- Er. Benjamin L. Tlumtea
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ex-participant
Environment conservation is a global subject now. It is more a moral issue and responsibility of every human being to leave healthy world to humanity of the coming generations. Every nation and society are striving for enormous economic development which further dependent on complex means, scales and scopes to affect prosperity. It can be said that economic progress also brought out uninvited collateral detrimental reagents which have impacts on the safety of the environment. To achieve sustainable growth, it is important for every nation to eliminate or minimize any negative environmental impacts resulting from their economic activities.
Fortunately, I had the honor attending the training course on ‘Small-Scale Hydropower and Clean Energy Power Engineering’ in Japan during September 1, 2008 through October 4, 2008. The training was implemented under Training and Dialogue Program as a part of Official Development Assistance of the Government of Japan based on bilateral agreement between India and Japan. It is really a great honor to be selected by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Government of Japan from India for a one slot seat. The 11 participating countries are – China, India, Irag, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nicaragua (Central America), Albania (Europe), Malawi (Africa) and Bosnia & Herzegovina (Europe). The training was mainly focus on knowledge and technology transfer to conserve environment during the course of energy generation by employing various technologies. In order to affect success in this era of intense energy competition and to achieve sustainable growth, the technology options need extensive research and testing. So that it produce no harmful by-product to the environment.
The greenhouse gas emission has risen at a very rapid rate due to economic growth, fuel consumption, growth of population and changing lifestyle of people. Future trend will be driven by changes that affect the scale of energy consumption, the efficiency with which the energy is used in equipments and consumer behavior etc. Energy related activities account for over three-quarters of our human-generated Green-House Gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere, mostly in the form of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels for energy generation. More than half the energy related emissions come from larger sources such as power plants and factories, while about a third comes from transportation. Industrial processes, agriculture, other land use and waste management are also important sources of greenhouse gas emission. Since the majority of GHG gas emission is from the power sector, energy industry must be strictly supervised so as to emit minimal GHG.
If we have a quick look at the ENERGY MIX IN INDIA, thermal generation is very prominent and is yet the technology which emits the highest concentration of GHG among all energy technology options:
I would like to discuss more about the regime for protecting global environment in the energy industry in Japan. The energy industry or electric power producer adopts environment declaration to safeguard environment deterioration during the process of energy generation. The philosophy stipulates that the energy industry will conduct themselves responsibly and in good faith as member of energy industry and strive to protect the global environment through local, regional and international cooperation. Under the environmental declaration action plans are formulated with specific guidelines:
Guideline 1 – Use of resources effectively:
(a) Implementation and development renewable energy is the proven technology having least or minimal negative impacts to the environment. Introducing and developing more wind power generation, solar energy, biomass co-firing and small hydroelectric power plants for commercial use while ensuring economic efficiency and a stable supply of electricity. Also continuously purchasing surplus power from renewable energy and promoting its use.
(b) Efficient use of energy emphasized promotion of nuclear power generation. This includes maximizing the safe use of nuclear power generation facilities even up to 85% utilization rate and promoting safe recycling of nuclear fuel.
(c) Improving thermal efficiency of existing thermal power plants is another area where efficiency is to be improved. Overall efficiency of at least 45.8% is attempted through continuous improvement of technologies and by reducing in-station energy use.
(d) Reducing power loss in the transmission and distribution substantially help in protecting environment. The present target of all Energy Supply Company (ESCO) is T & D loss less than 5 %. This has to be achieved by continuous improvement through efficient operation of power distribution facilities and always maintaining high standard in the materials, equipments and in system operation.
Guideline 2 – Reduce environmental impact:
(a) Reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions can be greatly achieved by aforementioned technologies, such as – Nuclear power plant, improve thermal plant efficiency, renewable energy sources and procuring credits through use of Kyoto mechanisms. Japan has an ambitious target of reducing the average CO2 emission by 20% for the period FY 2008 to FY 2012.
(b) Attainment of zero emission and a sustainable society based on the principle of 3Rs – Reduce, Re-use and Recycle etc. Promoting the activities aimed at achieving zero emissions by reducing external landfill waste – decreasing waste and increasing recycling and re-use.
(c) Encouragement of Environment conservation measures at Power Plants imply reduction of SOx and NOx emissions. Japan maintains SOx emission 0.2g/kWh in FY 2006 whereas 0.7 to 3.9g /kWh in Europe and USA in 2002. Regarding emission of NOx, 0.09g / kWh approximately in Europe and USA while Japan maintains 0.2 g / kWh in FY 2006. Without doubt Japan is maintaining the highest standard in the world. Also, Japan maintains a level below 0.001 millisievert / year emissions through appropriate management of radioactive materials. Public’s radiation exposure is effectively reduced by rigorous control.
(d) Expansion of environmentally friendly activities is another thrust area by planting trees at deserted coal mine and establishing eco-park. It also supports tree planting by giving away 17,300 saplings since 1985 for development of green- ery – rich communities.
Guideline 3 – Improve level of environmental management:
(a) Understanding strict environmental management in recognition of the potential environmental impact of the business operation, the standard of Environmental Management System (EMS) is instituted.
The EMS includes – Expanding group – wide environmental management activities; Implementation more effective and efficient EMS; Establishing on in – house environmental accounting system and environmental indicators that contribute to environmental management. Promoting environmental-friendly products in society through green procurement cooperation. The action include – Achieving a 100% green procurement rate for office supplies; Establishing environmental evaluation standard for materials and equipments; Furthering education for suppliers.
(b) Training personnel capable of independently taking action on environmental concerns. This action plan is encouraging environmentally conscious business and lifestyles – Furthering environmentally conscious business activities and training volunteer leaders; Improving environmental education; Promoting environment friendly lifestyles among employees and their families.
Guidelines 4 – Promote environment – related communication and improve cooperation with the community on a level and global level:
(a) Strengthening two – way communication on environmental and energy matters and cooperating with communities to address society’s needs. The goal includes – Enhancing active information disclosure for
interactive communication; Modifying the environmental report to include social issues; Holding a wide rage of meetings, including stakeholders to exchange opinions; Giving tours of workplaces and facilities.
(b) Cooperating with people from diverse fields and sectors. The cooperation with local communities level includes – Establishing new collaborative Organization and carrying out forest conservation activities in cooperation with NPOs and other groups ; Improve children’s environmental education; Activity promoting an ecological lifestyles including energy efficiency. Cooperation with the world includes – Executing projects aimed at CO2 reduction in developing nations through Clean Development Mechanism (CMD); Supporting methane gas recovery and use in power generation; Supporting technological development of biomass – based power generation.
In short, the energy industry in Japan is committed to environment protection and efforts have been proactively pursued to drastically reduce CO2 emission. For energy industry, environmental conservation is an important management issue as well. Therefore, guidelines and action plans are formulated to carry out these declarations. The efforts to control CO2 emission using various action plans are evaluated in respect to mid-term and long – term goal basis. Finally, the strategy to control CO2 emission in the energy industry is guided by 3 pole reduction processes – Renewable Energy, Nuclear Power generation and Energy Saving.
Written by Lalremruata
A man with hobby of reading, writting
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