Renewable Energy The Golden Thread

Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment which powers the world to thrive. Widespread energy poverty condemns billions to darkness, to ill health, and to missed opportunity for education and prosperity.  Hence this poverty must end.

Development is not possible without energy. And it is sustainable energy which will provide us sustainable development.  At Rio de Janerio summit held in June 2012, the buzzwords were “Green Economy” and “Natural Capital Accounting”. In a dynamic climate change field, concepts are changing fast. From development to sustainable development and now our focus is Green Economy.

Yet these buzzes are not clearly defined. But they are in motion to get an acceptable shape. India opposes green economy at summit. It said that the developing world’s concept of a green economy was very different from the way it was being perceived at the UN conference for sustainable development.

A new business model is emerging. In this governments, business, investors and civil society organization (CSO) come together to solve problems. Now, we need to build a new energy future that harnesses the power of technology and innovations in the service of people and the planet.  We have to move to renewable, so that we can create a future we want.

UN has initiated and evolved a framework for action to realize the goal “sustainable energy for all by 2030”.  According to action plan, stakeholders are supposed to take concrete actions towards achieving three critical goals by 2030.

1.     Ensuring universal access to modern energy services.

2.      Doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

3.     Doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

Energy access is increasingly seen as a vital catalyst to wider social and economic development, enabling education, health, and sustainable agriculture and creating jobs. Productive uses of energy are particularly important to enable local business innovations and create a more vibrant economy for societies and countries. 

According to IEA (international energy agency) universal energy access could be achieve with an increase of just 3 percent of global investment in energy infrastructure by 2030. This amounts to an annual investment of $48 billion.

Energy efficiency objective will increase global resource productivity. It will create new economic growth areas with local job creation and increase the quality of life of all citizens. Energy efficiency means reducing the losses and getting more done with the same amount of energy. IEA’s World Outlook 2006 estimated that each additional $1 spent on energy efficiency in electrical equipment, appliances, and buildings avoids more than $2, on average, energy supply investments.

Investing in renewable energy also creates local jobs and growth and improves security for countries that lack domestic fossil resources. Increasing the share of energy from renewable sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutions, insulate countries from fuel price volatility, and improve their balance of payments.

            UN desires that all stakeholders converge to act upon to achieve its mission.  It proposes that business, governments,  CSO  work together on specific and concrete steps to bring greater investment and deployment of energy systems.

 Direct UNIDO points out that charity  is no more an option.  The key is investment in renewable energy alternatives.  So that it yields returns not just for the recipients but for the investor too. This doesn’t mean that all subsidies can be done away with. These are necessary for helping the poorest of the poor. 

We need to work on achieving  a balance subsidy approach that can create a level playing field so that the rich are no longer enjoying subsidies meant for the poor.  Therefore rather than work for a blanket solution, we need to tailor strategy to suit local imperatives and conditions 

Heera Lal

(Writer is Secretary UPNEDA but views are personal)

Ref:

1.   1. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-25/edit-page/32394008_1_green-economy-natural-capital-accounting-trojan-horse

2. http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/resources

Renewable Energy The Golden Thread

Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment which powers the world to thrive. Widespread energy poverty condemns billions to darkness, to ill health, and to missed opportunity for education and prosperity.  Hence this poverty must end.

Development is not possible without energy. And it is sustainable energy which will provide us sustainable development.  At Rio de Janerio summit held in June 2012, the buzzwords were “Green Economy” and “Natural Capital Accounting”. In a dynamic climate change field, concepts are changing fast. From development to sustainable development and now our focus is Green Economy.

Yet these buzzes are not clearly defined. But they are in motion to get an acceptable shape. India opposes green economy at summit. It said that the developing world’s concept of a green economy was very different from the way it was being perceived at the UN conference for sustainable development.

A new business model is emerging. In this governments, business, investors and civil society organization (CSO) come together to solve problems. Now, we need to build a new energy future that harnesses the power of technology and innovations in the service of people and the planet.  We have to move to renewable, so that we can create a future we want.

UN has initiated and evolved a framework for action to realize the goal “sustainable energy for all by 2030”.  According to action plan, stakeholders are supposed to take concrete actions towards achieving three critical goals by 2030.

1.     Ensuring universal access to modern energy services.

2.      Doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

3.     Doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

Energy access is increasingly seen as a vital catalyst to wider social and economic development, enabling education, health, and sustainable agriculture and creating jobs. Productive uses of energy are particularly important to enable local business innovations and create a more vibrant economy for societies and countries. 

According to IEA (international energy agency) universal energy access could be achieve with an increase of just 3 percent of global investment in energy infrastructure by 2030. This amounts to an annual investment of $48 billion.

Energy efficiency objective will increase global resource productivity. It will create new economic growth areas with local job creation and increase the quality of life of all citizens. Energy efficiency means reducing the losses and getting more done with the same amount of energy. IEA’s World Outlook 2006 estimated that each additional $1 spent on energy efficiency in electrical equipment, appliances, and buildings avoids more than $2, on average, energy supply investments.

Investing in renewable energy also creates local jobs and growth and improves security for countries that lack domestic fossil resources. Increasing the share of energy from renewable sources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutions, insulate countries from fuel price volatility, and improve their balance of payments.

            UN desires that all stakeholders converge to act upon to achieve its mission.  It proposes that business, governments,  CSO  work together on specific and concrete steps to bring greater investment and deployment of energy systems.

 Direct UNIDO points out that charity  is no more an option.  The key is investment in renewable energy alternatives.  So that it yields returns not just for the recipients but for the investor too. This doesn’t mean that all subsidies can be done away with. These are necessary for helping the poorest of the poor. 

We need to work on achieving  a balance subsidy approach that can create a level playing field so that the rich are no longer enjoying subsidies meant for the poor.  Therefore rather than work for a blanket solution, we need to tailor strategy to suit local imperatives and conditions 

Heera Lal

(Writer is Secretary UPNEDA but views are personal)

Ref:

1.   1. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-25/edit-page/32394008_1_green-economy-natural-capital-accounting-trojan-horse

2. http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/resources

Why Renewable Energy Important for India

                        

The persistent electricity shortage is a key bottleneck in sustainable growth of India.  Our per capita consumption (778 KWH) is one of the lowest in the world as compared to world average 2600KWH.  Approximately 80.9 million households are still to electrify.  And 42 percent of rural masses use kerosene –based lighting. So they pay 20-30 times more than they would pay for electricity based lighting. Supply is not sufficient even in urban areas. Still 6 to7 percent urban households use kerosene-based lighting.

12^thplan’s approach paper says for GDP to grow at 9 percentage rate, commercial energy supplies will have to grow at a rate between 6.5-7.0 percent yearly. It suggests a 100 GW power capacity addition for the plan period 2012-17. An IEA (International Energy Agency) report concludes India need around 800GW-1200GW by 2050 as compared to present 199GW capacity.

Coal, oil and gas are non-renewable fossil fuels. They take millions of years to form and its reserves are depleting faster than new formation. About 65% of electric generated from coal and oil. Hence it is on top in electric pattern generation in India. Low calorific value, less production capacity and growing demand for power forced India to import about 20% of its coal requirement. India import almost 76% of its oil requirement from middle-east countries and rest it meets by local production.

A rising India should give due heed to challenges posed by enormous energy needs. Oil and coal will remain the chief sources of energy for the foreseeable future. As a result, India will remain highly reliant on potentially unstable countries for its energy needs. The erratic fluctuations in prices of crude oils and fossil fuels are great concern for us. This adds salt to owe of the masses. And businesses see its impact down the line up to the bottom. Families feel the pinch when they go for basic needs. Oil demand is growing with the rising power demand. Thus, the price of oil will keep rising.

Energy security is a critical issue for us. It has political angle too and attracts the attention of eminent world thinker and politicians. Our former president Dr.A P J Abdul Kalam says “Energy independence is the lifeline of a nation.”  US President Barack Obama made it an election issue in his 2008 campaign.  He wanted to get rid of dependence on gulf countries due to oil import. So, he promised $15 billion yearly investment for research on green energy. On March 30, 2011 he said “My country can’t afford to bet our long-term prosperity and security on a resource that will eventually run out. Therefore it is time to do what we can to secure our energy future.

India stands at 6^th in energy consumption with very little resources.  It is very interesting and strained us to think on our planning like USA efforts in last 4 years. On one hand US efforts have decreases its oil import by 12% while on other hand it is increasing in India rapidly.  That is why, India must take serious endeavors to secure and control our energy future. That we can by harnessing all our resources that are available with a diverse energy portfolio.

India is fortunate enough to be endowed abundantly with renewable energy (RE) resources. RE includes solar, wind, biomass and small hydro etc which are widely distributed across the country.  And it can be utilized through commercially viable technologies to generate power. Hence it is accelerating the use of RE and is indispensable for India to keep its survival. RE technologies are based on the inexhaustible resources. These technologies offer sustainable energy alternatives to a world beset by serious environmental problems and volatile fossil fuels.

RE has started showing visible impact in Indian energy scenario. It is good news for us as it is now about 12 percent of total national eclectic installed capacity.  Decentralized based RE and its distributed applications have benefited millions of rural folk. It is meeting their cooking, lighting and other energy requirements in an environmentally benign manner.

RE have social, political and economical implications. It reduces poverty among rural masses by supplying clean energy. It also generates employment at village level and ultimately improvement in the standard of living and creation of opportunity for economic activities at village level which are not possible in absence of this power. Non-availability of power is a social issue for political actors. RE provide politicians to use RE as tool to solve this social problem in remote areas for political gains.

Indian RE program is primarily private sector driven. It offers significant investment and business opportunities.  New investment in renewable has now exceeded US $10 billion yearly. India’s huge potential is likely to be even greater than 150GW. Yet, resources from sources such as plantation on wasteland and offshore wind farms have not mapped. These have significant generation capacity and to harness this we need to a lot more.  The potent solar power is likely to increase significantly with improvement in technology as solar power generation contributed more than 500MW in one year.

RE has the potential to transform energy markets across the world.  Globally, the clean technology industry is considered the next big high-tech industry (like IT sector). Recognizing the sector’s potential, India should made a strategic plan for our overall growth similar to Mahatma Gandhi model. This means strengthening the rural India which can now possible by RE. There are thus many strong reasons for placing high priority on renewable energy development.

Heera Lal

(Writer is Secretary UPNEDA but views are personal and based on different sources)

Why Renewable Energy Important for India

                        

The persistent electricity shortage is a key bottleneck in sustainable growth of India.  Our per capita consumption (778 KWH) is one of the lowest in the world as compared to world average 2600KWH.  Approximately 80.9 million households are still to electrify.  And 42 percent of rural masses use kerosene –based lighting. So they pay 20-30 times more than they would pay for electricity based lighting. Supply is not sufficient even in urban areas. Still 6 to7 percent urban households use kerosene-based lighting.

12^th plan’s approach paper says for GDP to grow at 9 percentage rate, commercial energy supplies will have to grow at a rate between 6.5-7.0 percent yearly. It suggests a 100 GW power capacity addition for the plan period 2012-17. An IEA (International Energy Agency) report concludes India need around 800GW-1200GW by 2050 as compared to present 199GW capacity.

Coal, oil and gas are non-renewable fossil fuels. They take millions of years to form and its reserves are depleting faster than new formation. About 65% of electric generated from coal and oil. Hence it is on top in electric pattern generation in India. Low calorific value, less production capacity and growing demand for power forced India to import about 20% of its coal requirement. India import almost 76% of its oil requirement from middle-east countries and rest it meets by local production.

A rising India should give due heed to challenges posed by enormous energy needs. Oil and coal will remain the chief sources of energy for the foreseeable future. As a result, India will remain highly reliant on potentially unstable countries for its energy needs. The erratic fluctuations in prices of crude oils and fossil fuels are great concern for us. This adds salt to owe of the masses. And businesses see its impact down the line up to the bottom. Families feel the pinch when they go for basic needs. Oil demand is growing with the rising power demand. Thus, the price of oil will keep rising.

Energy security is a critical issue for us. It has political angle too and attracts the attention of eminent world thinker and politicians. Our former president Dr.A P J Abdul Kalam says “Energy independence is the lifeline of a nation.”  US President Barack Obama made it an election issue in his 2008 campaign.  He wanted to get rid of dependence on gulf countries due to oil import. So, he promised $15 billion yearly investment for research on green energy. On March 30, 2011 he said “My country can’t afford to bet our long-term prosperity and security on a resource that will eventually run out. Therefore it is time to do what we can to secure our energy future.

India stands at 6^th in energy consumption with very little resources.  It is very interesting and strained us to think on our planning like USA efforts in last 4 years. On one hand US efforts have decreases its oil import by 12% while on other hand it is increasing in India rapidly.  That is why, India must take serious endeavors to secure and control our energy future. That we can by harnessing all our resources that are available with a diverse energy portfolio.

India is fortunate enough to be endowed abundantly with renewable energy (RE) resources. RE includes solar, wind, biomass and small hydro etc which are widely distributed across the country.  And it can be utilized through commercially viable technologies to generate power. Hence it is accelerating the use of RE and is indispensable for India to keep its survival. RE technologies are based on the inexhaustible resources. These technologies offer sustainable energy alternatives to a world beset by serious environmental problems and volatile fossil fuels.

RE has started showing visible impact in Indian energy scenario. It is good news for us as it is now about 12 percent of total national eclectic installed capacity.  Decentralized based RE and its distributed applications have benefited millions of rural folk. It is meeting their cooking, lighting and other energy requirements in an environmentally benign manner.

RE have social, political and economical implications. It reduces poverty among rural masses by supplying clean energy. It also generates employment at village level and ultimately improvement in the standard of living and creation of opportunity for economic activities at village level which are not possible in absence of this power. Non-availability of power is a social issue for political actors. RE provide politicians to use RE as tool to solve this social problem in remote areas for political gains.

Indian RE program is primarily private sector driven. It offers significant investment and business opportunities.  New investment in renewable has now exceeded US $10 billion yearly. India’s huge potential is likely to be even greater than 150GW. Yet, resources from sources such as plantation on wasteland and offshore wind farms have not mapped. These have significant generation capacity and to harness this we need to a lot more.  The potent solar power is likely to increase significantly with improvement in technology as solar power generation contributed more than 500MW in one year.

RE has the potential to transform energy markets across the world.  Globally, the clean technology industry is considered the next big high-tech industry (like IT sector). Recognizing the sector’s potential, India should made a strategic plan for our overall growth similar to Mahatma Gandhi model. This means strengthening the rural India which can now possible by RE. There are thus many strong reasons for placing high priority on renewable energy development.

Heera Lal

(Writer is Secretary UPNEDA but views are personal and based on different sources)

UP Budget 2012-13

''Now we have  to see what is needed. Do we need first economic development or winning the public faith? Public faith is going down day by day in our law makers. One main reason among many is cheating with commitments and promises. In absence of faith, good economy has no meaning. Good economy without public faith means loosing of power and moving towards a dangerous point/situation. Hence for this budget he is right. He may take your advises from next year with having faith of public. To prove my point, I am personally almost sure that USA president Obama will win second term. He also did like this. Just after getting power in 2008, he started fulfilling his election and manifesto commitments. As a result, his performance is not good on economic front. But he will win 2012 president election . Particularly among leaders, Public need a person true to his words rather than cheater. Your idea no doubt sounds good but situation doesn't allow this to happen.''  It is academically looks appropriate but practically it is not feasible.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Government-to-spend-75-budget-on-populist-schemes/articleshow/13795817.cms

UP Budget 2012-13

''Now we have  to see what is needed. Do we need first economic development or winning the public faith? Public faith is going down day by day in our law makers. One main reason among many is cheating with commitments and promises. In absence of faith, good economy has no meaning. Good economy without public faith means loosing of power and moving towards a dangerous point/situation. Hence for this budget he is right. He may take your advises from next year with having faith of public. To prove my point, I am personally almost sure that USA president Obama will win second term. He also did like this. Just after getting power in 2008, he started fulfilling his election and manifesto commitments. As a result, his performance is not good on economic front. But he will win 2012 president election . Particularly among leaders, Public need a person true to his words rather than cheater. Your idea no doubt sounds good but situation doesn't allow this to happen.''  It is academically looks appropriate but practically it is not feasible.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Government-to-spend-75-budget-on-populist-schemes/articleshow/13795817.cms

Rescue the Nation

Rescue the Nation Babus can fix this nation. I agree with the facts and figures given to prove the point. India’s babus need to take a u-turn to avoid landing in jails and to serve the nation. U.P. has witnessed such two glaring cases of Mr. Sidharth Behura and Pradeep Shukla. Many more such are coming in knowledge through different media. A series of scams are reported in Time of India in an article link below. Land to Loo scams Galore in Uttar Pradesh Friday 18 May,2012 I request to all our UP babus, this is the time to peep our self into our style of functioning to correct ourself to benefit the masses through different schemes/programs/projects . In bureaucracy, the respect for experience and knowledge have no place in almost cases, except a few exceptions. A young babu lacking experience and subject knowledge prevails over the specialist of the department to satisfy his ego and for undue favor, keeping aside the welfare of public for which he has been posted on a particular position. This proposition is increasing rapidly and more prevalent among youngsters. This is really very dangerous for my state which need to be rectified immediately. ref: 1. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-18/lucknow/31764476_1_toilets-scam-households 2. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-19/edit-page/31766795_1_ias-officers-civil-service-babus