DSS for rural domestic energy planning – case study of a block in central India

Most energy planning exercises are carried out with aggregate data at the national level. At regional level namely village, block/district, there have been fewer efforts for energy planning. This paper aims to present a conceptual framework for analyzing energy consumption pattern at rural domestic sector. The entire framework is designed in such a way that user is provided with helpful tips and context-sensitive help options.

Decision support system (DSS) is developed with a graphical user interface (GUI) which helps to compute domestic energy consumption at a specific location. This user interface is fully menu-driven GUI in which different types of data are handled, maintained and displayed. Using this GUI, administrator can generate various reports regarding energy requirements from which decision maker can analyse the energy consumption pattern, per capita energy consumption (PCEC), adult equivalent, etc.

DSS assists in analyzing the energy sources and demand spatially. The technologies and methods used to develop and deploy DSS to aid in domestic energy consumption make work easier for a decision maker. GUI provides user an easy access of data analysis and the design and evaluation of domestic energy consumption strategies. DSS is validated with the data pertaining to energy situation of a block in central India. Stratified sampling survey, energy analysis covering 100 households from ten villages revealed that the average value of PCEC (in kWh/day) resource-wise ranges and activity wise for the surveyed block are as follows: fuel wood (0.60), dung cake (0.085), kerosene (0.18), liquefied petroleum gas (0.052) and electricity energy for lighting and appliances (0.353) and on the other hand it is observed that cooking PCEC is highest (0.505), followed by heating (0.24), lighting (0.162), cooling (0.162) and electrical appliances (0.108).

Energy analysis shows energy DSS will improve the quality of decision making at the block, district, and state level and enable the analysis and understanding of energy impacts of various decisions. Considering the Indian rural energy availability scenario, possible renewable energy solutions are also suggested to meet the current domestic energy requirements partially or fully.