Amongst the various initiatives towards a more energy sufficient future , an important one is Recycling of wastes.
Recycling involves processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production.Materials to be recycled are either brought to a collection center or picked up from the curbside, then sorted, cleaned, and reprocessed into new materials bound for manufacturing.
In a strict sense, recycling of a material would produce a fresh supply of the same material, for example used office paper to more office paper, or used foamed polystyrene to more polystyrene. However, this is often difficult or too expensive (compared with producing the same product from raw materials or other sources), so "recycling" of many products or materials involves their 'reuse' in producing different materials (e.g., paperboard) instead. Another form of recycling is the 'reduction' of certain materials from complex products, either due to their intrinsic value (e.g., lead from car batteries, or gold from computer components), or due to their hazardous nature (e.g., removal and reuse of mercury from various items).
There is some debate over the economic efficiency of recycling systems. Economic analysis of recycling also includes what economists call externalities, which are un-priced costs and benefits (reduced air pollution and greenhouse gases from incineration, reduced hazardous waste leaching from landfills, reduced energy consumption, and reduced waste and resource consumption etc) that accrue to individuals outside of private transactions. The debate however is on just how much energy is saved through recycling.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) states on its website that "a paper mill uses 40 percent less energy to make paper from recycled paper than it does to make paper from fresh lumber." Some other good examples of downstream energy savings outweighing the upstream collection of recyclable materials are in recycling metals. Aluminium is generally agreed to use far less energy when recycled rather than being produced from scratch. The EPA states that "recycling aluminum cans, for example, saves 95 percent of the energy required to make the same amount of aluminum from its virgin source, bauxite.'The Truth About Recycling' (The Economist, 2007) lists down the following materials and the percentage of energy saved by recycling them.
1) Aluminum - 95%
2) Plastics - 70%
3) Steel - 60%
4) Paper - 40%
5) Glass - 30%
Critics often argue that in the overall processes, it can take more energy to produce recycled products than it does to dispose of them in traditional landfill methods. No doubt, it is difficult to determine the exact amount of energy consumed or produced in waste disposal processes because the quantum of energy used in recycling depends largely on the type of material being recycled and the process used to do so.
Some countries even trade in unprocessed recyclates, but there have been numerous complaints about the ultimate fate of recyclates sold to another country being unknown as these recyclates often end up in landfills instead of being reprocessed. There are reports of illegal-waste imports to China, where dismantling and subsequent recycling is done solely for monetary gain, without consideration for health of workers or environmental damage. Though the Chinese government has banned these practices, it has not been able to eradicate them.
An important aspect in 'Recycling' is waste management. Increasingly the authorities are promoting a multi step approach to waste management:
• The segregation of waste at the source
• Storage of waste at the source
• Primary collection (of wastes)
• Secondary collection
• Secondary transportation
• Composting
• Land fill.
If the waste is segregated at the source, it is easy to dispose off the waste in an environment friendly manner. Segregation saves time, energy and money.
Aside from the industrial and large scale applications of 'reduce-recycle-reuse' approach, even in our day to day lives, there are numerous opportunities through which we can significantly contribute to energy savings:
• Switching off of lights, electronic equipment, power appliances when not required (Even on standby mode, there's a continuous power wastage)
• Using cloth/jute bags instead of plastic bags.
• Encouraging foods made of jowar, bajra, instead of rice and not wasting food.
• Buying materials in bulk/without packing
• Using both sides of paper when writing.
• Using Mechanical pencils, ink refills (instead of buying new pens) and recycled paper folders/products
• Using copper bottomed stainless steel utensils
• Reducing wastage of water by turning off Taps showers etc (when not in use) , while brushing teeth and bathing
• Running washing machines only on full load
• Adopting Digital Cameras, LCD Monitors, LNG/CNG/electric vehicles
• Growing plants
The time has come when everyone has to be conscious about his contribution towards environment and optimal usage of scarce energy. Adopting healthy habits of Recycling and Conservation will not just help in reducing the massive gap in the supply and demand of energy but also create a more liveable environment for the future generations. The Key words are "Act Now!"
Showing posts with label Smart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smart. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Smart Grids for Smart Power management
Efficient transmission and distribution of electricity is a fundamental requirement for providing citizens, societies and economies with essential energy resources.
Today, the electricity supply industry is wrestling with an unprecedented array of challenges, ranging from a supply-demand gap to rising costs and global warming. Electricity networks have been set up across the western world to provide vital links between electricity producers and consumers and have been very successful for many decades.
The drive now is for lower-carbon generation technologies, combined with greatly improved efficiency on the demand side. More interactive and customer-centric networks are the way ahead and these fundamental changes will impact significantly on network design and control.
In this context, the European Technology Platform (ETP) SmartGrids was set up in 2005 to create a joint vision for the European networks of 2020 and beyond.
The SmartGrids' vision is about a bold programme of research, development and demonstration that charts a course towards an electricity supply network that meets the needs of future through:
• Flexiblility:fulfilling customers’ needs whilst responding to the changes and challenges ahead;
• Accessiblility: granting connection access to all network users, particularly for renewable power sources and high efficiency local generation with zero or low carbon emissions;
• Reliability: assuring and improving security and quality of supply, consistent with the demands of the digital age with resilience to hazards and uncertainties;
• Economic viability: providing best value through innovation, efficient energy management and ‘level playing field’ competition and regulation.
Although there is no standard global definition, ETP defines smart grids as electricity networks that can intelligently integrate the behaviour and actions of all users connected to it - generators, consumers and those that do both – in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and secure electricity supplies.
A smart grid includes an intelligent monitoring & control system along with communication, and self-healing technologies that keeps track of all electricity flowing in the system. It also incorporates the use of superconductive transmission lines for reduced power loss, as well as the capability of integrating renewable
electricity such as solar and wind. When power is least expensive the user can allow the smart grid to turn on selected home appliances such as washing machines or factory processes that can run at arbitrary hours. At peak times it could turn off selected appliances to reduce demand.
Thus smart grids
* Better facilitate the connection and operation of generators of all sizes and technologies;
* Allow consumers to play a part in optimising the operation of the system;
* Provide consumers with greater information and options for choice of supply;
* Significantly reduce the environmental impact of the whole electricity supply system;
* Maintain or even improve the existing high levels of system reliability, quality and security of supply;
* Maintain and improve the existing services efficiently;
* Foster market integration towards European integrated market.
Smart grids not only supply power but also information and intelligence. The “smartness” is manifested in making better use of technologies and solutions to better plan and run existing electricity grids, to intelligently control generation and to enable new energy services and energy efficiency improvements.
India has limited experience with smart grid deployments and advanced metering, especially for small consumers and farmers. Key factors that will drive the adoption of the smart grid in India are:
Supply shortfalls: According to some official estimates, India suffers with a significant shortfall of 12% for total energy and 16% for peak demand. Demand
continues to outpace India’s power supply. and managing growth and ensuring supply is a major driver for all programs of the Indian power sector.
Loss reduction: India’s aggregate technical and commercial losses are thought to be about 25-30%, but could be higher given the substantial fraction of the population that is not metered and the lack of transparency.
Managing “human interface”: in system operations through automated meter readings thereby reducing accidental and deliberate errors, which are thought to be significant reasons for losses.
Peak load management: through more “intelligent” load control, either through direct control or economic pricing incentives that are communicated to customers in a dynamic manner. Such measures would help mitigate the supply-demand gap.
Renewable energy: India has mostly supported the implementation of renewable energy for wind power, but the newly announced National Solar Mission and its goal to add 20,000 MW of solar energy by 2020 along with environmental concerns and the desire to tap into all available sources of power can also be a accelerant for development of smart grid.
Technological capabilities: Just as India became a hot bed for telecom sector advancements and consumption, India can very well leapfrog into a new future for
electricity. Also, the “smart” in a smart grid is ICT — an area of unique capability in India.
India’s electric power delivery system is much like the telecommunications network of the past – dated and increasingly costly for consumers. Like the
telecommunications revolution, which created new technologies, choices and improved service levels, there is a need for a similar revolution in the power sector.
Being a highly regulated sector, regulatory intervention is imperative for successful smart grid implementation across the key areas of Funding,Consumer
awareness,Establishing common standards,Playing the role of a “watchdog”,Cyber-security and Interoperability.
As India continues to develop the smart grid, communication will play an ever-larger role in the power sector. It might be advantageous to encourage close coordination between the telecommunication and power sectors, with the participation of policy makers and regulators.
Today, the electricity supply industry is wrestling with an unprecedented array of challenges, ranging from a supply-demand gap to rising costs and global warming. Electricity networks have been set up across the western world to provide vital links between electricity producers and consumers and have been very successful for many decades.
The drive now is for lower-carbon generation technologies, combined with greatly improved efficiency on the demand side. More interactive and customer-centric networks are the way ahead and these fundamental changes will impact significantly on network design and control.
In this context, the European Technology Platform (ETP) SmartGrids was set up in 2005 to create a joint vision for the European networks of 2020 and beyond.
The SmartGrids' vision is about a bold programme of research, development and demonstration that charts a course towards an electricity supply network that meets the needs of future through:
• Flexiblility:fulfilling customers’ needs whilst responding to the changes and challenges ahead;
• Accessiblility: granting connection access to all network users, particularly for renewable power sources and high efficiency local generation with zero or low carbon emissions;
• Reliability: assuring and improving security and quality of supply, consistent with the demands of the digital age with resilience to hazards and uncertainties;
• Economic viability: providing best value through innovation, efficient energy management and ‘level playing field’ competition and regulation.
Although there is no standard global definition, ETP defines smart grids as electricity networks that can intelligently integrate the behaviour and actions of all users connected to it - generators, consumers and those that do both – in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and secure electricity supplies.
A smart grid includes an intelligent monitoring & control system along with communication, and self-healing technologies that keeps track of all electricity flowing in the system. It also incorporates the use of superconductive transmission lines for reduced power loss, as well as the capability of integrating renewable
electricity such as solar and wind. When power is least expensive the user can allow the smart grid to turn on selected home appliances such as washing machines or factory processes that can run at arbitrary hours. At peak times it could turn off selected appliances to reduce demand.
Thus smart grids
* Better facilitate the connection and operation of generators of all sizes and technologies;
* Allow consumers to play a part in optimising the operation of the system;
* Provide consumers with greater information and options for choice of supply;
* Significantly reduce the environmental impact of the whole electricity supply system;
* Maintain or even improve the existing high levels of system reliability, quality and security of supply;
* Maintain and improve the existing services efficiently;
* Foster market integration towards European integrated market.
Smart grids not only supply power but also information and intelligence. The “smartness” is manifested in making better use of technologies and solutions to better plan and run existing electricity grids, to intelligently control generation and to enable new energy services and energy efficiency improvements.
India has limited experience with smart grid deployments and advanced metering, especially for small consumers and farmers. Key factors that will drive the adoption of the smart grid in India are:
Supply shortfalls: According to some official estimates, India suffers with a significant shortfall of 12% for total energy and 16% for peak demand. Demand
continues to outpace India’s power supply. and managing growth and ensuring supply is a major driver for all programs of the Indian power sector.
Loss reduction: India’s aggregate technical and commercial losses are thought to be about 25-30%, but could be higher given the substantial fraction of the population that is not metered and the lack of transparency.
Managing “human interface”: in system operations through automated meter readings thereby reducing accidental and deliberate errors, which are thought to be significant reasons for losses.
Peak load management: through more “intelligent” load control, either through direct control or economic pricing incentives that are communicated to customers in a dynamic manner. Such measures would help mitigate the supply-demand gap.
Renewable energy: India has mostly supported the implementation of renewable energy for wind power, but the newly announced National Solar Mission and its goal to add 20,000 MW of solar energy by 2020 along with environmental concerns and the desire to tap into all available sources of power can also be a accelerant for development of smart grid.
Technological capabilities: Just as India became a hot bed for telecom sector advancements and consumption, India can very well leapfrog into a new future for
electricity. Also, the “smart” in a smart grid is ICT — an area of unique capability in India.
India’s electric power delivery system is much like the telecommunications network of the past – dated and increasingly costly for consumers. Like the
telecommunications revolution, which created new technologies, choices and improved service levels, there is a need for a similar revolution in the power sector.
Being a highly regulated sector, regulatory intervention is imperative for successful smart grid implementation across the key areas of Funding,Consumer
awareness,Establishing common standards,Playing the role of a “watchdog”,Cyber-security and Interoperability.
As India continues to develop the smart grid, communication will play an ever-larger role in the power sector. It might be advantageous to encourage close coordination between the telecommunication and power sectors, with the participation of policy makers and regulators.
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