Energy Crisis - Is Innovation required?
By Ankur Mittal, 2nd Mar 2013 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutGuidesScienceEnvironmental Science
Energy crisis is an issue troubling every nation of this world. In such a scenario, India
needs to focus on indigenous solutions. To survive in this era of globalization and reckless
depletion of resources, sustainability is the only way forward.
Why Innovate?
Possibility of innovation can never be foreclosed, however efficiently we may use existing technologies. Humans will constantly evolve both on the biological and the technological scale; therefore in the global as well as national context we need to INNOVATE.
I firmly believe that we cannot solve our energy problems with existing technologies and thereby we need new innovations.
Existing technologies are tailor-made to distribute conventional resources but to tap the unconventional ones we need novel technology. Energy should not be hegemony of metropolis or the super nations of the world, only when it is accessible to all, the need for innovation would be fulfilled. But sadly, it’s not true as India imports nearly 80% of its oil and still finds it difficult to meet its overgrowing demands.
Way Forward
Probably, the solution lies in indigenous, affordable and easy to access technology. Let me elucidate, harnessing biomass in the form of lantana from the forests of Uttarkhand or growing weeds like babul would reduce our dependence on oil imports. With innovation in technology natural gas from oil wells in Assam can be exploited.
Technology to transform the SLUM should be the driving idea of future innovation. But due to our conventional thinking and recoverable coal reserves, we have still not explored our geothermal provinces which have a capacity to produce 10,600 MW of power. We have thorium in opulence and must direct our financial and technological prowess towards enriching it more efficiently.
Change required
Ironically, in the Indian context, management is conspicuous by its absence, resulting in great environmental costs with little energy gained. That’s why India is already sixth largest and second fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gases. But the question remains whether the countries those are able to efficiently manage the existing technologies need to innovate…………..? Yes, they need it for SUSTAINABILITY.
“The use of solar energy has not opened up because the oil industry does not own the sun.” quotes Ralph Nader. But I thank god for it or else US would even get a patent on the sun and we would have to suffice with buying energy. And the power shortage in India which in next five years is estimated to be about 43,000 MW would continue to increase…………..
Comments
2nd Mar 2013 (#)
Innovation for green alternatives is required but also people have to reduce their own activities so they do not consume so much. Having fewer kids will also help to save the planet.
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3rd Mar 2013 (#)
I feel solar power is the panacea as the poorer countries in Asia and Africa will become self-sufficient in energy needs. Africa can also supply excess power to cloudy Europe. Then we can rid ourselves from the shackles of few fossil fuel producing countries and the polluting transportation across the seas. Technology breakthroughs are in the anvil and the governments should rather subsidize this sunrise industry than polluting fossil fuels - siva
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4th Mar 2013 (#)
Yes, use of renewable energies, with innovations coming out of IITs, regional Engineering Colleges, Other colleges and even schools, and from individuals anywhere must be promoted and honored.
Else, our Oil dependency will strangulate all development in India.
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