The rate at which the energy demands and prices are
increasing it may be impossible to pursue the present rate of
development. Developing countries, like India, will be forced to
retard its development / industrialization program for want of
sufficient energy reserves. Besides this the environmental
implications of haphazard energy utilization also need to be closely
studied. In-efficient use of energy has stretched the global
environment to its limits as can be seen from unpleasant responses of
the nature. Green house effect, acid rain, smog, deforestation, shift
in climatic conditions, etc., are some of the indications. Setting up
additional generating capacities to meet increasing energy demands is
not only a very expensive alternative but also very time consuming
approach. Additional Power Plants, meaning additional pollution and
further degradation of the environment. While Energy Conservation,
besides being a quick and economical approach has the potential to
provide an effective solution to emerging environmental hazards.
Considering the scenario of the Indian Industrial sector and its
energy utilization efficiency, there is urgent need to review
manufacturing technologies and the present energy management approach.
Owing to old and obsolete industrial technologies and machinery the
extent of energy wastage is very high. Energy Conservation potential
in the industrial sector of our nation has been projected between 30
to 40 %. Energy conservation measures range from simple good
house-keeping practices to plant modernization.
To know extent of energy is being wasted it is very essential to know
what amount of energy is being consumed. Monitoring industrial energy
utilization on continuous basis and relating it to the production is
the first step of any energy conservation programme.
Table : ENERGY CONSERVATION POTENTIAL IN INDIAN INDUSTRIES :
The industrial sector is a major energy-consuming sector accounting
for about 50 % of the commercial energy available in the country. The
total energy consumption, including non-energy uses about 103.1 mtoe.
Of the commercial sources of energy, coal & lignite account for 56%,
oil & natural gas – 40%, hydroelectric power 3% and nuclear power 1%.
|
INDUSTRIES |
% SHARE OF
ENERGY
IN PRODUCTION COST |
% CONSERVATION
POTENTIAL |
|
Refineries |
1 |
8-10 |
|
Sugar |
3.4 |
25-30 |
|
Ferrous Foundry |
10.5 |
15-20 |
|
Textile |
10.9 |
20-25 |
|
Petrochemical |
12.7 |
10-15 |
|
Chloro-alkali |
15 |
10-15 |
|
Iron & Steel |
15.8 |
8-10 |
|
Fertilizers &
Pesticides |
18.3 |
10-15 |
|
Pulp & Paper |
22.8 |
20-25 |
|
Glass |
32.5 |
15-20 |
|
Ceramics |
33.7 |
15-20 |
|
Aluminum |
34.2 |
8-10 |
|
Cement |
34.9 |
10-15 |
|
Ferro-alloys |
36.5 |
8-10 |
|
