Hybrid energy sources to boost carbon reduction goals: Alok Nanda

CEO of GE India Technology Centre and CTO, GE South Asia Alok Nanda has said that the adoption of hybrid energy sources globally can assist in meeting the aim of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. Nanda, in a virtual address at the 17th Edition of India Innovation Summit, said that as they progress to reach their aim of carbon neutrality and zero carbon emission, they have to think of hybrid energy sources. Hybrid energy systems are the combination of different sorts of energy production equipment like electrical energy storage systems, electrical energy generators and renewable energy sources. Nanda said that climate change is a real concern, and energy transformations being made today should be done keeping the needs of future generations in mind. He said that one of the main reasons for climate change is that 41% of the carbon emission is produced by the power sector, while 26% by the industry, 25% by transport, and 9% by buildings. Nanda said that concerning transport, they have talked about e-cars but, if those e-cars batteries are charged by electricity produced by a technology that generates carbon, then that would indirectly harm the environment. They require a holistic approach. He said that if all the coal plants are substituted by renewable energy of equal capacity, carbon emission will dip by 25-40%. If the coal plants in the world are substituted by gas turbines or gas plants of equal capacity, the carbon emission will dip by 50-60%. He said that they would have to work towards hybrid energy sources. Hybrids are necessary, and as they progress towards achieving it, they can create real change while accomplishing the energy trilemma by making electricity affordable, reliable and sustainable while reaching energy security requirements. Then they add carbon capture and hydrogen to this mix and take this (carbon reduction) to 100%, the goal. Image SourceAlso read: Coal India laying focus on energy efficiency, plans carbon reduction Also read: JSW Steel to cut down carbon emissions by 23% till 2030