Mankind is using up energy resources of mother earth in a way no other animal has ever done. The largest contributions to current energy sources in the world come from oil (31%), coal (26%) and natural gas (19%). At the present rate of consumption, oil reserves will last for 40 years, gas reserves for 60 years, coal reserves for 125 years and uranium reserves will last for 1,000 years. India has 17% of the world’s population, but only about 0.8% of the world’s known oil and natural gas sources. Based on the progress visualised for the nation during the next two decades, the power generating capacity has to increase to 4,00,000 MW by the year 2030 from the current 3,01,965 MW in India. This takes into consideration energy economics plan and the design and production of energy-efficient equipments and systems.
New and emerging technologies like hydrogen energy, fuel cells, biofuels, electric and hybrid electric vehicles, geo-thermal energy and tidal energy hold major promise for mitigating the energy crisis in the country, especially for power generation and transportation as such to achieve energy independence. These are renewable and do not get depleted with use like fossil fuels. Innovations in technology, development and applications have to drive the renewable energy (green power) marketplace. Over 1.64 billion people across the world lack access to electricity. For the people who cannot be provided with electricity by extending the grid, their hope rests in innovation and, as such, the emerging technologies. Presently, the installed generation capacity of renewable energy in India is 85,510 MW from various sources which is approximately 28.9% of the total installed capacity contributing to around 3% of total national electricity generation. The stupendous growth stimulates enhanced energy requirements.
Energy conservation is the effort made to reduce the consumption of energy by using less of an energy service. This can be achieved either by using energy more efficiently (using less energy for a constant service) or by reducing the amount of service used (for example, by driving less). Energy conservation is a part of the concept of eco-sufficiency. Energy conservation reduces the need for energy services and can result in increased environmental quality, national security, personal financial security and higher savings. It is at the top of the sustainable energy hierarchy. It also lowers energy costs by preventing future resource depletion.
Energy can be conserved by reducing wastage and losses, improving efficiency through technological upgrades and improved operation and maintenance. On a global level, energy use can also be reduced by stabilisation of population growth.
The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) is an Indian governmental body created in 1978 that engages in promoting energy efficiency and conservation in every walk of life. In the recent past, the PCRA has done mass-media campaigns in television, radio and print media. This impact-assessment survey by a third party revealed that due to these larger campaigns by the PCRA, the public's overall awareness level has gone up leading to saving of fossil fuels worth crores of rupees, besides reducing pollution.
The National Energy Conservation Day is being celebrated on December 14 since 1991. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under Ministry of Power spearheads the celebrations.
(Dr Senapati is Professor and HoD of Chemistry, Trident Academy of Technology, Bhubaneswar. dr_senapati@yahoo.com)
