PNC: Interesting News from Power Sector �APeriodic (A-Niyatkalik): Nov 2024 :Special issue on Study Reports

News Headlines:

• AI energy demand to grow 5.5% in FY 25: Ind-Ra report/ Nomura Report
• EAC : Maha’s GDP, per capita income slid down for first time, in 10 year
• 2024 will be world's hottest on record, EU scientists say
• Oregon Agrivoltaics-Based MG Tackles Crop Warming from Climate Change/Vertical Solar farms to power AG: Re-Invest
• Climate change responsible for 19% of rising Dengue cases: ASTMH Report/ Climate change driving 'record threats to health: US Study Report
• Poor Air Quality in North India: news & Study reports of FGD at THM PS
• Global Energy Efficiency progress stalls at 1% /EE in elevators / India Energy & Climate Center (IEEC)

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Vijay L Sonavane

ME (Elect)

Date: 27/11/2024

All info in this PPT is collected from various open sources available on the internet & News papers. Opinions expressed/ remarks, are my own views, which are based on my LIMITED EXPOSURE. You may not agree with my opinion. I respect your views/ opinons

All India energy demand to grow 5.5% in FY25; RE to dominate new capacity (23/11)

• AI energy Demd is projected to grow by 5.5% year-on-year (YoY) in FY25, supported by an incremental capacity addition of 32-35 GW, primarily led by RE projects, according to India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra).
• AI peak demand reached a record high of 250 GW in May 2024 but moderated during Q2 due to favorable monsoon conditions & slower IND activity.
• During Apr-Oct 24, AI energy demand grew by 4.75%, down from 7.4% in FY24 & 9.7% in FY23. Extreme weather conditions drove a 10.9% YoY surge in Q1FY25 demand, but demand growth flattened to 0.1% in Q2FY25.
• THM power continued to dominate the energy mix, contributing 73% of power gen during first 7 months of FY25. THM PLFs are expected to AVG 69-70% for the year, reflecting steady utilization. THM capacity additions of 6-7 GW are projected in FY25, with 29 GW under construction & another 50 GW planned by 2032
• RE, including large HYD, account for 45% of India’s total IC, which stood at 453 GW as of Sept 2024. RE’s contribution to power Gen is expected to reach 23% in FY25. Solar continues to dominate RE additions, with 11 GW added in H1 of FY25 and 28-30 GW expected in H2. The increasing share of solar energy highlights the need for reliable storage to address variability during non-solar hours.
• Peak demand on May 23, 2024, demonstrated this challenge; while TTL demand hit 235 GW at 3 PM, THM power load peaked at 176 GW by 11 PM due to low RE availability.

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• Ind-Ra estimates India will require 8-12 GWh storage by 2027 & 300-350 GWh by 2030 particularly with storage capacities of 4-6 hours during peak evening demand. Auctions for RE Projects with storage capabilities reached 25 GW during April-Oct 2024, reflecting the increasing demand for Firm & Dispatchable Renewable Energy. (FDRE)
• Improved coal supplies have helped stabilize merchant power market. Average prices in the day-ahead market dropped to ₹4.83/unit during 7MFY25, compared to ₹5.66/unit in 7MFY24. Coal stock levels also improved but remain slightly below normative levels of 18-24 days.
• Ind-Ra expects AVG merchant prices to range between ₹4.5 & ₹5/unit in the near term. However, higher merchant tariffs during evening peak hours compared to solar hours reflect growing pressure on discoms to address non-solar supply gaps.
• India’s RE pipeline includes 80 GW of under-construction projects & an additional 95 GW under development. With the push for RE auctions & hybrid (FDRE) tenders, capacity additions are expected to support growing energy demand while reducing dependence on THM power in the long term.
• Ind-Ra emphasized the need for timely project execution & investments in grid connectivity & storage to sustain RE growth & ensure uninterrupted supply during peak Demand hours

India's Power demand to grow at over 7% CAGR, RE & Data Centre to drive energy boom: Nomura Report (08/XI)

• Nomura Report has projected robust growth for India's power sector, anticipating a CAGR of over 7% in electricity demand from FY24 to FY27.
• The surge is attributed to accelerating economic activity, greater electrification, & emerging Demd from sectors like data centres, EV charging, & green H2 production
• Changing weather patterns, which have recently led to supply deficits, could also add to growing power Demd. In FY25, electricity consumption is expected to increase by 7.2% YOY, reflecting consistent growth from previous year's 7.1%
• With India's significant progress in RE adoption, the Report is estimating that RES will supply 35% of AI electricity in FY25, up from 33.5% in FY24.
• Solar & wind energy are projected to account for roughly 75% of incremental power demand by FY25, with solar power alone forecasted to grow by 23% YOY
• By FY30, RES are expected to constitute 55% of total IC, helping India to become a RE leader globally.
• Three key themes likely to shape India's power demand in the coming years: Data centres, EVs, & green H2. Data centres are rapidly expanding due to surge in digital activities like e-commerce, OTT streaming, & online education, coupled with advancements in AI, IoT, & rollout of 5G.

• Nomura estimates that India's Data Centre capacity will grow from 960 MW today to 7.5-9 GW by FY30, driving power consumption in the sector from 8.4 TWh currently to as high as 80 TWh in a bull case by FY30.
• Green H2, identified as a major growth driver, is anticipated to contribute between 150 & 300 TWh of additional power Demd as India ramps up production to support decarbonisation across INDs
• Increased EV adoption is expected to further contribute to demand, particularly in transport & logistics sectors.
• To meet the escalating power demand & support RE, India's power Trans infrastructure is set to receive a substantial boost, with an estimated investment of USD 110 Bn from FY22 to FY32.
• National Electricity Plan (2023-32) outlines major investments & expansion targets, including addition of 162,646 Ckt Kms of T/Ls & 1,094 GVA of transformation capacity.
• Investments in Trans sector are expected to create lucrative opportunities for product manufacturers with strong DOM manufacturing capabilities & advanced technology offerings.
• Latest NEP aims to enhance inter-regional transfer capacity from 119 GW to 168 GW by 2032, enabling greater power flow across states.
• New HVDC lines, with a total capacity of 33.25 GW, are set to complement the existing 33.5 GW, ensuring efficient power Trans across long distances.
• India's energy transformation is expected to continue beyond FY30, with Nomura projecting that RE will generate 49% of electricity by 2040.
• The shift will be facilitated by technological advancements in battery storage & decreasing costs of solar installations. With AI IC projected to reach 777 GW by FY30, RE, including solar, wind, & HYD, are anticipated to be the backbone of India's power landscape.

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EAC to PM Report reveals Maha’s GDP, per capita income slid down for first time, in 10 years (03/11)

• Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to PM Modi submitted its report: Relative Economic Performance of Indian States 1960-61 to 2023-24”, written by Sanjeev Sanjay & Aakanksha Arora. It revealed that growth engine of Maha has slowed down in the last decade. & Maha’s contribution to India has slid down for the first time by 2.1% in this last decade.
• The report revealed Maha’s GDP contributions went down from 15.2% in the year 2010-11 to 13% to 13.3% in the year 2020-21 & 2023-24 respectively.
• On the other hand, Guj’s GDP contributions went up from 7.5% in the year 2010-11 to 8.0% in 2020-21 & up to 8.1% in the year 2023-24.
• “In Western states: Maha & Guj have consistently performed well throughout the study period. Maha has maintained the highest share of India’s GDP for almost all periods. Guj initially lagged behind Maha in per capita income & GDP growth, but later it surpassed in the last decade,” stated in the report.
• Maha’s contribution to India's GDP was reported 15.2% in 2010-11 while in the same period, Guj’s GDP contribution was 7.5% only. Nevertheless, Maha’s contribution is highest in India’s GDP,” stated the report.

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• Maha’s GDP contributions not only slowed down but per capita income also went down in comparison with Guj.
• “Guj lagged behind in per capita income while Maha surpassed Guj. Maha’s per capita income surged by 133.7% in the 1960s while Guj’s per capita income was 118.3%. This disparity persisted until 2010-11, when Guj surpassed.
• By 2023-24, Guj’s per capita income has risen to 160.7% of the National AVG as compared to 150% for Maha. Goa’s per capita income also doubled since 1970-21. In 2020-23, the per capita income of Goa was nearly 3 times the National average,” stated the report.
• Decline in per capita income & GDP growth & contributions to India’s growth is cause for concern for us. It seems Maha’ ruling Govt/parties have failed in keeping the State’s Rank & brought down the pride of its people.
• Maha was always the No.1 State in GDP & per capita income, but its ranking is going down year by year & this is a serious issue.
• We need put MAHA once again on the path of growth.

2024 will be world's hottest on record, EU scientists say (07/XI)

• It is now “virtually certain” that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, marked by severe heatwaves & devastating storms, according to projections from the European Climate Service.
• Global AVG temps for the year are on track to exceed 1.5°C above pre-INDs levels, making 2024 the first year to surpass this symbolic threshold.
• These elevated temps are primarily driven by human-caused climate change, with natural factors such as the El Niño weather pattern playing a smaller role. Scientists warn that this trend should serve as a wake-up call ahead of COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.
• With just two months left in CY 2024, global temps have been so high that only an extreme drop in the final weeks of 2024 would prevent the year from setting a new record.
• Projections suggest that by the end of 2024, global temps will be at least 1.55°C warmer than pre-IND levels, according to data from the European Copernicus Climate Change Service.
• “Pre-industrial” refers to the period from 1850-1900, before human activities like fossil fuel burning began significantly warming the planet.
• This would mean 2024 surpasses the current record of 1.48°C, set just last year. This is another major milestone in history of global temp records.

• This would also mark the first time that an entire CY has exceeded 1.5°C of warming, according to Copernicus data.
• The UN recently warned that, based on current policies, global temps could rise by more than 3°C by the end of the century.
• Early in CY 2024, temps were influenced by “Natural El Niño phenomenon”, where unusually warm surface waters in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean release extra heat into the atmosphere. This phase began in mid-2023 & ended in April 2024, but temps have remained unusually high since then.
• In the past week, global AVG temps have consistently broken records for this time of year, according to Copernicus data.
• Many scientists expect the onset of La Niña (cooler phase of climate cycle), in near future, which could bring a temp dip in global temps. However, the exact impacts remain uncertain.
• “We’ll be closely watching what happens as we move into 2025 & beyond,” says Prof Ed Hawkins, at University of Reading. But with GHG concentrations in the atmosphere continuing to rise, scientists warn that new records are almost inevitable.
• “As temps rise, we’re seeing storms become more intense, heatwaves more extreme, & heavy rainfall more frequent, with severe consequences for people everywhere,” said Prof Hawkins. “Achieving net-zero emissions is the only way to stop adding to the costs of these climate disasters.”

Oregon Agrivoltaics-Based MG Tackles Crop Warming from Climate Change & May Improve Taste of Lettuce (28/X)

• At Table Cooperative, a farm south of Portland, Oregon, an Agrivoltaics-based Micro-Grid (MG) is expected to reduce crop warming from climate change, lower energy costs, provide resilience to the community and may even improve the taste of lettuce.
• Agrivoltaics systems allow for simultaneously farming & deploying solar collectors so that farmers don’t have to choose between using their land to grow crops or install solar, said Prof. Chad Higgins, Oregon State University (OSU). AG production takes place either below or next to the solar panels. When the crops are below the panels, the panels can provide shading that cools the crops,
• Many Oregon farms, like Table Cooperative, have expressed interest in Agrivoltaics, said Dan Orzech, GM Oregon Clean Power Cooperative, which aims to increase the use of RE.
• Narendra Varma, ED of farm, began noticing that as Oregon summers have become hotter because of climate change, the six-acre organic farm: which grows 40-50 types of vegetables & berries has been 35%-50% less productive

• “We have found that in last 3/4 years, a lot of leafy Green crops in highest demand in summer are suffering from warmer summers,”. “We wanted to figure out how to grow crops in a more economical fashion despite the warming climate. The obvious answer is shade
• Hanging shade cloth was one option but because Oregon’s summer temps aren’t consistent, the farm wanted to install a form of shade that could be moved aroun the Tracking solar collectors can provide shade that moves
• To find a solution, the farm partnered with Oregon Clean Power Cooperative, OSU & Portland General Electric (PGE) to deploy tracking Solar collectors that can move to provide shade.“
• “We now have these six poles with solar panels. We can control the tracking or create different shade patterns on the ground based on the crops & their needs,” said Varma.
• The “Lettuce Shine” project includes 210 kW Solar, energy storage & controls that will create a Micro-Grid. The system is expected to meet 100% of the farm’s electricity needs.
• With MG, farm will serve as resilience hub for community
• MG will ensure the farm can continue to operate cold storage facilities during outages, protecting the vegetables. The farm will also serve as a resilience hub for the community during outages, offering phone charging, air conditioning, heating & food from its store.

• The recently commissioned grid-connected MG is enrolled in PGE’s net metering program. The dual axis tracking solar system is like a giant Sunflower
• “You have a single post& then on top of the post there's a 30-foot by 30-foot sail. That's the solar panels and they face the sun all day long.”
• The Project has been designed to allow researchers to study the impact of solar panels on soil health, water use & plant physiology & yields.
• Dual axis tracking system is expected to generate 40% to 50% more solar than a ground-mounted system, said Varma.

Funding from PGE & IRA tax credits

• PGE’s RE Development Fund provided a $267,000 grant for Lettuce Shine project, & the farm has applied for a $20,000 grant from Energy Trust of Oregon. The total cost is expected to be about $475,000, said Varma. To fund the rest of the cost, the farm will apply for tax credits available under the Inflation Reduction Act & possibly pay out of pocket for the rest.

• In addition to increasing productivity, the Agrivoltaics system is expected to reduce the amount of water needed for the plants, said Higgins.
• Before the MG system was installed, the lettuce was exposed to 30% to 50% more light than it could use physiologically, said Higgins. That warms the leaves up, but if they get too hot they draw water out of the soil & pump it thro’ their leaves to cool off.
• By reducing the amount of sunlight that falls on the leaves, the project will reduce the amount of water needed. In general, shading plants by 30% reduces water demand by 30%,
• The amount of irrigation that the farm will need for the lettuce will decrease by approximately the amount of sun that’s taken away,
• In addition to cutting water use, the project is expected to increase the flavour of the crops, said Higgins. He has gathered anecdotal evidence based on feedback from visitors to Solar Harvest project that the fruits & vegetables grown with Solar taste better.
• He plans to confirm these anecdotes by creating a project – a “sensory panel” -- that will try to determine if people can taste the difference between crops grown with solar compared to those that aren’t grown with solar.
• “The bottom line is we will be able to lengthen the harvesting window, save labor and save water, and increase the intensity of the flavor. Those are my three main hypotheses,” said Higgins.

Vertical Solar farms to power AG, clean energy production; MoU signed at Re-Invest 2024 (20/09)

• MoU was signed between Yashika Energy Systems, Next2Sun Germany, & Wattkraft India during the just concluded RE-INVEST 2024, aimed at ground-breaking transformation in RE. Gujarat hosted the 4th RE-INVEST Global RE Meet & Expo (RE-INVEST), organized by MNRE.
• This partnership introduces an innovative Vertical Solar technology that promises not only to generate clean energy but also to revolutionize the AG landscape by enabling continued farming on the same land.
• Dual-use approach is expected to transform India's AG economy while making substantial strides towards energy independence & climate action.
• "This partnership aims to address growing concerns over land usage in conventional solar installations, which often displace valuable AG land.
• By implementing Next2Sun's innovative vertical bifacial Agri-PV systems, we will enable dual land use--allowing farmers to continue AG activities while also generating RE," said YK Gupta,Yashika Energy Systems.

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• "With the support of Govts & AG Associations in both India & Germany, our goal is to launch pilot projects across India, with plans to scale this sustainable technology for nationwide adoption," said Gupta. This initiative comes at a critical time, as India seeks innovative ways to meet its growing energy needs without compromising its AG strength.
• The introduction of Next2Sun's vertical bifacial solar technology tackles a key challenge faced by traditional Solar farms, which often require vast areas of land--land that could otherwise be used for AG. This unique approach allows solar panels to be installed in a vertical orientation, generating energy from both sides while maintaining the ability for farmers to cultivate crops below.
• The pilot projects, which will range from 100 kWp to 500 kWp, are designed to showcase the effectiveness of vertical bifacial solar technology across different regions in India.
• These projects will set a new benchmark for sustainable development in India. We believe this will inspire others to adopt similar solutions & transform how we think about land use & energy production,

Climate change responsible for 19% of rising Dengue cases: A Study (18/11)

• Amid record year for dengue infections globally, a new study has found that Climate Change is responsible for 19% of the rising dengue burden.
• Climate change has the potential to trigger an additional 40-60% increase by 2050 & up to 150-200% in some areas according to the study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) in the US. India has also seen a surge in dengue cases this year.
• The latest findings from researchers at Stanford & Harvard Universities offer the most definitive evidence to date that climate change is a major factor driving the global surge in the mosquito-borne disease.
• Countries in the Americas alone have recorded almost 12 Mn cases in 2024, compared to 4.6 Mn in 2023, with locally acquired infections reported in California & Florida. The study also carries warnings of even sharper increases to come.
• “We looked at data on dengue incidence & climate variation across 21 countries in Asia & the Americas & found a clear and direct relationship between rising temps & rising infections,” said Erin Mordecai, an Infectious Disease Ecologist at Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment.

• “It’s evidence that climate change has already become a significant threat to human health, & for dengue in particular, our data suggests the impact could get much worse”, Mordecai added.
• While some dengue infections produce only mild symptoms, others cause excruciating joint pain (earning dengue the nickname “breakbone fever”), & severe cases can lead to bleeding complications & shock.
• There are no drugs to treat the disease, & while there are only two licensed dengue vaccines available, some experts have pointed to challenges with both that could limit widespread adoption.
• The study finds that amid dengue’s growing threat, moderating Global Warming by reducing emissions would also moderate the Climate impacts on dengue infections.
• The analysis shows that with sharp cuts in emissions, areas now on track to experience a 60% increase would instead see about a 40% rise in dengue infections between now and 2050.
• However, with global climate models predicting that temps will continue to rise even with large reductions in emissions, the researchers found that 17 of the 21 countries studied would still experience Climate-driven increases in Dengue, even under the most optimistic scenarios for carbon cuts.
• Mordecai said that dengue-endemic areas that are just now entering the 20 to 29 degrees Celsius “sweet spot” for virus transmission — parts of Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, & Brazil — could face the biggest future risks, with infections over the next few decades rising by 150% to 200%.

Climate change driving 'record threats to health': report (31/X)

• An international monitoring project established at the time of Paris Agreement reported that climate-related risks to health are worsening, with more people facing dangerous heat, food insecurity, exposure to pathogens & other threats.
• The team of 122 researchers from UN agencies& academic institutions worldwide published their findings in “The Lancet in advance of climate negotiations” scheduled for next month in Azerbaijan. The findings were accompanied by an urgent plea from the Authors for stronger action by Govts to protect lives.
• “This year’s stocktake of imminent health threats of climate inaction reveals the most concerning findings yet in our 8 years of monitoring,” Marina Romanello, ED Lancet Countdown project at University College London, said.
• “The relentless expansion of fossil fuels & record-breaking GHG emissions compounds these dangerous health impacts, & is threatening to reverse the limited progress made so far, & put a healthy future further out of reach.

• For the first time, the team included measures of increased exposure to extreme precipitation & to desert dust, highlighting the wide range of impacts caused by the increasing concentration of GHG in atmosphere.
• They also looked at the effect of rising night-time temps on sleep loss as part of their tracking of how climate change can affect mental health & well-being.
• CY 2023 was the hottest year on record. The scientists used temp & other weather data, population estimates & epidemiological risk modeling to come up with their results.
• Heat-related mortality of people older than 65 increased 167% compared with 1990s. Such deaths would have risen in any case because the aging population is larger, but the researchers concluded the increase is only 102% points higher than it would have been with no temp rise.
• In 2023, people were exposed, on AVG, to 1,512 hours during which ambient heat posed at least a moderate risk of heat stress during light outdoor exercise: 328 hours, or about 28% more than the 1990-1999 annual AVG
• Heat exposure led to 512 Bn potential work hours lost in 2023, 49% above the 1990-99 AVG. 63% of those potential lost work hours occurred in AG sector.
• Sleep hours lost due to high temps increased by 5% between 1986-2005 & 2019–2023. The researchers controlled for demographic& ENV factors, including access to AC. “Sleep of adequate duration & quality is important for good human physical & mental health,” the authors wrote.

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• Climate conditions favourable for transmission of illness from the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) increased about 46% from 1951-1960 to 2014-2023. For the so-called “yellow fever mosquito” (Aedes aegypti), the increase was more than 10% The mosquitos are associated with Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika virus & other diseases.
• A separate study recently found that 2023 was the worst year ever recorded for Dengue globally, with 6.5 Mn cases & more than 6,800 deaths reported.
• 61% of the global land area saw an increase in No. of days of extreme precipitation from 1961-1990 to 2014-2023. This, in turn, increases the risk of flooding, infectious disease spread & water contamination, the researchers said.
• Some 3.8 Bn people were exposed to mean annual concentrations of small particulate pollution from sand & desert dust that exceeded WHO guideline levels from 2018 to 2022. That’s a 31% increase in risk since 2003-2007. The researchers said drought, poor land management & increased wildfire-burned areas are increasing the risk.

• The higher frequency of heat-wave days & drought months in 2022, compared with 1981-2010, was associated with 151 Mn more people experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity across 124 countries in 2022, compared with 1981-2010.
• “This year’s report reveals a world veering away from the goal of limiting temp rise to 1.5°C,” the authors wrote. “People all around the world are facing record-breaking threats to their wellbeing, health & survival from rapidly changing climate.”
• Researchers did point to one positive climate-related health development in the past decade. Deaths attributable to outdoor fine particulate pollution from fossil fuel combustion decreased about 7% between 2016 & 2021.
• The authors attributed this to the phase-out of coal electricity in high-income countries like the US, the UK & noted “life-saving potential” of such measures.
• “Putting health at the center of climate action represents the biggest opportunity of our lives to secure a thriving future for all,” (Helen Clark, former PM New Zealand who chairs the Independent Board that oversees the Lancet Countdown project,) said in a statement. “This report is a clarion call to act now to protect ourselves, each other, & future generations.”

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North India facing medical emergency due to stubble burning: DEL CM Atishi (19/11)

• Delhi CM Atishi on Monday blamed the Centre for not taking any steps to mitigate the deteriorating air quality in the North India region.
• The national Capital woke up to a dense fog with the AQI plunging further to 481 in the ‘severe-plus’ category.
• “All of North India has been plunged into a medical emergency as stubble burning continues unchecked across the country. All cities across the country - in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, MP & Delhi - are reeling under severe levels of pollution,” the CM said.
• She claimed that Punjab Govt had reduced farm fires. The farm fires in PUN were reduced to 36,650 in 2023 from 71,300 in 2021, she said. “This year when 80% of the farm fires have been conducted, it was reduced to 8,404 farm fires in PUN,” she added. Meanwhile in other neighbouring states the farm fires increased significantly, Atishi said.

(BLAME GAME: Easy way to tackle the problem in my country)

Bengal THM power plants emit 18 times more air pollution than stubble burning; Report (18/11)

• THM power plants in West Bengal emit 8.9 MT i.e 18 times of the 17.8 KT from burning 8.9 MT of paddy straw, as pointed out by Centre for Research on Energy and Clear Air (CREA) in its status report.
• As per the current status, none of the THM power plants in West Bengal have implemented fuel gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems.
• “If implemented fully, FGD systems could reduce annual SO₂ emissions by an estimated 64 per cent – from 313 kilotonnes to approximately 113 kilotonnes – significantly benefiting both air quality & public health,” reads the report.
• The report is based on the data available for 15 coal-based thermal power plants in West Bengal none of which has implemented FGD.
• In the report, CREA has also done a plant-wise analysis of these 14 thermal power plants in which Farakka Thermal Power Station has been shown as the highest emitter, which could have achieved a 73% reduction in emission had the FGD been implemented.

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• A comparison between the emission of THM power plants in West Bengal and that from paddy straw burning in Punjab & Haryana in the report shows that while THM power plants in West Bengal emit 313 kilotonnes of SO₂ annually, the same emitted from burning 8.9 MT of paddy straw is 17.8 kilotonnes.
• This means the emission from THM power plants in West Bengal is 18 times more than stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
• “While paddy straw burning causes seasonal spikes, THM power plants represent a larger, persistent pollution source year-round, underscoring the need for stricter controls on THM power plant emissions. Yet, THM power plants often receive leniency & repeated compliance extensions, especially for installing FGDs, whereas stubble burning is heavily penalised, with strict enforcement on farmers during the burning season,” the report pointed out.
• CREA has suggested enforceable deadlines for FGD installation in these plants besides imposing penalties for delays to ensure compliance with installation targets & publishing of regular updates on FGD progress & emission reductions to encourage accountability.
• According to Manoj Kumar, a CREA analyst the health & economic benefits of FGD far outweigh the costs, offering a pathway to improved public health & cleaner air.

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Installation of FGD technology can cut SO2 emissions by 67% at Delhi-area power plants: A study

• Installing Flue-Gas Desulfurisation (FGD) technology in 12 coal-based THM plants within a 300-km radius of Delhi could lead to a dramatic 67% reduction in SO2 emissions, a new study has found.
• The study conducted by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said there are 11 coal-based THM power plants within a 300-km radius of Delhi –
• Dadri TPP, Guru Hargobind TPS, Harduaganj TPS, Indira Gandhi STPP, Mahatma Gandhi TPS, Panipat TPS, Rajiv Gandhi TPS, Rajpura TPP, Ropar TPS, Talwandi Sabo TPP & Yamuna Nagar TPS.
• Additionally, Goindwal Sahib power plant, located just outside this 300-km radius in PUN, is also considered when making decisions about THM power plants around Delhi.
• Between June 2022 & May 2023, these plants released 281 KT of SO2 into the atmosphere. However, with the integration of FGD technology, this figure could be reduced to just 93 kilotonnes annually, the study said
• Despite a 2015 directive from GOI to install FD technology, only two plants -- Mahatma Gandhi TPS in Haryana & Dadri Thermal Power Plant in UP -- have made progress, with the Haryana plant fully equipped, the study noted. The remaining plants have missed several deadlines for FGD installation.

• The initial deadline given by GOI was set for Dec 2017, followed by extensions in Dec 2019, March 2021& Dec 2022. The most recent deadlines are Dec 2024 for four plants & Dec 2026 for the remaining one, the study pointed out. The slow pace of implementation has raised concerns about effectiveness of these Regulations.
• CREA report suggests that 3 power plants -- Talwandi Sabo (PUN), Rajpura (PUN) & Panipat (HAR) -- which emit 48 KT, 35 KT & 40 KT of SO2 annually -- could see the largest reductions in emissions.
• Once FGD technology is in place, these plants could cut their emissions by up to 83%, reducing their annual output to just 8 KT, 6 KT & 7 KT respectively.
• The analysis has also compared the impact of THM plant emissions with that of stubble burning & found that the annual SO2 emissions from NCR THM plants are 16 times higher than those caused by burning 8.9 MT of paddy straw.
• THM plants emit 281 KT of SO2 each year, compared to 17.8 KT from stubble burning," the report said. However, while stubble burning is not a significant contributor to SO2, it does release greater quantities of particulate matter (PM2.5) & CO2, the study added.
• Delhi's air quality worsened further on Sunday (17/11), with an AQI of 441, making it the second-most polluted city in India. DEL's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm daily, stood at 441. On Saturday, (16/11) the AQI was 417.

Global Energy Efficiency progress stalls at 1% as IEA warns of missed COP28 target (08/XI)

• One year on from the historic global pledge at COP28 to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030, new analysis from the IEA shows that countries are not yet on track for this goal, requiring stronger action & cooperation to align with their stated ambitions.
• “Energy Efficiency 2024”, IEA’s annual report on EE developments around the world, finds that global primary energy intensity – a measure of efficiency – is set to improve by around 1% in 2024. This is the same rate as in 2023, & around half of AVG rate between 2010 & 2019.
• At COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai last year, nearly 200 countries agreed to the goal of doubling the rate of progress, which would mean increasing it from 2% in 2022 to 4% by 2030.
• Boosting EE is about getting more from everyday technologies & IND processes for the same amount of energy input, & means more jobs, healthier cities and a range of other benefits.
• Improving the efficiency of buildings & vehicles, as well as in other areas, is central to clean energy transitions, since it simultaneously improves energy security, lowers energy bills for consumers & reduces GHG emissions.
• The new report shows that ovts worldwide are making policy progress, with those representing more than 70% of global energy demand implementing new or updated efficiency policies in 2024. The EU, for example, revised regulations to achieve a zero-emission building stock by 2050; China overhauled appliance standards and strengthened national targets for efficiency; the US tightened its fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles; & Kenya made its building code mandatory to ensure all new buildings are more efficient.
• However, to align with global targets, fresh policies need to arrive more quickly around the world, & many existing ones need to be tightened, according to the report.

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• “Energy efficiency is a key pillar of secure, affordable & inclusive energy transitions. IEA is working closer than ever with Govts around the world to ensure that EE remains a top policy priority,” said IEA ED Fatih Birol. “Fortunately, the policies & technologies to accelerate efficiency progress are readily available today, & many Govts are taking important steps forward. What we hope to see now is faster & stronger policy responses across the globe.”
• To increase visibility on EE & support stronger progress towards the global doubling target, IEA launched a new Energy Efficiency Progress Tracker alongside the report – extending the analysis of EE 2024 to provide detailed insights via the most up-to-date regional indicators on energy intensity, demand & electrification levels. This complements IEA’s wider analytical support for Govts, such as “IEA Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkits” that are published annually.
• According to report, there are important elements of progress worth noting, especially in major emerging economies & in the growing global deployment rates of heat pumps & EVs, which generally use much less energy than the technologies they replace.
• However, greater EE will need substantially more investment.
• Investment in energy efficient technologies grew by 4% in 2024 & is on course to reach a record USD 660 Bn, according to the report. New IEA analysis reveals that efficient technologies do not necessarily cost more to buy than less efficient ones & often cost much less over their lifetime, since they are cheaper to run. Best-in-class ACs for example, can save up to 40% in total costs compared with inefficient ones.

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Energy efficiency in elevators: �Why it’s a growing need in today’s world (16/X)

• IEA report highlights that nearly 30% of global energy consumption comes from buildings, with a notable portion contribution by elevators & other vertical transportation systems. As cities like New York, Shanghai, & Mumbai expand upwards, elevators become central to urban infrastructure & their EE takes on new urgency.
• Energy-efficient elevators lower electricity consumption & cut down long-term costs. With international goals focused on reducing carbon emissions, energy-efficient elevators align with the broader push toward sustainability.

Energy efficiency in elevators is a growing need in today's world because it helps to:

• Reduce environmental impact: Energy-efficient elevators can help reduce a building's carbon footprint, which can lead to cleaner air & a healthier ENV.

• Meet sustainability goals: As cities grow taller & denser, elevators will play a key role in shaping sustainable cities.
• Meet Regulatory requirements: EE in elevators is becoming a necessity due to rising energy costs, environmental concerns, & regulatory requirements.
• Improve user experience: Advanced technologies can improve the overall user experience while reducing energy consumption

Some ways elevators can be made more energy efficient include:

• Group control systems: Manage multiple elevators at once to reduce energy use
• LED lighting: Uses less energy than traditional lighting
• Predictive maintenance systems: Improve elevator operation efficiency & increase the service life of the equipment
• Smart elevator monitoring systems: Track times of day with high or low usage & apply tactics to reduce energy use
• Eliminating the approach speed: Reduces energy losses in the motor during the journey

As buildings become more sophisticated, demand for smarter, greener, & more efficient elevator systems will continue to rise. This shift will play a crucial role in ensuring that our cities remain sustainable, efficient, & environmentally friendly in the decades to come.

India Energy & Climate Center (IEEC)

• India is rapidly expanding its Trans network to meet fast growing electricity demand: CEA projects an expenditure of $50 Bn for Trans system (including new lines, S/S etc.) during 2022-27. Delays in building evacuation infrastructure is slowing down the pace of RE deployment, putting India’s 2030 target of 500 GW clean capacity at risk
• The India Energy & Climate Center (IECC) is working to address this major challenge by
• (1) exploring advanced conductors for doubling capacity of new & old Trans lines, &
• (2) devising solutions for optimum utilization of existing infrastructure.
• One such solution is replacing expensive coal gen with locally sited solar power, while using the same interconnection. IIEC’s forthcoming GIS dashboard examines this techno-economic potential for all 191 coal power plants in India, including identifying available land parcels in the vicinity of the plant
• For 65% of coal power plants in India, locally sited solar gen is now cheaper than the variable cost of coal power.

• 185 out of the 191 coal plants have enough local solar capacity to replace all Coal gen, & 97% of the plants have enough available land around them to install the required Solar capacity.
• By deploying solar along with battery storage using existing Trans connectivity, utilities can save on the cost of power supply while coal plant owners can develop more assets & reduce fuel costs.

IECC also recommended:

• Implementing enhanced efficiency standards for Room Air conditioners to avoid an estimated 150 GW increase in peak load demand over the next decade: equivalent to Japan’s entire peak demand.
• Developing Green Data Center Enclaves powered by 24/7 RE, positioning India as a global leader in AI computing.

In Oct 24, IECC Team (Dr. Nikit Abhyankar (extreme right) & Ms Neelima Jain briefs PS for MNRE and Ministry of Commerce)

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