Page 10 - Tcexpression2021 - Sept to Dec 2020

INDUSTRIAL ENERGY TRANSITIONS

orld over, we are passing through a significant wind and geothermal. We are now finding means of
energy transition and are witnessing the storage, transmission and distribution of the energy
Windustrial revolution like never before. generated from these sources to meet similar metrics
Sustainability, Green Initiatives and environmentally and continuity as those of high energy density sources.
conscious approach is the key to a circular economy. However, this rule’s exception is nuclear energy -
The current pandemic has been a catalyst to both fusion and fission, which have too high energy
accelerating these areas for many reasons; from the densities.
environment to social to geopolitical to the simple
realisation, nature needs more respect. The underlying Though it is essential to find solutions concerning the
theme in the current transition period is a better ‘Energy Density and Continuity’ challenge, it is also
appreciation of our future generation’s responsibility equally imperative to think about the overall energy
and care towards the planet and its resources. footprint regarding the materials used in mitigating
the challenges. While Hydrogen has one of the
While the economic cycles are becoming shorter, highest energy densities in the order of 120-150 GJ/
the basic demands of developed-developing nations tonne (Nuclear energy is the exception as it has many
are normalising, and the gap is diminishing. The so- times higher energy density than Hydrogen), its low
called equalisation is also exponentially increasing the volumetric density is a matter of concern which results
negative impact of industrial growth and its future in a low energy per unit volume, hence Hydrogen
sustainability. storage is an issue. Similarly, the solar photovoltaic
cells are an attractive source for renewable power
Revisit Lifecycle Energy Demand: generation, but it requires a large land quantum. Same

is also applicable for bio-fuels initiating concerns over
Energy and resources drive growth. The demand for food vs fuel.
resources is also undergoing a shift, almost as if new
elements from the periodic table are now needed, It is essential to evaluate the energy requirements of
which were rare and reserved for exotic use only a the complete product lifecycle. For example, Aluminium
few decades ago. Nevertheless, the most significant is a lighter material than steel and, hence, possibly
change is being felt on the energy mix regarding its better for automotive applications, but can this reason
quantity and quality. It is quite strange that while the be considered a green and sustainable solution? The
world has utilised the high energy density sources energy required to produce a tonne of Aluminium
such as coal and oil, we are now compelled to seek (approx. 300 GJ/ton) is almost six times compared to
low energy and intermittent energy sources like solar,

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