Securing energy independence

New technologies will move the world economy away from coal and other fossil fuels very rapidly, according to a new study by the Worldwatch Institute. Most of the technology needed for this is available. This contradicts the opinion of the coal industry advocates who see carbon capture playing a big role.

Full scale commercial systems for carbon capture and storage are a way off, it says in its 49 page report. This pace will not be adequate to keep up with climate change mitigation plans.
The steps it advocates for a quick transition to a low carbon economy are making buildings and power plants more efficient, expanding wind energy, etc.

Given the relative abundance of coal and the plants in place, it is obvious why the coal industry does not want to let go. But coal not only releases globe warming carbon dioxide, but other pollutants like arsenic, mercury, etc with health impacts for populations. Sometimes, accidents can impact habitations severely. Like the one last week.

A retention pond holding toxic coal ash slurry in Roane County, Tennessee, burst from its confines and released over half a billion gallons of potentially toxic sludge that swept into the nearby town of Harriman and contaminated tributaries of the Tennessee River. The resulting flood damaged 15 homes, injured one man as it knocked his house of its foundations, and has left over 400 acres of land covered by several feet of coal ash, mud and contaminated water.

Whether it is coal, oil or gas, it is clear from recent indications that energy security will play a big role in the future of nations.

Britain was given a sharp reminder of the dangers to its energy supplies last week when Gazprom warned that western Europe could be hit by gas shortages. The Russian gas provider blamed it on a long-running row with Ukraine that could disrupt supplies. Russia will be hosting a meeting of the world's major gas suppliers to set up an Opec-style production cartel that could push up the price of energy. While there are two arguments to this, it is proof of how energy dependency is not a very advisable policy.

Oil and gas producers are already debating on the wisdom behind exports as against using surplus energy at home to spur development!

Renewable energy and energy efficiency could play crucial roles for nations thinking seriously about self-reliance. But for renewable energy to gather steam, subsidies on fossil fuels will have to go. This is not happening. Even in the US, the oil price crash is seeing sales of SUVs picking up! Never matter the recession, the oil is cheap, right?

Is it any different here in India? When grid power is cheap, so cheap that discoms can hardly hope to break even, will renewable energy be able to compete?