Balancing Sustainable Energy Goals with Coal Realities

Why in News?

In present scenario, the dynamic landscape of renewable energy presents a significant challenge between traditional and eco-friendly practices.

• Coal, a widely used yet highly polluting energy source, poses a significant challenge to global sustainability goals.
• Despite global efforts to adopt cleaner alternatives, coal remains a significant obstacle in achieving sustainable development.

What is the Role of Coal in the Energy Mix?

1. Coal in Global Energy Mix: In 2022, oil, coal, and gas accounted for 30%, 27%, and 23% of the world's total energy, while solar and wind energy combined contributed only 2.4%.

• Coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, accounts for just over a third of global electricity generation.

2. Coal in India’s Energy Context: In 2022, India's primary energy consumption primarily comes from coal and oil gas, with renewables accounting for only 10.4% of the total.

• India's coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) contributed 74.3% of the country's electricity generation during FY 2022-2023, with their generation continuing to increase to meet demand.
• India's electricity affordability is largely due to the 96% of coal used by TPPs sourced from domestic mines.
• India's National Electricity Plan predicts a 259-262 GW increase in TPP capacity by FY32, from 212 GW in FY23.
• India's per capita energy supply is 37% of the global average, indicating a growing energy demand that aligns with the Human Development Index.

• India must continue implementing clean coal technologies to reduce power sector emissions and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.

• India's continuous and affordable supply to meet peak and off-peak demands is significantly dependent on the efficient operation of Thermal Power Plants (TPPs).
• India's emissions from fossil fuels and industry from 1750 to 2021 are only 3.3% of global total, trailing behind Europe (31%), the U.S. (24.3%), and China (14.4%).

What are the Environmental and Social Impacts of Coal?

1. Coal Quality and Transportation:

• Indian coal is found to have significantly higher levels of fly ash compared to other major coal-mining countries.
• Burning coal with increased ash results in erosion and tube failure, affecting plant availability, efficiency, and performance, leading to increased emissions.
• The transportation of unwashed raw coal to power plants over 500 km away is causing congestion in transportation systems, leading to carbon dioxide emissions and environmental pollution.

2. Sulphur Dioxide Emissions:

• Indian coal, except from Assam and Meghalaya, has lower sulphur content compared to Chinese coal used in power plants.
• India's tall stacks and favorable weather conditions enable the widespread dispersion of sulphur dioxide emissions.
• The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change asserts that historical sulphur dioxide emissions have created a cooling effect, thereby reducing global temperature rise.

3. Flue Gas Desulphurisers (FGDs):

• The use of FGDs in power plant retrofitting increases specific coal consumption, lowers energy efficiency, and leads to higher emission intensity and temporary plant shutdowns.
• India has been unable to complete the retrofitting of FGDs due to the inability to shut down power plants.

4. Employment and Industry:

• The coal sector is a significant contributor to industries such as power, steel, cement, and aluminium, employing millions of people.
• The transition to cleaner energy could potentially lead to a disparity in job preservation and economic stability.

5. Energy Access and Affordability:

• Coal significantly contributes to electricity generation, ensuring accessibility and affordability for a large population.

What are the Strategies to Reduce Coal's Impact on Sustainable Development?

1. Efficiency Enhancement in Thermal Power Plants (TPPs):

• The proposed action is to invest in research and development to enhance the efficiency of existing coal-fired thermal power plants.
• The goal is to reduce emissions per unit of electricity generated by implementing advanced technologies and operational improvements.

2. Promotion of Clean Coal Technologies:

• The allocation of resources and incentives is being made for the development and implementation of clean coal technologies.
• The focus is on technologies that significantly decrease carbon emissions and enhance overall environmental performance.

3. Diversification of Energy Sources:

• The goal is to expedite the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and wind to reduce reliance on coal.
• Develop policies that promote a diverse energy mix, ensuring a gradual shift towards cleaner alternatives.

4. Washed Coal Mandate:

• The government is enforcing regulations to limit the use of washed coal in Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) located over 500 km from mines.
• The tariff determination process should incorporate coal-washing charges to ensure economic feasibility.

5. Pumped Storage Projects and Grid Integration:

• The goal is to improve pumped storage projects to effectively incorporate intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the power grid.
• The goal is to develop smart grid technologies that enhance the management of variable energy inputs.

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