5.1 The Fourth Industrial Revolution
151
Under the current scenario when the threat of annihilation by climate-related disasters in a reality, optimizing energy demand, reducing carbon emissions by switching
over to renewable sources of energy, and improving efficiency
3 of energy both on
the supply and demand side will have tremendous developmental benefits. Shift to
renewable may take time due to high cost involved in conversion to electricity. In the
meantime, countries can improve supply-side efficiency in burning of oil, gas, and
coal as well as production, transmission, and distribution of electricity. For example,
improving efficiency of sub-critical coal-based thermal power plants can prevent 35%
losses due to wastage in transmission, distribution, and voltage adjustment.
4 Similarly, improving the engines and designs of vehicles, design, and type of construction
material for buildings, and manufacturing sector changes can help in demand-side
energy optimization. Most of the demand for illumination, heating, and cooling for
human comforts, be it in cars, buses, houses, offices, and factories, can be optimized through better design, space management, judicious placement of doors and
windows, passive solar heating, insulation, ventilation, equipment, and time management. Large complexes such as shopping malls, railway stations, and airports can
make use of sunlight and air circulation by simple modifications in design. Such
buildings can preferably adopt ‘zero-energy, zero carbon’ code, meaning thereby
that they will produce their own energy on-site, preferably through renewable sources
and emit no CO 2 . Simple actions such as trees planting around such buildings and
along highways and motorways can bring down temperature by a few degrees that
can substantially cut down cooling requirement of such complexes.
In addition to improving energy efficiency,
5 it is important to reduce the energyrelated carbon dioxide emission that is directly dependent on total energy consumption and carbon intensity.
6 The carbon intensity varies with the source of energy
generation such as coal, gas, and petroleum. An energy policy that reduces energy
intensity
7 by increasing energy efficiency through low-carbon lifestyle can substantially reduce carbon emissions. This is easier stated than achievable because global
economy is poised to quadruple by 2050 and the current emission trends suggest
a potentially catastrophic trajectory for carbon dioxide leading to 5 °C increase in
temperature (compared to preindustrial period). Developing nations discredit the
developed countries for consuming five times more energy per capita (releasing
almost two-thirds of energy-related carbon dioxide) and the developed countries
blame the developing world for archaic technology.
3 Energy efficiency reduces energy bills for consumers, increases the competitiveness of industries,
and creates jobs.
4 China has increased the energy efficiency of coal-fired thermal plants by 15% by introducing supercritical and ultra-super-critical technologies. Energy efficiency measures adopted by the USA in
1970s saved around $365 billion in 30 years’ time.
5 Energy efficiency is essential for the 2 °C trajectory. In the short term, the largest and cheapest
source of emission reductions is increased energy efficiency on both the supply and demand side in
power, industry, buildings, and transport.
6 Carbon intensity is defined as the units of CO 2 produced by a unit of energy consumed.
7 Energy intensity is defined as energy consumed per dollar of gross domestic product.
151
Under the current scenario when the threat of annihilation by climate-related disasters in a reality, optimizing energy demand, reducing carbon emissions by switching
over to renewable sources of energy, and improving efficiency
3 of energy both on
the supply and demand side will have tremendous developmental benefits. Shift to
renewable may take time due to high cost involved in conversion to electricity. In the
meantime, countries can improve supply-side efficiency in burning of oil, gas, and
coal as well as production, transmission, and distribution of electricity. For example,
improving efficiency of sub-critical coal-based thermal power plants can prevent 35%
losses due to wastage in transmission, distribution, and voltage adjustment.
4 Similarly, improving the engines and designs of vehicles, design, and type of construction
material for buildings, and manufacturing sector changes can help in demand-side
energy optimization. Most of the demand for illumination, heating, and cooling for
human comforts, be it in cars, buses, houses, offices, and factories, can be optimized through better design, space management, judicious placement of doors and
windows, passive solar heating, insulation, ventilation, equipment, and time management. Large complexes such as shopping malls, railway stations, and airports can
make use of sunlight and air circulation by simple modifications in design. Such
buildings can preferably adopt ‘zero-energy, zero carbon’ code, meaning thereby
that they will produce their own energy on-site, preferably through renewable sources
and emit no CO 2 . Simple actions such as trees planting around such buildings and
along highways and motorways can bring down temperature by a few degrees that
can substantially cut down cooling requirement of such complexes.
In addition to improving energy efficiency,
5 it is important to reduce the energyrelated carbon dioxide emission that is directly dependent on total energy consumption and carbon intensity.
6 The carbon intensity varies with the source of energy
generation such as coal, gas, and petroleum. An energy policy that reduces energy
intensity
7 by increasing energy efficiency through low-carbon lifestyle can substantially reduce carbon emissions. This is easier stated than achievable because global
economy is poised to quadruple by 2050 and the current emission trends suggest
a potentially catastrophic trajectory for carbon dioxide leading to 5 °C increase in
temperature (compared to preindustrial period). Developing nations discredit the
developed countries for consuming five times more energy per capita (releasing
almost two-thirds of energy-related carbon dioxide) and the developed countries
blame the developing world for archaic technology.
3 Energy efficiency reduces energy bills for consumers, increases the competitiveness of industries,
and creates jobs.
4 China has increased the energy efficiency of coal-fired thermal plants by 15% by introducing supercritical and ultra-super-critical technologies. Energy efficiency measures adopted by the USA in
1970s saved around $365 billion in 30 years’ time.
5 Energy efficiency is essential for the 2 °C trajectory. In the short term, the largest and cheapest
source of emission reductions is increased energy efficiency on both the supply and demand side in
power, industry, buildings, and transport.
6 Carbon intensity is defined as the units of CO 2 produced by a unit of energy consumed.
7 Energy intensity is defined as energy consumed per dollar of gross domestic product.