On 20th September 2020, 3,051 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), in China, took part in a dazzling drone show to break the record for most UAVs airborne simultaneously. A patchwork of drones, cleverly combined with lights and intricately patterned, presented the Chinese Space Station. This synchronized flight of a flock of drones flickered lights and changed positions to show different themes and objects. Drone shows are gaining popularity around the world. With many shows being used to litter the night sky with light and glamour at big events or occasions.
However, synchronizing such a massive hoard of drones to take an integrated pre-programmed flight with flawless precision is easier said than done. It’s like an orchestra, for the performers to act as a collective, each performer must do his/her bit at the right time. The collective effort then makes a melodious composition. But to orchestrate such an impeccable collective effort, the orchestra needs a conductor. The conductor is like the puppet master, who decides what and when each performer plays. The conductor acts as the nucleus of the entire collection which drives the flow. Similarly, the swarm of drones needs its conductor too, a nucleus that can pre-program each movement of the drones to generate a fascinating synchronized drone show.
Drone shows are gaining popularity around the world, with many shows being used to litter the night sky with light and glamour at big events or occasions.
Enter, Wajih Ajmal Siddiqui, the conductor that drives his swarm of drones to make elegant patterns in the night sky. He’s the boundless ambition and the relentless drive behind his startup, aptly named, Bir-d (Add Instagram link here). Wajih is a mechanical engineer by education, acquiring his degree from City University in London. After that he returned to Pakistan and boarded a ship a sailed for faraway lands. While surrounded by sea, under the bright moonlight, Wajih’s mind would be occupied with fascinating ideas. Innovations that might change the world. Until he settled on Bir-d. While watching a drone show in China, enchanted by the technological fireflies in the air, he had an idea. An idea that led to the creation of Bir-d.
Wajih is a mechanical engineer by education, acquiring his degree from City University in London.
A twist of purpose, unrelenting drive, and unending ambition led Wajih to believe that such drone shows can be effectively used for corporate mass marketing campaigns. So, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Spending sleepless nights on his roof, he started work on synchronizing flight paths of multiple drones. The work was daunting but Wajih was tenacious in his effort. He quit his job to make more time for his grand idea, despite everyone warning him not to. Then to acquire the platform for the essential synchronization and integration of the flight paths of these drones, he scraped up whatever little savings he had and made the purchase. Wajih had gone all-in on his idea. The path was not easy and in the face of repeated failures and obstacles, his thrust continued. After endless rounds of testing with an increasing number of drones, finally, he achieved the accuracy he was aiming for with 50 drones shining bright in the night sky.
Using the flock of drones in its inventory, Bir-d shepherds them into different corporate logos and taglines for mass marketing.
Using the flock of drones in its inventory, Bir-d shepherds them into different corporate logos and taglines for mass marketing. The logos or taglines, whatever pattern the conductor may prefer, then hovers in the vast expanse of sky, shifting colors and themes accordingly. This is an innovative approach to marketing that doesn’t occupy rented space and has incredibly high visibility (who wouldn’t look at shining lights in the night sky?!). It also has the ‘x factor’ which entices you towards the company that advertises itself in such a glamourous way. Bir-d has taken marketing to another level, lifting your company to the skies, shining and capturing thousands of eyes and hearts.
Tidal power is a form of hydropower, a renewable source of energy that uses the rise and fall of waves produced by the surge of ocean waters (Society, 2011). The rise of the tides is the product of the gravitational interplay between the sun, moon, and the earth.
Moreover, the increase in the inclusion of tidal energy for the generation of power owes to its sustainability, resulting from the oceanic tides’ high predictability compared to other renewable sources, the wind and solar energy (“Tidal Energy | PNNL,” n.d.).
Tidal power is an innovation of the old school practice
Dating as far as the Middle Ages and even having historical evidence in Roman times, tidal energy was used to drive grain mills. However, the first time that tidal energy was proposed to be used as a source of generating electricity dates to Victorian times.
That led to the establishment of the first-ever tidal plant, the La Rance Tidal Barrage in France, which was operational since 1966 (Neill et al., 2018). This is the starting point for the massive construction of dams barrages in the other European States to utilize tidal energy for electricity generation.
However, by the late 90s, these constructions faced several setbacks due to the number of potential spaces being occupied by already built dams. The up roaring costs and several other factors associated with the social and economic challenges seemed unaffordable (Moran, Lopez, Moore, Müller & Hyndman, 2018).
That led to the establishment of the first-ever tidal plant, the La Rance Tidal Barrage in France, which was operational since 1966.
Tidal Barrages and Tidal Fences and their negative contributions to the environment
Tidal barrages utilize the tidal surges, the rise and fall of the tides, to drive the turbines and, thus, generate electricity (Hanania, Heffernan, Jenden, Stenhouse & Donev, 2021). Contrary, a tidal fence is a form of technology characterized by a steel or concrete structure that resembles a fence and utilizes the fast-flowing tidal surge of the oceanic water to generate electricity.
The fence is famously introduced as a cross between a tidal barrage and a tidal turbine stream system (Tidal Fence and Underwater Tidal Fence Turbines, n.d.). That said, before the already mentioned stance of tidal systems having negative aspects, the tidal barrages, the unique system that was structured very similar to dams for tidal energy management, have several harmful environmental contributions.
Most importantly, the tidal basins and the surrounding where they establish create potential risks to aquatic plants and animals by altering the salinity of the oceanic water. Moreover, the tidal barrages are prone to impact the tidal levels by increasing the turbidity and affecting navigation (Moran, Lopez, Moore, Müller & Hyndman, 2018).
Current Prospects
There is undoubtedly an expanding need to opt for renewable energy resources with the ever-growing energy crisis worldwide. With the great predictably level of tidal surge and their dependence on the earth’s gravitational pull, they prove to be the most reliable sources present. However, there need to be some amends in how the system was previously operated.
Most importantly, the situation calls for the application of innovative solutions suggested as:
Nullify the salinity alteration of the tidal systems.
Not harming marine life’s health.
Have a negligible effect on the tidal level.
The impacts of tidal energy systems on the environment and society need to be fixed for reviving tidal power in the present-day world.
Deep Water Horizon was released in 2016, which is based on a real-life story of an oil drilling rig at the Gulf of Mexico that exploded and resulted in the worst oil spill in history in April 2010. This disaster-based American saga was directed by Peter Berg, who inspired by an article in The New York Times published the same year when the incident happened.
The movie showcases some renowned actors portraying real-life heroes on the oil rig. The cast include Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O’Brien, and Kate Hudson. This solid cast performed incredibly well, and the movie was even nominated for the Academy Awards. The portrayal of the characters and the essence of the film is so natural that a former oilfield worker said, “I can attest that the movie is very true to life and reminds me a great deal of my time working out in the Gulf of Mexico”.
This solid cast performed incredibly well, and the movie was even nominated for the Academy Awards.
The disaster takes form when a drilling party is relocated. A negative pressure test checks the oil rig being drilled. This test shows whether the cement has adequately sealed the oil rig or not. During the first testing process, the workers didn’t get the desired result, but the second test booms, and the work on the rig proceeds further. All this goes efficiently until day one; the sealed area of the high-pressure reservoir goes off and leads to a massive blowout. The explosion cost 11 lives; fire raged and oil gushed out of control for 87 days.
Several real life heroes come forward amid the chaos for the rescue when all hell breaks loose at the rig. These scenes are the real gold of movie when the viewers feel an emotional attachment with the workers and rescuers on board.
Ultimately, the disaster goes out of hand and led to a significant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As per estimation, about 210 million gallons of oil were spilled into the sea.
As per estimation, about 210 million gallons of oil were spilled into the massive water body.
Hundreds of audiences don’t know much about the technical aspects about the rig, but the movie is dramatized in such a compelling way that the intensity of the disaster grabs the viewer. Although the first quarter of the movie is a little bit slow, but gradually it paces up when the disaster happens, the later part is untoudetly grippling keeps the suspense, thrill, and action. It also shows what goes with the families and loved ones of the workers at the rig.
The movie gives a lesson that the past helps us to learn from our mistakes and assists us to make accurate decisions to prevent major catastrophe happening in the future. It warns to double-check and inspects each and every technical aspects when the stakes are tough.
The global economy continues to halt recovery from COVID19, the energy resources and their prices threaten to derail this recovery. In 2020, a historic drop in energy demand and prices was observed after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Later on, when travel restriction was normalized, demand and supply started recovering, but it stained the fossil fuel markets primarily for oil, gas, and coal. The oil prices skyrocket as the demand chases supply during the recent Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The recent surge in oil prices is due to the fact that global energy markets are naturally volatile. The world consumes approximately 100 million barrels of oil each day. While several IEA projects boost the use of renewables, enhance the energy efficiency, and shift toward electric vehicles, the oil will continue to meet the rising demand for petrochemicals and fuel transportation.
With more sophisticated living standards, it is estimated that by 2040 electricity generation is expected to increase by 52%., as globally, 772 million people still live without access to electricity.
Globally, the total amount of energy consumed has risen dramatically over time. Undoubtedly it is related to both population growth and the industrial revolution. The use of renewable energy resources plays a huge role in the rise of energy consumption. The abundance in the availability of energy resources has transformed the course of humanity over the last few centuries.
Oil was started being pumped out in 1860, having a greater energy density and being more versatile than coal, still, oil got a position as a significant energy source by 1920, and it surpassed coal as an energy source until about 1940.
Of course, the global progress rate was way slow back then, but it is probably hard to avoid the conclusion that the world’s energy supply system has gone through inertia and resulted in sluggish change.
The use of renewable energy resources plays a huge role in the rise of energy consumption.
Nonetheless, regardless of the source, whether oil, coal, or gas, the energy demand grows. The data shows that the global population is expected to rise by about two billion over the next two decades. With more sophisticated living standards, it is estimated that by 2040 electricity generation is expected to increase by 52%., as globally, 772 million people still live without access to electricity.
As per data, fossil fuels supply about 80% of the energy we require. The remaining sources include nuclear power, biofuels, hydro, and other renewables such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
Another report of IAE released in Oct 2021 shows that Global energy demand and energy-related carbon emissions will continue to rise by 2050, with oil staying the most significant energy source just before surging renewables.
This report also reveals that driven by overgrowing population and economic growth, the world’s energy demand is expected to increase 47% in the next 30 years, particularly in developing Asian countries. This will require a rise in oil and natural gas production, absent technological breakthroughs, or significant policy changes.
Liquid fuel will make up 28% of global energy demand by 2050, compared with renewables at 27%. This assumes a 36% increase in liquid fuel demand and a 165% increase by renewables from 2020 levels.
Gathering all this evidence through peers, mechanical engineers, and research scholars/ scientists, Scientia Pakistan brings its exclusive edition on “energy resources’, which is uniquely the most demanding topic these days. We believe that this edition will be an excellent read for mature readers and researchers. Have a lovely weekend.
Living in a society that targets sustainable development goals, we are stuck in several traditional practices. The switch from non-renewable to renewable energy resources has been the talk of the town for decades. However, we still need to find answers as to why we cannot completely eradicate the use of coal, a non-renewable resource, in energy production?
“Coal is the single greatest threat to civilization and all life on our planet.“
– James Hansen.
Coal is the cheapest fossil fuel; substantial industrial setups consume a significant amount of coal for various purposes. Mainly, coal is used for electrical energy production. The US Energy Administration stated that in 2019, coal-fired power plants produced approx. 23% of total electricity in the US. A significant reason is that almost 1/4th of the total coal reserves are in the United States. Coal-generated electricity is used for different purposes such as heating, cooking, transportation, and farming.
Furthermore, certain realities of coal are utilized in steel production. Coal varieties used for this purpose have a high carbon and low moisture content. Additionally, coal is employed in manufacturing cement, carbon fibers, synthetic petroleum-based fuels, and tars.
Coal extraction, transport and management generate numerous employment opportunities that assist economic growth. Developed countries with humongous coal reserves utilize it the most as they do not need to import other resources for energy production, which asset aids in GDP stabilization. Perhaps these are the target reasons why coal is employed for energy production.
Irrespective of the potential benefits coal confers, its drawbacks are worse. Coal is a non-renewable energy resource. The rate at which coal is employed for energy production globally to meet the demands of the growing population, we might run out earlier than expected. Such practices do not align with the future’s sustainable development goals.
The potential hazards of coal utilization for energy production include pollution (water and land), high radiation and carbon emission, and health concerns. We will focus on each of the mentioned aspects and analyze how they aggravate the damage in the present and near-future of this planet.
Pollution is the most immediate and detrimental result of coal utilization for energy production. Air pollution and land, water, and noise pollution are generated during coal mining and coal waste dumping, respectively.
Coal power plants produce ash, a leftover product of burned coal. Approximately 100 million tons of coal are produced annually. A copious amount of this results in water bodies such as streams, lakes, and rivers polluting them. Moreover, underground water supplies are also contaminated, posing a threat to clean water. During coal mining, oil leaks and acid drainage jeopardize both marine and land ecosystems. Furthermore, coal mining, extraction, and processing is a source of noise pollution disturbing the nearby ecosystems and residential areas.
Air pollution is another repercussion of coal extraction. Sulfur dioxide, a potent byproduct of coal processing, when released in the air, causes acid rain. It can associate with other minute particles in the air and penetrate the lungs, leading to asthma and bronchitis. Smog is another byproduct of toxic gases released in the atmosphere.
Nitrous oxides, another toxic gas, are released, alleviating breathing problems. Over time, nitrous oxide exposure can enhance the susceptibility to chronic respiratory diseases such as influenza and pneumonia.
Carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning are a crucial player in global warming. Every gram of coal that is burned, on average, produces 4 grams of carbon dioxide. Methane, a gas 34 times stronger than carbon dioxide, is also released due to coal mining. It traps heat hence upsurges the daily temperatures on the planet’s surface.
Every gram of coal that is burned, on average, produces 4 grams of carbon dioxide. Photo We Forum
Once all these noxious gases enter the atmosphere, they add greenhouse gases that scar the ozone layer, increasing the average daily temperatures. The aftermath of ozone depletion and high average temperatures is exhausting. Melting of glaciers, flooding, and surface runoff create havoc at domestic and industrial levels. Such humongous fluctuations in the environment or atmosphere also drive a shift in climatic change.
Coal miners are exposed to numerous poisonous and heavy radioactive matter such as uranium and thorium. Frequent and prolonged exposure to such radioactive matter can lead to a pool of diseases such as skin cancer, acute and chronic respiratory disorders, and vision problems.
The longer we as a community rely on renewable energy resources, particularly coal, the more we reduce our quality of life. This planet needs us, and for all the right reasons, we need it too. The future is green energy, sustainability, renewable energy.
World Expo, officially known as “International Registered Exhibitions,” has been held every 5 years at different locations worldwide. Its history goes back to 1851 when first held at Crystal Palace, London, to showcase the Industrial revolution on a larger scale. It has been held in several western countries like Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Canada, to name a few. Japan was the first Asian country to host a World Expo in 1970. At these exhibitions, numerous mega structures came to light, like the world’s first Ferris wheel was installed at World Expo 1893 in Chicago. The world’s fastest elevator of its time, “The Atomium,” was also a part of World Expo 1958 in Brussels.
Since the pandemic’s start in November 2019, the world was forced to halt all its livelihood and resort back to the basics of life. Last year World Expo came to the Middle East as “Dubai Expo 2021”. It was scheduled to open in Oct 2020 but was postponed due to another wave of Coronavirus, which opened eventually in Oct 2021 and is ongoing till March 2022. As of February 2022, it successfully touched 15 million visitations bringing back the post-pandemic charm.
Connecting Minds, Creating the Future
With over 191 countries participating through their respective pavilions, this expo looks promising in providing a better future for subsequent generations. ”. World-class architects, designers, researchers, and immense talent came together to showcase their expertise to create this mega project. It is divided into three zones, Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability.
Several countries are participated in the Sustainability zone and display their futuristic technologies mainly for creating energy from recycled material. This pavilion generates its own power to run itself in electricity and water. Germany, UAE, Singapore, Netherlands are a few prominent names in this district.
Hungary and New Zealand are the prominent countries in the Mobility District in Dubai Expo 2020, along with Barbados, Turkmenistan, etc. Named as “Alif”, an Arabic alphabet is dedicated to mobility. With the eye-catching gallery, Alif is designed by British Architecture firm Foster+Partners. It has the world’s most giant elevator with a capacity of 160 people. From the early history of mobility to the present and the future, this pavilion is a marvelous piece of artwork.
Several countries, including Pakistan, UAE, India, and Romania, are a part of the “Opportunity district” at Dubai Expo 2020. They displayed their respective cultures, history, and their present prospects. Countries have also shown their future goals in terms of technology and advancements. Going by the slogan “Mission Possible,” the opportunity pavilion brings together a place to connect billions of people, sharing their experiences and celebrating their uniqueness. AGI architects design it.
Pakistan
Pakistan has its pavilion in the opportunity district, presenting our culture, history, and heritage in a large-scale manner. Designed by Al Jabal Eng/Rashid Khan, it is recognized as one of the best pavilions. Based on the immersive and interactive concepts, Pakistan’s cultural diversity has been showcased in a very holistic manner. A history of 7000years has been shown with Pakistan’s present and future too. Handcrafted pieces from different artisans are put together in the form of a Bazaar where visitors can purchase them as a token of memory. Two dining facilities are also available at Pakistan’s pavilion “Dhaaba” and “Daawat”. Visitors can indulge in rich street food from Dhaaba, while Daawat provides all of the best Pakistani cuisines.
Pakistani pavilion at Expo 2020
Terra: Sustainability Pavilion
The main building of this district is named “Terra”. It is designed by UK firm Grimshaw Architects. This 135m pavilion generates all its water and energy. This supertree is 97% made up of recycled steel to support 1055 solar panels. It is in a shape of a canopy to anchor the sustainability district.
Along with the solar panels, 18 auto-rotating energy trees surround it to generate 4gigawatt hours of electricity annually. This canopy collects stormwater and dew and smaller water trees, which are also placed around this structure.
The main building of this sustainability district is named “Terra”.
Due to the ecological concerns and rapid increase in global warming, the world is forced to take several measures to increase the amount of energy and lower the ecologically harming aspects of carbon submissions. Wind, water, wood, and biofuels are the most widely used renewable energy sources globally. Still, with new technologies like green hydrogen marine solar, the future for more eco-friendly energy is bright.
Renewably produced hydrogen or GREEN HYDROGEN is the fastest-growing energy resource. Low emissions and lower value of electricity grids help decarbonize the industrial process. It can be blended in natural gas pipelines and can also be used to produce green ammonia, which is the primary source of fertilizers. It can bring a significant change in safekeeping our environment from several industrial hazards.
A few of the most widely recognized pavilions in this district are discussed below:
Netherlands
The Netherlands introduced a miniature climate system, “Biotope,” with the theme of “Uniting Water, Energy, and Food”. It has a cone-shaped vertical farm harvesting and cultivating water, energy, and food. Built by V8 Architects, it is made up of locally sourced materials. They developed a solar-powered rain shower, “Sun Glacier”, an innovation that allows producing hundreds of liters of water from dry air every day. This water is then used to produce edible food-like mushrooms, tomatoes, etc.
They have also published a book, “Raining Stories,” which is widely available for the public to read about all the technologies they have used in maintaining their pavilion in the desert region of the Middle East.
Germany
One of the most entertaining pavilions is designed by a firm Lava, facts and fiction in “Edutainment”. They created it in the campus-like form, further dividing it into three parts;
The Energy Lab
The Futuristic Lab
Biodiversity Lab
German pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020
They displayed their energy revolution “Energiewende” in a detailed manner that aims to transit Germany into a low-carbon, environmentally sound, and affordable energy supply. From generating energy through the futuristic innovation of “EnerKite”, hydroelectricity, photovoltaics to preserving it in hydrogen storage and DeepSea storage, it is the most interactive exhibit in Dubai Expo.
Singapore
This multi-layered, three-story, 9-meter tall garden developed by “WOHA” architects operates on clean, renewable energy. It is a prototype of regenerative design that aims to repair and restore the ecosystem and biodiversity. With the slogan “Nature, Nurture and Future”, Around 517 solar panels generate electricity for this pavilion.
Singapore’s multi-layered, three-story, 9-meter tall garden developed by “WOHA” architects operates on clean, renewable energy
They introduced “EcoDigestor,” which converts food waste into recycled water on-site. To minimize energy-intensive water treatment pumps, they used plants to purify water streams naturally through the “Phytoremediation” method. Regenerative technology sets a net-zero target for its water and energy use.
Plenty more pavilions show human advancement and a wide range of diversity, ensuring our safe and healthy future. Dubai Expo is exhibiting the cultural aspects of the human race and the history and the future in a broader light.
Pakistan produces around 12000 megawatt (MW) more electricity than its need. Then why do we have load shedding? If we have extra electricity, why is the electricity cost increasing day by day? These are the questions many Pakistanis ask. Let’s dig deeper.
In general, losses are estimated from the discrepancy between power produced (as reported by power plants) and fuel sold to the end customers; the difference between what is produced and consumed constitutes transmission and distribution losses, assuming no utility theft occurs. The transmission and distribution setup of Pakistan can provide 22000MW electricity to the end consumer (industries and domestic use ). While The consumer demand is 25000MW, There is a shortfall of 3000MW that the transmission system cannot support.
There is a shortfall of 3000MW that the transmission system cannot support. Photo Wisal Kamal
This deficit in the supply and demand chain results in adjusting the 22000MW electricity according to a consumer need of 25000MW, hence giving rise to load shedding. There are several moving parts to the supply chain.
After power generation in powerhouses, the voltage is stepped up to be transmitted via primary transmission lines to 500/220-kilovolt grid stations. In these grid stations, the voltage is converted to 132kv and then transmitted via secondary transmission lines to 132kv grid stations.
From here, they are transmitted to distribution lines and delivered to consumers. The capacity of all these units — primary transmission lines, secondary transmission lines, grid stations, distribution lines, distribution transformers — has failed to keep pace with the increase in demands.
The share of indigenous electricity resources like hydro, nuclear, and renewable energy, which does not depend on the regular import of fuel, is 41%. But the share of thermal-based electricity which relies on expensive oil fuel from other countries is 59.42%.
Electricity process flow from generation to consumption
The crisis of energy losses
Our transmission lines run through very long distances, leading to line losses. The distribution lines also are prone to failures because of no up-gradation of cables and transformers. Together the line and distribution losses account for up to a whopping 18.3 percent of what we feed. For developed countries like Germany and France, it is 4 and 6 percent respectively.
Additionally, power theft, low metering rate and corruption have restricted the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) like IESCO, PESCO, LESCO, etc., to make a full recovery.
Why electricity is getting expensive
All these losses result in overburdening the government. To minimize the damage, especially electricity theft, Govt has to adjust the tariffs. This increases bills. But wait, that is not the only reason for a rise in bills.
The department responsible for regulating the electricity supply in Pakistan is called National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). According to the 2020 official report of NEPRA, Pakistan’s total installed power generation capacity as of 30th June 2020 was 38,719 MW. This energy is produced from different sources like hydro, nuclear, thermal, and renewable energy (RE).
The share of indigenous electricity resources like hydro, nuclear, and renewable energy, which does not depend on the regular import of fuel, is 41%. But the share of thermal-based electricity which relies on expensive oil fuel from other countries is 59.42%. The breakdown is given in the figure and table below.
From the table, we see that share of thermal-based energy is highest in electricity production in Pakistan. The cost of this energy is directly related to the cost of fuel in the international market. Due to the growing demand for energy globally, fuel prices are skyrocketing. Pakistan also will have to buy the fuel at high rates than before. And this will also burden on our cost of energy production hence adding to our monthly bills.
The solutions to energy crisis
The plan is simple: Inject data-driven planning. Inject expertise. The following strategies can be adopted:
We know that fuel based electricity is expensive for us and also unreliable due to unreliable logistic situation in covid-19. Nuclear, hydro and RE are our best bet.
Reducing transmission and distribution losses will help solve our energy crisis to a greater extent. For achieving this, new technologies like HVDC shall be adopted.
High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission
An emerging trend being considered is high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines because of some of the advantages in the efficiency. According to an ABB study, HVDC lines provide 25 percent lower line losses, two to five times the capacity of AC lines at similar voltages, and the ability to precisely control the flow of power.
With better planning, based on reliable and historic data and the use of modern techniques such as hybridization of REpower, challenges in the induction of REpower plants can be managed to a larger extent. In order to take advantage of the solar potential across the country; small and medium-sized solar power plants may be installed near load centers, where the power evacuation facility (grid) already exists to minimize the transmission cost. Acknowledging the importance of RE power plants, the Federal Government has set a target of 20% RE capacity by 2025 and 30% by 2030 in the national grid.
In order to exploit this solar energy, the process of Net-metering should be made fast and easy. Right now there are only 104 companies across Pakistan that are licensed to install the solar systems required for putting an application of net-metering.
Also, the net-metering application waiting time is 3 months, which means the solar system installed by consumers will be wasting the extra power it generates. It cannot be shared with the Water And Power Development Authority (WAPDA) until the new meter is installed. During FY 2019-20, only 3,334 Nos. of Net-Metering Licenses with a total installed capacity of 56.87 MW were issued. The efficiency of the process can be increased by introducing private distribution companies. This will end the monopoly of government-controlled DISCOs and increase the quality of service.
Retiring the circular debt by Improving the billing collection ratio and 100 % metering.
[4] Pakistan’s electricity generation has increased over time. https://www.dawn.com/news/1430728
[5] Great Potential, Many Pitfalls: Understanding China’s Belt and Road Initiative by Bijan Omrani https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=sSszEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=Pakistan+has+a+capacity+ of+providing+22000+MW+electricity&source=bl&ots=ZCCGzVpbMm&sig=ACfU3U2IYvN7qxDpb1NraqJ6u BdspUow_A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjA0OKUo6X2AhURsFYBHTvyCLMQ6AF6BAghEAM#v=onepage& q=Pakistan%20has%20a%20capacity%20of%20providing%2022000%20MW%20electricity&f=false
[6] Energy Crisis in Pakistan | Pakistan Energy problems and its solutions |Electricity in Pakistan CSS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H9PMlRTu7U&ab_channel=CSSForum
[7] Measures for reducing transmission and distribution losses of Pakistan, IJSER Journal
Earlier in September 2021, the president of the United States, Joe Biden, signed an executive order to tackle the climate crisis by making the federal government carbon neutral by 2050. He plans to reduce buildings emissions to half by 2030. These goals are in line with the recommendations by scientists and researchers worldwide to prevent catastrophic climate change globally in response to the rising urgency to reduce pollution. Where does Pakistan, a signatory of the Paris Accord, come into play in this scenario?
Pakistan’s greenhouse gas emissions portfolio contributes to only 1% of global emissions, hence the world mostly relies on U.S. and China’s efforts to reach their decarbonization targets, but what about Pakistan itself? An agriculture-dependent economy such as Pakistan is highly sensitive to climate change owing to its geographical location, heavy reliance on water resources, weak adaptation capacity, and lack of planning for emergencies; all of which directly impact the economy2. Any policy reforms to decarbonize the country are not a courtesy extended to the world but absolutely essential for its own people.
Pakistan’s net-zero goals aren’t clear enough to visualize a carbon-neutral 2050: the Paris Agreement goal. There are a number of ministries in place, but no policies, no reforms. While the world is redefining its decarbonizing goals by limiting oil and gas-powered vehicles and the grid, we are still struggling with increasing the renewable share in the national grid mix, while simultaneously allowing new coal plants to operate. It’s been a decade now that we have learned about Pakistan’s solar and wind potential, abundant and resilient enough to provide electricity for all, but when?
In 2019 alone, 51% of the total energy consumed by various sectors in Pakistan was in the form of fossil fuels. The industrial and transportation sector heavily relies on fossil fuels3. Though 2021 goals mention grid resilience and 50% decarbonization, there are new coal power plants constructions in place. It is vital to understand that today’s investment in infrastructure will be used for decades from now.
The electricity portfolio for the future will define the decarbonization in Pakistan, and more importantly the residential and transportation sector. Residential applications alone consume 49% of produced electricity, while major demand comes from heating and cooling applications in buildings. Climate change will directly impact this demand in the next few years and buildings are heavily dependent on the national electric grid.
As per the current situation, it’s highly unlikely that Pakistan could meet its Paris Climate pledges, or even its own policy goals by 2050. More dependence on coal is only increasing the emissions and our grid mix is neither resilient nor sufficient to deal with emergencies.
The bigger question is if we can decarbonize our homes at an individual level. Why not? And will it be impactful enough for a carbon-neutral 2050? Absolutely yes.
Constructing new buildings according to the green building standards or refurbishing old buildings with carbon neutral and renewable resources could be one step towards reducing the dependency on the grid. It can not only provide for an emergency backup but has been proven by researchers for long-term cost savings at the consumer end. You won’t be complaining about the skyrocketing fuel prices and utility bills, since that won’t be relevant anymore.
Thermal energy storage for buildings has gained popularity as a retrofit technology because of its capability to shift the demand and installation flexibility for both new and old buildings.
Public adaptation of such technologies even at a smaller level can reduce the electricity demand and ultimately grid stress. The grid resilience means more flexibility for the government to redefine the goals and mitigate climate change.
In Oct 2021, a widespread protest was reported in Pakistan’s national media following the incident of illegal cutting of five Pine trees in Kalam, a famous tourist area in Khyber Pukhtoon Khwah province of Pakistan. These trees were grown on the provincial forest department’s land and couldn’t be chopped off without a cover-up of the forest officers. Residents of Kalam opposed the illegal cutting and demanded action. Three culprits were arrested and the concerned authorities also imposed a heavy fine.
The incident occurred close to the main road that connects Kalam and Bahrain, where around 50-year-old trees were chopped off with heavy machinery. If not immediately brought into notice, more trees in the vicinity were brutally erased.
These thousand-year-old pine forests play a vital role in the several oldest ecosystems of the region. Kalam and the adjoining areas are natural habitats and are believed to be the hub of different species of Pine.
During the last decade, the illegal cutting of trees in Kalam’s forests has grown to an extent. The residents are forced to rely on forest wood due to poverty and lack of employment resources. Consequently, the negative impacts of deforestation are evident on the region’s ecosystem. The annual precipitation rate has declined with a brief snowfall season.
Globally, the industrial revolution and excessive emission of greenhouse gases have accelerated environmental degradation. Pakistan is among the few countries in South Asia highly vulnerable due to climate changes. Statistics show that Pakistan contributes only 0.72% of global emissions of greenhouse gases. Nevertheless, the rate of natural disasters in Pakistan has increased during the last two decades and seems invincible.
The primary cause of widespread climate change in Pakistan is massive deforestation. Environmentalists stress that approx. 25% area of a country should cover with forests. Unfortunately, this area has shrunk to only 4% in Pakistan due to massive deforestation.
According to the World Food and Agriculture Organization report released in 2015, Pakistan’s forests are shrinking 2.1% annually, and about 42,000 acres are being lost each year. The country’s demand for timber is more than three times its potential supply, and about 66,700 acres of public-owned forests are being lost each year at an average rate.
Energy Crisis in Pakistan
Pakistan is currently going through a severe energy crisis. Around 68% of the country’s population, specifically in rural areas, relies on wood and coal for fueling. Better fueling resources such as gas and electricity are accessible to urban parts. Still, massive deforestation for urbanization and growing industries near thickly populated areas negatively impacts ecosystems and threatens the lives of residents.
Massive deforestation for urbanization and growing industries negatively impact ecosystems
Pakistan has been working on several Coal-Fired Power Plant (CFPP) projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to productively deal with the energy crisis. These coal-fired power plants are under heavy protest due to their huge capacity to damage the environment. Nations are shutting down CFPPs to minimize carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. Pakistan’s government has also announced not to further work on these projects in the future.
What should be the coping mechanism?
Pakistan faces a severe green emergency that has adverse effects on its economy. Due to low precipitation, agriculture, industries, fisheries, and several other sectors have been facing hard for a long, and the pandemic has overburdened its economy.
In the facade of climate change, providing reliable renewable energy supplies to its population is the biggest challenge for Pakistan’s government. Pakistan needs financial assistance from developed countries to work on renewable energy projects.
Does bioenergy provide an alternate amid climate emergency?
Over the past ten years, several counties have been working on significant research projects to introduce more sustainable energy resources, and bioenergy is one of them.
Substantive pieces of evidence exist that bioenergy cropping systems can bring multiple benefits and offset environmental degradation associated with fossil fuels usage. They also help to improve food production and urbanization.
Timothy D. Searchinger is, a senior research scholar at the Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, argued about bioenergy in a session organized by National Press Foundation Washington. He said that “wood pellets produce more greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, as carbon is emitted when the wood is harvested, pelletized, shipped, and burned. Globally, the wood pellet industry has emerged over the past two decades. Several companies use each part of trees and process them into small pellets. These pellets are shipped to plants where they are further processed to generate electricity.”
Globally, the wood pellet industry has emerged over the past two decades. Image Source: safety4sea
“Experts say that while biomass is voiced as renewable, burning wood pellets releases more carbon dioxide than burning natural gas. Besides the actual burning, carbon dioxide is also released during harvesting, drying, debarking, pelletizing, and transportation. “The whole process emits more carbon than burning fossil fuels in plants,”
Enviva is a significant player in the wood pellets industry in the US; their 2020 sustainability report claims that they strive to create a market for low-value wood that uplifts healthy forest stewardship and creates new incentives for forest landowners to replant and keep their land as forest.
Talking about Pakistan, it has not been decided yet which renewable resource would prioritize after closing CFPPs. Pervez Amir, a prominent Pakistani environmental economist, says that “Pakistan spends only 1% of its annual budget on the environment. Recently, the ministry of the environment has merged with the ministry of climate change that is entirely separate entities and requires separate budget allocation amid climate emergency.”
He further says that Pakistan has undoubtedly done a lot to save ecosystems and seal widespread climate changes in the last two decades. We lack the most in a practical climate change policy and proper budget allocation for establishing a country-wide disaster management system.
What does future hold for us?
Renewable energy is the best option for averting the most destructive effects of climate change on the national economy. Globally, during the last decades, the growth of renewable energy resources has outpaced that of nonrenewable. While solar and wind energies are blazing new trails, they are not enough to meet the global demands, and nations are forced to rely on bioenergy.
A decade ago, bioenergy was seen as an ideal candidate to minimize the global energy supply gaps. But its development has stalled for multiple reasons. The incentive to scale it up led to the rapid conversion of invaluable virgin land. Tropical forests and other vital ecosystems are transformed into biofuel production zones, creating new threats to food insecurity, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and massive deforestation.
Meanwhile, a few other research analyses revealed that the biofuel farms that are appropriately placed and fully integrated with other activities in the landscape could be sustained ecologically.
Peg Putt is a coordinator to a working group on forests, climate, and bioenergy, ‘Environmental Paper Network’. She said that the past decade had seen a doubling of biomass energy supply and a quadrupling of pellet production. More growth is coming: a projected 270% increase in biomass demand over the next decade. The U.S. and Canada are significant wood pellets suppliers; Russia, Vietnam, Australia, and other nations are expected to join in.
Putt said that it poses new challenges, as harvests will increasingly be not from biomass “waste” but from longstanding forests that are diverse and carbon-rich. We have to be very careful in our future-fuel choices because the planet’s natural ecosystems are at the snipping point due to wild human activities and inconvincible greed. It may not survive with further new experiments.
Native to eucalypt forests and eucalypt woodlands. These herbivorous marsupials play a significant role in ecological maintenance and overall environment stability. This adorable creature has been declared endangered by the Australian government to our utter dismay. We will try to find answers as to what circumstances lead to koalas being declared endangered. We need to act before such unique species vanishes from the face of the earth.
Survival of koalas is not only cardinal for biodiversity conversation but the ecosystem as well. First and foremost, they are an integral part of the food chain. Being the prey for larger carnivores, they help keep the food chain in a cycle. Furthermore, when koalas feed on branches and leaves, they break down these branches, making them available for ground animals.
Survival of koalas is not only cardinal for biodiversity conversation but the ecosystem as well.
Koalas feed on excess vegetation in eucalyptus forests, thereby reducing dry biomass content. The accumulation of dry biomass is one of the major causes of intense forest fires during dry seasons. Koalas aid in the prevention of these catastrophes.
Moreover, koala droppings act as the nutritional source for small rodents and insects during the rainy season. It further enriches the fertility content of the soil, which is beneficial for plant growth. Surprisingly, koala fur is used by birds for their nests. The fur acts as an insulation medium that protects bird nests against harsh climatic conditions. Speaking of climate, greenhouse emissions have exacerbated, resulting in drastic climatic shifts.
Survival of koalas is not only cardinal for biodiversity conversation but the ecosystem as well.
Koala forests absorb carbon dioxide from the environment and convert it to organic carbon. This property enables efficient carbon dioxide utilization, thus helping to combat climate changes. Eucalyptus trees found in koala forests are the most efficient trees in producing clean oxygen and storing carbon.
To ensure the persistence of koalas as fundamental living creatures on the planet, we need to identify and exterminate the causes of their potential extinction. Two of the most prominent reasons are mentioned below:
Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease in koalas in another cause of their declining numbers. Chlamydia led to cyst formation and blindness. The prevalence of this sexually transmitted disease also increased the infertility rates in adult koalas leading to ack of viable off springs.
Recent statistical data released by the Australian Koala Foundation reports a decline of approximately 30% of koala’s population within three years. The severity of the situation can be analyzed because koala extinction is expected by 2050 if no proper measures are taken.
Knowing the sensitivity, the Australian government is taking concrete initiatives to ensure the complete restoration of the koala population. They claimed an investment of around $12.8 million for koala health research and rehabilitation of koala habitat.
Apart from this, the Australian government should draft laws following the guidelines provided by WHO in protecting them. Koala resident forests should not be exploited, and human settlements should be kept away from their vicinity.
When they are gone, when every last life has been stolen, how will you remember them? Extinction is forever.
