The Great climate debate : A Developing country perspective

For over two decades, scientific and political communities have debated whether and how to act on climate change. The present paper revisits these debates and synthesizes the longstanding arguments. Firstly, it provides an overview of the development of international climate policy and discusses clashing positions represented by sceptics and supporters of action on climate change. Secondly, it discusses the market-based measures as a means to increase the win-win opportunities and to attract profit-minded investors to invest in climate change mitigation. Finally, the paper examines whether climate protection policies can yield benefits both for the environment and the economy. The paper suggests the possibility of building environmental and climate policies around development priorities that are vitally important for developing countries and stresses the need for using sustainable development as a framework for climate change policies.Climate change, Sceptic, Supporter, Developing country

Technology portfolio analysis for residential lighting

electricity forces the electricity utilities to increase their generating capacity. The huge investments on generation, transmission and distribution (at the cost of alternative development projects) adversely affect India's scarce capital resources. Also, internal energy resources like coal are utilised with a great risk to the environment. This paper attempts to show analytically the benefits of shift in the focus from supply augmentation to demand management through a case study of replacement of inefficient devices with efficient ones for residential lighting. This is being done by analyzing the economics of various alternatives and developing an optimal portfolio for meeting the lighting requirement of a typical household in Maharashtra State in India. A mixed integer-programming model has been used for developing the optimal portfolio and a comparison of annual returns is made. Finally, the results for the typical household have been extended to the state of Maharashtra and the cost and benefits are estimated. The results show that the optimal lighting portfolio provides a far higher return at a lower risk compared to other investment alternatives like the stock market while providing substantial savings both in terms of energy and peak demand.Demand management, electricity consumption, energy resources, mixed integer-programming model, rate of return

Technology portfolio analysis for residential lighting

Electricity consumption in India is increasing rapidly over the years. The increased demand for electricity forces the electricity utilities to increase their generating capacity. The huge investments on generation, transmission and distribution (at the cost of alternative development projects) adversely affect India's scarce capital resources. Also, internal energy resources like coal are utilised with a great risk to the environment. This paper attempts to show analytically the benefits of shift in the focus from supply augmentation to demand management through a case study of replacement of inefficient devices with efficient ones for residential lighting. This is being done by analyzing the economics of various alternatives and developing an optimal portfolio for meeting the lighting requirement of a typical household in Maharashtra State in India. A mixed integer-programming model has been used for developing the optimal portfolio and a comparison of annual returns is made. Finally, the results for the typical household have been extended to the state of Maharashtra and the cost and benefits are estimated. The results show that the optimal lighting portfolio provides a far higher return at a lower risk compared to other investment alternatives like the stock market while providing substantial savings both in terms of energy and peak demand.Demand management, electricity consumption, energy resources, mixed integer-programming model, rate of return

Technical productivity analysis for cement industry at firm level

This paper analyses the energy use in the manufacture of cement in India during 1992-2005. Cement manufacturing requires large amounts of various energy inputs. The most common types of energy carriers used are coal, electricity, natural gas and fuel oil. Over the years, the fuel use shift is less, but use of natural gas has decreased and that of electricity has increased. Using panel data, stochastic frontier production function method has been used to evaluate the efficiency of individual firms and industries across the years. The results show a significant decrease in energy as well as carbon intensities because of differences in production techniques.Cement industry, Energy demand, Firm, Technical efficiency

Hydrogen energy for Indian transport sector: A Well-to-wheel techno-economic and environmental feasibility analysis

With the alarming rate of growth in vehicle population and travel demand, the energy consumption has increased significantly contributing to the rise of GHG emissions. Therefore, the development of a viable environmentally benign technology/fuel, which minimises both global and local environmental impacts, is the need of the hour. There are four interconnected reasons for propagating a shift towards alternative fuels/technologies: (i) Energy Supply: world oil reserves are rapidly diminishing, (ii) Environment: local pollution from vehicles is creating an atmosphere that is increasingly damaging public health and environment, (iii) Economic competitiveness: the cost of producing oil and regulating the by-products of oil consumption continues to increase, and (iv) Energy security: the military and political costs of maintaining energy security in international markets are becoming untenable. Hydrogen energy has been demonstrated as a viable alternative automotive fuel in three technological modes: internal combustion engines connected mechanically to conventional vehicles; fuel cells that produce electricity to power electric vehicles; and hybrids that involve combinations of engines or fuel cells with electrical storage systems, such as batteries The present study provides a well-to-wheel analysis of the economic and environmental implications of technologies to deliver the hydrogen energy to the vehicles. The main objectives of the study are: (i) prioritization of technologies of hydrogen production, transportation, storage and refueling, (ii) economic analysis of prioritized technology alternatives to estimate the delivered cost of hydrogen at the end-use point, and (iii) estimating the environmental impacts. To achieve the desired objectives, various quantitative life-cycle-cost analyses have been carried out for numerous pathways (i.e. technologies and processes) for hydrogen production, storage, transportation/distribution and dispensing. The total cost implications are arrived at by combining the costs of hydrogen (at end-use point) and the estimated demand for hydrogen for transport. The environmental benefits (potential to abate GHG emissions) of alternative hydrogen energy technology pathways have been worked out by using the standard emission factors. Finally, the GHG emission levels of hydrogen supply pathways are compared with those of diesel and petrol pathways. The application of this systematic methodology will simulate a realistic decision-making process.

Barriers and drivers to energy efficiency? A New taxonomical approach

This paper develops a new systematic classification and explanation of barriers and drivers to energy efficiency. Using an `actor oriented approach', the paper tries to identify (i) the drivers and barriers that affect the success or failure of energy efficiency investments and (ii) the institutions that are responsible for the emergence of these barriers and drivers. This taxonomy aims to synthesise ideas from three broad perspectives, viz., micro (project/end user), meso (organization), and macro (state, market, civil society). The paper develops a systematic framework by looking at the issues from the perspective of different actors. This not only aids the understanding of barriers and drivers; it also provides scope for appropriate policy interventions. This focus will help policy-makers evaluate to what extent future interventions may be warranted and how one can judge the success of particular interventions.

Barriers and Drivers to Energy Efficiency - A new Taxonomical Approach

This paper develops a new systematic classification and explanation of barriers and drivers to energy efficiency. Using an actor oriented approach, the paper tries to identify (i) the drivers and barriers that affect the success or failure of energy efficiency investments and (ii) the institutions that are responsible for the emergence of these barriers and drivers. This taxonomy aims to synthesise ideas from three broad perspectives, viz., micro (project/end user), meso (organization), and macro (state, market, civil society). The paper develops a systematic framework by looking at the issues from the perspective of different actors. This not only aids the understanding of barriers and drivers; it also provides scope for appropriate policy interventions. This focus will help policy-makers evaluate to what extent future interventions may be warranted and how one can judge the success of particular interventions.Energy Efficiency, Taxonomical Approach

The Great Climate Debate - A Developing Country Perspective

For over two decades, scientific and political communities have debated whether and how to act on climate change. The present paper revisits these debates and synthesizes the longstanding arguments. Firstly, it provides an overview of the development of international climate policy and discusses clashing positions represented by sceptics and supporters of action on climate change. Secondly, it discusses the market-based measures as a means to increase the win-win opportunities and to attract profit-minded investors to invest in climate change mitigation. Finally, the paper examines whether climate protection policies can yield benefits both for the environment and the economy. The paper suggests the possibility of building environmental and climate policies around development priorities that are vitally important for developing countries and stresses the need for using sustainable development as a framework for climate change policies.Climate change, Sceptic, Supporter, Developing country

Hydrogen Energy For Indian Transport Sector - A Well-To-Wheel Techno-Economic and Environmental Feasibility Analysis

With the alarming rate of growth in vehicle population and travel demand, the energy consumption has increased significantly contributing to the rise of GHG emissions. Therefore, the development of a viable environmentally benign technology/fuel, which minimises both global and local environmental impacts, is the need of the hour. There are four interconnected reasons for propagating a shift towards alternative fuels/technologies : (i) Energy Supply : world oil reserves are rapidly diminishing, (ii) Environment : local pollution from vehicles is creating an atmosphere that is increasingly damaging public health and environment, (iii) Economic competitiveness : the cost of producing oil and regulating the by-products of oil consumption continues to increase, and (iv) Energy security : the military and political costs of maintaining energy security in international markets are becoming untenable. Hydrogen energy has been demonstrated as a viable alternative automotive fuel in three technological modes : internal combustion engines connected mechanically to conventional vehicles; fuel cells that produce electricity to power electric vehicles; and hybrids that involve combinations of engines or fuel cells with electrical storage systems, such as batteries The present study provides a well-to-wheel analysis of the economic and environmental implications of technologies to deliver the hydrogen energy to the vehicles. The main objectives of the study are : (i) prioritization of technologies of hydrogen production, transportation, storage and refueling, (ii) economic analysis of prioritized technology alternatives to estimate the delivered cost of hydrogen at the end-use point, and (iii) estimating the environmental impacts. To achieve the desired objectives, various quantitative life-cycle-cost analyses have been carried out for numerous pathways (i.e. technologies and processes) for hydrogen production, storage, transportation/distribution and dispensing. The total cost implications are arrived at by combining the costs of hydrogen (at end-use point) and the estimated demand for hydrogen for transport. The environmental benefits (potential to abate GHG emissions) of alternative hydrogen energy technology pathways have been worked out by using the standard emission factors. Finally, the GHG emission levels of hydrogen supply pathways are compared with those of diesel and petrol pathways. The application of this systematic methodology will simulate a realistic decision-making process.Hydrogen Energy, Indian Transport Sector, Feasibility Analysis

Commercialisation of Sustainable Energy Technologies

Commercialization efforts to diffuse sustainable energy technologies (SETs) need to be sustainable in terms of replication, spread and longevity, and should promote goal of sustainable development. Limited success of diffusion through government driven pathways illustrates the need for market-based approaches to SET commercialization. This paper presents a detailed treatment of the pre-requisites for adopting a private sector driven business model approach for successful diffusion of SETs. This is expected to integrate the processes of market transformation and entrepreneurship development with innovative regulatory, marketing, financing, incentive and intermediary mechanisms. Further, it envisages a public-private partnership driven-mechanism as a framework for diffusion leading to technology commercialization.Commercialisation, Energy, Financing, technology, Sustainable