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Friday, 22 June 12
GLOBAL ACTION NEEDED ON ENERGY POVERTY - WORLD COAL
 Eradicating energy poverty is possibly the biggest challenge facing the world today. Like climate change it can only be addressed with a concerted global effort. With the Rio+20 conference underway, WCA looks at what needs to be done to achieve energy access for all.
The statistics are well known. 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity and another billion have only intermittent access.Without concerted international action, these numbers are not expected to change significantly in the next two decades. There is a huge disparity in energy access across the globe. Most developing economies struggle with low levels of energy access, and while most developed economies have almost full energy access, the amount of electricity they produce and consume varies significantly. Improving energy access is so important because it is fundamental to modern life. Light and power for homes, schools, hospitals, business and industry are all essential to strong and resilient economies that improve livelihoods. Economic and social development cannot occur in the modern world without access to energy. It is for this reason that the United Nations has declared 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, and it is why energy is amongst the top issues at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
More ambition needed
Real ambition is needed to deliver energy access across the world. The original text of "The Future We Want" draft outcome document for Rio+20 released by the UN early in 2012 included language calling for access to a "basic minimum level" of energy. Targets that refer to the basic minimum level of access reflect the target contained in the IEA's Energy for All case outlined in its World Energy Outlook 2011. This target would provide: "use of a floor fan, a mobile phone, and two compact fluorescent light bulbs for about five hours a day. In urban areas, consumption might also include an efficient refrigerator, a second mobile phone per household and another appliance, such as a small television or a computer." What is most alarming however is what is not included in the IEA definition, where it notes that "some other categories are excluded, such as electricity access to business." Ambitious energy targets will provide the energy needs to build and operate essential social infrastructure and support economic growth by allowing reliable energy supplies for business and industry. Targets for energy access must be ambitious because the problem is so fundamental to the challenges facing the modern world.
National priorities are important
The first draft of "The Future We Want" document and the UN Secretary General's Sustainable Energy for All initiative have both also focused heavily on expanding the role to be played by renewable energy. Renewable energy does have an important role to play in improving energy access but it is not the right solution everywhere. As nations develop, they seek secure, reliable and affordable sources of energy to strengthen and build their economies - coal is a logical choice in many of these countries because it is widely available, safe, reliable and relatively low cost. Accessing reliable, on-grid, base load electricity is essential for businesses and industries that cannot have intermittent supply. Strong grid structures with base load coal fired power stations are essential to even out peaks and troughs in the generation of renewable electricity and they can very effectively distribute centralised base load electricity. Many countries have very significant coal reserves and should be able to utilise those to build reliable base load electricity systems. International support for improving energy access should recognise the economic, technical and natural resources available in economies with a shortage of electricity supply. Across the world coal will play a significant role in improving energy access. The IEA's WEO 2011 projects that coal will provide more than half of the on-grid electricity needed to meet their energy for all case. It will be particularly important in places like India, Pakistan and southern Africa and will continue to strengthen China's energy supplies.
Energy access and climate change
Despite the need for countries to be able to utilise their own resources, it seems at the international level that there is a far more significant focus on renewable energy technologies. This focus is brought about by concerns over climate change. The concern is that significantly improved energy access will lead to large increases in emissions of greenhouse gases and therefore increase the risk of catastrophic climate change. Many actors in the international community therefore believe that fossil fuels cannot play a role in improving access to energy if we also want to meet the climate challenge. It is not necessary however for action to be restricted to that paradigm.
A surprising revelation in the IEA World Energy Outlook 2011 was that achieving the IEA's (albeit minimal) energy access target would only increase global CO2 emissions by 0.7%. In part that is likely to be because of the significant role of off-grid renewables included in the scenario, but it also comes in a scenario where almost a quarter of all electricity needed is expected to be provided by coal. More ambitious energy access targets may lead to higher emissions, but this will also come in the context of significantly improved economic and social outcomes for those who get access to electricity. Even more important is that significantly increased emissions can be avoided. Deployment of advanced coal technologies will play a major role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. One key way of reducing the emissions from burning coal is to improve efficiency levels at power stations. Highly efficient modern supercritical and ultra supercritical coal plants emit almost 40% less CO2 than subcritical plants. Efficiency improvements in power generation are amongst the most cost-effective and shortest lead time actionsfor reducing emissions from coal-fired electricity. This is particularly the case in developing countries and economies in transition where existing plant efficiencies are generally lower and coal use in electricity generation is increasing. Beyond improvements in efficiency, carbon capture and storage technology will be a key technology to reduce CO2 emissions, not only from coal, but also natural gas and industrial sources.
Figures in the IEA's World Energy Outlook 2011 report estimate the potential for CCS to contribute 22% of global CO2 mitigation through to 2035. Over time CCS will become a key technology for improving energy access consistent with global climate objectives.
What action is needed?
Concerted international action is needed to address the global challenge of energy poverty. Without providing energy to those who currently lack it, it will be impossible to eradicate global poverty. To meet this challenge, policy frameworks must be put in place, both at national and international levels, to support effective energy institutions and business models to support the deployment of a comprehensive energy infrastructure where it is needed most. With these frameworks in place, finance from all sources, public and private, domestic and international is needed to provide the finance to build energy systems. Before this can be achieved however, it must be recognised that all sources of energyare necessary to meet the vast potential demand for electricity. It is important to understand that different sources of energy will suit different countries and different environments. To ensure that energy reaches those who need it most, there cannot be a political preference for one technology over another. The decision must be based on what is most effective in meeting the energy need.
Source: World Coal
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Wednesday, 18 July 12
SHIP PRICES HAVE FALLEN RAPIDLY THIS YEAR, FAVORING INVESTORS - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
The price for a 5 year old Capesize dry bulk carrier of 172,000 dwt has fallen to about $33,4mil from $42.9 at the end of June 2011, while at end of ...
Saturday, 14 July 12
FREIGHT MARKET SEEMS TO BE QUITE VOLATILE - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - The market seems to be quite volatile with the trend changing almost every week. This week all the segments were down except for Pana ...
Friday, 13 July 12
TRANSCOAL MINERGY HAS RECEIVED PMA STATUS IN INDONESIA
COALspot.com - PT Transcoal Minergy (“TCM”) has received official foreign owned company status from the Capital Investment Coordinating ...
Thursday, 12 July 12
LACK OF CAPESIZE DEMAND DRAGS DRY BULK MARKET LOWER - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
A lack of demand for the larger Capesize dry bulk carriers had as a result the fall of the industry’s benchmark, the BDI (Baltic Dry Index), w ...
Thursday, 12 July 12
RIO TINTO'S SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGES
COALspot.com - Rio Tinto is making changes to its senior management team as chief financial officer (CFO) Guy Elliott has decided to retire at the e ...
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- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- PTC India Limited - India
- The University of Queensland
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Planning Commission, India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
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