As the population in our country grows and the pace of urbanization increases,energy use is bound to increase. Moreover as our wealth grows, energy use per capita will also increase. At present, India is the fifth largest consumer of energy in the world. However, our per capita energy consumption is very low.
In order to increase the available supply of energy, we need to reduce the total demand for energy as well as slow the growth in energy
In this context, we can say that
♦ ensuring judicial usage of energy, and
♦ decreasing the quantity of energy consumed
while achieving a similar outcome of end use.The motivations for energy conservation could be different for individual,commercial and industrial users. Direct consumers of energy such as individuals or organisations may want to conserve energy to reduce energy costs and protect the environment. Increase in efficiency and maximizing profits could be the motivation for industrial and commercial users to save energy.
Energy conservation can be a result of several processes or developments,such as increase in productivity, technological progress resulting in more energy efficient technologies and most importantly a positive attitude towards efficient energy usage. For example, suppose the energy end-use is to keep a room cool in summers. Energy conservation efforts would look at
♦ better technology options (such as sensors to switch off the devices,films on windows, better insulation or solar passive building, etc.),
♦ reducing wasteful use of energy and increasing energy efficiency of the appliances being used, and
♦ increasing consumer awareness for reducing energy consumption.
Energy conservation is cheaper and more environmentally benign compared to increased energy production. We need to encourage it amongst all
WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION?
categories of consumers. You will appreciate this point better, once you study about the impact of energy production and use on the environment.
Energy and Environment
Many major environmental problems we face today are linked with the energy sector. To a large extent, the energy production technologies and energy use are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and the consequent climate change. Environmental pollution, particularly in urban areas, is a major concern today. Environmental degradation due to deforestation is one of the major consequences of developmental activities and the quest for cheaper sources of energy in the developing world. We now
discuss these issues briefly.
Global Warming and Climate Change
This is a major global environmental concern today, with profound implications for the way the world produces and consumes energy. It is now an accepted reality that global warming is taking place due to the enhanced Greenhouse Effect (Fig).Energy related human activities are leading to excessive concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), halons and Peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN) in the Earth’s atmosphere. These gases trap the heat reflected from the Earth’s surface and do not allow it to escape into space. This increases the temperature of the atmosphere. In trace amounts, gases like CO 2 make the Earth warm enough to sustain life. This is the natural greenhouse effect. In excessive amounts, these gases can be very harmful as you will learn in this section (Fig.).
In order to increase the available supply of energy, we need to reduce the total demand for energy as well as slow the growth in energy
In this context, we can say that
♦ ensuring judicial usage of energy, and
♦ decreasing the quantity of energy consumed
while achieving a similar outcome of end use.The motivations for energy conservation could be different for individual,commercial and industrial users. Direct consumers of energy such as individuals or organisations may want to conserve energy to reduce energy costs and protect the environment. Increase in efficiency and maximizing profits could be the motivation for industrial and commercial users to save energy.
Energy conservation can be a result of several processes or developments,such as increase in productivity, technological progress resulting in more energy efficient technologies and most importantly a positive attitude towards efficient energy usage. For example, suppose the energy end-use is to keep a room cool in summers. Energy conservation efforts would look at
♦ better technology options (such as sensors to switch off the devices,films on windows, better insulation or solar passive building, etc.),
♦ reducing wasteful use of energy and increasing energy efficiency of the appliances being used, and
♦ increasing consumer awareness for reducing energy consumption.
Energy conservation is cheaper and more environmentally benign compared to increased energy production. We need to encourage it amongst all
WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION?
categories of consumers. You will appreciate this point better, once you study about the impact of energy production and use on the environment.
Energy and Environment
Many major environmental problems we face today are linked with the energy sector. To a large extent, the energy production technologies and energy use are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and the consequent climate change. Environmental pollution, particularly in urban areas, is a major concern today. Environmental degradation due to deforestation is one of the major consequences of developmental activities and the quest for cheaper sources of energy in the developing world. We now
discuss these issues briefly.
Global Warming and Climate Change
This is a major global environmental concern today, with profound implications for the way the world produces and consumes energy. It is now an accepted reality that global warming is taking place due to the enhanced Greenhouse Effect (Fig).Energy related human activities are leading to excessive concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), halons and Peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN) in the Earth’s atmosphere. These gases trap the heat reflected from the Earth’s surface and do not allow it to escape into space. This increases the temperature of the atmosphere. In trace amounts, gases like CO 2 make the Earth warm enough to sustain life. This is the natural greenhouse effect. In excessive amounts, these gases can be very harmful as you will learn in this section (Fig.).
 |
| The Greenhouse Effect (Explained in the Box) |
The Greenhouse Effect is enhanced due to human habitations and various human activities particularly in the industrialised countries. More than two- thirds of the world GHG emissions originate from the energy sector in processes like energy production and energy end-use in various sectors such as industry, transport, agriculture, power sector, etc. (Fig. 1.4). Other sources include activities in residential and commercial areas.Energy production technologies like thermal power plants and the combustion of fuels in various activities like cooking, heating, transport, industries, etc., add greenhouse gases to the environment. It is now well established that the increasing greenhouse gases will cause the Earth to warm so fast that we may not be able to adapt to the resulting changes. It is estimated that the global temperature will increase by another 1.5 to 4.5°C sometime in this century if we do not take drastic measures. Some scientists have started referring to global warming as global heating − this is meant to be a wake up call for the world!
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| Human Activity Related Annual GHG Emissions (sector-wise) in 2000 AD |
Environmental Pollution
Every stage of energy usage from extraction of an energy resource to its transportation and end-use leads to environmental pollution. For example extraction of coal degrades the local habitat through dust in the air, ground water degradation, and solid waste generation. Similarly, the local environment is polluted highly due to oil extraction and controlled venting is required to manage the production. We now briefly discuss the air,water and land pollution due to various energy activities.
Air Pollution
Several hazardous air pollutants apart from GHGs are emitted in energy- related activities. Fossil fuel combustion produces smoke and noxious gases such as sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide, as well as particulates like fly ash and soot. These are the major atmospheric pollutants. Other air pollutants and their sources in the energy sector are shown in Fig. You may like to record the contribution of energy production and its use to air pollution.
Air pollutants cause many health problems, particularly amongst children, the elderly people, and those with respiratory diseases. These can even be fatal as reported in several studies. Ingestion of heavy metal pollutants,including lead, arsenic, and mercury from the burning of coal and oil can even cause cancer. These effects can be mitigated by
• limiting people’s exposure to the pollutants;
• appropriate siting of the power producing plants as well as large energy consuming facilities like industrial plants;
• installation of pollution control devices on polluting industries and vehicles; and
• enforcement of stringent emission regulations and air quality norms.
Every stage of energy usage from extraction of an energy resource to its transportation and end-use leads to environmental pollution. For example extraction of coal degrades the local habitat through dust in the air, ground water degradation, and solid waste generation. Similarly, the local environment is polluted highly due to oil extraction and controlled venting is required to manage the production. We now briefly discuss the air,water and land pollution due to various energy activities.
Air Pollution
Several hazardous air pollutants apart from GHGs are emitted in energy- related activities. Fossil fuel combustion produces smoke and noxious gases such as sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide, as well as particulates like fly ash and soot. These are the major atmospheric pollutants. Other air pollutants and their sources in the energy sector are shown in Fig. You may like to record the contribution of energy production and its use to air pollution.
Air pollutants cause many health problems, particularly amongst children, the elderly people, and those with respiratory diseases. These can even be fatal as reported in several studies. Ingestion of heavy metal pollutants,including lead, arsenic, and mercury from the burning of coal and oil can even cause cancer. These effects can be mitigated by
• limiting people’s exposure to the pollutants;
• appropriate siting of the power producing plants as well as large energy consuming facilities like industrial plants;
• installation of pollution control devices on polluting industries and vehicles; and
• enforcement of stringent emission regulations and air quality norms.
 |
| Air Pollutants and Their Sources in the Energy Sector |
Water and Land Pollution
The main sources of water pollution from the energy sector include
• waste and chemical deposition from the outcome of energy production/conversion process;
• hot water discharge from thermal power plants (known as thermal pollution);
• runoffs from mining sites;
• acid rain; and
• leakage during transportation of oil through water, which can destroy the local marine life.
Thermal pollution can affect the natural balance of ecosystems in the water body. Water at temperatures higher than 35°C does not contain enough oxygen for aquatic life. New thermal power plants are built with permanent cooling towers, which use evaporation to cool water. All or part of the hot water can be pumped through cooling towers to lower the temperature before it is released into the water body.
Acid rain is caused when the burning of fossil fuels emits sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. The sulphur dioxide reacts with the water in the atmosphere, creating rainfall which contains sulphuric acid (Fig.).
The main sources of water pollution from the energy sector include
• waste and chemical deposition from the outcome of energy production/conversion process;
• hot water discharge from thermal power plants (known as thermal pollution);
• runoffs from mining sites;
• acid rain; and
• leakage during transportation of oil through water, which can destroy the local marine life.
Thermal pollution can affect the natural balance of ecosystems in the water body. Water at temperatures higher than 35°C does not contain enough oxygen for aquatic life. New thermal power plants are built with permanent cooling towers, which use evaporation to cool water. All or part of the hot water can be pumped through cooling towers to lower the temperature before it is released into the water body.
Acid rain is caused when the burning of fossil fuels emits sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. The sulphur dioxide reacts with the water in the atmosphere, creating rainfall which contains sulphuric acid (Fig.).
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| Formation of Acid Rain and Its Effects on Animals, Plants and Stone |
Land and soil pollution problems due to the energy sector arise mainly from siting and waste disposal. All energy-related activities have some sort of siting impact. In this context, mining sites and hydroelectric reservoirs have attracted maximum attention. Fuel refining and other electric power plants too involve large facilities or complex industrial processes. Water and soil can become contaminated with toxic materials from energy-related industries, mine sites and abandoned hazardous waste sites. This can of course be taken care of by following stringent norms for waste disposal at suitably chosen sites, especially hazardous waste disposal of radioactive waste containing long-lived radio-nuclides, in particular.
Siting problems also occur for installing transmission lines and electric substations. The effects of electromagnetic fields associated with transmission voltages up to 800 kV on humans and animals are under investigation. Nuclear energy is being projected as a clean source of energy but even this energy option has its problems, such as radioactive waste disposal, threat to health from nuclear radiations and the fearsome possibility of nuclear accidents, and the stockpiling and proliferation of nuclear weapons. These problems can be tackled to a large extent if we enforce strictly the laws for preventing environmental pollution.
Strategies for Environmental Management in the Power Sector
♦ Since hydropower is a cleaner source of power, there should be a greater thrust on its development in the short, medium and long terms.Hydropower would reduce carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions.
♦ For thermal power generation, the cleanest fuel economically available should be chosen. (Natural gas is preferable to coal subject to its availability and price.) Clean-coal technologies could be promoted in the short term; especially coal beneficiation could be undertaken in the short term, to achieve immediate benefits. Other clean technologies like supercritical boilers, and integrated gasification combined cycle, etc.,could be promoted in the long term. Preference needs to be given to high-heat-content low-ash; low-sulphur coal and beneficiation should be considered for high-ash coal.
♦ Fly-ash management and utilization through suitable market-based instruments should be facilitated; the fly-ash should be priced
appropriately. Public acceptance of fly-ash based products could be improved through awareness and demonstration. Movement of ash
through the rail network should be facilitated.
♦ Exploitation of coal-bed methane as a clean alternative source of energy could be adopted.
♦ There should be a greater thrust on renewable resources of energy and these should be developed as decentralized sources of energy.
Siting problems also occur for installing transmission lines and electric substations. The effects of electromagnetic fields associated with transmission voltages up to 800 kV on humans and animals are under investigation. Nuclear energy is being projected as a clean source of energy but even this energy option has its problems, such as radioactive waste disposal, threat to health from nuclear radiations and the fearsome possibility of nuclear accidents, and the stockpiling and proliferation of nuclear weapons. These problems can be tackled to a large extent if we enforce strictly the laws for preventing environmental pollution.
Strategies for Environmental Management in the Power Sector
♦ Since hydropower is a cleaner source of power, there should be a greater thrust on its development in the short, medium and long terms.Hydropower would reduce carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions.
♦ For thermal power generation, the cleanest fuel economically available should be chosen. (Natural gas is preferable to coal subject to its availability and price.) Clean-coal technologies could be promoted in the short term; especially coal beneficiation could be undertaken in the short term, to achieve immediate benefits. Other clean technologies like supercritical boilers, and integrated gasification combined cycle, etc.,could be promoted in the long term. Preference needs to be given to high-heat-content low-ash; low-sulphur coal and beneficiation should be considered for high-ash coal.
♦ Fly-ash management and utilization through suitable market-based instruments should be facilitated; the fly-ash should be priced
appropriately. Public acceptance of fly-ash based products could be improved through awareness and demonstration. Movement of ash
through the rail network should be facilitated.
♦ Exploitation of coal-bed methane as a clean alternative source of energy could be adopted.
♦ There should be a greater thrust on renewable resources of energy and these should be developed as decentralized sources of energy.
The thrust of the discussion so far is USE CLEAN ENERGY AND CONSERVE IT You could coin your own slogans conveying this message.Another way of conserving energy resources is to reduce the energy intensity of our economy by improving the energy efficiency in the power sector.
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