Abstract
Energy is the fuel for the growth of human civilization. But what becomes of utmost importance by current trends is proper management of the energy resources. The commercial energy consumption, in current state of affairs, is about 67% of the total energy consumed in India. This includes coal with the largest share of 57%, followed by oil at 28%, natural gas at 12% and hydro energy at 3%. Non-commercial energy sources consisting of firewood, cow dung and agriculture wastes account for over 30% of the total energy consumption. Here we have a country that is rich with its share of renewable energy resources which still remain unharnessed. If these resources are harnessed judiciously and their allocation is done based on proper surveying and analysis of demography, geography and climatic conditions, a sustainable balance can be achieved between commercial and non-commercial energy sources. This in turn would be helpful in controlling the country’s import bill and achieving economic stability in the country, as energy is a key component in the economic instability prevailing in the country. For this paper, the authors surveyed Angkuchen village, Pakyong, East Sikkim, India, and gathered data that helped place in context the current demography and energy trends in the village. Further, a climatic and geographic analysis was carried out. This helped us to place a great deal in the allocation of the available energy resources and optimizing them so as to increase the energy efficiency of the village. The current energy status, choice of energy options, and potential of renewable energy systems for creating sustainable livelihoods and meeting energy economy in this village has been elaborately discussed in the paper. The outline plan at decentralized level was prepared with the objective of providing energy security in villages by meeting total energy needs for cooking, lighting and motive power through various forms of available renewable energy sources.
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