Power sector: Widespread decentralised usage of RE sources should play critical role

Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, writes to R K Singh, Union Minister for power and NRE, New Delhi

***

In continuation of my earlier concerns expressed over the issue that the power/ energy sector in the country has been facing serious & multiple crises since many decades, I would like to draw your kind attention again to multiple options available to our society to satisfactorily address such critical issues.
The recent developments, as reported in the newslinks below, should establish the huge relevance of decentralised RE sources, such as rooftop solar power generation and suitably designed energy storage battery systems etc. which will greatly assist in the climate change action plan in our country by minimising the impacts on our natural resources such as forest and freshwater resources, while drastically reducing the GHG emissions of the energy sector as a whole. It should be emphasised here that the tropical forest lands such as the ones we have in India are the most effective and cheapest carbon sinks, and hence must be protected and enhanced for the sake of our people in the medium to long term. The widespread usage of the decentralised RE sources, such as rooftop solar power plants, should play a critical role in this larger context. The collective ownership, such as rooftop solar power plants and suitably designed energy storage battery systems, are critical in effectively addressing many of the chronic issues being faced in the power sector.

In view of the unsurmountable concerns associated with the ever increasing demand for electricity, and as should be evident from the objective considerations of the demand side management (DSM), our country must do all that is feasible not to allow our communities to follow the United States' example in terms of electricity use per household, which on a per capita basis is by far the highest of any major economy. The annual per capita electricity consumption in the United States is reported to be about 12,900 kWH, which is three and a half times of the global average. All possible encouragement to install SPV systems on various kinds of rooftops, especially in residential and agricultural sector, can enable our communities to remain frugal in per capita electricity consumption, and also can offer us the potential to reduce the net demand on the national grid by as much as 35-40%, as per some estimates. In this context, the recent decision of the Union government to bring a new scheme for distributed renewable energy sources, is a welcome step in the right direction, but the same should be taken towards a logical end by considering every illumination application, and all other small magnitude power/ commercial loads into the purview of such a scope.
It must also be emphasised that a vastly populous and resource constrained country like India has a chance to sustainably harness its resources for the overall of its people, if and only if the individual/ personal demand for energy/ materials become the primary responsibility of individuals/ small communities, and not entirely the responsibility of the STATE. The enormous societal level costs associated with the decades old efforts to supply grid based electricity only to each and every application at all nooks and corners of the country, should be visible in the form of accelerated degradation of natural resources such as fresh water bodies, forests, soil and air. It is a matter of serious and worthy consideration as to why its should be the sole responsibility of the state/ national grid to meet the ever increasing demand for electricity of an individual, or a tiny group of people for luxurious/ fancy applications (such as gambling den/ casino/ clubs/ bars, night time sports, 24 hour shopping mall, night time golf tournaments, heated swimming pool etc.). Such applications, if deemed necessary by the society, should be catered to by individuals or small communities based on sustainable energy options; with or without connections to the national grid. Such an approach will encourage allround efficiency efforts at all levels to reduce the end cost of utilising the electricity.
Whereas the multiple representations of civil society groups w.r.t the credible concerns associated with the inefficient and hugely costly practice of continuing with the conventional technology power plants and the associated infrastructure, such as coal mines, ash ponds, dams, power lines etc. seem to have no obvious impact on the associated policies of the Union govt., the consequences of the same in respect of the calamitous changes due to climate change must not be ignored.
"The cumulative total expenditure for adapting to climate change in India is estimated to reach ₹85.6 lakh crore (at 2011-12 prices) by 2030, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR) estimated in its Report on Currency & Finance 2022-23. " It is no rocket science to project that this expenditure will escalate with the passage of each year, if the necessary measures are not effectively implemented urgently. Certainly adding more conventional technology power plants such as coal, gas, dam based hydro or nuclear power plants cannot be a responsible policy in this context.

RBI report examines implications of climate change on economic growth and financial stability

Another relevant report is ‘The Economics of Climate Change’ by Sir Nicholas Stern. This Review had estimated that certain scenarios of Global Warming may result in poor countries like India suffering economic costs of about 20% of its future GDP, whereas the mitigation of the same now can be achieved at a cost of about 1% of present GDP. The Review also indicates that the more we delay in addressing Global Warming, the higher we will have to spend in mitigation of the same in future. In this background the country level benefits of adequate investments to minimise the Global Warming impacts of conventional power plants is considered worth the huge cost.
It is also reported in Science posits that, if we stop all human management on forests (for example, wood harvesting) under current climatic conditions and with the CO2 concentration that already exists, their aboveground biomass could increase by up to 44.1 gigatons of carbon. Without strong reductions in emissions, the paper concludes that this strategy has a low potential to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. The researchers also highlight that the forest carbon sink (its ability to absorb carbon) should be preserved to offset residual emissions from sectors where they are unavoidable, rather than to compensate for present emission levels.

Saving the forests won’t be enough to stop climate change — we need substantial emission cuts

Hence, adequate protection and enhancement of our forest & tree cover in the country will be vastly more effective in arresting climate change impacts, than all other technology based efforts, and also will be most attractive to our communities from different perspectives. Only a diligently prepared national energy policy, which has the scope to cover all such country level perspectives, and should effectively involve various interested stakeholder groups, can take our communities a long way ahead in addressing all such societal level concerns.
It is a daunting question for the keen observers of energy and environment in the country as to why these strategic concerns do not appear to be worthy issues for CEA and NITI Aayog to deliberate on and to come up with suitable policy papers/ initiatives.
Can we hope that your ministry takes the necessary and urgent initiatives in this regard?

Comments

Still not dead and buried: A rural Punjab move to keep alive the spirit of Naxalbari

By Harsh Thakor There was a well attended and most lively meeting in memory of Thana Singh of around 2000 persons in Thana Singh’s village of Bhallai Ana in community hall in Muktsar on September 17th, with most encouraging participation of youth. It was a testimony that the spirit of Naxalbari is still not dead and buried with the audience literally reverberating the message of Naxalbari. In spite of every effort of the state to crush the naxalbari movement, it is not dead and buried, as we witnessed here. I was privileged to participate in the event.

Dev Anand ably acted as westernised, urban educated, modern hero, as also anti-hero

By Harsh Thakor On September 26th we celebrated the birth centenary of legendary actor Dev Anand. Dev Saab carved out a new epoch or made a path breaking contribution in portraying romanticism and action in Bollywood cinema, giving his style or mannerisms a new colour. Arguably no Bollywood star manifested glamour in such a dignified or serene manner or struck the core of an audience’s soul in romantic melodies. Possibly we missed this evergreen star being cast in a Hollywood film. Dev Anand is like an inextinguishable soul of Bollywood. Although not as artistic or intense as Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor or Ashok Kumar ,Dev Anand surpassed them all for liveliness or flamboyance, with his performances radiating g energy on the screen, in realms rarely transcended. In his own right, Dev Saab, was a craftsman, like his classical contemporaries, with a characteristic composure. Perhaps never was a Bollywood star so suave, bubbling or charming as Dev Anand, who often looked like an Indian versi

Ludicrous how Gandhi is ritually remembered by our leaders with broom in their hands

By Firoz Bakht Ahmed On every Gandhi Jayanti day, ludicrous scenes of multi-hued political parties’ leaders with brooms in their hands are seen doing rounds on television commemorating Mahatma Gandhi regarding “swachhta” (cleanliness). This won’t do unless there’s cleansing of heart followed by the cleanliness of the poor voters’ stinking areas. Tragedy with Mahatma Gandhi is that he is just ritually remembered by us on the occasion of his anniversaries but he is worth remembering each day owing to his sagacious words that contain wisdom for all ages and in all times.

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Why Govt of India, Sangh Parivar want to stop the use of ‘India’? What's in a name?

By Ram Puniyani Coincidentally after the opposition parties came together to form INDIA (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance), the ruling BJP is desisting from the use of word India in official communiqués and its parent organizations RSS has issued a fatwa that only word Bharat should be used for our country. While inviting the representative’s participants of G 20, the President issued the invitation in the name of ‘Rashtrapati of Bharat’. Since then BJP is on the track of avoiding the use of the word India in all its pronouncements, saying this word smacks of colonial legacy since this word was given to the country by British colonial rulers. Mr. Hemant Biswa Sarma of BJP said that word India is part of the colonial legacy and should be removed. RSS chief and other functionaries have intensified this message. Speaking at a function at Guwahati Mr. Bhagwat, stated “We must stop using the word India and start using Bharat. At times we use India to make those who speak Eng

Why originality of Gandhi's thoughts, example of his life still inspire people world over

By Moin Qazi* Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary reopens a familiar debate around his legacy every year. How could a frail man use his moral strength to galvanize 400 million Indians in their struggle for independence from the mighty British Empire? How did Gandhi inspire ordinary people to turn fear into fearlessness and anger into love? What were his tools for fighting colonialism? How could he inspire the world to embrace his philosophy of nonviolence? What can we learn from him today? And is he still relevant?

Pot calling the kettle black: EAM Jaishankar accusing Global North of double standards

By Chandra Vikash* While addressing a Ministerial Session on Saturday 23 September 2023 in New York on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly session titled ‘South Rising: Partnerships, Institutions and Ideas’, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that economically dominant countries are leveraging production capabilities and those who have institutional influence have weaponized these capabilities. He also cited an example of Covid-19 and stressed that it is still a world of double standards."

In today’s India aggressive violence has become weapon of choice for buying peace

By Harasankar Adhikari Mahatma (the great soul) Gandhi's vision stands for "ahimsa" (non-violence) and ‘Satyagraha’ (holding of the truth). It is absolutely the beacon of his spirituality. His searches for peace and bliss are within the realm of ahimsa and satyagraha. Although his works are confined to the political movement for India's freedom as the political leader, his lifelong practise is enshrined as the political saint of India( according to Swami Yogananda Paramhans). His devotion and self-sacrifice for the universe are the revelation of his sainthood.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

Search This Blog