Geographical analysis

Abstract

Abstract The present paper is focused on the locational characteristics of wind energy and its utility in the Gadag Taluk of Karnataka State. The alternative energy is gaining much significance for all kind of human activities. The conventional energy is deteriorating on one hand and the amazing growth of population with vibrant socio-economic activities are rapidly increasing on other hand resulted into utilize the alternative energy. As a result, the conventional energy is acute shortage in the economy. The deficiency of the conventional energy is paved the way for generation of wind energy which is also one of the alternative energies. To overcome this, there is a need of the hour to use alternative energy and accordingly, the wind energy is also to be generated to compensate the gap. The study area is being the drought prone characteristics and influence of the rugged topography with a geographical area of 1097 square kilometers fallowed by the population of 3,68,473 distributed into 66 settlements. The density of population is 303 and literacy rate is 75.95 percent as per 2011 census. There are 413 wind turbines have been installed and functioning by producing 322.200 megawatts energy which is very significant in the study area. The main objective of the study is to focus on the locational aspects and its production of wind energy. The study is based on the secondary source of information and has been collected from the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited, Bangalore and the analytical method has been employed and accordingly analyzed.

Key words: Location Characteristics, Wind Energy and Drought-prone area.