and reducing the subsidy burden on the states without sacrificing the service obligation to this sector. It also presents a promising prospect of targeting subsidy to the beneficiary farmers. In terms of electricity saved, given that most of the projects as well as other studies project potential savings of 45 - 50% by mere replacement of inefficient pumps, the overall electricity savings (from 20 million pumps) is estimated at 62.1 billion units annually. The objective of this work is to create appropriate framework for market based interventions in agricultural pumping sector by facilitating conductive policy environment to implement the projects. Under this programme, utilities is require to invest in energy efficiency measures on a rural pump set feeder on which supply quality enhancements [such as High voltage Distribution System (HVDS)] have already been carried out. The intervention would lead to lower energy supply on the feeder India’s Agricultural Sector consumes 30-40% of total electricity, up from 10% during 1970s. The high rate of growth in agricultural electricity consumption results from aggressive rural electrification coupled with a policy of below cost pricing to farmers.