Key Power Sector News Roundup for September 23, 2024

CEA Clears Two Hydro Pumped Storage Projects in Maharashtra The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved two hydro pumped storage projects in Maharashtra, the 1,500 MW Bhavali PSP by JSW Energy and the 1,000 MW Bhivpuri PSP by Tata Power, adding 15 GWh of storage. For FY25, 15 hydro PSPs totaling 25,500 MW are planned.   Ministry of Power Issues EV Charging Infrastructure Guidelines for 2024 The Ministry of Power has issued 2024 guidelines for EV…

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PLN outlines strategy for energy transition, targets net zero by 2060

PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has detailed its energy transition strategy at the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum 2024, focusing on achieving net zero emissions by 2060. PLN emphasized its commitment to the energy trilemma—reliability, affordability, and sustainability—and called for global collaboration on climate change solutions involving strategy, technology, and investment. PLN’s energy transition roadmap, first introduced in its 2021-30 electricity supply business plan, targets 52 per cent renewable energy. The company is now accelerating its…

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6. Power Sector and Climate Change

The power sector has long been the backbone of modern civilization, but the energy it produces has come at a significant environmental cost. Traditional energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas—collectively known as fossil fuels—have been the primary culprits in emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to what we now know as climate change. For decades, coal-fired power plants were the dominant players…

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Natural Hydrogen: A Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Alternative for a Net-Zero Carbon Future

Most hydrogen used today is produced from fossil fuels, primarily natural gas, through processes like steam methane reforming. These processes are carbon-intensive and release large quantities of CO2, making them unsuitable for a net-zero future. Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, and blue hydrogen, produced with carbon capture and storage (CCS), are considered clean alternatives. However, these methods are costly, and green hydrogen faces challenges due to the intermittency of renewable energy…

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Utilities at the Crossroads: Tackling the Energy Transition with Real-World Solutions

As the global push towards decarbonization intensifies, the role of utilities in the energy transition becomes increasingly critical. Utilities are at the forefront of efforts to decarbonize electricity supply and electrify energy demand, collectively known as the energy transition. They are tasked with increasing the share of renewable energy in their generation mixes, modernizing networks to integrate these variable power sources, and managing the diverse power needs of industry, households, and transportation. Additionally, utilities must…