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Friday, 22 June 12
GLOBAL ACTION NEEDED ON ENERGY POVERTY - WORLD COAL
 Eradicating energy poverty is possibly the biggest challenge facing the world today. Like climate change it can only be addressed with a concerted global effort. With the Rio+20 conference underway, WCA looks at what needs to be done to achieve energy access for all.
The statistics are well known. 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity and another billion have only intermittent access.Without concerted international action, these numbers are not expected to change significantly in the next two decades. There is a huge disparity in energy access across the globe. Most developing economies struggle with low levels of energy access, and while most developed economies have almost full energy access, the amount of electricity they produce and consume varies significantly. Improving energy access is so important because it is fundamental to modern life. Light and power for homes, schools, hospitals, business and industry are all essential to strong and resilient economies that improve livelihoods. Economic and social development cannot occur in the modern world without access to energy. It is for this reason that the United Nations has declared 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, and it is why energy is amongst the top issues at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
More ambition needed
Real ambition is needed to deliver energy access across the world. The original text of "The Future We Want" draft outcome document for Rio+20 released by the UN early in 2012 included language calling for access to a "basic minimum level" of energy. Targets that refer to the basic minimum level of access reflect the target contained in the IEA's Energy for All case outlined in its World Energy Outlook 2011. This target would provide: "use of a floor fan, a mobile phone, and two compact fluorescent light bulbs for about five hours a day. In urban areas, consumption might also include an efficient refrigerator, a second mobile phone per household and another appliance, such as a small television or a computer." What is most alarming however is what is not included in the IEA definition, where it notes that "some other categories are excluded, such as electricity access to business." Ambitious energy targets will provide the energy needs to build and operate essential social infrastructure and support economic growth by allowing reliable energy supplies for business and industry. Targets for energy access must be ambitious because the problem is so fundamental to the challenges facing the modern world.
National priorities are important
The first draft of "The Future We Want" document and the UN Secretary General's Sustainable Energy for All initiative have both also focused heavily on expanding the role to be played by renewable energy. Renewable energy does have an important role to play in improving energy access but it is not the right solution everywhere. As nations develop, they seek secure, reliable and affordable sources of energy to strengthen and build their economies - coal is a logical choice in many of these countries because it is widely available, safe, reliable and relatively low cost. Accessing reliable, on-grid, base load electricity is essential for businesses and industries that cannot have intermittent supply. Strong grid structures with base load coal fired power stations are essential to even out peaks and troughs in the generation of renewable electricity and they can very effectively distribute centralised base load electricity. Many countries have very significant coal reserves and should be able to utilise those to build reliable base load electricity systems. International support for improving energy access should recognise the economic, technical and natural resources available in economies with a shortage of electricity supply. Across the world coal will play a significant role in improving energy access. The IEA's WEO 2011 projects that coal will provide more than half of the on-grid electricity needed to meet their energy for all case. It will be particularly important in places like India, Pakistan and southern Africa and will continue to strengthen China's energy supplies.
Energy access and climate change
Despite the need for countries to be able to utilise their own resources, it seems at the international level that there is a far more significant focus on renewable energy technologies. This focus is brought about by concerns over climate change. The concern is that significantly improved energy access will lead to large increases in emissions of greenhouse gases and therefore increase the risk of catastrophic climate change. Many actors in the international community therefore believe that fossil fuels cannot play a role in improving access to energy if we also want to meet the climate challenge. It is not necessary however for action to be restricted to that paradigm.
A surprising revelation in the IEA World Energy Outlook 2011 was that achieving the IEA's (albeit minimal) energy access target would only increase global CO2 emissions by 0.7%. In part that is likely to be because of the significant role of off-grid renewables included in the scenario, but it also comes in a scenario where almost a quarter of all electricity needed is expected to be provided by coal. More ambitious energy access targets may lead to higher emissions, but this will also come in the context of significantly improved economic and social outcomes for those who get access to electricity. Even more important is that significantly increased emissions can be avoided. Deployment of advanced coal technologies will play a major role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. One key way of reducing the emissions from burning coal is to improve efficiency levels at power stations. Highly efficient modern supercritical and ultra supercritical coal plants emit almost 40% less CO2 than subcritical plants. Efficiency improvements in power generation are amongst the most cost-effective and shortest lead time actionsfor reducing emissions from coal-fired electricity. This is particularly the case in developing countries and economies in transition where existing plant efficiencies are generally lower and coal use in electricity generation is increasing. Beyond improvements in efficiency, carbon capture and storage technology will be a key technology to reduce CO2 emissions, not only from coal, but also natural gas and industrial sources.
Figures in the IEA's World Energy Outlook 2011 report estimate the potential for CCS to contribute 22% of global CO2 mitigation through to 2035. Over time CCS will become a key technology for improving energy access consistent with global climate objectives.
What action is needed?
Concerted international action is needed to address the global challenge of energy poverty. Without providing energy to those who currently lack it, it will be impossible to eradicate global poverty. To meet this challenge, policy frameworks must be put in place, both at national and international levels, to support effective energy institutions and business models to support the deployment of a comprehensive energy infrastructure where it is needed most. With these frameworks in place, finance from all sources, public and private, domestic and international is needed to provide the finance to build energy systems. Before this can be achieved however, it must be recognised that all sources of energyare necessary to meet the vast potential demand for electricity. It is important to understand that different sources of energy will suit different countries and different environments. To ensure that energy reaches those who need it most, there cannot be a political preference for one technology over another. The decision must be based on what is most effective in meeting the energy need.
Source: World Coal
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Wednesday, 18 July 12
SHIP PRICES HAVE FALLEN RAPIDLY THIS YEAR, FAVORING INVESTORS - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The price for a 5 year old Capesize dry bulk carrier of 172,000 dwt has fallen to about $33,4mil from $42.9 at the end of June 2011, while at end of ...
Saturday, 14 July 12
FREIGHT MARKET SEEMS TO BE QUITE VOLATILE - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - The market seems to be quite volatile with the trend changing almost every week. This week all the segments were down except for Pana ...
Friday, 13 July 12
TRANSCOAL MINERGY HAS RECEIVED PMA STATUS IN INDONESIA
COALspot.com - PT Transcoal Minergy (“TCM”) has received official foreign owned company status from the Capital Investment Coordinating ...
Thursday, 12 July 12
LACK OF CAPESIZE DEMAND DRAGS DRY BULK MARKET LOWER - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
A lack of demand for the larger Capesize dry bulk carriers had as a result the fall of the industry’s benchmark, the BDI (Baltic Dry Index), w ...
Thursday, 12 July 12
RIO TINTO'S SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGES
COALspot.com - Rio Tinto is making changes to its senior management team as chief financial officer (CFO) Guy Elliott has decided to retire at the e ...
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- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- PTC India Limited - India
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Economic Council, Georgia
- White Energy Company Limited
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- The University of Queensland
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Australian Coal Association
- Planning Commission, India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
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