The Energy Independent, Carbon Neutral Campuses
Introduction:
The problems associated with the existing energy generation systems are now widely recognised. Global warming caused by burning fossil fuels is wreaking havoc across the planet destroying entire eco-systems, altering ancient patterns of existence for the world's many life forms. At every step in the process the needs of the local environment and community are ignored and the negative effects are disproportionately forced onto already marginalised groups.
The extraction of resources-whether it is mining uranium from Jadugoda for our nuclear energy program, natural gas pipes from the forests of North east, or from the coal mines of Bihar - is enormously destructive and harmful to the communities where it takes place. When the energy is produced, whether through radioactive nuclear cooling towers or smoke-spewing coal fired power plants or enormous hydro projects that flood critical ecosystems and forcibly displace residents, the destruction continues.
Unfortunately, most people do not link the act of switching on an appliance to the enormous effect it has on his or her environment. Together with wasteful practices in energy consumption and lack of knowledge on sustainable alternatives, it has made those who have the privilege of access to electricity compromise our future energy security. The time has come for us to end our addiction to fossil fuels and other climate damaging technologies and the good news is that there are proven energy solutions we can put to use today to provide sustainable development and energy for all.
With installed Wind capacity growing at 30 percent over the past few years, it is an entirely realistic goal for wind to provide 12 percent of the world's energy by 2020. Along the way, this would create two million jobs, and save more than 10,700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Solar energy is already being harnessed in many part of the world and it has the potential to provide several times the current world energy consumption if properly exploited. Solar can be used to directly produce electricity or for heating and even for cooling. Future potential of solar is only limited by our willingness to seize the opportunity. The biggest hurdle in the path of the development of the renewable energy industry, we believe, is lack of "energy conscience". The need for efficient production and use of energy should be acknowledged on an individual level and this energy conscience should be implanted in the human mind at an early age.
Almost 40% of Indians are younger than 15 years of age. We believe that it is of utmost importance that this young citizenry of the country should imbibe an energy conscience - the concepts of renewable, sustainable, socially just, democratic, decentralised power.
And their centers of learning, their teachers and campuses are fertile grounds to sow the seeds for a clean energy revolution.
To cater to the growing young population, educational institutions, especially residential schools and colleges are mushrooming in hinterlands of India. These schools are energy intensive, and in cases of affluent schools, they are increasingly equipped with air-conditioned classrooms, computer-labs, gyms, dormitories, laboratories and huge water and kitchen heating requirements. This adds tremendous load on the already stretched local electricity and energy demand leading to increased load shedding, power cuts and outages. The School's electricity demand also creates tension with the local communities due to its inherent iniquitous nature.
Campuses of Educational institutions don't need to create enormous amounts of pollution; they can become more energy efficient and use green energy instead of polluting sources.
By making our campuses models of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability we can prove the feasibility of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But we need to begin the long transition to a sustainable energy infrastructure NOW. By immediately implementing steps to make the campus sustainable, an administration can show that it is committed to making change and that it realises that we cannot wait to head off global warming.
Benefits of switching to solar and wind energy
Institutions generally begin the process of achieving carbon neutrality by taking an inventory of their emissions and then reducing the amount of energy they use - chiefly through a spectrum of energy efficiency measures. Once energy efficiency has been maximised, a variety of potential next steps will follow. Buying either solar panels or wind turbines and installing them on the buildings or property of an institution can produce energy on-site. This saves money by reducing energy purchases, often creating economic gains over the lifetimes of the panels and turbines if they recoup the initial investment. It reduces dependence on the energy grid, reducing pollution and also reduces the need for power lines and reduces power losses during transmission.
Environmental Education
Syllabus demands that the students are involved in environmental education projects. Global warming and Energy crisis are the two most crucial environment related issues. Energy efficiency drives and Renewable energy applications can provide on-hands experience for the students. Students can be encouraged to invent, innovate and invest in building the shift to renewable energy.
Rural empowerment with a twist
Schools and the supplying manufacturer can train local youth to maintain the systems ensuring livelihood for the local community.
Schools can share their solar power plant with the closest village school or augment the community electricity requirement of the village.
Economic sustainability
A typical Day School for 1000, KG to VII, on 10 acres involves an investment of about 12 to 15 Crore Rupees while Residential School for 700, VI to XII, on 50 acres will cost 25 to 28 Crore Rupees. The capital costs are usually spread over 5 to 7 years by gradually building up the strength of students and matching facilities to the growing numbers. With the level of fees being charged today a good School with good salaries to its staff (at least 50 % of the operating costs) can break even in its third year of operation, depending on how the capital was raised.
A typical school electricity requirement is in the range of 10-20 kWh. For a hybrid wind-steam-Photo Voltaic (PV) power plant this would entail an investment of 40-60 Lakh rupees, clearly a small percentage of the total investment. Schools can avail subsidies, low interest loan from empanelled banks as well as claim accelerated depreciation on the investment. A range of funds, grants and direct fundraising opportunities for investing in renewable energy systems can be explored.
Proposed Activities:
Conduct interactive engagement programs with innovative direct dialogue to reach students and faculties at educational campuses, for creation of awareness and demand for renewable energy. The programs will aim to convince schools to invest wind or solar energy production on campus or to create a fund that will continue to fund such a project. The program also includes training for young people to enable them to earn their livelihood from the Renewable energy sector.
Program for Schools:
- Conduct renewable energy awareness "events" in institutions.
- Conduct energy audit of the school with the students and faculty.
- Propose Energy efficiency measures to the students and faculty to adopt.
- Conduct students and faculty poll for identifying intention to switch to renewable energy.
- Create conducive atmosphere to force an institution to set aside a recurring allotment of money that will be invested in creating wind or solar energy production on campus or to create a fund that will continue to fund such a project.
- Assist the school to develop 'concept to commissioning' project proposals by interfacing with the manufacturer/ vendor, potential funders/ funding agencies and the school authorities.
Program for Under-privileged Schools:
- Conduct renewable energy event (as for above schools).
- Conduct joint audit and identifying best renewable technology for school's requirement.
- Identify Funding agencies/ individuals to cover the cost of the installation.
- Train students during installation to prepare them for future livelihood option.