He went on to explain that while corporate commitment and governmental efforts are currently in the right direction, there is often wavering commitment and contradictory policy regulation that impedes the growth of renewable energy production by governments across the world.
A multi-perspective discussion on understanding the growing energy needs in India and what we can do to realize it in a sustainable and self-reliant manner
As India’s energy needs shoot up and global temperatures rise, it becomes imperative to end the use of non-renewable energy sources and make renewable energy the primary means of energy production. The panel on ‘Mainstreaming Renewable Energy’ delved into the devastating Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital and across the country, the policy and enhancements of technology towards energy production, the state of energy storage in the country and explored contrarian positions on decentralization and centralization of Energy production.
India’s energy consumers are varied. Vast energy poverty where fossil fuels are primary energy sources coexist with callous urban wastage in rapidly increasing city spaces. Breaking down the energy needs of the country, Dr Ashwini Kumar, the Former MD of Solar Energy Corporation of India explained, “In terms of CO2 emissions, one-third is related to electricity production. In India, the total installed capacity is 390 gigawatts, and out of that 80 percent of energy production is coming from thermal energy. While renewable energy is growing on a fast scale, we have to focus on making this 80 per cent power production renewable and then we can mitigate emissions. But saying is easier than doing. Sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow when you need it. So we have to make adjustments and focus on energy storage in a big way. That is the necessity”
Picking up on energy storage, the President of AES India, Rajendra Srivastava explained, “Energy storage is fundamental to mainstreaming of renewable energy in the country. We have 390 gigawatts and if add 200 more gigawatts and with the current capacity of 500 gigawatts, we will have daily blackouts. Therefore, the need to rapidly add energy storage points at distribution centres, sub-stations or even at micro-grade/a decentralized system is very important.”
He went on to explain that while corporate commitment and governmental efforts are currently in the right direction, there is often wavering commitment and contradictory policy regulation that impedes the growth of renewable energy production by governments across the world.
Chetan Solanki, professor at IIT Bombay and Founder of Energy Swarajya Foundation, however, had a different perspective on the subject. He approached the need to mainstream renewable energy as a necessary step for survival. With the globe growing hotter by the day, he impressed upon the need to reduce emissions and prevent the predicted 3-6 degree centigrade rise in temperature as that would lead to irreversible climate change damage.
“People have to understand they are responsible for consuming energy and climate change. If individuals feel responsible then it becomes an issue of survival. Climate change is an emergency and we should treat it like that.” He went on to explain how the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has recommended that countries adopt ‘drastic’ and ‘immediate’ measures to ward off irreparable damage.
While the onus is higher on developing countries like India to quickly adopt renewables, the panel voiced that we represent a large share of the global emissions and concurred that we must adopt the benefits of technology and advanced energy solutions available to us currently that were not available before.
Professor Chetan’s concluding remarks served as a timely and important reminder of the responsibility that individuals must own up. “Be a proud part of the solution, not the pollution, adopt 100 percent solar energy, surrender electricity connections proudly and limit consumption. Start localizing production and we can all create a movement with lasting impact”.
