Sustainable energy: Highway to environment-friendly development
Sustainable energy is closely related to sustainable development; it is not exactly possible to make the development process sustainable unless the energy production, distribution and utilization are ensured to be sustainable. In fact, the notion of sustainable energy had been derived from the concept of sustainable development. Utilisation of energy is very vital for development. The developed world utilises much more energy than the developing countries. The least amount of gross energy is used by the third world poor countries. The utilisation of more energy is positively correlated with the economic growth. Thus energy harnessing and utilization is a good indicator of development. But when energy use surpasses the sustainable level, the development will not sustain, it will collapse.
Sustainable energy in brief is a shift to cleaner energy sources that is harnessing most energy from renewable sources ensuring no or least pollution from energy industries.
Sustainability has three characteristics:
An environmental scientist can find out better energy option in terms of environmental safety and economic benefits among tools and techniques to cope with the energy crisis and meet the growing energy demand in a sustainable manner. Sustainable energy options
Solar PV systems: Studies for solar resource assessment in Bangladesh under the Solar and Wind Energy Resources Assessment (SWERA) project show availability of good annual global horizontal radiation levels all over the country, in the range from 4.1 to 4.5 kWh/m2/day. During the pre and post monsoon the country has high solar radiation. The highest radiation occurs during the hot dry period from March to May. In those rural areas which cannot be electrified by grid extensions, off grid centralised or single Solar Home Systems (SHS) for lighting 100,000 households through SHS by 2008 is quite feasible. 100,000 SHS would annually displace 18 million litres of kerosene. Since both kerosene and diesel are imported in Bangladesh, any reduction in their consumption would help reduce foreign exchange expenditure besides making the country that much more secure in terms of energy supply. Solar Water Heating System (SWHS): Introduction of SWHS in health complexes, hospitals, hotels and industries should be a good option in Bangladesh to reduce its electricity demand from conventional sources and to lower the GHG emission. In Bangladesh there are now around 230 hospitals and 400 rural and urban Thana Health Complexes (THC), with an average of 30 beds per complex. Most of these use electricity for water heating. It has been found that around 1400 tons of GHG emission reduction is possible annually if 100 of these use SHWS. Similarly, hotels, textile industries, dairy firms and rest houses across the country have a good scope for GHG reduction through SWHS. Micro-hydro power: According to a survey jointly made by BPDB and BWDB(1980s) to explore the feasibility of micro-hydro power in the country there are 19 prospective sites in the hilly area of Chittagong hill tracts which could generate electricity in the range of 4 to 64 KW. Recently LGED has explored the potential of mini and micro hydro power by their integration with irrigation and flood control projects. An initial estimation shows that Baman Chara Irrigation Project, Chittagong has the potential to generate electricity to the tune of 20 MW. Wind energy: Different studies show that some inland locations and islands in the coastal part of Bangladesh have a fair potential of wind energy for electricity generation. Predictions at 50m height show that some selected areas in Kutubdia, St. Martin's, Sawndip, Hatya and Charfassion islands and some of the coastal areas like Kuakata have a fair potential with wind power density above 150 w/m2. Biomass energy: Biomass is completely renewable. Production of biomass reduces CO2 in the atmosphere just as the opposite process of burning fossil fuel. As production of biomass is harmless to environment and Bangladesh has in a natural region of the earth where its primary production is satisfactory we should adopt economic and technological measures to utilise this source of energy. Improved stove and biogas plant are two major technologies by which we can utilise biomass energy efficiently and in more sustainable manner. Natural gas: Though natural gas is not a renewable energy it is least harmful among fossil fuels. Most part of natural gas is CH4 but upon burning produces CO2 which is less severe green house gas than CH4 .We should promote all technologies regarding natural gas and reduce use of mineral oil from abroad. CNG conversion of petrol and diesel driven vehicles is a welcome move. Nuclear fuel: Government of erstwhile Pakistan in 1961 took an initiative for setting up nuclear power plant by adopting “Rooppur Nuclear Power Project”. Different companies from USA, USSR, UK and Switzerland conducted a number of feasibility studies on the project. Later, a site for it was selected at Rooppur in Pabna. The executive committee of the National Economic Council approved the project for three different sizes on as many occasions -- 70 MW in 1963, 140 MW in 1966, and 200 MW in 1969.But no physical progress of the project was observed before and after the independence except some reshuffle in policies. What measures should we take?
Importance of technology: It is getting a common acceptance that though technological advancement is responsible for commencement of various types of pollution and environmental degradation to a significant extent, abatement of pollution thereby protection of environment is also possible through technological interventions, such as green technologies for fossil fuels: coal gasifying, catalytic converter in automobile; energy efficiency: co-generation, efficient technologies. Redirecting public choice: People's choice has greater importance in environmental issues. Scientists may invent environment friendly techniques, industries can produce products with improved efficiency. But none of these can make people buy the environment friendly products. That depends solely on the knowledge, consciousness of the consumers and their responsibility to the environment. We have noticed how innovative invention, economically viable better technology dedicated for environment can fail against social choice in the case of 'improved stove'. So, if we want to promote sustainable energy we must try to redirect the social choice towards sustainable development campaigning in favour of environment. Economic aspect: Only technological advancement cannot promote sustainable energy since there are other barriers not less important that include policy barrier, market barrier and it we want to popularise renewable energy technologies they must be economically viable. Price of solar panels, wind generator, battery and other materials must be lowered through mass production. If the machinery required for the technological shift to renewables are produced locally with indigenous raw materials then it will be far more viable for general people since price will then obviously be lower than the imported ones. Conclusion
Sustainable energy is an essential element for implementing sustainable development that gives people perpetual economic, social and environmental security. In practical field, sustainable energy implies efficient use of conventional fossil fuels ensuring the least pollution with a future plan of permanent shift to renewable energy sources. Yet there are various barriers to promote sustainable energy and there are also ways to overcome those. But we should start right now our journey to sustainable development through sustainable energy; otherwise, it will be too late to protect the people and the planet.
- Durability of development i.e. development will not collapse
- Economic opportunity for future generation will not be hindered
- Development of an area will not harm people outside the area
- Ensures health safety of workers in the energy industry and consumers of commercial energy
- Minimizes the pollution due to energy harnessing, distribution and utilization
- More emphasis is given to renewable energy sources than conventional energy sources that are limited in stock. In fact it aim at complete shift to renewable energy sources
- Where we are bound to use fossil fuel try to increase the efficiency of energy conversion at every stage from harnessing of primary energy, to conversion to secondary energy, to energy distribution and utilization at consumer level.
- Less green house gas emission, less ozone layer depleting substance and minimal discharge of NOx, SOx are maintained.
- Socially acceptable energy sources indicate a part of humanity will not be affected by the production, distribution and utilisation of energy by another part.
- Sustainable energy is economically viable and able boost durable economic growth.
- Energy consumption per capita
- Indigenous energy production
- Net energy import dependence
- Life time of proven fossil fuel reserves
- Quantities of air pollutant emissions (SO2, NOx, particulates, CO, VOC)
- Quantities of greenhouse gas emissions
- Radio nuclides in atmospheric radioactive discharges
- Generation of solid waste
- Land area taken up by energy facilities and infrastructure
- Fraction of technically exploitable capability of hydropower currently in use
- Rate of deforestation
- End-use energy prices with and without tax/subsidy
- Energy supply efficiency: fossil fuel efficiency for electricity generation
- Expenditure on energy sector: total investment, environmental control, hydrocarbon
- Exploration and Development, RD&D, net energy import expenses
- Proven recoverable fossil fuel reserves
- Life time of proven fossil fuel reserves
An environmental scientist can find out better energy option in terms of environmental safety and economic benefits among tools and techniques to cope with the energy crisis and meet the growing energy demand in a sustainable manner. Sustainable energy options
Solar PV systems: Studies for solar resource assessment in Bangladesh under the Solar and Wind Energy Resources Assessment (SWERA) project show availability of good annual global horizontal radiation levels all over the country, in the range from 4.1 to 4.5 kWh/m2/day. During the pre and post monsoon the country has high solar radiation. The highest radiation occurs during the hot dry period from March to May. In those rural areas which cannot be electrified by grid extensions, off grid centralised or single Solar Home Systems (SHS) for lighting 100,000 households through SHS by 2008 is quite feasible. 100,000 SHS would annually displace 18 million litres of kerosene. Since both kerosene and diesel are imported in Bangladesh, any reduction in their consumption would help reduce foreign exchange expenditure besides making the country that much more secure in terms of energy supply. Solar Water Heating System (SWHS): Introduction of SWHS in health complexes, hospitals, hotels and industries should be a good option in Bangladesh to reduce its electricity demand from conventional sources and to lower the GHG emission. In Bangladesh there are now around 230 hospitals and 400 rural and urban Thana Health Complexes (THC), with an average of 30 beds per complex. Most of these use electricity for water heating. It has been found that around 1400 tons of GHG emission reduction is possible annually if 100 of these use SHWS. Similarly, hotels, textile industries, dairy firms and rest houses across the country have a good scope for GHG reduction through SWHS. Micro-hydro power: According to a survey jointly made by BPDB and BWDB(1980s) to explore the feasibility of micro-hydro power in the country there are 19 prospective sites in the hilly area of Chittagong hill tracts which could generate electricity in the range of 4 to 64 KW. Recently LGED has explored the potential of mini and micro hydro power by their integration with irrigation and flood control projects. An initial estimation shows that Baman Chara Irrigation Project, Chittagong has the potential to generate electricity to the tune of 20 MW. Wind energy: Different studies show that some inland locations and islands in the coastal part of Bangladesh have a fair potential of wind energy for electricity generation. Predictions at 50m height show that some selected areas in Kutubdia, St. Martin's, Sawndip, Hatya and Charfassion islands and some of the coastal areas like Kuakata have a fair potential with wind power density above 150 w/m2. Biomass energy: Biomass is completely renewable. Production of biomass reduces CO2 in the atmosphere just as the opposite process of burning fossil fuel. As production of biomass is harmless to environment and Bangladesh has in a natural region of the earth where its primary production is satisfactory we should adopt economic and technological measures to utilise this source of energy. Improved stove and biogas plant are two major technologies by which we can utilise biomass energy efficiently and in more sustainable manner. Natural gas: Though natural gas is not a renewable energy it is least harmful among fossil fuels. Most part of natural gas is CH4 but upon burning produces CO2 which is less severe green house gas than CH4 .We should promote all technologies regarding natural gas and reduce use of mineral oil from abroad. CNG conversion of petrol and diesel driven vehicles is a welcome move. Nuclear fuel: Government of erstwhile Pakistan in 1961 took an initiative for setting up nuclear power plant by adopting “Rooppur Nuclear Power Project”. Different companies from USA, USSR, UK and Switzerland conducted a number of feasibility studies on the project. Later, a site for it was selected at Rooppur in Pabna. The executive committee of the National Economic Council approved the project for three different sizes on as many occasions -- 70 MW in 1963, 140 MW in 1966, and 200 MW in 1969.But no physical progress of the project was observed before and after the independence except some reshuffle in policies. What measures should we take?
Importance of technology: It is getting a common acceptance that though technological advancement is responsible for commencement of various types of pollution and environmental degradation to a significant extent, abatement of pollution thereby protection of environment is also possible through technological interventions, such as green technologies for fossil fuels: coal gasifying, catalytic converter in automobile; energy efficiency: co-generation, efficient technologies. Redirecting public choice: People's choice has greater importance in environmental issues. Scientists may invent environment friendly techniques, industries can produce products with improved efficiency. But none of these can make people buy the environment friendly products. That depends solely on the knowledge, consciousness of the consumers and their responsibility to the environment. We have noticed how innovative invention, economically viable better technology dedicated for environment can fail against social choice in the case of 'improved stove'. So, if we want to promote sustainable energy we must try to redirect the social choice towards sustainable development campaigning in favour of environment. Economic aspect: Only technological advancement cannot promote sustainable energy since there are other barriers not less important that include policy barrier, market barrier and it we want to popularise renewable energy technologies they must be economically viable. Price of solar panels, wind generator, battery and other materials must be lowered through mass production. If the machinery required for the technological shift to renewables are produced locally with indigenous raw materials then it will be far more viable for general people since price will then obviously be lower than the imported ones. Conclusion
Sustainable energy is an essential element for implementing sustainable development that gives people perpetual economic, social and environmental security. In practical field, sustainable energy implies efficient use of conventional fossil fuels ensuring the least pollution with a future plan of permanent shift to renewable energy sources. Yet there are various barriers to promote sustainable energy and there are also ways to overcome those. But we should start right now our journey to sustainable development through sustainable energy; otherwise, it will be too late to protect the people and the planet.
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