Anand B. Rao

Estimating the environmental implications of implementing carbon capture and storage in Indian coal power plants

Ever increasing carbon dioxide emissions and the associated climate impacts are major concerns for human civilization today. Fossil-fuel-fired power plants are the leading emitters of CO2. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) from coal power-plants is one of the most promising technologies for mitigating CO2 emissions from energy sector. However, CCS technology is highly resource intensive and not yet commercially viable. Thus, it is essential that the impacts of this technology are estimated beforehand. This paper attempts to understand the implications of implementing CCS in Indian coal power plants on the environmental resources. The cases of a new 500 MW sub-critical and a 660 MW super-critical plant, with and without CCS using a variety of capture technologies, have been simulated. The relevant parameters in terms of which the environmental impact shall be gauged are the additional requirement of resources (such as coal, water, chemical agents etc.) and emissions of CO2, SO2, NOx, HC1 and particulate matter. The influence of different design and operating parameters such as coal properties, boiler efficiency, CO2 capture levels and CO2 product pressure, has also been studied.

Transitions in energy systems

This chapter examines the theme of transitions in energy systems. It assesses the literature that explores the genesis, growth, and management of transitions. This literature provides a multi-level framework for large-scale, transformative change in technology systems, involving a hierarchy of changes from experiments to niches to technology regimes. The chapter also covers specific innovation systems and experiments in the energy sector that may have the potential for larger impact and could lead to new niches or technology regimes. These experiments include technology-driven innovations in generation and end-use; system-level innovations that could reconfigure existing systems; and business model innovations centered on energy service delivery. Experiments in generation include hybrid systems, where multiple primary energy sources help address issues such as intermittency. Experiments in end-use include technology options for the simultaneous delivery of multiple energy services, or energy and non-energy services. System-level experiments include innovations in storage, distributed generation, and the facilitation of energy efficiency by effectively monetizing savings in energy use. In some of these experiments, technology can lead to changing relationships between actors or changing roles for actors; for example, the process of consumers becoming producers is seen in small-scale biogas projects. These changing relationships present both challenges and opportunities for influencing the transition process. The chapter also discusses policy and institutional issues that affect transitions. Finally, it is seen that although technological research, development, and innovation are important, a wide-scale, equitable, and accessible transformation to energy systems for sustainable development needs to be tackled as a socio-political issue.

Assessment of Non-plantation Biomass Resources Potential for Energy in India

The objective of the present study is to prepare an inventory on non-plantation biomass resources and to create a database of existing information within India. The information is gathered from existing databases in India. The authentic sources for information collected include several national- and state-level departments, universities, and institutes and several national- and state-level agencies. The set of information collected and compiled includes non-plantation biomass resources from following three major sectors: forestry, agriculture, and municipal solid waste (MSW) in India. The results of the current study deliver a general overview on the total non-plantation biomass resources present and available surplus for energy applications in India. The outcome of the study will be helpful for future policy formulations for achieving a bio-based economy.

Energy Efficiency Policies in India: Implications for Climate Change Mitigation

The role of energy efficiency in meeting domestic energy challenges and global environmental issues is well acknowledged. The need for policy intervention to maximize the potential of energy efficiency that can be realized is also widely accepted. The impact of the energy efficiency policies determines the extent to which they address the barriers to adoption of efficiency measures. Evaluating the impact of policy instruments is crucial to increase their effectiveness and maximize their energy and emission reduction potential. The data to estimate the impact of a policy intervention are often disaggregated, particularly in developing countries. The policy interventions adopted in India to increase energy efficiency include information programs, regulations, financial incentives, and other market-oriented mechanisms. The standards and labeling program is one the most important energy efficiency policies in India. It has been found that the program has significantly contributed to the energy and emission reduction in the country. A positive response from the consumers to the program has also been reported. In this chapter, the policy interventions in India to improve energy efficiency and impact on climate change mitigation are discussed.

Biodiesel Blending in India—Analysis of National Biofuel Policy

Biofuels are receiving increased attention due to their potential to enhance the energy independence in the transportation sector with simultaneous climate change mitigation by reducing GHG emissions. Prevailing market prices for the fossil-based diesel do not favour the production of biodiesel in India. To be able to make biodiesel production in India a commercial success, we may need to have strong technological base supported by policy support mechanisms. If produced sustainably, biodiesel may offer a part of the solution for problems such as energy security, import dependence for energy, rural employment generation, and climate change mitigation.

Critical Evaluation of Biodiesel Production Initiatives in India

Biofuels are receiving increased attention due to their potential to enhance the energy security of the energy-deficit countries with simultaneous climate change mitigation by reducing GHG emissions. In addition to these, they also offer a pathway for low-carbon inclusive growth for India. Fluctuating imported crude oil prices create a dilemma about the production of biodiesel in India. The objective of the present study is to understand the need for biodiesel production in India while focusing on both forward linkages (such as current status of commercial biodiesel production in India, market linkages and economics of biodiesel production) and backward linkages (such as feedstock availability and their technological implications, policy implications on the economy, supply chain analysis). A critical understanding of the externalities associated with biodiesel production through many government initiatives is also carried out. To be able to make biodiesel production in India a commercial success, we may need to have strong technological base supported by policy support mechanisms. If produced sustainably, biodiesel may offer a comprehensive solution for problems such as energy security, import dependence for energy, rural employment generation and climate change mitigation.

CO2 Capture and Storage in Coal Gasification Projects

In response to the global climate change problem, the world community today is in search for an effective means of carbon mitigation. India is a major developing economy and the economic growth is driven by ever-increasing consumption of energy. Coal is the only fossil fuel that is available in abundance in India and contributes to the major share of the total primary energy supply (TPES) in the country. Owing to the large unmet demand for affordable energy, primarily driven by the need for infrastructure development and increasing incomes and aspirations of people, as well as the energy security concerns, India is expected to have continued dependence on coal. Coal is not only the backbone of the electric power generation, but many major industries like cement, iron and steel, bricks, fertilizers also consume large quantities of coal. India has very low carbon emissions (~ 1.5 tCO2 per capita) as compared to the world average (4.7 tCO2 per capita) and the developed world (11.2 tCO2 per capita). Although the aggregate emissions of the country are increasing with the rising population and fossil energy use, India has a very little contribution to the historical GHG accumulation in the atmosphere linked to the climate change problem. However, a large fraction of the Indian society is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – due to its geographical location, large dependence on monsoon-based agriculture and limited technical, financial and institutional capacity. Today, India holds a large potential to offer cost-effective carbon mitigation to tackle the climate change problem. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is the process of extraction of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) from industrial and energy related sources, transport to storage locations and long-term isolation from the atmosphere. It is a technology that has been developed in recent times and is considered as a bridging technology as we move towards carbon-neutral energy sources in response to the growing concerns about climate change problem. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is being considered as a promising carbon mitigation technology, especially for large point sources such as coal power plants. Gasification of coal helps in better utilization of this resource offering multiple advantages such as pollution prevention, product flexibility (syngas and hydrogen) and higher efficiency (combined cycle). It also enables the capture of CO2 prior to the combustion, from the fuel gas mixture, at relatively lesser cost as compared to the post-combustion CO2 capture. CCS in gasification projects is considered as a promising technology for cost-effective carbon mitigation. Although many projects (power and non-power) have been announced internationally, very few large-scale projects have actually come up. This paper looks at the various aspects of CCS applications in gasification projects, including the technical feasibility and economic viability and discusses an Indian perspective. Impacts of including CCS in gasification projects (e.g. IGCC plants) have been assessed using a simulation tool. Integrated Environmental Control Model (IECM) – a modelling framework to simulate power plants – has been used to estimate the implications of adding CCS units in IGCC plants, on their performance and costs.

Better livelihood opportunities for tribals through supply chain interventions of Hirda

Hirda, a tropical fruit is one of the primary sources of income in many tribal villages of Pune district. Hirda is collected by the women from the villages in large scale to sell in the local market. This is a study of supply chain of Hirda. Based on the study some recommendations are given to create better supply chain and help tribal people to get a higher share of the profit. The supply chain of Hirda is explored by employing extensive qualitative and quantitative methods. The knowledge about Hirda supply chain can help to achieve sustainable development goals 1 (ending poverty) and 5 (empowering women) [1].

RuTAG IIT Bombay Floating Fish Cages for Livelihood Opportunities for Tribals in Dimbhe Area

Dimbhe dam in Maharashtra was filled to capacity in year 2000, resulting in submergance of 25 tribal villages. The 1253 displaced families were left with no livelihood opportunities. Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) provided aquaculture technology and wooden fish cages but the fish cages had some problems. Rural technologies action group (RuTAG) IIT Bombay modified the design of the ‘Floating fish cages’ to make them safer and stronger to generate better livelihood. NGO Shashwat played a pivotal role in the process. Present paper illustrates how this technological intervention made a difference in the lives of nearly 3500 tribals in Dimbhe area. The intervention has been appreciated by the Tribal development department, Government of Maharashtra by providing grant of Rs. 9,921,290 for dissemination of additional 28 fish cages at 4 dams in Ambegaon block of Pune district. The project has potential for dissemination in all inland water bodies.

Comparison of Household Level Drinking Water Treatment Technologies Using Analytic Hierarchy Process

Almost 20 percent of the world’s population lacks access to safe drinking water (DW) and basic sanitation. The Target 10 of United Nations Millennium Development Goals is “to reduce by half, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe DW, by 2015”. In order to reach the goal, many countries are investing in water treatment systems in a big way. However, it has been proved that household system is more effective than centralized systems as it ensures quality of DW at the point of consumption. The current study compares household level drinking water treatment technologies for urban and rural areas of India using Analytical Hierarchy process (AHP), a multi criteria decision making (MCDM) tool. Traditional and commercial technologies suitable for urban and rural households from the consumer perspective have been considered. Preferences given for the choice of technologies are based on literature review, household level survey, market survey and semi-structured interviews with various governmental and non-governmental officials. The technologies considered for the current study are not only suitable to both urban and rural areas, but affordable (costing up to `10,000 OR