How to reduce our dependency & consmption of non-renewable fuels
There is no need to explain how important it is for the future of our country and economy to reduce our dependency and consumption on non-renewable fuels which burden our economy with huge imports and subsidies. If we can come up with ideas and our government can implement them, it will serve the country for present and future to make it a stronger economy and thus develop faster.
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The government has made a significant announcement today. It has raised the mandatory level for blending ethanol in gasoline to 10 percent from 5 percent. With this, we expect some impact on oil import bill. http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/06/23/india-sugar-imports-idINKBN0EY0JT20140623 While mandatory blending of 5% has been in place for a while, it has not been enforced as price offered by oil companies was lower than market price. Ethanol feed stock gets diverted for production of potable alcohol which is more profitable. http://blogs.intoday.in/businesstoday/ethanol-blending-refuses-to-take-off-in-india-62936.html In another post in this group, there was a lament about alcohol shops opening up at every other corner. There is an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Can we increase the supply of bio fuel grade ethanol and reduce the production of potable alcohol. This mix is currently regulated by individual state governments so would require some tact. I am sure everyone in this group understands and would support that lower alcohol consumption is good for society.
Jun 23
In my previous post on Inflation Decoded, I have mentioned few suggestions. I recap them here - 1. For electricity - the alternatives hydro electrical power by tapping Himalayan rivers and that of friendly nations viz Nepal and Bhutan. Launch an all out program of promoting Solar and wind power generation through government investment, tax rebates, incentives and technical and financial support. 2. For Gas - a comprehensive policy for bio gas would do wonders. Bio gas can be an immediate solution in rural areas. If properly developed, bio gas can be bottled and supplied in urban areas. Piped bio gas can be explored in semi urban locations. This can be done along with promoting dairy sector. 3. For Petrol - there is no viable alternative right away but doping with ethanol produced from sugarcane would reduce import bill. This would also give a huge boast to sugarcane farming and agriculture sector. Focused development of other bio diesels can be developed from Jatropha and Pongamia which can be cultivated on wasteland too. Alternatives exist, they need to be tapped and promoted.
Jun 22
I completely agree with your point. Its high time we start looking for renewable resources like solar, wind etc for power generation which can substantially reduce the dependency on 'traditional' sources of power generation. Household Solar power generation has become a reality in America by SolarCity company. I feel there is a need to make it mandatory (Especially in urbans) for at least the newly approved buildings to have solar panels (just like rain water harvesting has been made mandatory in Bengaluru). There is a urgency to implement solar energy at the micro level(household) rather than take up mega projects. The new government definitely needs a thought on this.
Jun 22
