A Research On The Energy Challenge: Problems and Prospects & Role of Green Energy

The Energy Challenge:
Problems and Prospects & Role of Green Energy
Welingkar Institute of Mgmt Page 1
A Research
On
The Energy Challenge: Problems and Prospects
&
Role of Green Energy
For
The 3rd Annual Rotary Club of Bombay & Mega Ace Consultancy Rolling
Trophy Competition - 2010
From:
Mumbai University, Matunga Central, Mumbai
Compiled by
1) Dr.Vaidehi Aphale
vaidehi.a1@gmail.com
Mobile No: 9960026571
2) Dipti Raka
diptiraka@gmail.com
Mobile No: 9820559740
3) Bhavesh Kothari
bhavesh.aryan@gmail.com
Mobile No: 9820009060

Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................ 3
India’s: Energy Challenge........................................................ 5
Prospect: Green energy........................................................... 10
Advantages and challenges..................................................... 11
Proposed CDM Model ............................................................. 16
References................................................................................ 23

Introduction
The objective of the research is to understand the challenges faced by growing economy,
India and also explore the prospects of ―Green‖ sources available in India to meets its energy
demand.
The energy sector plays an important role of economic development in every country. India’s
future too, lies in the availability of energy from sources that are economic, easily available
and environmentally acceptable.
India ranks 6th
in the world in total energy consumption but India’s energy consumption per
head is extremely low compared with those in developed countries and even with that in
many other emerging markets. Electricity consumption in India in 2009 was estimated at 531
kWh per head, compared with 2,711 kWh per head in China, 1,987 kWh per head in Thailand
and 784 kWh per head in Vietnam. Electricity consumption in 2009 in Pakistan was
estimated at 441 kWh per head.
India will be one of the world’s fastest-growing consumers of energy in 2010-14, trailing
only China among the larger emerging-market economies. The growing competitiveness of
the industrial sector will raise economic output and hence energy consumption, as will the
surge in car sales and rising penetration rates for computers, televisions and other electrical
and electronic goods. India is already the third-largest consumer of electricity in Asia after
China and Japan.
The current generation mix in India is dominated by coal (78.5 GW), large hydropower (36.9
GW) and gas (16.4 GW). Renewable sources rank fourth with an installed capacity of around
13.2 GW.
Total energy requirement in
India comes from
60 %
Commercial fuels
40 %
Non Commercial fuels

The pattern of Electricity Generation in India is:
Coal 51%
Hydro 25%
Gas 11%
Renewable Energy Sources 9%
Nuclear 3%
Diesel 1%
Coal
Hydro
Gas
Renewable Energy Sources
Nuclear
Diesel
The energy mix of India comprises following:
• Primary sources
• Coal, crude oil, natural gas, fuel wood
• Secondary sources
• Coal gas, coke, petroleum products, charcoal, electricity (thermal, hydro,
nuclear )
• Renewable sources
• Mini-hydro, wind energy, solar energy, biogas
• Non-renewable resources
• Fossil fuels
• Commercial resources
• Coal, oil, petroleum products, natural gas and electricity

• Non-commercial sources
• Fuel wood, dung cake, vegetable waste
India’s: Energy Challenge
What is India’s projected energy needs?
BMI(Business Monitor International), is now forecasting Indian real GDP growth averaging
8.02% per annum between 2010 and 2014, with the 2010 assumption being 7.80%. The
population is expected to expand from 1.19bn to 1.30bn over the period, with GDP per capita
and electricity consumption per capita forecast to increase by 82% and 26% respectively.
India ranks 6th
in the world in total energy consumption though we have very low
consumptions per head. India is rich in coal and has abundant renewable energy resources in
form of solar, wind, hydro and bio-energy, but like other developing countries, it is a net
importer of energy, where in 1/4th
energy needs are met through import of crude oil and
natural gas.
The government is aggressively seeking new sources of energy to fuel a fast-growing
economy, and is exploring opportunities in the Middle East, Russia, South-east Asia and
West Africa. Although much of India’s economic growth comes from services, the country’s
large industrial sector has contributed to a high level of oil intensity (defined as oil
consumption per US dollar of GDP).
According to the Indian government, massive energy investment is required to achieve
targeted economic expansion. To deliver sustained GDP growth of 8% until 2031-2032,
primary energy supply needs to grow to up to four times current consumption, installed
electricity generating capacity needs to increase six or seven-fold, and the current coal
requirement needs to triple.

Furthermore, India’s energy sector is plagued by sporadic nationalization efforts. During the
1990s, India began liberalizing its economy, allowing for privatization of some sectors
historically under state control. But, of India’s various industries, the energy sector remains
most firmly in the hands of the state
Does India have a coherent energy policy?
Experts say lack of coordination among competing government ministries has slowed the
effort to institute effective energy policies. ―India has yet to develop a coherent policy,‖ says
industry expert., who adds that the four main energy ministries act like ―different countries at
work.‖ India did have a central energy ministry until 1992, which was then broken down into
the ministries of Coal, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Nonconventional Energy Sources, and of
Power. Several other government agencies, including the Planning Commission and
Department of Atomic Energy, play a role in energy policy. Hence there are common policy
goals, but the lack of integration causes problems with implementation.
What is the role of the state in India’s energy sector?
India’s tradition of state-dominated, centralized planning slows progress in the energy sector.
Privatization efforts have been ―entirely piecemeal‖ and ―investors are jittery,‖ Private firms

waver over investments when they see preferential treatment for state-owned companies. For
example, the production of coal, India’s most highly-consumed energy source, remains
largely in state control, with 90 percent of production accounted for by the mines of state-run
Coal India.
The national government also subsidizes energy prices, at times limiting profitability for both
private and state investors. Experts say the government would probably prefer to set energy
prices at market rates, but doing so results in risking a vote loss in elections.
What are challenges facing India’s energy sectors?
Limited
Liberalisatio
n
Rising
Oil Imports
Co2
Emissions
Continuously
Rising
Demand
Limited
Nuclear
Energy
Pollution
Energy
Related
Water
Shortages
Inefficient
Electric
Systems
Political
Pressures
Natural Gas
Demands
Coal
Depletion
Challenges

Coal depletion and pollution.- Coal accounts for more than half of the country’s energy
consumption. The poor quality of Indian coal, coupled with a lack of infrastructure to clean it,
poses a major environmental threat. Corruption and poor productivity dog the industry.
Although it is the world’s third biggest coal producer after the United States and China,
India’s coal reserves could run out in forty years, according to the Brookings report.
Rising oil imports. Oil consumption, which accounts for roughly a third of India’s energy use,
has increased six fold in the past twenty-five years. India now imports about 65 percent of its
petroleum. With energy demands rising, the figure could be as high as 90 percent by 2025,
according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The oil demand has
pushed India to make deals with countries—such as Sudan, Syria, and Iran—that raise supply
concerns.
Natural gas demands. Natural gas consumption has risen faster than any other type of energy
source, but India’s limited domestic gas reserves spell a need for foreign dependency in this
sector as well. The government has slowly been switching from highly polluting coal-fired
power plants to plants using natural gas. India's natural gas needs have resulted in negotiations
with nations of concern in terms of reliability, including Iran, Bangladesh, and Burma.

Inefficient electric systems. Although 80 percent of the country has access to electricity,
unreliable power grids cause regular blackouts. Furthermore, inefficient electric systems result
in at least a 30 percent loss of power along the delivery chain (Forbes.com). State electricity
boards run the infrastructure behind the country’s power distribution and own a large portion
of electrical output. The boards are in poor financial shape, largely because they provide
power at highly subsidized rates, particularly to farmers. So also there is high level of power
theft, and cross subsidies that hit large and medium-scale industry. Although the government
has loosened limitations on foreign investment in the power sector, the notion of working with
the financially beleaguered electricity boards has scared off private investment.
Energy-related water shortages. Indian farmers have access to heavily subsidized power to
pump water for irrigation. The low costs lead them to wasteful water use, depleting the water
tables. As water tables lower, larger pumps require more power to access deeper water
supplies.
Limited nuclear energy. With fourteen nuclear power plants run by state-owned companies,
nuclear energy accounts for just 3 percent of India’s energy consumption. New Delhi hopes to
boost this sector through a deal allowing U.S. companies to sell equipment, nuclear fuel, and
reactors to India. However, even with a U.S.-India agreement, large scale expansion of the
nuclear energy sector will likely take decades because of slow implementation and the
relatively higher expense when compared to other forms of energy.
Co2 Emissions: CO2 emissions from energy are responsible for more than half of man-made
GHG emissions – are set to rise, even as concerns about climate change grow.
Political Pressures: The energy sector is also held back by security concerns about (and
political tensions with) Pakistan, which have impeded plans for regional gas and oil pipelines
through Central Asia. In addition, Bangladesh, which has proven gas reserves of 5trn cu ft,
according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), has been reluctant to approve
gas exports to India, for domestic political reasons.

Prospect: Green energy
The deficit challenge in the existing sources and the requirement in near future has compelled
the Indian Government to keenly look into renewable energy resources to fuel our fast
growing economy. The government’s goal is to get 25% energy from renewable resources by
2030.This in itself is a challenge which has to be taken up by India, wherein countries like
China, Japan and South Korea will be competing for our resources. The role of Green Energy
in power generation thus has a major role.
But what is all this "green" stuff? Green energy is energy that is produced in a manner that
has less of a negative impact to the environment than energy sources like fossil fuels, which
are often produced with harmful side effects. ―Greener” types of energy that often come to
mind are solar, wind, geothermal and hydro energy. There are several more, even
including nuclear energy, that is sometimes considered a green energy source because of its
lower waste output relative to energy sources such as coal or oil.
India's theoretical solar potential is said to be about 5,000TWh per year, or some 600GW of
potential installed capacity. This far exceeds forecast demand, but solar generating costs are
currently too high for rapid expansion. However, solar is likely to form a key part of longer-
term energy policy. There is also wind power potential and some scope for biomass.
Currently wind capacity in India is 10.5GW. It is presently one of the largest sources of
renewable electricity in the country, accounting for 79% of installed capacity from renewable
sources. Currently, India is ranked fourth in the world in terms of installed capacity,
according to the Global Wind Energy Council, having 8% of the world total. However, the
country has the potential for 45GW of installed capacity.
Rajasthan, a state in North West India, may attract an investment of INR800mn (US$18.6mn)
into its renewable energy sector, with 14 firms planning wind and biomass power generation
projects. It is expected that there would be five wind energy projects – with an electricity
generation capacity of 1.6GW – and eight biomass schemes.

Renewable Energy Development Potential in India. Advantages and Challenges
India with its diverse geographies and climatic conditions offers whole bunch of
opportunities for Green energy. The table below clearly gives us the vw.
Source : International Trade Administration
Apart from the basic advantages of green energy like clean, abundance and renewable , there
are other imperatives for Green energy. They are:
 Sustenance of energy demand can’t be achieved through fossil fuel
 Limited reserves are fast depleting (v/s abundant supplies of sun shine, water and
garbage)

 Global warming and Clean Development (CDM) drive forcing countries to reduce
polluting industries
 Carbon Credits encouraging companies to go in for captive renewable energy
investments
The challenges facing green energy are:
 Optimal pricing of power generated from the renewable energy sources
 Quality and consistency issue of renewable power arising from the intermittent nature
of electricity from wind and small hydropower,
 The costs of technology development and production need to be reduced significantly
from current levels
 Availability of financing especially project finance for Renewable
 Creditworthiness of counterparties has posed challenges
 Slow pace of rural electrification and pace of reforms in the rural electricity sector
Can CDM show us the way to a Green India?
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) –
CER - Certified Emission Reduction:
These emissions reduction are generated by projects registered with UNFCCC.
VER - Voluntary Emission Reduction:
The emission reductions which could not be a part of CDM project activities due to technical
or some other constraints.
1 CER or 1 VER refers to reduction in 1 tonne of CO2, that would have been emitted in
normal scenario i.e. baseline for the project activity.

Factor affecting CERs-
 Nature of project (renewable, energy efficiency , others)
 Maturity of the credits
 Stage of the project
 International availability and demand of credits
Developed countries can implement CDM projects that reduce emissions or remove carbon
from the atmosphere in other developing countries in lieu of CERs (Certified Emission
Reductions). These CERs can be used to meet the emission targets.
Renewable energy projects have the potential to create a substantial revenue stream through
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) credits issued under the Kyoto Protocol. India has
registered roughly 35 percent of all global CDM projects, a market that is very likely to grow.
If a post-2012 agreement on climate change can be reached, carbon credits will become an
even more financially rewarding venture.
India qualifies to be a host country for the CDM projects and is considered as one of the most
potential countries in the world for the same. This is due to its large power sector that
depends on fossil fuels, and to the proactive policies of the Indian government towards CDM.
The power sector alone is estimated to emit 433 million tonnes of CO2 per annum. The total
CO2 reduction potential through CDM projects in India is estimated to be around 300 million
tonnes. The largest potential is in the renewable energy sector with 90 million tonnes CO2
equivalents. The total expected average annual CER’s from registered projects by India are
about 22 million having a 15% world share.
India has 474 projects registered with the United Nations, second only to China’s 680.
However, in terms of CERs, India’s share is just 11.63%, while China’s is 58.75%. The
National CDM Authority (NCDMA) in India has accorded Host Country Approval to 1,455
projects. These projects have seen an investment of more than $33.7 billion(Rs 1.6 lakh
crore). If all these projects get registered at the CDM executive board, it will earn developers
over 600 million CERs by 2012.

 Current annual market - $ 24 million
 Estimated annual market by 2012 - $ 6 billion (Rs. 28,000 crores)
 Second largest claimant of carbon credits
 Projects registered by 2009 – 474
 Total issued CERs ≈ 34 million, 140 million in pipeline
 Value > 2250 mn Euros (225mn CERs)
 Entire claim currently from private sector
 Potential buyers ( Target Customers) – Corporate from Annex I countries, European
nations, Japan, Canada, New Zealand
Why Is India Lacking Behind China In CER Market?
India has cornered nearly 43% of the carbon credits (CERS) issued so far by the CDM
executive board, the highest international body under the Kyoto Protocol to register projects
and issue credits. In comparison, only 17% of the CERs has been issued to China. But the
expected average annual CERs from registered projects till 2012 has China (44%) far ahead
of India (15%), although India, with 259 projects, leads China (101) in the number of
registered projects.
Reasons:
1. Size of Industries:
The Chinese projects are few but huge, whereas in India there are many and scattered projects
2. Type of projects undertaken:
Chinese have several projects in high CER-yielding HFC23 projects, whereas Indian
companies have mainly concentrated on renewable energy (biomass, wind power, etc.) or
waste heat recovery projects that generate much less CERs.

A Note On HFC-23-
Certain chemical & refrigeration plants around the world emit just about the worst
greenhouse gas imaginable. The refrigerant HFC-23 is 11,700 times worse than carbon
dioxide. But a client can pay a chemical plant in India to stop emitting HFC-23. The plant
puts the gas through an incinerator to avoid emitting it into the atmosphere. Incineration is a
cheap process, and for every ton a plant burns it earns 11,700 tons of carbon credits, which
we sell to our client. Considering a rate of $25 per ton for carbon credits, incinerating a ton of
HFC-23 was worth close to $300,000, while incineration cost only about $5,000. This can be
a huge business gain.
Joint Implementation
 Projects between industrialized nations to earn emission offsets
 Emission reduction units (ERUs) created through joint implementation is treated in the
same way as those from emissions traditions

A PROPOSED MODEL –
The CDM projects can be effectively used by India produce green energy and act as a
scalable business model too.
Following is the pictorial diagram to show the working of the proposed model for a
company-
Let’s take a model company (Co. A) for explaining the model. The initial stage of this
business model would be to set up co operative societies in villages all over India. These
societies would be a cluster of social entrepreneurs who are ready to invest in the energy
business. These cooperative societies will build up green power plants in their respective
villages. The knowhow will be provided by Co. A. That is, co. A will provide windmills,
solar panels, and help them setup biogas plants, etc. in their villages, at minimal costs. These
plants will generate electricity, which the cooperative societies will use for self consumption,
and will sell the excess electricity to the villagers. Thus, the villages can have 24 hour
DEVELOPED COUNTIRES
CO—PERATIVE ENERGY
PRODUCERS, in villages of
India
OUR COMPANY
MONEY
SELL CARBON CREDITS
ALTERNATE SOURCE OF ENERGY
SELL CARBON CREDITS

electricity, and it saves the government from investing huge amounts into power plants.
Because these power plants are green, every unit of energy produced generates carbon credits
(One million tonnes of carbon emission stopped generates one carbon credit). These carbon
credits will be the property of Co. A, which will earn by selling these carbon credits to the
international companies the international markets (especially Annex 1 countries). Also, some
of the international companies which desperately need carbon credits can fund Co. A. This is
called Joint Implementstion under the Kyoto protocol, and is described through a diagram
below.
Joint Implementation (JI)-
Annex I
Industrialized
Country B
Annex I
Industrialized
Country A
Fund
Technology
GHG Reduction
Joint Reduction
project
Credit

EmissionTrading.
Each carbon credit sells for $ 15-19 in the international market. These carbon credits are also
traded in various stock exchanges worldwide, including NASDAQ and Dow Jones (spot
contracts).
The technical know and operational strategy would be provided by Co. A. As these
cooperatives will be setup across India, the windmills, solar panels, etc will be bought in bulk
by the Co. A, which will give them cost benefits. Thus the project would relate to carbon
sequestration, carbon reduction and alternate sources.
It’s a win win model for cooperatives, Co. A, villages, as well as the government; as the
cooperatives get to sell the electricity
Customers
Developed and developing countries both are target markets.
 Developed countries for carbon credits, Developing countries to generate alternate
sources of energy like biofuel, wind and solar.
 The carbon credits received in lieu of Green house reduction will be sold to Annex 1
countries. The annex 1 countries are developed countries wherein they require credits
to be within the framework of laws. These countries GHG emissions are too much to
Industrialized
Country B
Industrialized
Country A
Payment
GHG Reduction;
more than target
amount
Credit

be levelled off by alternate energy resources. So they fund developing countries in
lieu of credits.
 Carbon credits create a market for reducing greenhouse emissions by giving a
monetary value to the cost of polluting the air. Emissions become an internal cost of
doing business and are visible on the balance sheet alongside raw materials and other
liabilities or assets.
Thus any country looking out for reducing carbon on their balance sheet will be our
customer.
Organization Type Examples
Governmental purchase Organization Japan Carbon Fund, UK DEFRA’s
CCPO, Italy Spain, Netherlands,
Canada, Austria, Portugal, Germany,
France, Belgium, Sweden.
Multinational Organizations World bank
Brokers/Traders Ecosecurities, Natsource, CO2.com,
Morgan & Stanley, Akzo Nobel,
Barclays, HSBC, Pointcarbon,
Robobank.
End Users Kepco, Depco, Shell.

Potential industries
– Agriculture
– Energy ( renewable & non-renewable sources)
– Manufacturing
– Fugitive emissions from fuels (solid, oil and gas)
– Metal production
– Mining and mineral production
– Chemicals
– Afforestation & reforestation
Recent Developments
According to the UN draft passed at the Copenhagen summit, Nations around the world must
reduce greenhouse-gas emissions at least 50 per cent by mid-century under a draft proposal
being debated by 192 countries in Copenhagen.
The plan says nations should collectively reduce the heat-trapping pollution that many
scientists say could lead to catastrophic climate change between 50 per cent and 95 per cent
from 1990 levels. The draft leaves long-term financing, or how much rich nations should pay
poor ones to deal with global warming, to be dealt with later.
Some other outcomes from Copenhagen Summit 2009:
 During the Copenhagen Summit 2009, New Zealand got an overwhelming support to
accept the proposal of reducing carbon emissions to an ambitious figure of 40%
reduction.

 Even Australian Prime minister Kevin Rudd, has promised a 5 – 25 % of reductions in
emissions. It instigated a lot of opposition leaders, but still fact remains that Australia
needs to reduce its emissions.
As of now, it has 3 ways to do it –
1. Geosequestration – But that needs a lot of Investment
2. Voluntary Carbon offsets given by Australian Government- But these are not Kyoto-
compliant hence cannot be counted as carbon credits
3. Carbon Offsets by using CDM – Thus, Australia can be customer i.e. buyer of Carbon
Credits.
The Advantages of the Proposed Model:
1. Benefits for India:
• Gaining annual CER revenues for the country
2. Locally achieving:
• Reduction in poverty by creating jobs for urban poor.
• Safe and better working conditions for the informal sector.
• Better environmental quality(Less odour, leachate, and disease vectors)
• Enhanced public awareness on Solid Waste Management and recycling.
• Improvement in the quality of life of the city.

• Efficient resource utilization
• Contribution to reduction of foreign expenditures (Macro-economic Indicators)
• The increase in life of the dump sites.
• Considerable amount of power to the city.
• Reduction in cost on Solid Waste Management by municipalities.
• Reduction of ground and surface water pollution and thus reducing health hazards.
3. Globally achieving:
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
• Reduction in emissions of GHG’s from dumping grounds which are responsible for
Global Warming.
• Project is complying with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

References:
1. ―Carbon Trading- Some Insights and Perspectives‖ by Radha Purswani
2. ―The Political Economy of Carbon Trading‖ by Donald MacKenzie
3. E&Y and PWC reports.
4. www.cseindia.org
5. www.financial express
6. www.Bloomberg.com
7. www.Mckinsey.com
8. ―Imagining India- Nandan Nilekani‖
9. ―The Blue Ocean Strategy‖ by W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne
10. www.ibef.org
11. Various articles from The Times of India, Time, The Economist, The Asian Express

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