Achieving Certified Emission Reduction in Rural Domestic Energy Sector Through Alternative Fuel Replacement

Abstract

Since the Kyoto protocol agreement, clean development mechanism (CDM) has garnered large emphasis in terms of Certified Emission Reduction (CER) not only amidst the global carbon market but also in India. This paper attempts to assess the economic as well as environmental impact of CDM implementation towards sustainable development and the CO₂ emission by replacing fossil fuels with alternative fuels like biogas and biomass particularly in rural domestic energy sector based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC) guidelines. A detailed survey was undertaken in the state of Kerala, in southern part of India to map the rural domestic energy consumption pattern. The data collected was analyzed that throws insight into the interrelationships of the various parameters that influence domestic energy consumption. The interrelationships between the different parameters were modeled that optimizes the contribution of individual energy resources on end applications. The results were used to estimate the feasible extent of CO₂ emission reduction through replacement of various conventional energy resources with alternative energy sources, vis-à-vis their economic viability through cost effectiveness. The analysis also provides a platform for implementing CDM projects in the sector and related prospects with respects to the Indian scenario.