The Biochar Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Climate Change’

“A carbon offset or (carbon credits) is assumed to be a financial instrument which shows greenhouse gases emission reduction and helps us to take personal responsibility for the environmental consequences of our activities.”

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important greenhouse gas produced by human activities, primarily through the combustion of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal. As a result of tremendous world-wide consumption of such fossil fuels, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased over the past century which ultimately resulted in a global warming, the prime suspect in the greatest mass extinction of all time – wiping out 95% of all life forms on the planet.

We all are responsible to add CO2 and ultimately the global warming. Carbon footprint is a measure of the impact of our activities on the environment, and in particular on climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases we are producing in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating, transportation etc.

As the Global Warming issues are getting attention of the masses, people are seeking a perfect solution to handle the situation before it becomes too late.Carbon offsets are becoming an increasingly popular way for individuals and businesses to participate in solutions to global warming. Carbon offsets help us to balance out our carbon footprint easily and effectively in a more peaceful manner. Offsetting emissions is a process whereby an individual or organisation purchases carbon credits to neutralise its global warming impact. Each carbon credit represents the abatement or sequestration of one tonne of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases – or carbon emissions – from our atmosphere.

The basic idea behind carbon offsetting is that you pay to fund projects that neutralise CO2 emissions produced by you. You invest your contributions towards greenhouse gases reduction through projects which produce clean energy that replaces the energy production from fossil fuel. Wind farms project is a good example of such projects. Other types of offsets available for sale on the market include those resulting from energy efficiency projects, methane capture from landfills or livestock, destruction of potent greenhouse gases such as halocarbons, and carbon sequestration projects (through reforestation, or agriculture) that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Carbon credits allow us to become more “Carbon Neutral”. You may be doing everything that you possibly can to reduce your carbon footprint, but it still might not be enough. Despite your energy saving, recycling and green transportation efforts at home and at work, you still may feel like you are not adequately reducing your carbon footprint. In this situation you can consider buying carbon credits for the more promising results and peace of mind at the same time. When you purchase carbon credits you help lower your carbon footprint and you prevent global warming. Before you purchase your carbon credits always make sure that the organization you are supporting is legit and is truly helping the environment.

Carbon credits are becoming a key component of national and international attempts to mitigate the growth in concentrations of greenhouse gases. There are many benefits for a business to reduce their carbon footprint and become carbon neutral when skyrocketing energy costs eat into profits. A carbon credit is the best way to help individuals and companies reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by offsetting them in a more environmentally friendly way.

Incoming search terms:

• carbon capture
• co2 sequestration
• whirlpool carbon credit offset

Developed countries have accumulated so much garbage that there has been a scarcity of landfill space. Leaders of these countries have decided to ship their trash in third world nations for certain fees however; they do not realize that by doing so they endanger the populace from the disease and pollution that their garbage brings.  These less developed countries do not have the technology and proper knowledge on how to manage waste properly. This would also lead to precious waste of landfill space for such countries. Various companies have discovered a cost efficient stratagem in generating waste into alternative fuels.

The fuel is actually produced through conversion of organic materials into biomass fuel that could either be in the form of solid, liquid or gas. This fuel has the ability to be converted directly into environmental friendly source of energy. Environmentalist believes that it could be a compatible approach towards saving the environments resources. Biofuels would endow greater impact towards the transportation system, it is also considered as carbon neutral unlike fossil fuel generated oil. Taking waste products and converting it into useful and valuable fuel could lessen our reliance to our natural resources. With our strong desire to find alternative solutions to the growing problems of fuel cost, biofuel might be the best solution.

By replacing gasoline for biofuel that is derived from processed waste, it could lessen almost 90% percent of green house gas emission into the atmosphere. Controversies and various debates are conducted whether switching over to biofuel usage would bring harm to our environment rather than helping us fight climate change. Waste that is being disposed in landfills are constant and copious and finding the right technology that you could use in processing this waste into an eco-friendly type of fuel would no doubt be beneficial to us.

Processing waste properly and efficiently would solve the worlds growing problem once and for all. We are bothered by the harmful effects that waste may bring to our health and to our environment. Now that in our generation, we are blessed with fruitful knowledge that could aim in solving this problems for a brighter future. Biofuel can meet the world’s energy needs at the same time countering carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependency. The process in which biofuel encompass aims to produce a valuable source of energy that would provide us with clean energy solutions. Rather than having our waste dumped into landfill and wait for quite some time to be processed, we could use innovative technologies that are dedicated to diminish waste and emissions.

Biofuels may be considered as one of the renewable energy sources that are acquired from a carbon neutral process. The technology that is involved to engender this type of fuel provides a carbon neutral aspect that meets environmental standards set by the government. It takes care of the growing distress of our world today. Reducing waste in a productive way spawns renewable energy sources that would not deplete our planets natural resources.

Incoming search terms:

• disosal of biofuel
• solution forimproper garbage disposal
• solutions in improper waste disposal

After millenuims of economic growth, our world has been exploited and depleted by undeniable elements that continues to destroy and threaten the global environment. Ironically, we came to a point wherein we rely much more to the technologies that man has invented and became irresponsible towards our earths health. We are now challenging our capabilities on how far we could strech our knowledge towards creating innovative technologies at the same time saving our environment to avoid climate change.

Most companies, polititians and individuals claim to be doing something to prevent further depletion of our resources as well as taking carre of our planet. In my opinion, they only endow un unhealty optimism by spreading the word however; forgets to do it. As th saying goes on “actions speak louder than words.” If we only boast about it and don’t do something soon, we might end up pushing our race to extinction. The production of renewable energy sources proves to be an eco-friendly approach towards saving the global environment.

It has been a common goal for over years that we must be more responsible towards our action that could endow disastrous consequences to the environment. Providing solutions that assures benefits that could not only meet our growing needs must also pass in benefiting the environment as well. Renewable energy sources allow to conserve and protect the global environment from depletion and extinction of our natural resources. Some of these renewable sources as being critisized whether they would really benefit the environment and these cause numerous debates in the green market.

Saving and protecting our global environment is an influencial aspect of caring for the environment that we live in. Numerous claims are being presented to the masses in order to make them believe that by purchasing specific types of green solutions, you could be guilt free of your sins towards the environment. These routines may somehow help the environment however; they are being proposed as a long term solution in saving our global environment.

Renewable energy sources standsout from the rest of these green solution due to the fact that these innovation does not emit harmful gases that adds to the cause of climate change. It challenges these causes by diminishing and reducing the reliance towards our resources. Our global environment allows us to live in a place that provides us with the necessities that we need  for our daily life. If we neglect the importance of the balance of life on earth and continue to deplete our resources, we only bring disasterous effects to our lives.



Incoming search terms:

• effects towards our environment if we neglect it

Creating real carbon credits comes from the concept of supplementarity within the Kyoto Protocol. Supplementarity means that internal abatement of emissions should take precedence before a country purchases carbon credits. It establishes that countries should develop real, measureable, permanent emissions reductions. There are steps involved in deciding whether or not carbon credits are legitimate. This means making sure that the process through which the carbon credits are submitted are in fact real, measurable, and permanent emissions.

Creating real carbon credits involves the concept of additionality. This refers to a term used by Kyoto’s Clean Development Mechanism, describing the fact that a carbon dioxide reduction project would not have occurred had it not been for concern for the mitigation of climate change. By proving additionality, it proves the legitimacy of the environmental stewardship claim resulting from the retirement of the carbon credit.

Involved with real carbon credits is personal carbon trading. Personal carbon trading has not yet been approved, but may very well help lower carbon usage as well as create small, localized economies. Personal carbon trading is a concept that is along the same lines as carbon offset credits. The concept of carbon trading refers to emissions trading.

It is hoped that personal carbon trading will help lower the amount of emissions by allotting a certain amount of emissions to individuals on an equal per capita basis. The number would be based on national carbon budgets. The credits would be surrendered later when buying fuel or electricity. Any individual who needs or wants more carbon credits would need to trade or purchase additional credits. Not only does this allow for people to get additional credits, it also makes it possible for those who do not need all of their credits, or are voluntarily lowering their carbon emissions, to sell surplus credits. Individual trading under Personal Carbon Trading is similar to the trading companies under the European Union Emission Trading System.

Personal carbon trading is not the same as carbon offsetting. They are very similar in the sense that they pay for emissions allowances, but carbon trading differs in that it is designed to be mandatory so nations are guaranteed domestic carbon emissions targets. There are various carbon proposals. Included are Tradable Energy Quotas (TEQs), Personal Carbon Allowances (PCAs), and Tradable Personal Pollution Allowances.

Depending on the personal carbon trading that is chosen, individuals would most likely use electric accounts to control the carbon credits. The account would allow individuals to surrender credits when purchasing electricity, heating fuel, and petroleum. Personal Carbon credits would also be used for public transportation. Those who sell their extra credit would benefit by lowering their carbon footprint, which is of course, the entire point of personal carbon credits.

Incoming search terms:

• biochar carbon credits 2011

In a rather “environmentally concerned” approach to cut down on the carbon emission from flights, Lufthansa airlines has announced that they will start commercial biofuel flights daily between Hamburg and Frankfurt in a six-month trial from April 2011. The move to operate an aircraft engine with biofuel over a long stretch of six months, is first of its kind in the world.

Energy security issues, hike in petrol prices and climate change from greenhouse gases emitted by airplanes have been troubling the airline industry for quite some time. Virgin Atlantic Airlines, British Airways and Continental Airline have have already tested on biofuel flights in the last two years. However, environmentalists have been constantly warning that production of biofuels can also have adverse effects on environment.

Utilizing biofuel in flight operations can save around 1,500 tonnes (15,00,000 kg) of Carbon dioxide emissions. However, as the airline industry worldwide is calling for an alternative source of energy, there’s a need to check for the sustainability of biofuels against fossil fuels and their effect on aircraft’s engine over a longer term. Plus, environmental concerns are another big issue related to production of biofuels.

According to a report by UN Food and Agricultural Organisation, biofuel plantations are destroying ecosystem of various regions in the world. Palm oil plantations set up for biofuel production in Indonesia and Malaysia, have led to deforestation resulting in more emission of greenhouse gases as the worst consequence.

In such a situation, a sustainable and environment-friendly way to produce biofuels is the need of the hour.

Incoming search terms:

• biofuel hazard
• british airways airlines
• continental airline
• malaysian palm oil
• palm oil

 “Global Warming” or “Climate Change” as its called now since the globe hasn’t warmed in more than 10 years now is being set up as a massive global tax on every productive member of society  The fact that the globe isn’t warming still hasn’t changed the minds of the politicians who want to play on the science illiteracy of the general public. So they have figured out a way to tax every man, woman, and child for something that isn’t necessary except to maintain their own political power over the rest of us. Thus is invented the “carbon footprint.” The idea of a “carbon footprint” is perhaps political correctness taken to its most absurd extreme.

The carbon cycle is defined by “Wikipedia” as a biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and the atmosphere of the earth. This cycle has been going on for as long as the earth has existed. It began before mankind walked the planet and will continue well beyond our existence here. All forms of life on this planet are carbon based. Plants, animals, insects, creatures in the sea are all made of long chain carbon molecules.

It is largely plant life that has formed the massive coal and petroleum reserves we are utilizing today for fuel. As these products are being oxidized (burned), carbon is being released back into the environment.

On one hand, those who advocate the burning of forestland with prescribed burns call what they do as “carbon neutral” because all they are doing is releasing sequestered carbon. The increase of plant growth – both the trees and the understory- are supposed to take in the carbon dioxide being released by burning and “re-sequester” the carbon.

Following this logic, we are already doing that with our carbon-based fuels. It takes energy to produce a car, a house, a building, or a highway. Carbon is used in its many forms to produce these commodities. Arguably, these new ‘forms” of carbon are sequestering carbon better than one could ever hope to do with a forest of trees.

Look around and see what you can find that isn’t some form of carbon. I have played this game with several folks from time to time and they haven’t stopped to realize how much carbon is all around us everyday. The streets we drive on are asphalt – a long chain carbon molecule mixed with crushed limestone (calcium carbonate.) The plastics virtually everywhere are long chain carbon molecules. The steel in our cars, building, metal signs, etc. are iron and carbon. The paint on the cars, roadways, signs, houses, etc. are all carbon-based molecules. You can go on and on and will be hard pressed to find something that doesn’t have some form of carbon in it – from the sheet rock in the wall to the concrete in the curb – to all things living or dead – they all have carbon as one of their elements.

When playing this game, it’s hard to spot something that isn’t carbon based in some way or another. Someone will point to the windshield of the truck, but then I point out that the safety glass has a thin layer of plastic sandwiched between the glass. Base metals such as copper or aluminum are some of the few things in our world that do not contain carbon but carbon was required to develop them into useful items.

The “carbon footprint” guilt trip is laid on most heavily by those most likely to make money – and a lot of it – with something called “carbon credits.” When you hear this term, hold onto your wallet, for someone somewhere is going to figure out a way to relieve you of some of your hard earned dollars (made with cellulose by the way – a long chain carbon molecule.)

Politicians have been swayed into thinking that this is a good way to raise tax revenues and the first plan was called “Cap and Trade.” (Today, it is being called “The Climate Bill” – as if anything we can do will actually change the climate.) The original idea is that the person who can sequester carbon would trade his “carbon credits” to someone who, by necessity, had to produce carbon dioxide as part of their business. This would pay the person sequestering carbon while permitting the creator of carbon dioxide to go about their business as usual while paying a “tax.” The middleman – the broker of carbon credits – reaps the rewards and nothing is actually accomplished in the form of carbon sequestration.

The carbon credit-trading scheme is about as convoluted a process as one might ever expect to find. One of the first originated in Chicago – called the Chicago Climate Exchange. You can go on their website if you think you’d like to delve further into this morass of bad science. The complexities of carbon credit trading make the IRS forms look easy by comparison.

Meanwhile, the environmentalists are pushing the planting of trees to save the planet. Trees are well known carbon sinks and yes, they are a good method of sequestering carbon. Any tree person knows that and it is in our best interest to plant more trees, right? Well, maybe. I realize its heresy to bring this to your attention, but trees are not the most efficient methods of sequestering carbon. A healthy tree can sequester 13 pounds of carbon per year. Assuming 400 trees per acre (roughly a 10 foot x 10 foot plot per tree – that’s a lot of trees per acre), a total of 2.6 tons of carbon can be sequestered per year. (See http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm#carbon) With each tree occupying a small space, can they actually grow efficiently? In addition, where will this land come from to plant all of these trees?

Now the real kicker is that grass – i.e. pasture or prairie – can sequester 34 tons of carbon per acre. Even more if it is fertilized – as much as 47 tons per acre in a field of fertilized alfalfa. End result? An acre of grass is 13 to 18 times more efficient at carbon sequestration as an acre of trees. (Those who love the sport of golf now have a new argument in the favor of more golf courses.(http://mbforagecouncil.mb.ca/CustomBlox/Files/Live/Blox/859/Carbon_Sequestration_in_Pastures_FINAL_June_26_P.pdf)

I look out in the pasture and see cattle grazing. These carbon-based life forms are taking cellulose (carbon molecules) and turning them into proteins (also long chain carbon molecules). I will be doing my part as I enjoy a grilled (with carbon fuel) steak to complete the carbon cycle. 

For now, I don’t think I’ll worry about sequestering carbon. The grass is cycled back to the soil in the form of manure – a similarity closely akin to the carbon credit schemes dreamed up by politicians. If they really wanted to sequester carbon, they would make more plastic. It’s said that the plastic water bottle takes a thousand years (or more) to return to the earth. How many trees do you know that can last a thousand years? 

Incoming search terms:

• co2 sequestration
• climate change
• water climate

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

AND

ENERGY SECURITY

 

Abstract

 

 

Sustainable Development in the words of Brundtland report   is “the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations

To meet their own needs “.

 

 

In this context nuclear energy as a future energy source has occupied centre stage of

India’s concern. The characteristics of nuclear energy, it’s economic, environmental

and social impact and its link to sustainable development have come under the scanner of economic and political debate in the recent times.

 

 

This paper entitled “Sustainable Development and Energy Security” attempts to explore the prospects of adopting nuclear energy as a future energy source to meet the India’s

growing energy needs. Nuclear energy, though requires large capital investment in form of nuclear power plants, is seen as an alternative to fossil fuels. Use of nuclear energy not only meets the growing energy demands, but also minimizes the environment and social burdens.

 

 

Nuclear energy does not have environmental effects on global warming, green house effect, climate change and pollution. Hence the central goal of sustainable development i.e.maintainence and development of natural, human and social assets will have been met by use of nuclear energy.

 

This paper analyses the following aspects:

Various forms and sources of energy.
The role of energy in economic development.
The problems of developing countries vis-à-vis energy security.
Nuclear power and its importance in the light of power shortage in India in the context of sustainable development.
Suggestions.
Conclusions.

 

.        Keywords: sustainable development, energy security, nuclear energy,

 

1.     SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENERGY SECURITY

 

 

1)      Introduction

India’s energy resources are mostly available in convenient form. India has a

Significant reserves of coal, its electricity generation is also significant

Today more than 70% of power generation is through burning of coal.

We have 221 billion tones of coal reserves .India has a large hydro potential and only a part of this potential has been exploited .as per department of atomic energy  of India ,India as also good uranium deposits supporting growth of “Nuclear Energy”. India is growing giant facing the critical challenge of meeting a rapidly increasing demand for energy .

 

India ranks 6th in the world in terms of energy demand and our economy is projected to grow  7% to 8% in next two decades .the international energy agency projects indias dependence on oil imports will be more at 91.6% by the year 2020  and India is relatively poor in the oil and gas resources . Even though there are several problems associated with energy in India from 1951 to 2005, it has produced coal 12 times greater then what was available in 1951 crude oil production increased 110 times.   And the electricity installed capacity had a growth by over 68 times.

India has to meet two big challenges for a sustainable development  .firstly it should meet the increasing demand for energy resources in the country .secondly it should avoid all environmental hazards and its should ensure an energy security by conservation of energy  so that the future generation can also meet their wants for energy resources with available stock .this can lead to long term economic development which indicates the “Sustainable Economic Development” on which our attention is much more needed.

 

 

2.  SUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENT

The concept of sustainable development was elaborated in the late 1980.

The tern sustainable development was brought into common use by the world commission on Environment and Development in its seminar report called

“Our common Future”.  Brundtland Commission defines sustainable development as “Development that needs the needs of the present generation without comprising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs.

 

We can understand that use of the concept “Needs” in the definition is linked with the distribution of resources through three components of man made capitals, human capital and natural capital & it aims to achieve sustainable development through integration of three dimensions in a balanced way.

 

According to Professor Barthwal of ‘Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur’ has highlighted some important indicators of sustainable development there are as follows:

1)      GDP growth rate.

2)      Population Stability.

3)      Human Resources Development Index.

4)      Clean Air index.

5)      Energy intensity.

6)      Renewable energy proportion.

7)      Material intensity.

8)      Water use.

9)      Soil degradation.

10)  Forest coverage.

11)  Re-cycling proportions.

12)  Transport intensity.

 

 

 

These indicators show the changing trends of an economy towards Sustainable Development.  Let us discuss this concept from the point of view

Of Energy Security and adopting Nuclear Energy as a future Energy Source which is the latest Debate in our country.

 

 

2)      FORMS OF ENERGY

Energy has several forms which is useful to all human beings:

Mechanical Energy:    Like kinetic and potential position against resistance.
Heat Energy:   Can cause gases to expand, can melt the metals and convert water into steam.
Radiant Energy:          Include light, radio, X-Rays, Laser etc.
Electro-magnetic Energy:       Flow of electrons producing an electric current.
Chemical Energy:        Stored in molecules of Food or in fossil fuels such as coal and oil.
Nuclear Energy:          The force that combines the atomic nucleus together it is obtained through Fusion and Fission.

These energy are inter-convertible but it incurs a economical expenses which may not be profitable also Ex: Electrical Energy into light or heat Energy.

 

3)           SOURCES OF ENERGY

Energy Sources refers to the sources from which energy is obtained to provide heat, light and power.

Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy sources:

Non-Renewable Energy sources are those which are lost in one operation the called depletable or exhaustible sources of energy their availability s always fixed and they are always at a declining stage Ex: Fossil fuel.

Renewable or In exhaustible energy sources are those which are perennial in nature they are regarded as flows rather than as stocks their total supply cannot be more than the available flow and the flow is perennial.

Ex: Hydro-electricity.

Commercial and Non-Commercial Energy Sources:

 

Commercial Energy Sources we include all those sources which are supplied through formal and organized Industries and marketing channels.Ex: Coal, Petroleum, natural gas which do not result in production, distribution and consumption or strictly passed through exchange Ex: fire wood, agriculture straw and animal waste etc.

 

Conventional and Non-conventional Energy Sources:

All those sources which the mankind is used to using are called Conventional Sources which those which are in their sources which those which are in their introductory stage or which can be used in future are called additional, alternative, or Non-Conventional Energy Sources.

Commercial sources of Energy play a vital role in developing country like India for Economic Growth and later in development.

 

4)          TRENDS IN THE PRODUCTION OF COMMERCIAL ENERGY (1950-51 TO 2004-05)

 

Energy is the a vital resource for the economic development the production of commercial energy has increased steadily after introduction of economic planning and energy sector reforms in

“New Economic Policy” in 19191.from 1951 and 2005 coal

Production has increased by nearly 12 times, crude oil production by

110 times and electricity [installed capacity] by over 68 times.

 

Growth of Commercial Energy -1951 to 2004-2005.

 

1950-1951

1970-71

2004-05

Coal [in tones]

33

76

413

Oil crude [m.tonnes]

0.3

7

34

Electricity installed capacity [mw]

2.3

16.3

137.5

Generation [billion kwh]

7

61

650

Source: Economic survey 2005-06 .

Now let us see the consumption trends of commercial energy:

Consumption Trends of Commercial Energy.

Sectoral Trends In Commercial Energy Consumption

 

1953-54

1970-71

1996-97

House hold sector

10

12

12

Agriculture

1

3

9

Industries

40

50

42

Transport

44

28

22

others

5

7

15

 

100

100

100

.

Percentage Share of Different Fuels in Commercial Energy Consumption.

 

1953-54

1970-71

1996-97

Coal

80

56

29

Oil and gas

17

35

54

Electricity

3

9

17

 

100

100

100

 

Important points:

 

a)       The transport sector was the largest consumer of commercial energy but in later stages there is a fall in total energy consumption.

b)      The industrial sector has become largest consumer of commercial energy in the country.

c)      Agriculture sector has also increased the total consumption of commercial energy.

However according to Indian planners we require:

I.      412 million tonnes of oil equivalent [mtoe]in the  year 2006-07

i.e.  the terminal year of the Tenth five year plan.

II.      564mtoe in the year 2011-12 which is the terminal year of the Eleventh plan.

In India even though the production of commercial energy has increased but the population ,industrialization, urbanization has increased much more at a greater rate and its total consumption is more so India is facing energy crisis.

 

6)  Energy Crisis in India.

In Indias economic development energy crisis are in the form of oil

Shortage, coal shortage and power shortage.

a)      Indias energy problem arises due to imbalance in demand –supply of all commercial fuels with increase economic growth the consumption of energy is also increased at a rapid rate though ONGC [oil and natural gas commission] have implemented several policies of exploration and increase of indigenous crude the consumption petroleum and oil products has far exceeding the indigenous production and refining capacity therefore is energy crisis.

b)      The coal industry performance has been failing badly in recent years the coals reserves are poor , both in quality and in quantity

c)      The creation and distribution of electricity generation in India has a poor performance where it is not able to meet the growing demands of both industrial and agriculture sectors.

d)     The performance of government local boards in distribution of electricity is also very poor; there is theft, pilferage and wastage of use of electricity both in urban and rural areas.

e)      The production of energy through different technology is not perfect; much of the energy is lost during transferring those4 energy sources to ultimate use.

These features for energy crisis in India and slow economic development.

 

7)  Basic problem of Indian economy associated with energy:

a)      Increasing consumption of commercial energy.

b)      Domination of using non-commercial sources of energy [I.e. in the rural areas ]

c)      Unequal distribution of energy.

d)     Inefficient use and under utilization of energy.

e)      High dependence on foreign countries especially on Arabian countries.

 

Energy Security.

Indias long term aim of energy security will be primarily about ensuring

the continuous availabity of commercial energy at competitive prices to

support its economic growth and meet life line energy needs of its house

holds with safe, clean and convenient forms of energy even if it entails

directed subsidies.secodly reducing energy requirement and increasing

efficiency are two very important measure to increase energy security.

 

Energy security is concerned dealing with various risks I.e. supply

Risk, market risk, technical risk, etc

a)      Supply risk are those risks originated with the uncertainty of imported energy where India is mostly depended on foreign countries for oil imports

b)      Market risks those risks arising through fluctuations in price of energy even though the country has adequate energy resource.

c)      Technical risks can be the technical failures which may disrupt the supply of energy generations could fail, transmission lined may trip or oil pipelines may spring a leak.

Therefore Indian needs much attention and security towards these types of risks and ensures that wastages of energy through these risks does not hamper the growth of the economy and cause hazards to environment.

In India energy security is much needed from the house hold level.

House hold energy security : clean fuel for all ;we may set up goal to provide clean cooking energy such as LPG,NG,Bio gas or kerosene to all within 20 years and ensure they use these energy for right domestic use which gives a energy security .

Currently India consumes 0-16kg of oil equivalent [kgoe] per dollar of GDP expressed in terms of purchasing power parity.

India s energy intensity is lower than the 0.23 kgoe of china,0.22 kgoe of U.S and a world average of 0.21 kgoe .this comparison conforms that there is a room to improve and energy intensity can be brought down significantly in India we can fallow these aspects like ,

a)      Lowering energy intensity through higher efficiency is equivalent to creating a virtual source of untapped domestic energy and aggressive pursuit of energy efficiency and conversion ,it is possible to reduce indias energy intensity by up to 25% from current levels

b)      Efficiency should be increase in energy extraction, conversion, transportation, as well as in consumption.

c)      Ensuring proper labeling on the equipments if the equipment fails to deliver the stated efficiency proper financial penalties should be imposed.

d)     Established benchmarks of energy consumption for all energy intensive sectors.

e)      Promote minimum life cycle cost purchase instead of minimum initial cost procurement by the government and the public sector.

The failure of energy sector to meet the increasing intensity of demand is considerable falling to extent. this was due to the lack of importance given by our 5year plan because they did not give long term policy imperatives in energy planning .our 8th plan gave importance to long term integrated planning here the emphasis  was laid both on efficiency strategy of long run energy supply and energy end use  .

Our planning commission realized the following drawbacks of unplanned measures about energy security it mainly turned its attention towards; 1) gradual shift from non renewable energy sources to renewable one.2) the emphasis was laid on energy conservation and management of demand and efficient utilization of energy resources .3) distribution of energy needs high priority in meeting the basic energy needs of the rural and the urban poor in the immediate future.

According to Jyoti Parikh and Kirit Parikh,” the critical problem today lies in increasing the efficiency of use of resources the inefficiency in the use of created capacities have undermined the financial viabilities of energy sector units public sector units seem to be unable to deal in a commercial manner with users with political clout reforms, therefore have to involve in situational arrangements.”

9)   Strategies for Energy Security in Future:

The main problem of India is that we are much dependent on crude oil on foreign countries we should organize more research and development programmers so that we can explore our potential to meet our domestic energy demand

The government of India has come up with some strategies like:

Exploration in new areas like exploring in the deeper layers of the producing fields exploring in new areas of deep water and difficult frontier areas.
The newly discovered fields has to be properly developed by using modern new technology in producing areas
The methods and technologies must be upgraded for improving existing major fields.
Using alternatives sources of energy such as :
Coal bed methane.
Gas hydrates.
Underground coal gasification.
Shift to natural gas and NG.
Ethanol made from sugar.
Bio- diesel extracted from jetropha, karanja tree etc.

Even though policies are made and government has taken initiatives in strict

areas of energy conservation and management of oil demand and ensuring

proper measures to have energy security Indias demand from energy sector is

increasing at a rapid rate therefore the best choice adopted by all our Indian

Planners and government is to select an another energy sources which is clean

energy and operating cost should be moderate and Indian environmental hazards

such as ozone depletion, and green house effect, and acid rain faced by use of

fossil fuel are minimized the best outcome of this decision is the “Use of

Nuclear Energy” which can lead to long term economic development

This can contribute to sustainable economic development.

 

10)    Nuclear Power For India.

India progress  in recent years after the introduction of new economic policy is no doubt a progressive development for maintaining our current economic growth rate of 8% to10%per annum we should solve the problem of inadequacy of energy supply which is a major constraint on accelerating indias growth rate .

The 123rd agreement between India and united states of America had contributed some valuable hopes towards achieving the dual objectives of our nation .firstly to ensure the challenges of energy security .secondly to achieve the objectives of environmental sustainability. there fore India’s nuclear programme was founded to address the challenge of energy security and attain self reliance and technological independence.

 

 

11)   Nuclear Energy is also Clean Energy.

In India there is high dependence on use of fossil fuel and the rich use of

Fossil fuel have definitely contributed to environmental hazards .most of the

scientists agree that pollution is contributing to global warming and to

climatic change to minimize these burdens our environment requires a

clean and green energy like “Nuclear Energy”.

In India even producing electricity involves huge wastages and

Environmental hazards .Nuclear energy is best energy that has taken the full

Responsibility of disposal of all its wastages and meeting its full cost of

Doing so .Nuclear energy does not contribute to global warming the cost

Of the fuel for a nuclear power station is very economical compared to

an equilivalent coal fired power station .the electricity generated from

nuclear reactors is competitive with electricity produced from coal, even

after providing for management and disposal of radio active wastages and

the decommissioning of reactors so, Nuclear energy will be a clean and an

affordable source of energy.

 

12) Scope for Nuclear Energy in India.

In India at present only 3% of India’s energy needs are met from nuclear sources

India plans to produce 20,000 mwe from the nuclear sector by 2020 increasing from the very low level of 3700 mwe at present.

The increased share of nuclear power in the Indian energy mix will diminish the reliance on fossil fuel and reduce carbon emissions from India.

 

 

13) Growth and Performance of nuclear Plants in India.

 

The tarapur plants, unit one and unit two and Rajasthan atomic power plant are

The major power plants in India let us see the trends in the growth rate of

Nuclear power generations capacity.

 

Various aspects of nuclear power scenario in India ,

 

 

Year

Capacity

Annual growth rate.

Generation

MKWH

Productivity

Co efficient (kwh per mw)

1970-71

420

-

2417

5754.76

1971 -72

620

47.6

1189

1918.05

1972- 73

640

3.2

1133

1770.31

1979- 80

640

-

2876

4495.38

1980- 81

860

34.4

3009

3498.83

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source, Ministry of energy government of India .1980.

 

14) Role of Nuclear power.

 

Nuclear power has definitely contributed to increase in electricity and

It is likely to increase more the plans to meet the increasing production

of energy was attempted in two ways: firstly the department of atomic

energy gave importance to use of domestic uranium resources in

pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs).secondly on an imported

technology light water reactors was setup at kundankulam in Tamil

nadu for this purpose .to exploit the vast thorium reserves in the country

Bhaba Atomic Research centre developed a 300 Mve advanced heavy

Water reactor for this purpose .therefore nuclear power has good

Technology in India with very significant potential for avoiding the

Burning of large quantity of poor quality coal .the uranium and

thorium resources are more in the country and use of fast breeder reactors

thorium reactors which can tap the full energy potential in nuclear energy

materials through the use of recycle technologies has contributed towards

creation of extra energy for increased economic growth.

 

15) Safety of Nuclear power.

India today, It has been operating with 200 Nuclear reactors with a

Record of safety in its environment. The Atomic energy regulatory board

In India as per the directions of International Energy Agency works on

Established line of standard so safety is maximized with extra care

Unless there is failure in transferring nuclear power plants and

problems of radioactive causes of nuclear power plants –Nuclear

energy is very safe to use in any economy.

 

 

 

 

 

16) The Economics of Nuclear Power.

The unit energy cost of nuclear power compared to power from coal

At locations away from coal pits are economical high capacity factors,

low discount rates and reduced capital costs are factors, which make

nuclear power more attractive and conditions in India for improvement of

nuclear power in good, with its low variables nuclear power improves

its relative economics with year of operation of the power plant.

 

17) Suggestions:

To be always dependent on foreign countries for crude oil is not secured

Economic activity .we should create our own opportunities to meet the

Domestic demand.

There must be an gradual shift from the use of non renewable sources

of energy.

The Research and Development programme must be conducted for exploiting the potentials of non – conventional sources of energy ,
Exploration is must in areas of estimated energy availability.
The technology used in creation ,generation and transferring of

Energy should be upgraded.

Economic planners should give long term planning in energy supply sources to meet basic demands of economy etc.

 

18) Concluding Remarks:

India’s fuel resources position definitely invites development and

deployment of nuclear power programme .nuclear energy will definitely

Contribute to the long term success of sustainable development

the technology to harness nuclear power are still under the

modernization stage in India, effective government support is definitely

needed in terms of increasing the efficiency though our power sector

 

 

makes an considerable growth, our rapid industrialization and improved

agriculture and quick changes in population is more than the energy

generations hence consumption is more than supply and production.

this should not be a continuing increasing trend in future the steps and \

measures to control this situation will definitely contribute to the long

term economic development of India which is nothing but

“Sustainable Development”.

 

 

By

Pradeep Raj .S

MBA Student

Bangalore, India

Email:pradeepraj1@live.com

 

Bibliography:

i.            Raj kumar sen and mrinal kumar dasgupta

-          Major sources of energy.

ii.            Energy and Economic Development –edited by V.S Mahajan.
iii.            Karpagam –Environmental Economics
iv.            Indian Economy – 54th edition by Ruddar dutt and KPM .Sundarram.
v.            Energy and Economic Development –Jayanth vianayak vaishampayan.-ajantha publishers.
vi.            Indian Economy –Misra and Puri latest edition.
vii.            The Economics of Nuclear Power – Research papers 2007 –Stephen Thomas and peter Bradford.
viii.            Nuclear power in India – an evitable option for sustainable development of a sixth of humanity – by Dr .Anil kakodkar.
ix.            India’s energy security –Journal by “Institute for the analysis of global security on jan21th, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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