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Sustainable Energy. Concept Development and Project Roadmap Mihir Mathur, 2011. Concept Development. Adaptive Sustainable Development. Rubber Band Effect. Adaptation. Climate Change. Sustainable Development. Economic Growth and Globalization. Resource Depletion.
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Sustainable Energy Concept Development and Project Roadmap Mihir Mathur, 2011
Concept Development Adaptive Sustainable Development
Rubber Band Effect Adaptation Climate Change Sustainable Development Economic Growth and Globalization Resource Depletion Adaptive Sustainable Development
Rubber band Effect • Economic Growth fuels Globalization • This causes Resources Depletion • Resource Depletion causes Waste Generation • This Waste results in Degradation of Biosphere • Resulting in Changing Climate • Resource Depletion and Climate Change are two ends of a Rubber Band • Globalization is Stretching it
Concept • Rapid and Extensive use of Fossil Energy has led to Resource Depletion and Global Warming • We are running a dual risk of Changing Climate and Resource Depletion • Global Economy is heavily dependent on the fast depleting resources • Hence, we are also facing risks of Globalization • The current situation calls for adaptation and sustainable development
Prevailing Paradigm • Development=Growth • Sustainable Development seeks to optimize resource utilization to meet the needs of current and future generations • Largely focuses on Needs of the poor and limits imposed by the state of technology and social organization on environment • It doesn’t outright seek adaptation to change
Prevailing Paradigm • Globally, Renewable Energy is looked upon as a Strategic Fit for business continuity • It is believed to continue fuel our current economic growth • Perpetual Economic growth is a Myth • 9% yoy GDP growth implies doubling of Indian Economy every 8 years • It doesn’t seem to adhere to Sustainable Development
Infinite Growth v/s Finite Resources • The Source of Energy in Renewable but the Means are limited • The finite resources cannot regenerate themselves within timeframes useful for human consumption • The rate of consumption is much higher than the rate of regeneration • Hence, we are going to run out of resources to use this renewable form of energy at current levels
Peak Minerals Cheap & easy in the past; costly & difficult in future Source: http://www.theoildrum.com/node/3086, 19-12-2010
Peak Minerals Source: http://oilprice.com/Metals/Commodities/Metals-Shortages-Threaten-Developments-in-Solar-Energy-and-Nuclear-Power.html, 19-12-2010
Peak Oil Existing Forecasts Countries Past Peak Oil Source: Robert L. Hirsch, SAIC Feb 2005, pg 8 Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2009
Peak Oil Source: MihirMathur and WOTR Analysis
Energy and Mining • Mining is a multi stage process. There is extraction, beneficiation and refining. • All these processes consume energy and thus are energy intensive. • Since most of the minerals are getting depleted, it would consume more energy to produce the same amount.
Summary • Metal prices could go up due to mineral scarcity and rising energy prices • Post Peak Oil, road miles of products and technology would decline due to scarcity and rising fuel prices • Comparative Advantage with respect to technology and minerals availability is not with India • Hence, we run a risk from globalization • Long term outlook for current renewable technology doesn’t look sustainable
Summary • We need to move from renewable energy paradigm to sustainable energy • We need to think about sustainability in a changing context, dynamic sustainability • We need to think in stocks and flows to understand consumption and regeneration • Long term solutions could be local and indigenous • We need to move from sustainable business growth to adaptive sustainable development
References Bibliography Cohen, D. (2007, May 23). NewScientist. Retrieved January 04, 2011, from science.org: http://www.science.org.au/nova/newscientist/027ns_005.htm Edwards, C. (2010, October 04). IET, Collective Inspirations. Retrieved January 04, 2011, from kn.theiet.org: http://kn.theiet.org/magazine/issues/1015/thin-film-pv-1015.cfm Heinberg, R. (2009). Searching for a Miracle.Clifornia: Post Carbon Institute. Pagani, U. B. (2007). Peak Minerals. Europe: The Oil Drum. Rodes, C. (2010, October 05). oilprice.com. Retrieved January 04, 2011, from oilprice.com: http://oilprice.com/Metals/Commodities/Metals-Shortages-Threaten-Developments-in-Solar-Energy-and-Nuclear-Power.html