How the Clean Energy Revolution will Ensure a More Sustainable Future

Today, the impact of climate change and global warming are all too apparent. Flash floods, sudden storms, landslides, wildfires, the unprecedented melting of glaciers and rising sea levels are just some of the many manifestations.

As a result, countries across the globe are implementing multiple measures to curb global warming. One of these concerns the use of clean or renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. Indeed, the UN’s SDG 7 (sustainable development goals) for 2030 mandates that nations work towards ensuring access to reliable, affordable, sustainable and clean energy for all.

SDG 7 and Energy Efficiency
The UN notes that lack of access to supplies of energy restricts human and economic development. The environment provides diverse sources of renewable and non-renewable energy. These include wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, natural gas, biofuels, petroleum, coal and uranium. But fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, shale oil and natural gas contribute majorly to global warming.

To mitigate the effect of greenhouse gases (GHGs), energy efficiency and greater use of renewables are needed. Without such measures, natural calamities currently occurring across geographies will continue unabated. Against this backdrop, countries worldwide, including India, have been focusing on clean energy and clean cooking, besides other steps such as the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs).

Statistics highlight the importance of this approach. For instance, three billion people depend on wood, cow dung, coal and charcoal for purposes of cooking and heating. Across the world, 789 million people don’t have access to electricity and 2.8 billion to clean cooking. It’s no surprise that energy remains a predominant contributor to global warming by accounting for approximately 60% of the total GHGs. Since 1990, global CO2 emissions have soared by more than 46%.

To safeguard the environment, SDG 7 targets a substantial increase in the share of renewables as part of the global energy mix. It also aims to double the global rate of improving energy efficiency by 2030. Meanwhile, as extreme weather events continue to batter the world, India has indicated it’s on course to achieve its renewable energy (RE) target of 450 GW by 2030.

For this, the country is banking on reforms in electricity distribution and allowing open access to its electricity grid to boost consumption of RE. Meanwhile, the nation’s drive towards green energy is bearing fruit as it has crossed the 100 GW installed RE capacity milestone. Significantly, India is operating the largest clean energy initiative in the world for achieving 175 GW of renewables capacity. This includes 100 GW of solar energy by 2022.

Similarly, the country has done well in adding 250 million people to the grid between 2012 and 2018, as per the World Bank. According to IRES (India Residential Energy Consumption Survey), 97% of India’s households have access to electricity. Yet, gaps remain in meeting its mission of providing a 24x7 uninterrupted electricity supply. For example, 64% of its rural homes and 40% of urban ones still suffer power cuts at least once daily.

All this is set to change, however, as the share of RE rises annually, backed by other programmes. India’s focus on EVs, Vehicle Scrappage Policy and adoption of advanced vehicle technology are some steps in this direction. Estimates from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways indicate that more than 15% of GHG emissions are due to pre-2000 commercial vehicles.

The Scrappage Policy will also target around 5.1 million LMVs (light motor vehicles) that are more than 20 years old and 1.7 million commercial vehicles exceeding 15 years. The policy’s new fitness norms will mean that these LMVs will be phased out while only those commercial vehicles with valid fitness certificates – indicating pollution levels remain within permissible limits – would be allowed to run.

These would then be replaced with more environment-friendly, fuel-efficient vehicles that will lower atmospheric pollution. Considering the Centre’s intention of allowing only the sale of EVs after 2030, the automotive industry is aiming to gradually move towards EVs and hybrid cars. These are expected to lower vehicular pollution by around 25%.

Li-ion Batteries and Clean Energy
Given this scenario, there’s tremendous scope to advance clean energy goals via advanced technology. Indeed, this transition is already underway. Much like revolutionary discoveries such as the use of fire and the invention of the wheel, sometimes, the significance of a technological breakthrough is wholly apparent only after decades of use. The computer is a modern example. Another one that currently slips under the radar is lithium-ion batteries – popularly termed Li-ion batteries.

Earlier, when solar and wind power was generated, a major obstacle was related to storage. Although solar panels could collect sunlight and transform the same into electricity, this could only be done when the sun was shining. Thanks to storage technologies such as lithium-ion batteries, solar and wind energy can now be stored and used later.

Likewise, Li-ion batteries are used to power phones, laptops, power tools and vehicles, among others. With the exponential rise of digital technology that is focused on speed, streaming, mobility and big data, the criticality of portable power that is reliable cannot be overstated. Being rechargeable, Liion batteries are gaining popularity for powering small and big gadgets and equipment.

Additionally, these batteries retain stability despite being recharged hundreds of times. Unlike other rechargeable batteries, Li-ion batteries hold a higher energy density and voltage capacity coupled with a lower discharge rate. In other words, these batteries store more energy while producing the same at a greater output. This offers robust power efficiency since a single cell has longer charge retention com pared to other types of batteries. Consequently, gadgets and equipment can be powered for longer durations.

Broadly, Li-ion batteries offer better performance on maintenance, charging speed, safety, longevity and ease of charging. In comparison with lead-acid batteries that need high levels of water and require periodic monitoring, these batteries don’t need to be watered. This limits the maintenance required for keeping the batteries operational while avoiding the resultant hassles. Engine maintenance is also eliminated.

In the case of longevity, a large-capacity Li-ion battery pack could last eight years or more. The long service life facilitates a greater return on investment through this technology. Their fastcharging feature also ensures minimal downtime for machines tethered to a charging station. In busy facilities, the lower downtime can be a boon since machines don’t stay idle for long. By eliminating exposure to battery acid and flammable fuels, these batteries also reduce the risk of accidents while improving indoor air quality. Furthermore, low sound levels permit quiet operation.

Finally, the most crucial outcome is their low environmental impact compared to other alternatives. With the number of EVs and hybrid vehicles rising, the use of Li-ion batteries will ascertain a major reduction in CO2 emissions. As India moves steadily towards its 2030 SDGs, lithium-ion batteries will play a pivotal role by contributing to achieving this objective at the earliest, thereby ensuring a cleaner and greener planet.

- Samrath Kochar, CEO, Trontek