Essay on petroleum conservation
Answers
Answer:
India's demand for petroleum products is increasing at a rate of approximately 3-4% per annum. Some of this usage, the PCRA argues, is avoidable: it sponsored a project in Delhi which is demonstrated that fuel worth Rs. 994 cr per annum is being burnt at traffic signals due to idling of vehicles at red lights. Energy efficiency measures to reduce by 2% India's use of petroleum products, worth Rs. 4 Lakh Crores per annum, could save the country's Rs. 8,000 Crores worth of imports.
The PCRA is mandated to promote popular awareness of the importance of energy conservation. It cites an international acceptance that energy efficiency measures, like turning off car engines at traffic signals and driving at speeds of 45–50 km/h, could help most countries to reduce their use of petroleum products by 20%. The PCRA promotes a nationwide mass media awareness campaign titled “Save Fuel Yaani Save Money”, broadcast on television, radio, and in newspapers. The campaign mascot, Yaani, is a piggy bank, representing saving. The PCRA took the campaign to the India International Trade Fair – 09, where the PCRA stall featured interactive games and quizzes to promote energy efficiency.
The PCRA aims to become a center of excellence for conservation of hydrocarbons & environment protection for sustainable development on our inherent strength. Its mission is to reach efficient energy utilization and environment protection leading to Improvement in Quality of Life. Its objectives are:
1) To formulate strategies and promote measures for accelerating conservation of petroleum products leading to environment protection, energy security and sustainable development.
2) To create awareness among masses about the importance, benefits and methods of conserving petroleum products & clean environment by enhancing information and capacity building.
3) To promote research, development and deployment efforts aimed at petroleum conservation & environment protection, support & facilitate efforts for adoption and dissemination of fuel efficient technologies and substitution of petroleum products with alternate fuels and renewable.
4) To establish synergistic institutional linkages at the national & international levels in the areas of petroleum conservation & environment protection.
5) To provide training and technical advisory services, designed to achieve economy & efficiency in use of petroleum products for cleaner environment.
6) To function as a think tank to the Government of India, for proposing policies and strategies on petroleum conservation and environment protection, aimed at reducing excessive dependence on oil.
Answer:
There is a vast scope of petroleum conservation in India provided there are technological improvements, financial incentives, policy initiatives and legislative measures for implementing conservation. Transport, industry, domestic/ household and agriculture are four major sectors which consume bulk of petroleum.
Awareness programmes for each sector need to be developed and then extensive publicity of the measures which would bring about savings need to be undertaken to bring about the desired results.
The transport sector is one of the largest consumers of petroleum products mainly petrol and high speed diesel. This sector accounts for 50 per cent consumption of petroleum in India. Road transport alone accounts for about 37 per cent of the total oil consumption.
With fast expanding transport network this consumption level is bound to increase. Oil products constitute nearly 80 per cent of total – commercial energy used in transport (other sources being coal and electricity). Therefore, any energy conservation programme in transport sector is bound to strengthen our economy.
This can be done largely by introducing more fuel efficient engines, operation of transport vehicles at optimum speed, improving road conditions and avoiding traffic bottlenecks, especially in urban areas.
These measures can save about 30-35 per cent fuel. Provision of better roads alone can save 10 per cent petroleum. Extension of railway network has led to substantial savings in high speed diesel since a diesel loco is 7-8 times more efficient compared to diesel truck.