Non-conventional energy scenario

The gap between renewable (non-conventional) and conventional sources of energy, in conceptual thinking and in applied engineering, is gradually narrowing down. Need for sustainable and eco-friendly energy, in the context of depleting resources and escalating price of conventional power, are the driving forces to establish renewable resources as viable options. In certain places and for limited level of requirement, renewable sources of energy has proved to be commercially competitive. However, these sources suffer from two big impediments. One, availability is still in watts or kilowatts where as the demand is in megawatts. Secondly, leaving aside bio-energy plants, renewable energy generation plants are capital intensive. These two issues though are now being overcome through R and D and successful field level ventures. (author)