On Wednesday, February 17, 2010, a conference on energy security and climate change was held at Le Meridien, Pune.
The session was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by Dr. S.B. Mujumdar (Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Founder-Director, Symbiosis), Dr. (Mrs.) Vidya Yeravdekar – Principal Director, Symbiosis, Dr. Rajani Gupte (Director, SIIB), Mr. VP Raja (Chairman, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission), and Prof. A.G. Iyer, (Editor-in-chief, Publisher & Managing partner, ENERTIA – “FALCON MEDIA”, President FSAI)
During the inaugural, Dr. Rajani Gupte spoke about the recently unveiled MBA Energy & Environment course; she mentioned that the industry response & support to the course has been overwhelming.
Prof AG Iyer threw light on the theme outline, discussing the GDP growth in India, China & US, comparing it with respective carbon emissions, and the related tariff rates and power- plant costs.
Dr. S B Mujumdar, in his presiding address, stated that the key factors (3 Es) in transforming a developing nation into a developed one are Energy, Environment and Education. He also spoke about Al Gore’s ‘Inconvenient Truth’ and the worst possible impacts of climate change.
Adding to Dr. Mujumdar’s views, Mr. V P Raja stated that environmental problems are cumulative effects of industrial revolution, discussed first time in the Stockholm conference in 1972. The use of coal for combustion on a large scale started, post the industrial revolution. He also added that every resource has its shares of drawbacks and the aim is to create a balance between positives and shortcomings. He also stressed the importance of maintaining trade-off between knowledge and wisdom.
SESSION 1: Fueling our energy options – challenges for climate change
The Chairperson for this session was Mr. V P Raja (Chairman, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission). The panel discussion that ensued covered the following issues.
Mr. Digvijay Chauhan, Manager, Emissions Markets – India, MF Global India Pvt. Ltd. spoke about India’s current power scenario, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects which are a part of UNFCCC’s Kyoto Protocol, and the impact of their revenues on internal rate of returns.
Mr. Nakul Zaveri who is the Principal Consultant, Climate Change Capital threw light on the social impacts of climate change, carbon emissions and the Kyoto concept of common but differentiated responsibilities. He also stressed on the requirement of modified market mechanisms on terms of Govt. policies, programmatic CDM, carbon finance, intelligent manpower, etc.
Mr. Mukesh Ailani the Executive Engineer (Electrical), Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation presented a wonderful 6 minute documentary on innovation energy management and saving measures being carried out at Ulhasnagar city. UMC has been awarded by MEDA for their Quality Management System.
Mr. Pranav Mehta, CEO, Global India Energy Solutions, Director-India Operations, Space Island Group explained the upcoming concept of “solar energy through satellites” which is still being worked upon wherein Space Island Group is one of the key players, with former astronauts and project managers from NASA. He also said that the concept has immense emission reduction potential.
Mr. VP Raja ended the session giving a brief overview on the current energy & power scenario in India, the unexplored potentials of biomass, bagasse and wind energy. He specifically focused on NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY as a fuel for the future by explaining the 3 stage nuclear program, re-processing of spent fuels, commercial viability of thorium in future. He said that nuclear energy alone is comparable to renewables. The session concluded with Q & A session on rainwater harvesting, solar thermal, management of nuclear wastes etc.
SESSION 2: The Challenges for India security
The Chairperson for this session was Mr. PVSN Murty the Director Operations, CVIL Infra Ltd. The points of view offered by the panelists are as mentioned.
Mr. Gagan Vermani, General Manager – PV Systems Group, Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Pvt. Ltd. Began by giving some statistics on India’s expected GDP growth and technological significance of renewable energy sources. Pertaining to solar photo-voltaics, he spoke about the untapped solar potential, and some benefits associated with it like one time investment, long life, guaranteed returns for 25 years, etc. He also shared information about Moser Baer group portfolio, its global alliances (Germany), PV manufacturing, roof top PV installations, their role in the banking & telecom sector, and the advantages of amorphous over crystalline PV technology.
Mr. Pradeep Kumar , Manager – Strategic Business Development, Suzlon Energy Ltd. started with a discussion about reasons why Western world growing rich, one of them being easy access to cheap energy sources up to the world wars. He then, gave a brief on the sustaining fuel mix, climate change and the contribution of wind-energy to the total renewable capacity. He stressed on the importance of proposed shifts in Govt. policies, regulations to mainstream renewable sources, new market models pertaining to fixing of renewable purchase obligations, procurement tariffs by SERC. Lastly, he also spoke about initiatives & approaches by Spain & Australia.
Dr. Shailaja Sharma, Advisor, Future Fuels & CO2, Shell India Markets Pvt. Ltd. presented statistics and trend analysis on the energy consumption per year by India and the world. She highlighted the three hard truths 1) surge in energy demand, 2) supply struggling to keep pace, and 3) increasing environmental stresses. Statistics prove that world energy demand is on track to double by 2050, and future transport energy likely to diverse.
Mr. PVSN Murty concluded the session with insights on the significance of hydro power projects in India, and problems associated with them pertaining to geological issues, rehabilitation and resettlement of people, logistics, etc. He also stated that the India hydro power market is expected boom in the next 3-4 years once these problems are tackled and untapped hydro potential is explored.
SESSION 3: Energy & power technologies for the future
The chairman for this session was Mr. R.K. Srivastava, Director, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd.
The discussion opened with Mr. R.K. Srivastava, explaining the need for a paradigm shift towards green & clean energy, improve per capita energy, and a brief about sustainable energy, alternate technologies for the future. In rural Gujarat, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. in association with Gujarat Water Supply and Sewage Board (GWSSB) recently replaced hand pumps with 11W solar pumps that provide an output of 5,000 to 10,000 liters of water per day per pumping system to these villages.
Mr. Praveen Kakulte, Associate Vice President (Service), Enercon India Ltd. stated facts about traditional windmill technology, life cycle of energy resources and the Indian grid code. Sharing information about Enercon’s wind solutions, he explained the gear & gearless concept. Enercon has come up with the grid management system, power factor control, reactive power regulation to support wind technology.
Mr. Kiran Deshpande, Head Innovations, Thermax India Ltd. gave some insights on current solar thermal energy trends and the solar thermal value chain. He gave details on unleashing power through hybridization of energy sources (integration two or more sources), leveling of electricity cost per KWh and improvement in efficiency with steam & organic Rankin cycle. He also shared few strategies on hybrid combinations.
Dr. Arun Jaura VP Technology & Head EIEC, Eaton Corporation started with a brief introduction on Eaton Corporation, which shifted from vehicle manufacturing to power management. He then spoke about green House Gas emissions, per capita emissions and the sector-wise GHG emission abatement potential in India. In terms of security & climate change, he expressed the need for stringent & structured regulatory & institutional framework, and the challenges due to market imperfections, supply & skills concerns, protection & modernization of global energy infrastructure & distribution channels. Whilst speaking about opportunities, he discussed about US-India green partnership, Indo-US clean energy R & D venture, etc. Also, at Eaton, there are opportunities in mobility, building and power sector. He also mentioned how power from the grid acts as capacitor bank providing reactive power compensation to windmills.
The daylong conference was concluded with Dr. Prakash Rao, Head of Dept - MBA Energy & Environment, SIIB summing up the proceedings with a quick review of some of major points discussed during the conference, roles of different stake holders towards the underlying issues, and upcoming opportunities for students in the fields of energy & environment to contribute to, as well as shape up their careers in these sectors.
Special eco-friendly mementos in the form of attractive fruit baskets were handed over to all speakers as a token of appreciation, acknowledging their gracious presence in the event.
Overall, the conference provided a highly informative, knowledge sharing experience with the most eminent of personalities leading discussions of various innovative solutions to the underlying issues related to energy and environment.
To view photographs of the event, click, here....
