Key Concepts

• • The growing share of electricity in the energy sector

• • The connection of electricity and global warming

• • Important terms related to electricity

• • Conventional sources of electricity generation

• • Green and renewable sources of electricity generation

• • Smart grid

Introduction

Electricity is the fundamental driver for growth of the modern society. The availability of reliable electric supply is a priority for any residential, industrial, or commercial setup. With the rapid proliferation of digital appliances and the critical role they are playing in our daily life, the dependence on high-quality electric power supply has further increased manifold.

Electricity started as a source of energy for lighting, replacing oil and gas-based lamps. But at that time very few people would have realized that slowly this new source of energy will ‘capture’ the whole residential, industrial, and workplace setup. It is difficult to imagine our lives without electricity now – starting from heating our meals, washing and drying of our clothes, heating the water, keeping the house or office cool or hot to running all kinds of entertainment and communication appliances. This source of energy has turned into an omnipresent phenomenon in our lives. Electricity is the main driver behind technologies related to the Internet and communication also. A major part of the railways is already running on electricity, and the transition of road transport is also imminent in the near future.

Key Concepts

• • Three-D path for green energy transition

• • Operation and maintenance of solar PV power plants using digital technologies

• • Role of energy storage in the decarbonization of power grid

• • Microgrid, nanogrid, and vehicle to grid

• • Peer-to-peer energy trading

• • Latest trends in solar cell and module technology

• • Role of smart grid in enabling integration of solar and wind energy sources with the power grid

• • Wind-solar hybrid, floating solar, agro photovoltaics

• • Role of education, training, research and development in successful transition to green energy

Introduction

Rapid transition of the energy system with growing utilization of green and renewable sources has come up with a number of challenges and opportunities. This transition will continue and completely alter the whole energy network. These developments have come up at a time when a number of new and established technologies are available which need to be used and integrated in this changed network. Artificial intelligence (AI), ML, Big Data, cloud computing, blockchain, and so on are some of these important technologies.

Operation and maintenance of solar and wind plants and the role of AI, ML, Big Data and so on; peer-to-peer energy transactions and the role of blockchain in them; grid integration challenges and their solutions; off-grid applications with and without battery storage; handling of PV waste; and solar energy derivatives such as green hydrogen are the areas which are set to play very important roles in the successful transition to the green and distributed energy network.

Apart from these technologies, other important developments are underway, such as solar PV modules of higher efficiency with new technology and material, a new shape, a lesser effect on ambient temperature, requiring less water for cleaning, and so on.

The climate change challenge, mainly reflected as global warming, has emerged as an existential crisis not only for humanity but for the planet itself. This challenge and the need for sustainable development are, therefore, the most talked about issues of recent times. Ensuring development without causing harm to nature is the basic idea behind sustainable development. In line with this principle, there is a need to review and reset the energy sector and make it more environment friendly.

The need for electrical energy is a basic requirement of modern society. But meeting this requirement has contributed a large part to the climate change also. Conventional methods of generating electricity have been major contributors to CO2 emissions. In order to rectify this, generating the required energy in an environment friendly way has to be implemented. The decarbonization of the electric energy system, therefore, is an integral part of reworking the electrical energy sector in the spirit of sustainable development.

India, over the years, has shown unwavering commitment to contributing towards attaining the sustainable development goals. The country has taken excellent steps in this area under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. A major boost to these efforts was announced in terms of the Panchamrit promises declared at the 26th Conference of Parties at Glasgow, UK. Making 50% of the total installed capacity based on non-fossil fuel sources, reducing the carbon emission intensity in its GDP by 45%, and the installation of 500 GW of green energy plants by 2030 are indicative targets of the national resolve.

Climate change, global warming, and shifting to sustainable ways of growth are major concerns of present times. Although these issues were identified many years ago, for a long time the exact nature of these phenomena and their impact were under debate. However, recent years have seen clearly visible and regularly occurring phenomena that confirm the adverse effects and grave threat of global warming and climate change.

It is noteworthy that 17 November 2023 was an important day for climate change, as on this day the average temperature of the earth exceeded by more than 2°C compared to the pre-industrial age temperature for the first time. The Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Union (EU) has confirmed that in 2023 the average temperature of the earth's surface was 1.48°C higher than the temperature during the pre-industrialization days. In absolute terms also, the global emissions of CO2 are rising; in 2022, for example, these emissions were at least a billion tonnes higher than in 2019.

The Conference of Parties (CoP) is the supreme decision, making body under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). CoP is an important annual event initiated about 30 years ago. But the increasing interest of public, over the years, in the event shows that we have come a long way in understanding the adverse impacts of climate change. From sceptics doubting the very idea of climate change to it becoming the most debated topic in the world is a major change.

Preventing climate change and ensuring sustainable development is one of the most talked about concepts in recent years. The issue of climate change and global warming is closely related to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The rising level of CO2 in the environment is a major concern because of the resulting global warming and its associated adverse effects. In 2015 the United Nations executed the Paris Agreement. The agreement aims to limit the global temperature rise to 2°C, and to make best efforts to keep it to 1.5°C.

This objective has an important connection with energy and, particularly, electrical energy. The most common conventional method for producing electricity is by burning coal, which leads to CO2 emissions. Electricity produced from solar energy and wind energy is considered green electricity because it does not contribute to CO2 emissions. An important component of the CO2 emission reduction initiative of the UN, therefore, is the installation of green energy sources on a large scale throughout the world.

In line with this vision, the most important part of a carbon emission reduction plan worldwide is installation of these sources on a large scale. India, for example, has committed to having 50% of the total installed capacity by 2030 from green sources of electricity generation. This push towards a shift to solar, wind, and hydro-based energy sources is happening at a very fast rate. Under this changed scenario, these technologies are set to become the main technologies in the electric power network. In the Indian grid, for example, the share of solar energy has grown from about 2.6 GW in 2014 to more than 100 GW in 2025. This shift is set to change the fundamental way in which electricity has been generated, transmitted, and utilized.

Key Concepts

• • Decarbonization pyramid and the importance of energy conservation in sustainable development

• • Concept of energy management for optimal utilization of electricity

• • Demand-side management

• • Role of energy-efficient appliances in decarbonization

• • Energy Conservation Act of India

• • Major schemes on energy conservation by the BEE in India

• • Concept and types of energy audit, energy managers, and energy auditors

• • Power factor and energy conservation

• • Importance of awareness campaigns, and participation of stakeholders in energy conservation

Introduction

Decarbonizing the electricity infrastructure is of prime importance for achieving climate protection and SDGs. Switching over to carbon-free generation of electricity, like solar and wind, is a mandatory requirement for it. But this energy shifting is not the sufficient requirement for decarbonization. Conservation of energy, in addition to energy shifting, needs to be pursued and implemented simultaneously. Energy conservation is using less energy by avoiding unnecessary uses of energy. The idea of energy conservation, in fact, is in the true spirit of sustainable development also. As defined earlier, development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is sustainable development.

‘One unit saved is equal to two units generated’ has been a famous saying of electrical engineering for a long time.

The objective behind this principle, however, was more on financial savings. But in the changed scenario, this principle needs aggressive reiteration as it involves financial as well as environmental savings. In addition, energy conservation leads to reduction in peak demand and the requirement of new infrastructure.

Key Concepts

• • Electricity scenario in India and the need for transition to green energy in the country

• • Indian pledge at CoP-26 at Glasgow and the targets of 2030

• • National solar mission and major initiatives that led to exponential growth in solar energy installation in India

• • Net-zero target of India and road map for achieving it

• • Major solar power projects in India

• • Various policies and government organizations involved in achieving the target of solar PV deployment in India

• • Changes required in the grid in view of massive deployment of variable and uncertain sources of electricity

Introduction

India is now the most populous country in the world, with almost 18% of the global population. Being a developing country and one of the major evolving economies, the electricity demand in the country is also growing. India ranked fifth in terms of installed capacity and third in terms of electricity produced, in 2018, in the world. India's annual per capita electricity consumption, although, is about 1122 kWh, which is much lower than the world average of 2674 kWh per year, but this number too is one of the fastest-growing. In the last decade the installed capacity of the Indian grid has increased by more than 200 GW. At this rate India is set to become the biggest electric load centre in the world by 2030 with about 1.5 billion people.

Being the most populous developing country, Indian response to the climate crisis is key to the success of sustainable development and the climate protection mission. India historically accounted for less than 5% of the global emissions.

Key Concepts

• • Phenomenon of global warming and its connection with industrialization

• • Concerns and threats of global warming and climate change

• • Impact of carbon emissions on global warming

• • Initiatives towards reduction of carbon emissions and preventing global warming

• • Concepts of Earth Overshoot Day, sustainable development and net-zero emissions

• • United Nations’ sustainable development goals.

• • Link between energy demand and global warming

• • How to decarbonize the energy system

Introduction

Sustainable development, in recent years, has emerged as one of the most talked-about concepts. What does this term mean, and why has it become so important? The Industrial Revolution, which gained momentum in the 19th century, was a landmark event. It represented the culmination of human efforts of thousands of years. The revolution led to great inventions, making life better and easier. The human efforts involved in day-to-day activities have decreased continuously, and automation has resulted in increased human comfort. All sectors of our life, be it agriculture, transport, and even daily routine work at our homes, have been made easier by this revolution. But these developments have extracted a significant cost, particularly on the environment.

The effect of industrial activities on the environment has been described in a poignant way by @SDGoals. It shows that if we scale down the age of the earth from its actual value of 4.6 billion years to 46 years, then on the same scale human life has been on the earth for about 4 hours only. The Industrial Revolution, on this scale, began only a minute ago, and in that time, we have destroyed more than half of the world's forests.

Key Concepts

• • Importance of energy sector in decarbonization

• • Energy-related SDGs

• • Goal 7: Targets, indicators, progress

• • Goal 11: Targets, indicators, progress

• • Goal 13: Targets, indicators, progress

Introduction

The UN, realizing the importance of preventing damage to the climate and warming of the planet, started working in this area more than 50 years ago. But the real transformation has come after the Paris Agreement and the adoption of SDGs. The climate change challenge was largely absent from the agenda of the countries and considerations in policy formulation in even the most advanced countries in the world. Growing evidence of the threat of global warming led to a change in the approach, with a radical change seen after the declaration of the Paris Agreement and the 17 SDGs.

The most important component of the increased concern over climate change is related to energy. Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for a minimum around 60% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, and in fact some studies have shown this share to be more than 70%. All the related key terms in vogue these days, such as ‘low-carbon system’, ‘decarbonization’, ‘net-zero system’, and ‘carbon-neutral system’, have energy at the centre. Irrespective of the solutions adopted and the timelines set by different countries, it is agreed upon by all concerned that transition to a low-carbon climate cannot be achieved without decarbonizing the energy systems.

Key Concepts

• • Steps involved for developing sustainable organizations

• • Case study on a university campus

• • Integration of green sources of energy

• • Implementation of energy efficiency measures

• • Ensuring participation of stakeholders for energy conservation

Introduction

The achievement of SDGs defined under the Paris Agreement requires concerted efforts at the international, national, state, organization, and individual levels. The organizations which follow the principles of sustainable development can serve as a role model for others to follow.

Colleges for higher education and the universities also have an important role to play in achieving the SDGs in general and in the adoption and promotion of green sources of electricity in particular. Goal 4 of SDGs, although, is specific to the availability of quality education to all, but these institutions can play a much broader role in realizing the wide-ranging SDGs. For example, Goal 9: Industry, infrastructure and innovation; Goal 12: Responsible production and consumption; and Goal 13: Climate Action cannot possibly be achieved without the mindful and positive influence of higher education institutions.

More importantly, these institutes need to work on the creation of awareness about the need for sustainable development and SDGs, a crucial requirement for their achievement. The institutes should also make sustainable development an integral part of their future plans. Green and renewable sources of energy like solar PV should be adopted for existing buildings, and these should be made mandatory for the new buildings. The academic institutes, more importantly, should practice on their campuses what they are preaching in the class.

Key Concepts

• " Working of solar PV power plants and their benefits

• " Different configurations of solar PV systems, such as grid-connected, stand-alone, and hybrid solar PV plants

• " Metering mechanisms, such as net metring and gross metring

• " Working and classification of different types of inverters used in solar energy generation

• " Different performance evaluation parameters for solar PV power plants and effect of environmental conditions

• " Components used in solar PV power plants

• " Challenges related to the large-scale integration of solar PV plants with the power grid

Introduction

Solar energy is a renewable source of energy, and when electricity is produced from solar, it does not lead to any CO2 emissions. Apart from being a green and renewable source of energy, solar is the simplest system of electricity generation. As described by Professor Martin Green, ‘The whole photovoltaic technology itself is a bit magical. Sunlight just falls on this inert material and you get electricity straight out of it.’ This technology has emerged as the most powerful solution for decarbonizing the energy system.

The solar PV plants can be installed in two modes: grid-connected and off-grid system. At present, grid-connected solar PV (GCSPV) plants are the most commonly used systems. Although solar PV cells, were discovered in the year 1953, solar PV plants for generating electricity did not gain widespread acceptance primarily because of the panel cost as well as the issues with the batteries involved. GCSPV technology has removed the weak link, the battery from the system, making it an efficient, economical, and durable system with minimum maintenance requirements. These benefits have made the solar PV the fastest rising system in the world.

While Kuwait has recorded budget deficits since the decline in crude oil prices in mid-2014, this has not resulted in a significant decline in fiscal expenditure. Although budgetary pressures have encouraged the government to take steps towards fiscal and economic reform, a reconfiguration of the relationship between the state and the citizens has proved to be one bridge too far, with different social groups holding on to their share of the oil wealth. This has been compounded by historical contingencies with the codification of social protections and the establishment of a relatively powerful parliament through the 1962 Kuwaiti constitution. The burden of the fiscal adjustment policies has mainly fallen upon the shoulders of expatriate workers, who have been further restricted from access to the country’s oil wealth. Meanwhile, the significant reserves accumulated by Kuwait’s sovereign wealth funds have reduced short-term pressures to initiate fiscal reform, encouraging the government to embark on a path of piecemeal reform to avoid conflict with the influential opposition eager to protect the interests of the salaried middle classes.

Qatar is a small yet dynamic Gulf state, among the richest countries in the world per capita due to its oil and gas wealth, which plays an outsized role on the world stage. This chapter outlines and assesses how state policies, and various actors and forces, have shaped Qatar’s political economy, especially since the decline in oil prices that began in 2014. There is an explanatory emphasis on the structural characteristics of Qatar’s economy, the policy decisions of its relatively new emir, Tamim (r. 2013–), and the impacts of the post-2017 Gulf crisis, with the arguments grounded in a theoretical foundation that combines late-stage rentierism, an entrepreneurial form of state capitalism, and an economic statecraft that has been ambitious, even aggressive. The overarching argument is that Qatar was uniquely positioned for the challenges that have arisen after the oil price fall in 2014, in some ways by simple good fortune, but more as a result of the Qatari state having prepared the economy well for the risk of economic or diplomatic problems, and then having responded quickly and emphatically when the oil price fall began.

Since 2006, Egypt has shown the puzzling trend of being a country that imports energy yet does not benefit economically from lower international oil prices. Despite being a net energy importer, Egypt remains heavily dependent on crude energy for its foreign currency earnings, directly through exports and indirectly through foreign direct investment, external aid, and workers’ remittances from oil-rich countries. Egypt’s twisted dependency is explained by two predominant and largely interrelated factors: institutions and geo-economics. Sustained rent dependency weakens the state institutions necessary for regulating and extracting resources from the economy, as well as those required for state–business coordination of diversification or upgrading. These state institutions instead reproduce capacities that are allocative in essence and that involve rent. Institutions are sticky. They do not readily change in response to economic shocks or downturns, nor do they adjust automatically and functionally to changing economic conditions. Regionally, oil-rent recycling from the GCC to Egypt mitigated the overall impact of becoming a net energy importer. It kept the Egyptian economy and state dependent on higher oil prices through aid packages, cheap credit and investment, and the flow of workers’ remittances, even when the country itself was becoming a net importer.