- Energy Conservation
- Energy Strategy for the Future
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
- Distributed Generation
- Applications of Distributed Generating Systems
- Benefits of Distributed Generating Systems
- Challenges associated with Distributed Generating Systems
Energy Conservation
Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency are separate, but related concepts. Energy
conservation is achieved when the growth of energy consumption is reduced, measured in
physical terms. Energy Conservation can, therefore, be the result of several processes or
developments, such as productivity increase or technological progress. On the other hand, Energy efficiency is achieved when energy intensity in a specific product, process or area
of production or consumption is reduced without affecting output, consumption or
comfort levels. The promotion of energy efficiency will contribute to energy conservation and
is, therefore, an integral part of energy conservation promotional policies.
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Nature sets some basic limits on how efficiently energy can be used, but in most cases, our products and manufacturing processes are still a long way from operating at this
theoretical limit. Very simply, energy efficiency means using less energy to perform the
same function. Although energy efficiency has been in practice ever since the first oil
crisis in 1973, it has today assumed even more important because of being the
most cost-effective and reliable means of mitigating global climate change.
Recognition of that potential has led to high expectations for the control of future
CO2 emissions through even more energy efficiency improvements than have
occurred in the past. The industrial sector accounts for some 41 per cent of global
primary energy demand and approximately the same share of CO2 emissions.
Energy Strategy for the Future
The energy strategy for the future could be classified into immediate, medium-term
and long-term strategies.
- Immediate-term strategy
- Rationalizing the tariff structure of various energy products.
- Optimum utilization of existing assets.
- Efficiency in production systems and reduction in distribution losses, including those in traditional energy sources.
- Promoting R&D, transfer and use of technologies and practices for environmentally sound energy systems, including new and renewable energy sources.
- Demand management through greater conservation of energy, optimum fuel mix, structural changes in the economy, an appropriate model mix in the transport sector, i.e. greater dependence on rail than on road for the movement of goods and passengers and a shift away from private modes to public modes for passenger transport; changes in the design of different products to reduce the material intensity of those products, recycling, etc.
- There is a need to shift to less energy-intensive modes of transport. This would include measures to improve the transport infrastructure viz. roads, better design of vehicles, use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and synthetic fuel, etc. Similarly, better urban planning would also reduce the demand for energy use in the transport sector.
- There is a need to move away from non-renewable to renewable energy sources viz. solar, wind, biomass energy, etc.
- Efficient generation of energy resources.
- Efficient production of coal, oil and natural gas.
- Reduction of natural gas flaring Improving energy infrastructure.
- Building new refineries.
- Creation of urban gas transmission and distribution network.
- Maximizing the efficiency of rail transport of coal production.
- Building new coal and gas-fired power stations. Enhancing energy efficiency.
- Improving energy efficiency in accordance with national, socio-economic, and environmental priorities.
- Promoting energy efficiency and emission standards.
- Labelling programs for products and adoption of energy-efficient technologies in large industries.
- Deregulation and privatization of the energy sector.
- Reducing cross-subsidies on oil products and electricity tariffs.
- Decontrolling coal prices and making natural gas prices competitive.
- Privatization of oil, coal and power sectors for improved efficiency.
- Investment legislation to attract foreign investments.
- Streamlining approval process for attracting private sector participation in power generation, transmission and distribution.
- The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to institutionalize energy efficiency services, enable delivery mechanisms in the country and provide leadership to energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy. The primary objective would be to reduce energy intensity in the Indian Economy.
- The general superintendence, directions and management of the affairs of the Bureau is vested in the Governing Council with 26 members. The Council is headed by the Union Minister of Power and consists of members represented by Secretaries of various line Ministries, the CEOs of technical agencies under the Ministries, members representing equipment and appliance manufacturers, industry, architects, consumers and five power regions representing the states. The Director-General of the Bureau shall be the Ex-Officio member-secretary of the Council.
- The BEE will be initially supported by the Central Government by way of grants through the budget, it will, however, in a period of 5-7 years become self-sufficient. It would be authorized to collect the appropriate fee in the discharge of its functions assigned to it. The BEE will also use the Central Energy Conservation Fund and other funds raised from various sources for innovative financing of energy efficiency projects in order to promote energy-efficient investment.
Distributed Generation
Distributed generation (or DG) generally refers to small-scale (typically 1 kW – 50 MW)
electric power generators that produce electricity at a site close to customers or that are
tied to an electric distribution system. Distributed generators include, but are not limited
to synchronous generators, induction generators, reciprocating engines, micro-turbines
(combustion turbines that run on high-energy fossil fuels such as oil, propane, natural
gas, gasoline or diesel), combustion gas turbines, fuel cells, solar photo-voltaic, and
wind turbines.
Applications of Distributed Generating Systems
There are many reasons a customer may choose to install a distributed generator(DG). DG
can be used to generate a customer’s entire electricity supply; for peak shaving
(generating a portion of a customer’s electricity onsite to reduce the amount of electricity
purchased during peak price periods); for standby or emergency generation (as a backup
to Wires Owner's power supply); as a green power source (using renewable technology);
or for increased reliability. In some remote locations, DG can be less costly as it
eliminates the need for expensive construction of distribution and/or transmission lines.
Benefits of Distributed Generating Systems
Has a lower capital cost because of the small size of the DG (although the investment
cost per kVA of a DG can be much higher than that of a large power plant). May reduce
the need for large infrastructure construction or upgrades because the
DG can be constructed at the load
location.
If the DG provides power for local use, it may reduce pressure on distribution and
transmission
lines.
Some technologies produce zero or near-zero pollutant emissions over their
useful life (not taking into consideration pollutant emissions over the entire product
lifecycle ie. pollution produced during the manufacturing, or after
decommissioning of the DG system). With some technologies such as solar or wind, it is a form of renewable energy.
Can increase power reliability as backup or stand-by power to customers.
Offers customers a choice in meeting their energy needs.
Challenges associated with Distributed Generating Systems
There are no uniform national interconnection standards addressing safety, power
quality and reliability for small distributed generation systems. The current process for
interconnection is not standardized among provinces.
Interconnection may involve communication with several different organizations The
environmental regulations and permit processes that have been developed for larger
distributed generation projects make some DG projects uneconomical. Contractual
barriers exist such as liability insurance requirements, fees and charges, and extensive
paperwork.
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