Energy conservation is a very important part of energy planning and its management. Conservation does not only indicates saving in energy resources for future, but also avoids wasteful utilization of energy, provides solution to energy crisis and ensures higher per capita availability/ consumption but controls environmental degradation and pollution.
Energy Conservation can be achieved by change in the individual habits, utilizing latest technology, reduce the subsidy and increase the price of the energy. For example, a lot of electricity can be saved by using energy efficient lamps. Similarly using high energy ratings appliances (higher ratings denotes higher efficiency, hence lower consumption) can significantly contribute to Energy conservation.
If we talk about thermal utilities or in the prospect of industry, many conventional boilers could be replaced by gasifiers and a gas turbine stage could be added to the steam turbines to give a combined cycle operation producing 25 to 30 per cent more power from the same amount of coal. Increasing the plant load factor (PLF) of existing thermal plants is another area which offers good scope for energy planning. It is estimated that one per cent increase in PLF yields additional 3 billion units of electricity costing rupees upto 2,500 crores.
Another significant step in this direction would be to bring down the wastage of energy. In India about 20-25 per cent of electrical energy is lost during transmission and distribution. This can be curtailed by adopting appropriate measures. Penalty may be levied and legal actions initiated against power pilferage. Privatization is another suggestion which can obtain desired results and improve the generation, transmission and distribution in the power sector. Energy is key to the modern development.
Thus, it's important to conserve energy and take essential measures today itself.
For a sustainable future, energy conservation is very much essential as it related to carbon emission and climatic risks as well.
Complied by: Vivek Ahirwar.