Exploring renewable energy options
Kerala, 29.06.2008 - The Hindu, R. Ramabhadran Pillai
As the soaring prices of crude oil cause concern among decision makers, administrators and governments, strategies to lessen the burden are being worked out at various levels.
Development of renewable energy has been acknowledged across the world as an effective tool in energy management. The Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), an initiative supported by the United Nations, is trying to make new inroads into this arena.
Binu Parthan, the Deputy Director of the International Secretariat of REEEP, Vienna, is optimistic that the ongoing efforts in the energy sector will gain more prominence in the days ahead. The organisation has extended help to a host of projects and is keen on supporting more.
There are some simple methods to conserve energy, says Mr. Parthan. The nature-friendly traditional architecture has an important place in conserving energy.
Natural light should be allowed into buildings as a far as possible. Proper ventilation is equally important. “One of the biggest killers in Africa is the smoke in the kitchen”. He recommends a rating system for buildings. Incentives could be given to builders who adopt green practices. A house energy rating system is prevalent in Australia.
Many people focus on electricity tariff, but there are several neglected areas in energy management. For instance, rice could be half boiled and then removed from the oven so that the remaining part of boiling takes place, thereby saving gas.
Adoption of mass rapid transport system is a ‘model shift’ in energy management. Separate lanes allocated for public transport buses in Bankok is an emulative step for ensuring smother transportation, thereby saving fuel. The congestion tax imposed on vehicles in some of the busy lanes of London is another notable step.
REEEP has extended support to a project in Bangalore for providing solar power to electrical sewing machines. The project is being implemented in Gujarat by a Bangalore-based textile company.
The organisation is focusing on countries such as India and China. Projects on new techniques in energy management or transportation or similar sectors would be eligible for partnerships.
As an expert on energy management, what does he think about the oil crisis? The currencies of most of the oil producing countries in the Gulf are linked to the dollar.
The dollar’s weakening has had an effect on these currencies which indirectly gave way to the oil price hike. Despite increased demand for oil, there has not been much focus on supply infrastructure. This too has been partly responsible for the current hike in the prices, he observes.