WE THE PEOPLE
With India’s Limited Oil Producing Capacity, Necessity to Tap Other Sources Gains Momentum
Hence Sustainable Energy Sources Provide Answer and Can Meet Future Requirements
By: MNS/Uzair Khan
Srinagar: With India producing just about one-fourth of its total annual oil requirement and the import cost of oil and natural gas today going high and high so bio-diesel is one area which has ability to transform the present scenario in the Oil Sector. Hence efforts should be made to make country energy independent by 2030.
It is gratifying that the country has nearly 63 million hectares of wasteland, out of which 33 million hectares have been allotted for tree plantation. Certain multipurpose trees can grow well in wasteland with very little water. Once grown, the crop has 15 years of life. It can yield upto 5 tonnes per hectare oil seeds and produce 2 tonnes of bio-diesel. Bio-diesel plants grown in 11 million hectares of land can yield a revenue of approximately Rs.20,000 crores a year and provide employment to over 12 million people both for plantation and running of extraction plants. This is a sustainable development process leading to large-scale employment of rural manpower. It will reduce the foreign exchange outflow paid for importing crude oil, the cost of which is continuously rising in the international market. Besides use of bio-diesel is carbon neutral. This oil can also be used for soap and candle industries.
Hydrogen also holds the potential to provide a clean, efficient, reliable and affordable supply of energy for meeting the growing energy needs in country’s economy while protecting the environment and ensuring energy security. Transition from the present fossil fuel based economy to hydrogen economy will require many challenges to overcome specially in the areas of production, storage, delivery, application, infrastructure, economics and public awareness on safety standards. Another area which can meet our requirements is the solar power. It has enough of energy, but it is only how it can be channalized in the best possible manner. In the very near future, breakthroughs in nanotechnologies promise significant increase in solar cell efficiencies from current 15 per cent values to over 50 per cent levels. These would in turn reduce the cost of solar energy production.
“While observing energy scenario around the globe, we notice that oil prices are rising gradually and the day shall not be far off when the prices will become prohibitive and unaffordable. It is learnt that the Americans have reserved their oil reserves and are meeting their requirements through imports from Gulf countries and others who have abundance of oil at the present moment. The oil reserves are depleting down and there is no choice, but to go for other sources of energy to meet our requirements. Therefore, President of India is correct in asking the government to concentrate on bio-diesel and has suggested that the efforts should be made to make the country energy independent within another 24 years. He has also suggested that the country needs to have a policy that will help introduce cars using 25 per cent blend of bio-fuel with the diesel and trucks with 100 per cent bio-fuel use by 2012. This will force the Automobile Engineers to design the Automobiles accordingly. Sensing the depletion of oil reserves, many countries like China have started using bicycles to save the energy. It is for us to go for alternative sources if we want better future”, said Prof. Mehmood, Dr. Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Yousuf Wani and Shabir Ahmad Maqdoomi – all senior residents having deep penetration into future events.
We have to remember that the energy scenario in the 21st century is going to see a major shift. It is high time that we realize this factor, see the writing on the wall and work towards the fuel of the future. What is needed most is the research that will open a new canvas with hope and optimism. It is for the Central Government to work on the subject and to meet future challenges.
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