Greening our world through renewable energy

Deepanie PERERA

'Sustainable development' is a term that draws heavy attention the world over. Sustainability is volatile, in that lies the instability of living beings, both human and animal.

In a world that is constantly challenged by climate change, environmental and natural devastation beyond any control, the need for a steady platform for action or more importantly pro-activeness and responsiveness have become the need of the hour.

Wind power, a sustainable solution.

Reaction has long expired. Being 'proactive' apposed to 'reactive' is the choice approach towards better management, resulting towards a safer tomorrow. But how well geared are we, the human beings as a species? We are extremely endangered in a hi-tech world.

We are not only a threatened and a divided species, but also endangering through our action the lives of other living beings with whom we share this planet. We lack common consensus to arrest many an issue.

Energy is one such pervasive issue that we have not been able to address exhaustively. Energy resources and their sources are depleting at an alarming rate.

The developed world is the biggest user and polluter of energy. Non bio-degradable industrial waste and e-waste have become huge global environmental challenges today. Productively speaking some this waste could be usefully channelled as raw material to generate renewable energy - a sustainable solution.

So what is renewable energy? A common definition states: 'energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished)'.

Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority has put together a national energy policy and strategies; a noteworthy approach and a dire need to a very critical problem.

As per World Bank statistics (world development indicators) the world energy consumption per capita in 2005 was 1,818 kg with Sri Lankans consuming 472 kg (per capita). Sri Lanka's energy by resource: bio mass 47.92 percent, petroleum 43.36 percent and hydro power 8.67 percent

Over dependency on petroleum energy is a dangerous proposition indeed, particularly with the recovery of the economic recession the phenomena of oil price escalations could again blow global markets to unimaginable, unfathomable proportions.

Shifting from first generation (based on grains and other agricultural commodities) to second generation bio fuels (produced from agricultural and forestry residues including domestic refuse such as garbage), solar energy, hydro power, wind energy and coal power are renewable sources of energy, with varying time lines (until renewal could take place) and profitability.

In a country that enjoys relatively high rainfall, 'rainwater harvesting' could possibly make a useful source of energy in making hydro power allied products.

The Government's initiative at Kerawalapitiya (a US$ 600 mn BOI project with Lanka Alokha AB (Pvt) Ltd and ARC Development International, Australia for gas power) is a significant venture that would largely contribute to potentially position Sri Lanka as an energy-self sufficient nation.

It is imperative for countries like ours' to propagate the concept of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in producing renewal energy.

The ground breaking investment by privately held Senok Group to open country's first wind power park at Puttalam (30 megawatt, Rs 3 bn project) this week was a praiseworthy concept.

Plus a number of businesses that have invested in renewable energy products are certainly visionary approaches which would stand this country in good stead.

The increasing interests of local-global corporate big wigs in energy efficient businesses and green plants have almost become a 'contagion', almost overnight, in the right direction of course. They have become the cause of competitive advantage for some businesses, setting the right tone for energy dynamics. Well-known corporates like Brandix, MAS, Hirdaramani and John Keells are some big names that have come up with exemplary strategies, installations and constructions; even drawing international attention and recognition for their green plants.

We must as a nation give serious thought (and action of course) to focus on protecting and expanding on wildlife, reforestation and the reduction of carbon dioxide and carbon emission to realize a reduced carbon footprint on planet earth, while optimizing on energy.

Collectively we could achieve a healthy energy balance as we move towards a greener and an 'energy secure Sri Lanka' the vision of Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, sooner than later.