The correct answer is: a) Rural areas of Meghalaya.
Biomass energy is a renewable energy source that can be used to generate electricity, heat, and transportation fuels. It is derived from organic materials, such as plants and animals, that have been recently living or recently dead. Biomass energy has the potential to provide a significant portion of the world’s energy needs, and it can be used in a variety of ways.
One of the most promising applications of biomass energy is in decentralized power generation. Decentralized power generation is the production of electricity at or near the point of use. This can be done using a variety of technologies, including small-scale wind turbines, solar panels, and biomass power plants.
Biomass power plants can be used to generate electricity from a variety of biomass sources, including agricultural and forest residues. Agricultural residues are materials that are left over from farming activities, such as crop residues (e.g., corn stover), manure, and food waste. Forest residues are materials that are left over from forestry activities, such as logging slash and sawmill waste.
Biomass power plants can be a cost-effective way to generate electricity in rural areas. They can also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and create jobs.
In the case of Meghalaya, the state has a large population of rural residents who rely on biomass for cooking and heating. Biomass power plants could provide a clean and efficient source of electricity for these residents. Additionally, the state has a large amount of agricultural and forest residues that could be used to generate electricity. This would help to reduce the amount of waste that is generated in the state and would also help to create jobs in the biomass energy sector.
The other options are not as well-suited for decentralized power generation. Urban centers are typically densely populated, which makes it difficult to find suitable locations for biomass power plants. Industrial zones are often located in areas with poor air quality, which could be further exacerbated by the emissions from biomass power plants. Coastal regions are often prone to flooding, which could damage biomass power plants.