Green energy for a green future

by Patali CHAMPIKA RANAWAKA

On 15th October 2009, which was the inaugural day of the “Green Month”, I visited the Pallebeddha Vidyalaya in Ampara District, where the children of the Veddha community were receiving their formal education. It was heartbreaking to see the entire area around the school been severely affected by a prolonged drought. However, as planned I was able to proceed to Rambaken Oya construction site, where the reconstruction work of Rambaken Oya was in progress. The Rambaken Oya reservoir consists of a huge earth bund an underground tunnel made of stone. It is a site which undoubtedly manifests the marvels of irrigation engineering skills of our ancestors. The Veddha children of the school welcomed me with their traditional singing and dancing.

While these activities were taking place, an official who accompanied me, expressed the view that it would be a very good gesture if these children are given some modern cloths and accessories to keep them happy. He made his views known to me as he had been prompted by his sincere desire to see the Veddha community is modernized and assimilated into the modern civilization. Having told him that I do not share his views, I had to remind him that traditional Veddhas are least susceptible to common health problems like heart ailments, diabeties and high blood pressure.

Their life styles are very simple and as a result, they are much happier than many of us in the so called modern world. So, what else do they need? On the other hand our modern civilization which is based on fossil fuel is doomed to collapse. Oil is a scarce resource. Although, we are experiencing an oil peak at present, it is predicted that its production will decrease after 2015 and as a result its commercial viability will diminish fast. On the other hand, If oil and gas are not imported its impact on our lifestyles would be very serious. Most of us live on oil related energy and vehicles, ships, aero planes, air conditioners, skyscrapers, industries, chemical fertilizers and pesticides will not be there without oil. As we cannot live without these items and needs which are based on fossil fuel energy, our civilization will come to an end. However, Veddhas, on the other hand could continue to live as they do not depend on oil.

The most important element in modern development is energy and the dangerous impacts of its usage like global warming and climate change necessitates the world and more particularly, countries like Sri Lanka have to go for clean or green energy. By definition the energy is related to change and for any physical change we need energy. So, in order to move things and people societies need energy.

Earlier, human or animal labour was considered as a source of energy.

In the simplest form we could define energy resources as a natural resource which could be converted to a usable form of energy. There are many forms of energy resources and the solar energy is the prime energy source in this globe while fossil fuel is the core energy source that we are presently using. During many millions of years in the past various living beings had accumulated solar energy and under certain conditions it has produced much needed fossil fuel. Solar radiation also produce hydro, wind, tidal and direct solar energy and the same reactions which produce solar energy could produce nuclear energy as well. So, many countries are using various energy sources taking into consideration their cost, within which are environmental, social and political impacts.

As far as Sri Lanka is concerned we have our own indigenous energy resources but are forced to use global resources as well to meet our energy needs.

In Sri Lanka bio mass, hydro power, solar, tidal, OTEL and wind power are considered to be potential indigenous energy resources. In addition, we are exploring the availability of petroleum resources within our territory. Our claim on the continental shelf which spread over the ocean is 23 times more than the land mass of Sri Lanka and it will surely enhance the chances of finding and using fossil fuel in time to come. It should also be noted that we have a huge monosita or Thorium deposit which could be used as nuclear fuels.

The world now has developed the technology which enriched Thorium as a nuclear fuel and India, our neighbouring country, is going to use that type of energy extensively. Due to carbon emission problems, resulting from the usage of fossil fuel, most western countries are now focusing and diverting their attention towards nuclear energy. However, we should not forget the fact that nuclear energy too is not a clean or safe energy as its residue ashes and the accidents it creates are very serious which are likely to be fatal very often. In order to meet our demands, we import global resources like petroleum, coal, natural gas and nuclear fuels without any restrictions.

If we look at the primary energy supply (in thousands of Tons) the locally produced bio mass contributed to 4719 units (2007). Locally produced hydro and other non conventional sources contributed to 952 units (2007). Therefore, the share of renewable energy in primary energy would be 57%. Imported petroleum products generated 4287 units or 43% of the total primary energy. If we take the sectorial consumption, industries used bio mass (1506), petroleum (350), electricity - secondary energy (254), transport sector used petroleum (2005) as its maiden energy source. Household and commercial sector used bio mass (3182), petroleum (354), electricity (450).

This clearly showed that household and industries are extensively using pine wood and other bio mass as their primary energy source. We should not be ashamed of our non electrification of industries and household appliances. In fact that should be made a trend and if planned properly and prudently it will enable us to reduce our fossil fuel usage dramatically.

If we take the petroleum products (thousand Mt - 2007) the importation of crude oil (1939) and importation of refined product (2180) share approximately 50:50 of the total petroleum products. That is why the government is so keen in upgrading the refinery which presently can produce only 50% of our petroleum demand. In year 2007 each litre of petrol or diesel used to cost an additional amount of Rs. 7. Some observers attribute this under capacity to the Ceylon Electricity Board using petroleum products to generate electricity.

It has been noted that over 40% of the diesel used was for the generation of electricity. However, upgrading the capacity of our refinery is not a bad idea as we are now in the process of exploring oil and gas reserves in the Mannar basin. Petroleum exploration experts hope that we should be able to find commercially viable our own indigenous oil and gas by 2015, at a time when the global oil production will get reduced. However, the quantity available is not yet known. But it has been estimated that at least one billion barrels of oil and more than that quantity of natural gas could be drilled out.

If we look at the generation of electricity, the CEB is currently generating over 55% of energy from diesel and other petroleum products. In 1970 we almost generated our electricity, using hydro power at a cost of 10 cents per unit. In 1980, it had risen to Re. 1.

As a result of our failure to implement the CEB generation plan it rose to Rs.4 in 1995. The emergency power producers dominated the electricity generation, after 2000 and it resulted in sharp increase in unit cost. In year 2006 it was approximately Rs.10 and now it is almost Rs.18. But the CEB is selling it at Rs.14 per unit. We are currently using 9 million units which amounts to the government loss of 9 x 4 = Rs.36 billion and it is an amount four times more than what Samurdhi recipients are given.

According to the CEB generation plan, more and more coal plants have to be introduced to meet the growing demand and high cost of generation. After the completion of Norochcholai and Trinco coal power plants (1000 MW each), they want to produce 3600 MW of coal power for another 15 years. But according to some calculations oil or coal power will not be cheap as expected. Some predicted that if we use oil, it will cost Rs.130 per unit and if we use coal it will cost Rs.30 per unit for another 30 years.

On the other hand, the world is now trying to cut their emission level by shutting down coal plants. Also, there could be trade sanctions and WTO regulations for goods and services when coal or oil is used as their embedded energy. Therefore, the cost factor due to the depletion & environmental regulations due to global warming would seriously restrict our future power generation plans.

Therefore, whether we like it or not we have to improve our energy efficiencies and we will have to convert our existing fossil fuel based structure into more clean energy used structures. We also will have to generate more and more energy from renewable sources.

According to the commissioned projects of the CEB, at least another 183MW, out of which 170 is from mini hydro could be produced using renewable sources. Letters of Intent have already been issued for other 545MW renewable sources and our potential is very high on the other renewable sources as well.

According to the studies on our wind potential survey, we are located within the so-called wind belt and as a result we have over 25,000 MW untapped wind power. If we tap at least 10% of this, we could be able to double the current power output (2500 MW) of the CEB.

As a tropical country Sri Lanka is experiencing very good solar radiation patterns. Our dry zone may produce 4.5 to 4 KHW/m2 per day and 3.5 to 2 KHW/m2 per day for high plains and other areas. So we will be able to use solar energy as an alternate energy source.

But it should be noted that solar (Rs.80 per unit) and wind (Rs.25 per unit) are somewhat expensive over the coming 30 years. If we can locally design to produce the solar panels and wind mills cost would be regulated.

The most primary energy source for Sri Lanka is dendro power which generates power from Glericidia and other wood. It has been accepted that 4Kg of Glericidia could produce energy that is equal to 1Kg of diesel. And as a tropical country with dedicated monoculture plants, 400 ha is needed to produce 1MW of electricity. That means if we were to produce 1000MW we would need 400,000 ha of land. But Glericidia could be planted as an undergrowth in tea, coconut plantation and in homegardens as well. If we have a proper plan we could grow our own energy needs as in the future.

(The writer is the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources).