We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining,
shipping, etc.
To Submit your article please click here.
|
|
|
Monday, 07 December 09
HOW INDIA CAN CUT ITS ENERGY NEEDS BY 20%!
 Using energy more efficiently can reduce our energy needs by one fifth; it is a strategy we must pursue even as we promote renewables, says Kirit Parikh.
India needs to grow at 8-10 per cent for the next two decades if the country is to eliminate poverty. This will require our energy consumption to grow four- to five-fold.
Our power capacity has to increase from around 170,000 Mw, including captive plants, to 800,000 Mw or 1,000,000 Mw by 2030.
With the full development of hydropower, an optimistic nuclear development scenario and improved availability of natural gas, we will need around 500 million tonnes (mt) of oil products, 200 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas and around 2,000 mt of coal by 2030.
This compares with an oil consumption of 133 mt, gas consumption of 37 bcm and coal consumption of about 525 mt (Indian coal equivalent) in 2008. Even with the nuclear agreement, the nuclear capacity is not likely to reach more than 100,000 Mw by 2030.
Our import dependence may grow as high as 90 per cent for oil, 30 per cent for gas and 30 per cent for coal. We can reduce this by promoting energy efficiency and renewable resources.
Coal will remain our main energy source. It is generally believed that we have very little oil and gas, but large coal reserves. However, the currently known extractable coal reserves will run out in 45 years if our coal consumption keeps growing at 5 per cent per year, as it has in the past 25 years.
Thus, it is important to promote energy efficiency, including in coal use. The growing threat of climate change also requires this.
The first task in saving energy is to increase the efficiency of electricity use. A unit saved at the consumer end saves 1.25 units of generation and saves further energy, as coal does not have to be transported.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has taken a number of steps. An efficient lighting programme to replace incandescent bulbs by compact florescent lamps (CFLs), labelling of electrical equipment, a pilot programme to promote energy-efficient pumps for farmers, the launching of an energy conservation building code, standards and benchmarks for designated industries, etc, have been initiated. These will reduce energy, particularly electricity, consumption.
To get the full benefit from the labelling programme, public sector procurement officers should be enabled to purchase equipment based on life cycle cost instead of initial cost, without inviting Vigilance Commission investigation.
The government should issue an order specifying the price preference that may be given to equipment with a higher star rating. Thus, for example, an air conditioner with a three-star rating that saves Rs 1,500 per year in electricity bills over a two-star-rated air conditioner, may be given a price preference of Rs 3,600, which is the present discounted value of savings over three years at a 12 per cent discount rate.
While economic incentives are important, setting energy efficiency standards for equipment can play a very important role. By periodically tightening standards, the average annual energy consumption of refrigerators in the United States was brought down from 1,825 kwhr in 1974 to 476 kwhr by 2001.
Such efficiency gains are even more important for us, as with an 8 per cent growth rate, we will nearly double our capital stock in nine years. Energy-using equipment and appliances will also spread rapidly.
Thus, the manufacturers of equipment and appliances should be targeted to force the pace of improvement in energy efficiency.
Major opportunities also exist in cutting energy use in other areas.
Increasing the efficiency of coal-based power plants: The fuel conversion efficiency of the existing population of thermal power stations is on average around 30 per cent.
Super-critical boilers can provide an efficiency of 38-40 per cent. No new thermal power plant should be allowed without a certified fuel conversion efficiency of at least 38 per cent. The pace of efficiency improvement needs to be forced.
Shifting freight traffic to railways: Improve railway service to win back the long-distance freight traffic carried by trucks today that consume five times as much diesel per net tonne kilometre of freight carried.
The construction of dedicated freight corridors should be completed as soon as possible. Carrying 3,000 billion tonne kilometres (bt-km) of freight (half of the projected freight traffic in 2030) by rail instead of trucks can save approximately 50 mt of diesel per year.
Promoting urban mass transport: Promote urban mass transport by providing quality services which may be partially financed by imposing congestion, pollution and parking charges on those who use personalised motor transport.
Plan for future mass transport corridors in smaller cities and acquire right-of-way. As the city grows, the permissible built-up area may be gradually increased. However, the additional right to build should remain with the local government, which it can auction to finance mass transport and other urban infrastructure.
Increasing the fuel efficiency of vehicles: By promoting hybrid vehicles that are already available commercially internationally and flexi-fuel vehicles that can burn varying proportions of ethanol-blended fuels, we can improve efficiency by 20 per cent or more.
Fuel efficiency standards should be imposed on vehicle manufacturers to force the pace.
Promoting renewable energy such as solar is critical for our long-term energy security. Presently commercially available solar photovoltaic cells of 15 per cent efficiency covering 10 million hectares can more than meet all our energy needs projected for 2030.
The cost of solar electricity today is about Rs 20 per kwhr, compared to around Rs 4 at the consumer end from coal power. The solar mission to be launched has the target to make solar cost-competitive to coal power by 2020.
There are, however, applications that use solar energy that are economical today that can reduce the need for energy from conventional sources. Solar water heaters are a case in point.
With 50 million home water heaters we can save 95 billion units of electricity generation, which means a saving of 65 mt of coal.
We are short on fossil fuels. Energy efficiency can reduce our energy needs by 20 per cent and is a major resource that we must use even as we promote renewables.
The author, a former member of the Planning Commission, is Chairman of Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe).
Source: Business.Rediff
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
|
|
Thursday, 03 December 09
PROLONGED COAL MARGIN SQUEEZE AHEAD - WESCOAL
Mining Weekly reported that, Coal junior Wescoal foresees a continued margin squeeze ahead. The JSE AltX-listed company's gross margin was reduced ...
Tuesday, 01 December 09
COAL DEMAND REBOUNDING FROM DOWNTURN - U.S. MINING EXECS
The coal industry is slowly rebounding from last year's recession with demand and prices inching upward, although inventories at U.S. power ...
Tuesday, 01 December 09
INDONESIA COAL OUTPUT SEEN LIFTED BY CHINA, INDIA
Reuters reported that, Indonesia's coal output is expected to grow by as much as 12 percent in 2010, boosted by demand from power hungry China and ...
Monday, 30 November 09
NTPC SCOUTS FOR MORE COAL BLOCKS IN INDONESIA
State-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) today said it has identified three more coal blocks in Indonesia for acquisition.
"We ha ...
Monday, 30 November 09
THE FUTURES FOR THREE YEARS (2010-2012) WAS SOFT COMPARED TO LAST WEEK - VISTAAR SINGAPORE
COALspot.com (Singapore): BDI continued to drop this week and touched below 4,000 mark level. The drop in BDI was almost 12 pct and closed at 3,975 ...
|
|
|
Showing 6211 to 6215 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- PTC India Limited - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Australian Coal Association
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- The University of Queensland
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- White Energy Company Limited
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- VISA Power Limited - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Planning Commission, India
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
|
| |
| |
|
