The following is a continuation of my earlier posting,"Beat the energy crisis" of 18/05/05
The effort of the modern world should be for utilisation of energy from sources other than fossil fuels or nuclear reaction. As we all know, fossil fuels are depleting fast and nuclear reactors are far too dangerous in the present situation. Though few countries have gone in for nuclear energy in a big way, sustained efforts are being made to find other sources. Examples are, solar energy, wind energy, energy from ocean waves, biogas and bio diesel, geothermal energy and so on. Energy from the various sources may one day be able to replace totally the use of fossil fuels or nuclear reaction. Production of biogas from cow dung is a very interesting proposition for India. I have given some interesting details in the section biogas section.
But the Indian establishment appears to be totally in favour of nuclear energy for the future. Not sufficient seriousness is shown to promote biogas in a big way. Ruling Congress party is celebrating the concessions promised by US Govt. for the promotion of nuclear energy in India for purposes other than weapons. However, the Government authorities should not forget that development of energy sources other than fossil fuels and nuclear energy is one of the most important tasks for the country. It should be remembered that the US president has only recently called upon all developed nations to take to Methane gas farming in a big way. While France depends on nuclear energy for 80% or more of it’s total energy requirements, US dependence on nuclear energy is about 12% only. If the world’s richest economy is concerned about the depleting resources of crude oil, what is India doing with the world’s largest livestock population of 250 million?
Methane gas and bio-diesel are the new renewable sources to meet our entire needs.