TSPSC Group – I Mains,2024 Material useful for Paper - I : General Essay : Energy Security and for Paper V : Science and Technology Energy Security : Role of Science & Technology

 

TSPSC Group – I Mains,2024

Material useful for Paper - I : General Essay

&

Paper V : Science and Technology

 

 Energy Security : Role of Science & Technology

 

 

For  Examination guidance purpose only

For any clarification please refer to the prescribed text books

Time : 3 Hours                                                                                     Marks : 150 

 

Note : Answer all questions. Answer ONE question from each section.

Answer to each question should be limited to around 1000 words. All questions carry equal marks .

For GENERAL ESSAY PAPER :

Syllabus :

Section-I 1. Contemporary Social Issues and Social Problems. 2. Issues of Economic Growth and Justice.

Section-II 1. Dynamics of Indian Politics. 2. Historical and Cultural Heritage of India.

Section-III 1. Developments in Science and Technology. 2. Education and Human Resource Development

========================================================

 Paper V : Science and Technology :

Syllabus:

5. Energy Resources: Energy demands, Indian energy scenario- hydel, thermal and nuclear. Importance of renewable resources - Solar, Wind, small/Mini/Micro hydel, Biomass, waste based, geothermal, tidal & fuel cells.

Energy security - Role of Science & Technology, Bio-fuel cultivation and extraction.

=========================================================

GENERAL ESSAY:

 

Energy Security : Role of Science & Technology

 

What is ‘Energy Security’?

 

Ans:

Uninterrupted provision of vital energy services  – energy security – is a high priority of every nation. Energy security concerns are a key driving force of energy policy. These concerns relate to the robustness ( sufficiency of resources, reliability of infrastructure, and stable and affordable prices); sovereignty (protection from potential threats from external agents); and resilience (the ability to withstand diverse disruptions) of energy systems. As per an  analysis of energy security issues in over 130 countries shows that the absolute majority of them are vulnerable from at least one of these three perspectives. For most industrial countries, energy insecurity means import dependency and aging infrastructure, while many emerging economies have additional vulnerabilities such as insufficient capacity, high energy intensity, and rapid demand growth. In many low-income countries, multiple vulnerabilities overlap, making them especially insecure.

 

 

Energy Security (as per UNDP) :-

Energy security—the continuous availability of energy in varied forms, in sufficient quantities, and at reasonable prices—has many aspects. It means limited vulnerability to transient or longer disruptions of imported supplies. It also means the availability of local and imported resources to meet, over time and at reasonable prices, the growing demand for energy. Environmental challenges, liberalisation and deregulation, and the growing dominance of market forces all have profound implications for energy security. These forces have introduced new elements into energy security, affecting the traditionally vital role of government.

 

Energy security can be ensured by local adequacy—abundant and varied forms of indigenous energy resources. In the case of local shortages, which occur in most countries, energy security can be enhanced through:

■ The ability, of the state or of market players, to draw on foreign energy resources and products that can be freely imported through ports or other transport channels and through cross boundary energy grids (pipelines and electricity networks).

■ Adequate national (or regional) strategic reserves to address any transient interruption, shortages, or unpredictable surge in demand.

■ Technological and financial resources and know-how to develop indigenous renewable sources and power generating facilities to meet part of local energy requirements.

■ Adequate attention to environmental challenges. Energy security can also be enhanced through energy conservation and efficiency measures. Reducing energy intensity will reduce the dependence of the economy on energy consumption and imports

 

Energy Insecurity :-

 

Energy insecurity and shortages affect countries in two ways: they handicap productive activities, and they undermine consumer welfare. Energy insecurity discourages investors by threatening production and increasing costs. Shortages in electricity supplies (as in many developing countries) require more investment for on-site electricity production or standby supplies. For small investors, the cost of operation is increased, since electricity from private small-scale generation is more expensive than public national supplies. Electricity interruptions at home cause consumers great inconvenience, frustration, and loss of productivity, sometimes threatening their well-being. For any economy, an unreliable energy supply results in both short- and long-term costs. The costs are measured in terms of loss of welfare and production, and the adjustments that consumers (such as firms) facing unreliable fuel and electric power supplies undertake to mitigate their losses. Interruptions in supply may trigger loss of production, costs related to product spoilage, and damage to equipment. The extent of these direct economic costs depends on a host of factors, such as advance notification, duration of the interruption, and timing of the interruption, which relates to the time of day or season and to the prevailing market conditions and demand for the firm’s output. These direct costs can be very high. In addition, the economy is affected indirectly because of the secondary costs that arise from the interdependence between one firm’s output and another firm’s input.

 

 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) defines energy security as "the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price". Energy security concerns are a key driving force of energy policy. These concerns related to the robustness (sufficiency of resources, reliability of infrastructure, and stable and affordable prices); sovereignty (protection from potential threats from external agents); and resilience (the ability to withstand diverse disruptions) of energy systems

 

• Energy security stands as a foremost priority for India. This encompasses ensuring the alignment of global energy demand with sustainable sources is essential, encompassing the uninterrupted flow of energy from diverse suppliers through reliable and responsible supply chains. India is resolutely committed to forging collaborations aimed at securing access to critical minerals pivotal for driving the energy transition.
• India is ardently driven to Advance Energy Access through Renewable Energy (RE) initiatives, especially in developing and African countries. Through targeted projects, capacity-building efforts, and knowledge-sharing, India aims to empower developing countries with the tools to harness renewable resources, ushering in a new era of clean, affordable and sustainable energy access.

======================================================

• Energy Security: Development and deployment of alternate fuels like hydrogen, bio-fuels and synthetic fuels and their applications to contribute towards bridging the gap between domestic oil supply and demand; lesser dependency on oil imports

 

• Increase in the share of clean power: Renewables like wind, hydro, solar, geothermal, bio & tidal power to supplement fossil fuel based electricity generation.

 

• Energy Availability and Access: Supplement energy needs of cooking, heating, motive power and captive generation in rural, urban, industrial and commercial sectors

 

• Energy Affordability: Cost-competitive, convenient, safe, affordable and reliable energy supply options

 

• Energy Equity: Per-capita energy consumption at par with the global average level by 2050, through a sustainable and diverse fuel- mix

 

 

 

=========================================================

 

 

 

‘Energy Security’ in the context of India :-

 

Energy is a key determinant of growth and India needs sustainable energy sources to continue to grow at 7-8 percent annually. Inadequate availability of hydrocarbons along with decline in coal production forces India to remain dependent on oil imports and consequently increase its import bills. India imports approximately 70 percent of its oil, most of it is from the Middle East. In addition, demand for hydrocarbons is rising globally compelling India to ensure energy security, establishing energy security as one of the biggest challenges faced by India. Environmental concerns coupled with inadequate supply of hydrocarbons and natural gas have resulted in India now aiming at a diversified basket of energy

 

Fully reliable provision of power and new employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector give extra impetus to India’s economic and social development and its transition to an urban society. The additional demands on the energy system come primarily from industry, not only from energy-intensive sectors, but also from other industries that are targeted by the “Make in India” campaign such as textiles, food processing, machinery and industrial equipment. Energy use for road freight, residential consumption and for a more mechanised and productive agricultural sector also rise. To avoid that this extra demand exacerbates energy security and environmental strains requires an even-stronger commitment to energy efficiency as a central pillar of India’s energy strategy, alongside an unwavering push for low-carbon energy and high standards of pollution control.

 

 

 

India’s National Energy Policy :-

The National Energy Policy (NEP) aims to chart the way forward to meet the Government’s bold announcements in the energy domain. All the Census villages are planned to be electrified by 2019, and universal electrification is to be achieved, with 24x7 electricity by 2022. Our Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDCs) target at reduction of emissions intensity by 33%-35% by 2030, achieving a 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022, and share of non-fossil fuel based installed capacity in the electricity mix is aimed at above 40% by 2030. In view of the fact, that energy is handled by different Ministries that have the primary responsibility of setting their own sectoral agenda, an omnibus policy is required to achieve the goal of energy security through coordination between these sources

 

 

Improved energy security, normally associated with reduced import dependence. Today, India is heavily dependent on oil and gas imports while also importing coal. Energy security may be enhanced through both diversification of the sources of imports and increased domestic production and reduced requirement of energy. Our fossil fuel requirements, which comprise nearly 90% of our commercial primary energy supply, are increasingly being met by imports. This means that cutting fossil fuel consumption would promote the twin goals of sustainability and security

 

The steps initiated by the Government to achieve the up-scaled targets of power generation by Renewable Energy and to move towards its goal, inter-alia, include suitable amendments to the Electricity Act and Tariff Policy for strong enforcement of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and for providing Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO). During the period from April 2016 to January 2017, a total of 1038.422 Billion Units (BUs) of electricity have been generated in the country including 70.129 BU from various renewable energy sources.

 

The Government has revised its target of renewable energy capacity to 175 GW (Gigawatt) by end of 2022, making it the largest expansion in the world and providing plenty of opportunities for investors. The New and Renewable Energy sector has witnessed the highest ever-solar power and wind power capacity addition over the last two years since April 2014

 

India Energy Security Scenarios (IESS), 2047:-

 In 2013, the erstwhile Planning Commission had undertaken an energy scenario building exercise, called the India Energy Security Scenarios, 2047. The first version of the IESS, 2047 was publicly launched on 28th February 2014. This was further developed by NITI Aayog in 2014-15, the successor institution of the Planning Commission, to incorporate the bold ambitions of the new Government for a large share of clean energy and high growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The tool has revealed that there is a large potential for India to raise its energy supply from domestic sources, particularly renewable ones. It aims to explore a range of potential future energy scenarios for India, for diverse energy demand and supply sectors leading up to 2047. It explores India’s possible energy scenarios across energy supply sectors such as solar, wind, bio fuels, oil, gas, coal and nuclear and energy demand sectors such as transport, industry, agriculture, cooking and lighting appliances. The purpose of the IESS tool is to engage various stakeholders in the country’s energy planning and facilitate informed debates at different levels. This tool will enable policy makers and parliamentarians make a more secure and sustainable energy future for India

 

=========================================================

 

Energy Security: Role of Science & Technology

 

 

In 2015 one hundred ninety-three states, agreed on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Sustainable Development Goals and their associated targets are global in nature and universally applicable, while taking into account different national contexts. The goals aim at achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all . This means supporting and implementing the UNECE flagship project “Pathways to Sustainable Energy” that relies on sustainable energy described in three pillars:

 

1)energy security, an even supply of energy for economic growth;

2) energy for quality of life, providing energy available to all at all times;

3) energy and environment, limiting the impact of the energy system on climate, ecosystems and health

 

 

International cooperation is a sine qua non for attracting investment in the development of renewable energy throughout the region and is one of the tools for expanding the use of renewable energy. One of the most important indicators of SDG is that by the year of 2030, strengthened international cooperation should facilitate access to research and technology in the field of clean energy, including renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and advanced clean technologies for the use of fossil fuels, and promoting investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technologies

 

Countries around the globe have already signed and ratified the Paris Climate Agreement, identified respective contributions and developed national action plans for their implementation. Most of the countries in the long term plans for the development of the electric power industry provide for the large-scale development of renewable energy sources as one of the measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The expansion of the use of renewable energy sources became possible due to technical progress in this area, which made it possible to reduce significantly the cost of electricity production by wind and solar power plants of various types.

 

1)Countries worldwide commence using the tidal energy potential to the full. Currently, it is cost effective to use tides with a height of at least 4 meters. The height of the tides is highly dependent on the configuration of the coast. Totally, the economically efficient potential for the use of tidal energy is currently estimated at 450 billion kWh per year; in the future, as tidal power plants improve, its value may significantly increase

 

2) Another example of renewable energy is solar energy, which has a colossal potential, far exceeding both current and future needs of humankind for electricity. If we cover only 0.7% of the globe with solar panels with a minimum efficiency of 10%, their power generation will exceed the generation of all power plants in the world.

 

3) Hydropower, wind energy, and bioenergy also carry the energy of the Sun, which is spent on evaporating water, heating air masses and the process of photosynthesis of plants. Due to the tilt of the earth's axis and the associated change of seasons, the largest average annual flow of solar energy per unit area falls on the equatorial regions - Africa, Central and South America, Australia, India, Southeast Asia.

4) Solar energy uses an almost inexhaustible renewable energy source; there are no emissions of pollutants into the environment during the production of electricity. Moreover, solar panels can be installed in almost any convenient location.

5) Apart from solar energy, global countries have commenced to use wind power plants. The United States are the leader in wind energy with 35 GW, followed by Germany with 26 GW and China with 25 GW. Today, wind power stations provide about 2% of the world’s electricity production. In a number of countries, these figures are significantly higher. The world's economically efficient wind capacity is 72,000 GW, which is well above current needs. The use of wind power stations is considered economically efficient when the average annual wind speed at an altitude of 50 m is more than 6.4 m/s. Most often, such conditions can occur in coastal areas. Nevertheless, wind power is underdeveloped in some areas. The reason for that can be that wind energy in terms of its economic efficiency is inferior to classical energy due to the long payback periods. The production of wind farms depends on weather conditions and is therefore variable.

 

 

Renewable energy technologies extensively rely on digital technologies, hence, digitalization of the energy system that is growing and becoming more akin, smart, anticipated and sustainable should become a key future research area. Certain advances of automation, electric and shared mobility are today influencing the transport infrastructure and electric vehicles

 

Certain advances of automation, electric and shared mobility are today influencing the transport infrastructure and electric vehicles.

 

 

The energy sector is in transition and undergoing significant structural changes to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The key is transforming energy systems by integrating various conventional and renewable energy sources across a wide range of capacities

 

Improving coordination between transmission and distribution network operators is a priority. Moreover, new actors, such as aggregators, should become members in governance.

 

Fossil fuel industries will be the hardest hit; however, they are essential for economic prosperity during the transition period.

 

New and emerging renewable energy technologies:-

 

1)Some advancements in mainstream energy sources, such as solar, include improvements in the material science of solar photovoltaic cells. While silicon-based solar photovoltaic energy is likely to remain dominant, a promising variety of third-generation thin film cells based on Earth-abundant materials (including copper zinc tin sulfide, perovskite solar cells, nanomaterials such as organic solar PVs, and quantum dot solar cells) is emerging in material science. Perovskite solar cells, for example, have excellent light-absorbing capacities and lower manufacturing costs.

 

2) Advancements in other mainstream energy sources include new wind power technologies (such as floating offshore turbines), advanced biofuels or “third generation” biofuels that use non-food crops, low-impact hydropower dams and new drilling technologies to access geothermal energy.

 

3) New sources of renewable energy are being explored, such as in marine energy, microbial fuel cells and hydrogen.

 

4) Microbial fuel cells have the potential to generate power from organic waste materials, while simultaneously treating wastewater. While microbial fuel cells are still a nascent technology, further research and development may validate its potential to improve sanitation in developing countries and provide energy access in more sustainable ways.

 

5) Hydrogen is attracting increased interest as a renewable energy source for heat and transport applications. Like electricity, hydrogen is an energy vector that allows for the transportation and/or storage of energy, decoupling the production of energy from its consumption in time and space. Low-carbon hydrogen can be produced by steam methane reforming (e.g. using natural gas with carbon capture and storage), gasification of coal or biomass or electrolysis of water (using renewable or other low carbon electricity technologies)

 

6) Other emerging renewable energy technologies such as artificial photosynthesis and cellulosic ethanol energy extraction also hold promise for the transition to a sustainable and scalable energy system. Artificial photosynthesis has the capability of capturing and storing the energy from the sun, converting it into a usable fuel.

 

7) Cellulosic ethanol extraction is a more recently discovered biofuel, which is derived from nonfood crops or inedible waste products such as grass, paper or algae. The possible use of non-food sources for cellulosic ethanol extraction minimizes “food-for fuel” conflicts and is less energy intensive, compared with common ethanol production sources, such as corn or sugarcane

 

8)Electricity storage technologies are undergoing rapid development and cost reductions . Storage technologies vary significantly in terms of their output, rates of charge/discharge, and the length of time they can store energy for. Storage technology development is driven in part by the growing electric vehicle market and the increasing availability of incentives offered by some countries for larger grid-scale electricity storage. Current battery technologies are unlikely to be sufficient to deliver large-scale seasonal storage (e.g. solar electricity stored in summer to heat buildings in winter). Therefore, there is also a need for advances in other types of heat or energy storage that can operate over longer timescales

=========================================================

 

ENERGY : TELANGANA STATE (AS ON 1.9.2021 ) :-

Telangana’s total contracted capacity of electricity was 16,613 MW (as of 01.09.2021), of which 51% is generated by the state, 16% by central and 33% by private

 

The generation capacity of the Telangana State Generation Company (TSGENCO) is 6,215 MW, 60.70% of the generation capacity is thermal, 39.28% is hydel and solar energy accounts for 0.02% of the generation capacity i.e. 1 MW

 

The total contracted capacity of the private sector is 5,453 MW, of which 64% is solar energy, 14.79% is gas based energy, 15.38% is thermal energy and 5.81% is non conventional energy (other than solar).

 

Telangana had the highest growth rate (9.2%) of per capita electricity consumption in the country, it is increased from 1,896 kwh (2018- 19) to 2,071 kwh (2019-20).

 

There are 1.65 crore electricity connections in the state, of which 72.85% are domestic connections, 15.49% are agricultural connections and 11.66% are industrial connections and others

 

Telangana is the only State supplying 24 hours ‘free power supply’ to 25.63 lakh Agriculture consumers from 2014-15 to 2020-21

 

Hyderabad district has the highest number of domestic connections (17.16 lakh) and industrial connections and others (4.02 lakh) whereas the highest number of agricultural connections were observed in Nalgonda district (2.03 lakh).

=========================================================