Energy, Environment, Efficiency, Equity & Entrepreneurship for a Greener Planet

The 4th World PetroCoal Congress-2014 witnessed participation from national and international delegates. The theme of the 4th World PetroCoal Congress, "Energy, Environment, Efficiency, Equity & Entrepreneurship for a Greener Planet", provided an appropriate platform for taking stock of new fossil fuels, cleaner use of existing fuels and the need for closer networking among the various agencies handling different fuels for synergising their operations and strategies to achieve higher value addition to scarce and depleting resources, enhancing benefits to society, and encouraging better environmental management.

Shri Anil Razdan, Former Secretary Power Government of India, Chairman Energy And Environment Foundation & Chairman Steering Committee World PetroCoal Congress welcomed the delegates, exhorted them to work together alongwith their counterparts in Coal-Petroleum-Gas sectors to evolve cleaner and more efficient fuels as well as enhance energy security. Mr. S. K. Srivastava, Secretary Ministry of Coal, Government of India inaugurated the WPCC-2014 and highlighted the importance of fossil fuels in the energy mix for greener growth. Speaking on the inaugural function Mr. David San Frutos, Director International Development, Enagas, Spain highlighted the importance of energy security and sustainability. Dr. Anil K. Garg, President, World PetroCoal Congress emphasised the importance of global cooperation in exploration, production and cleaner use of the fossil fuels.

At the inaugural ceremony of the congress, Hon'ble Secretary gave away the prestigious "Energy And Environment Foundation Global Excellence Awards 2014" in the Petroleum, Coal and Gas Sectors. Energy And Environment Foundation conferred the Excellence Award to Col (Dr.) S. P. Wahi, Former Chairman ONGC, Mr. B. C. Bora, Former CMD ONGC & Oil India Limited and Mr. Sudhir Vasudeva, CMD ONGC & Chairman ONGC Group of Companies for providing transformational leadership, institution building and for their excellent contribution in Petroleum Sector. Mr. Partha Bhattacharyya, Former Chairman, Coal India Limited and Mr. Benjamin Sporton, Deputy Chief Executive, World Coal Association UK were awarded for their outstanding contribution in Coal Sector. Dr. C. R. Prasad, Former CMD, GAIL (India) Limited was conferred the award in Gas Sector for his demonstrating excellence, creativity and innovation.

4th World PetroCoal Congress deliberated on various issues related to Petroleum, Coal and Gas with a focus on creation of Synergy for Energy. The Congress was attended by 284 national and international delegates from France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Spain, UK, USA. The congress brought together leading international and
domestic players, policy makers, government officials and technocrats on a common platform.

The concurrent conference sessions were comprised of Plenary Session on "LNG Industry Developments-Future Trends & Opportunities", "Clean Coal: Developing Future Opportunities" and "Petroleum and Natural Gas for Sustainable Global Energy Future", keynote sessions on "Innovations in Coal Gasification & Coal-to-liquid conversion" and "Future of Unconventional Hydrocarbons: Shale Gas, CMM and CBM were highlights of the Congress. Interesting, interactive panel discussions on "Fossil Fuels and Environment" & "Capacity Building in the Petro-Coal Sector" environmentally friendly solutions for Coal handling and loss prevention was also discussed. All distinguished participants interacted and viewed various technologies and products on display. Mr. Alok Perti Former Secretary Coal, Government of India gave away awards for the best posters presented.

The conference served as a platform and an important gateway for worldwide energy companies to access the Indian market to foster partnerships and collaborations with local players.

The Congress was supported by Ministries of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Coal, Earth Sciences and sponsored by ONGC, Coal India Limited, Oil India Limited, GAIL (India) Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Engineers India Limited, Petronet LNG, ACB (India) Limited, Jindal Steel & Power, GERMI and UPES. Large number of professional associations, media partners supported this international Congress. EMPI was the Knowledge Partner of the Congress.

The following resolution was adopted in the Congress:

• Recognizing the need to supply energy to deprived citizen of the planet, governments in the developing and developing world have to work in close coordination with industries to provide fuels from existing resources for a sustainable future.
• Energy access, availability and affordability along with climate change can and must be treated as an integrated priority.
• There is need for greater transparency in sharing the cost, environment and sustainability implications of presently used fuels and technologies.
•  As coal will continue to play a dominant role in satisfying the energy needs in developing countries, it is imperative to improve efficiency from coal fired power stations through supercritical, ultra supercritical and IGCC Technologies.
• For containing energy demand more stringent energy efficiency standards should be set for auto mobiles, appliances and energy intensive industries.
• Energy efficiency in buildings lighting and climate control appliances be given a high priority.
• Recognizing the emergence of gas as a fuel of the future, greater attention needs to be given for providing better infrastructure and network for access to gas.
• Transparent, pragmatic and equitable shale gas exploration and production policies need to be put in place at the earliest.
• The development of alternative fuels is vital in view of the depleting fossil fuel reserve and their sketched availability.
• The development of bio ethanol from crops like sweet sorghum needs development at commercial level.
• The potential of applying Coal Gasification Technology to lignite coals for the production of synthetic natural gas and liquid fuels like methanol and DME, at highly competitive prices was noted.
• The technology for converting coal and petcoke to ethanol to be used as fuel at highly comparative prices was noted.
• The possibility of harnessing emission gasses from power plants, steel plants and other industry for conversion to useful fuel was noted and appreciated. Innovative solutions for energy saving in rail transportation need high priority. Energy storage policies need to be debated and enacted.
• The desirability of the enactment of clean energy and environment for the citizen as a statutory or constitutional right was discussed and recommended. The Conference noted the absence of a political agenda on the subject of clean energy environment, efficiency and innovation. Political policies need to take up the issues of cleaner energy and environment and efficient use of energy as a political agenda.
• There is need for policy makers, industry, researcher and financial experts to interact frequently at common platforms, rather than in silos.
• The World PetroCoal Congress extends its invitation to the energy industry, particularly the fossil fuel community world-wide, to reassemble in New Delhi in February 2015 to enhance closer coordination between industry, policy makers and academia to work out pragmatic energy solutions for the world.