MOP & MNRE

Going by the news from MOP and MNRE, finding very encouraging to see that India’s Renewal Energy generation is on rise and there are ambitious plans to exceed the %RE commitment to COP21 (40%) and likely to reach to 60% level. It is also very encouraging that MOP is planning to phase out inefficient and dirtiest power plants capping the heat rate. This is a very welcome move. I wish something similar plan is chalked out by Min of Steel to cap specific energy consumption and CO2 emission in Indian steel plants. This is necessary and doable. While some plants are doing much better, most others are lagging far behind and consuming very large resources, generating very high CO2, thereby adding up to the global warming. I sincerely wish the Industry & Steel Ministry look into it seriously.

COP21

In pursuance of the COP21 decisions, most of the countries are pursuing green energy pathways. Subsequently, several countries including India have signed the Carbon Neutrality commitment by 2050. Question is, will India be able to achieve this commitment?

India is pursuing several greener pathways. One of the path breaking initiatives is the 100 GW Solar energy by 2022. But sector wise initiatives appears far from satisfactory. There seems to be no concrete plan to phase out usage of coal in power sector in medium or long term.

Abate Sector

Steel making is yet another difficult to abate sector. Presently, about 45% steel production is thru the Blast Furnace route using coal as the main energy source. Scrap usage is also minimised. The result is very high, CO2 (2.6 T/steel).
The balance 55 % steel is produced adopting electric arc furnace and electric induction furnaces. But this sector uses substantial percentage of Sponge Iron. About 80% sponge iron is produced through coal route, where coal consumption and CO2 emission is too high.
Though, globally, alternate fuels like H2 are being explored, in India there is hardly any momentum. Unless, such greener pathways are explored, it is unlikely that steel sector will be able to achieve near zero carbon neutrality commitment.

World’s most remarkable heritage made by iron & steel.

We made it!

Engines of growth & development, connecting people – steel.

Just thinking out loud!