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Energy Transformation – Green Energy Alternatives

The global shift toward clean energy is driven by the need to combat climate change, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and enhance energy security. Advancements in green hydrogen, solar, wind, and energy storage technologies are accelerating this transition.

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Today awareness about global warming and climate change has started a movement for clean energy.

 The movement towards clean energy is crucial because it is a primary way to combat climate change by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. The transition to green energy is the process of moving away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural, self-replenishing sources that have a low or zero-carbon footprint. While hydroelectric power generation, solar and wind power are traditional sources of clean energy, green hydrogen/ammonia and synthetic fuels are now considered as additional options. What, then, are the primary drivers of the global shift toward green energy alternatives?

Rick

 “The shift towards green energy today is mostly a shift away from fuels that cause global warming and other pollution issues and a shift to meet growing energy needs. Biomass was the primary energy source for most of human history and it is still about 13-14 percent of global energy production, but evolving with more modern agriculture, farming, forestry, and biofuels. Even before the industrial revolution humans harnessed solar, wind and waterpower for tasks like farming, milling grain, and sailing ships. The industrial revolution was powered by coal, oil, and later natural gas as the dominant energy source. In the mid-20th century, nuclear power emerged as a new energy source, offering a carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels, but since the accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima, new nuclear power has largely paused,” says Rick Rys, Senior Consultant, ARC Advisory Group.

 

Anoop

Anoop Anand, President – System Drives, ABB India Ltd, agrees saying the need to address climate change has become a fundamental issue, compelling everyone to take energy transition seriously. The fact remains that if we do not take impactful action now, we may not be able to leave a livable planet for future generations. “Transitioning away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind, has been a key part of this effort. Technological advancements have also played a significant role, making renewable energy sources more efficient and cost-effective. Economic incentives from governments, global geopolitical factors, and the desire to reduce dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels have further encouraged power producers and consumers to adopt alternative fuel solutions,” he explains.

 

“Growing public awareness of climate change and the environmental impact of fossil fuels is driving demand for sustainable energy solutions, with more people embracing clean energy options. Simultaneously, advancements in energy technologies, including solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicles, are making renewable energy more accessible and cost-effective,” says Ankush Malik, Chief Operating Officer, Juniper Green Energy. “Supporting this shift, global agreements like the Paris Agreement have established targets for reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy, while governments worldwide are enacting policies and regulations to further incentivise the adoption of clean energy sources,” he adds.

 

Out of the many options and alternatives to conventional energy sources, what are the emerging technologies that have the most potential to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources?

 “While the ultimate goal is to meet all energy requirements through renewable sources, achieving this is both challenging and time intensive. Even in developed countries, the share of renewable energy in the current energy mix remains relatively low. With economic growth being a primary driver for every nation, a trade-off is often necessary between prioritising pure green sources and meeting the energy demands required to fuel growth,” says Subramanian Chidambaran, Chief Strategy Officer, Cummins India. “Many envision this transition through step-changes – introducing a series of breakthrough technologies that can drastically cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to zero. Couple of examples include Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and electric mobility powered entirely by renewable sources. While these technologies hold great promise, widespread adoption faces challenges related to technical feasibility, economic viability, and accessibility,” he elaborates.

 

Jagannath

According to Jagannath Prasad, CEO – Recycling Business, Runaya, green hydrogen and solar energy have emerged as transformative forces, particularly in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and heavy transportation. Recent strides in electrolyser technologies are significantly boosting efficiency, making green hydrogen a more viable and sustainable solution. “Long-duration energy storage innovations, such as advanced thermal storage and next-generation batteries—like sodium-ion and solid-state technologies—are tackling the intermittent nature of renewable energy. Artificial intelligence is revolutionising grid management by optimising operations, forecasting energy demand, and enabling predictive maintenance of renewable infrastructure. Additionally, breakthroughs in materials science—such as ultra-lightweight wind turbine blades and high-efficiency perovskite solar cells—hold the promise of dramatically reducing costs and accelerating the scalability of green energy solutions,” he opines.

 

“The plummeting costs of technologies such as solar, wind, and battery storage, coupled with governmental incentives, have created a compelling case for renewables,” says Naresh Baluja, Chief Commercial Officer (Renewables), ENGIE India, a company that builds, develops, and operates large grid-scale solar and wind projects in India. ENGIE is leveraging this momentum to lead the global energy transition, offering solutions that address energy security while minimising environmental impact. “ENGIE recognises that the future of renewable energy lies in harnessing breakthrough technologies. Green hydrogen, a key focus area for us, holds transformative potential for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors. Similarly, advancements in energy storage, like solid-state batteries and long-duration storage systems, are critical for addressing intermittency challenges. ENGIE also invests in digital grid technologies and AI-driven energy management to optimise renewable integration. These innovations, combined with ENGIE’s global expertise in deploying scalable renewable projects, position us at the forefront of the clean energy revolution,” he explains.

 

One major concern in the wake of growing share of renewables is the evacuation of power generated by wind or solar projects and connecting that to the grid with all the weather related fluctuations in power generation factored in. What innovations in grid infrastructure are needed to support the growing adoption of renewable energy?

 Rick Rys believes we have all the essential grid technology today to support renewable power. Existing grids often lack the infrastructure to move renewable energy from rural sources to population centres. Offshore wind typically needs HVDC to move power to shore. Moving hydro and large solar can use HVDC too, also agrees that it is hard to gain rights-of-way for new transmission lines so reconductoring is proceeding in many locations. “New conductors may be heavier, requiring new towers. At the distribution level we see new innovative microgrids and behind the meter solar power growing faster than conventional grids. This new power generation needs to play well together with utilities. New renewables need more capable power conversion systems (PCS) systems that can provide grid services like VAR or voltage control, frequency regulation, and secure communications,” he elaborates.

 

“Integrating renewable energy sources into the grid is a key element in the overall success of this mission, given the intermittent nature of these sources. Smart grid technology plays a major role in this process, as it uses advanced sensors, IoT devices, and real-time data analytics to manage and distribute renewable energy efficiently. Smart grids enable better integration of energy resources such as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage systems, and pumped hydro storage, helping to balance supply and demand,” says Anoop Anand. “The use of microgrids is also becoming increasingly important, as they can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid. Microgrids allow for the integration of renewable energy sources and provide reliable power to specific areas, particularly during grid outages or periods of peak demand,” he adds.

 

Ankush

Ankush Malik is also of the view that the adoption of renewable energy at a large scale requires substantial innovations in grid infrastructure to ensure stability, efficiency, and resilience. Developing interconnected grids, such as regional super grids, enhances energy resilience and stability by distributing renewable energy across larger areas and reducing the risk of localised disruptions. The integration of smart grid technologies, powered by AI, IoT, and machine learning, enables dynamic grid management, optimising energy flows and predicting demand patterns. However, as grids become smarter and more interconnected, cybersecurity measures are essential to protect against threats and maintain grid resilience. “Large-scale storage solutions must be developed to store excess energy generated during peak production times and discharge it during periods of high demand, ensuring grid stability. Additionally, Smart Metering Technology helps in real-time monitoring of energy consumption, offering valuable data to implement better demand response strategies and improve overall grid management,” he emphasises.

 

Even as the world today is implementing renewable energy projects at a brisk pace, the journey is far from smooth and is in fact riddled with hurdles. What are the most significant challenges in scaling green energy technologies globally?

 “The most significant challenges in scaling green energy technologies globally stem from economic viability and geopolitical dynamics. Once a green energy technology is technically proven, the primary hurdle lies in achieving economic viability. This depends on several factors, including the cost of generation, storage, distribution, and funding for capital expenditures. Currently, there are limited sources of funding for green energy projects, whether it is for incubating and scaling the technology or establishing industrial-scale ecosystems. This is because financiers often perceive high risks in investing in this space. Overcoming this challenge requires a collective effort from various stakeholders, including governments, industries, funding institutions, technologists, and others, to collaborate and drive confidence in the sector,” says Subramanian Chidambaran. “Geopolitical dynamics present another major challenge. Different countries excel in various aspects of the green energy value chain. Some specialise in developing low-cost technologies, others in building large-scale ecosystems for commercialisation, and still others serve as demand centres or funding sources for capital-intensive projects. The scaling of green energy technologies would be significantly smoother and more efficient if these countries could work seamlessly together, leveraging their respective strengths and resources,” he suggests.

 

Naresh

Naresh Baluja concurs saying while ENGIE actively champions the global energy transition, challenges persist. “Unequal access to financing and technology, especially in developing regions, hinders large-scale adoption. Supply chain dependencies for materials like lithium and rare earth elements pose sustainability risks. ENGIE addresses these challenges through strategic partnerships, innovation in resource-efficient technologies, and robust financing mechanisms. Our commitment to a just energy transition ensures that we balance economic, environmental, and social considerations as we scale renewable solutions worldwide,” he states.

 

For Rick Rys, it takes policy and a sustained effort by governments to shape the energy landscape. “Green energy must compete with nuclear and fossil fuels. Policy can use the carrot or the stick approach. Every energy industry receives direct and indirect subsidies, and this is a complex and highly debated topic. 80 percent of the cars sold in Norway last year were electric. This happened by consistent tax and other incentives and gradually increasing penalties on ICE vehicles. China installed more than 9 times as much renewal power in 2023 as the US because of their long-term goals and consistent policy. Energy consumers react to price signals that vary greatly by country,” he explains.

 

Like much else, in renewables too there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, and though wind and solar have taken an early lead, these two segments are just not enough to cater to the energy sector as a whole. One of the more promising alternatives that has been talked about for quite some time – at least a couple of centuries, in fact – is the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source, and one that is present in abundance. However, harnessing hydrogen is easier said than done, and producing it is an energy intensive process, complicating the matter further, also bringing in the colour code. So it is green hydrogen that is now seen as one of the viable alternatives, but the question is how feasible is this in the real world?

 

“Green hydrogen is indeed a promising alternative to fossil fuels and could prove to be a saviour for the planet in the long run. It has been some time since it was identified as a potential solution, and most energy companies have been actively pursuing this initiative. It is widely believed that the ambitious targets set by the UN’s Paris Agreement will not be achievable without the large-scale deployment of a hydrogen ecosystem,” says Anoop Anand. However, the feasibility of implementing a green hydrogen ecosystem in the real world presents several challenges. “One of the major concerns is the high production cost of green hydrogen. Without a drastic reduction in these costs – potentially by one fourth – the feasibility of energy transition without an unprecedented hike in energy prices looks uncertain. Additionally, developing the infrastructure needed for the entire ecosystem, including transportation, storage, and distribution, would require large-scale investments,” he says, also adding that responsible organisations, including ABB with its world-class products and systems, are playing a constructive role in developing a hydrogen economy that could ultimately help create a greener planet.

 

Subramanian

Subramanian Chidambaran concurs with the above observations. According to him, green hydrogen is increasingly seen as a viable alternative, but it's real-world feasibility hinges on three key factors: technical feasibility, economic viability, and accessibility. “While many players are striving towards a target of ‘less than $1 per kg’ for green hydrogen, the reality today remains far from this ideal. Challenges such as the efficiency of the generation process, the cost of power and technology, and the expensive storage and distribution infrastructure are making green hydrogen a costly fuel at present. Despite ongoing efforts to address these challenges, the future of green hydrogen depends on how these issues evolve in the coming years. Additionally, the supply-demand dynamics play a critical role, as cost reductions can often only be achieved through economies of scale, which require substantial demand. However, this Catch-22 situation needs to be addressed through usage mandates, incentives, and other measures,” he says.

 

“ENGIE is at the forefront of green hydrogen development, recognising its critical role in decarbonising industries like steel, aviation, and shipping,” says Naresh Baluja. “While the technology is still evolving, our large-scale pilot projects demonstrate its growing feasibility. The cost of electrolysis and renewable electricity remains a challenge, but ENGIE’s innovation-driven approach and partnerships aim to bring green hydrogen to market at scale. With supportive policies and continued investment, green hydrogen can become a cornerstone of a net-zero future,” he elaborates.

 

Summing up, every solution, even when backed by mature technologies, has some drawbacks. How do you address concerns about the environmental impacts of manufacturing renewable energy components, like solar panels and wind turbines?

 “One approach is to focus on improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes, which can reduce the use of raw materials. Advances in material science are also crucial, as they lead to the development of more environmentally friendly components with longer lifespans. Additionally, recycling and reusing materials from decommissioned renewable energy components can significantly reduce environmental impacts,” says Ankush Malik. “Programs that focus on the circular economy, such as recovering valuable metals from old panels and turbines, can help address resource scarcity while minimising waste. It’s also important to conduct comprehensive lifecycle assessments and ensure that they contribute to long-term environmental benefits and minimise adverse effects,” he suggests.

 

“While renewable technologies significantly reduce operational carbon emissions, their production footprints remain a critical challenge. Addressing this issue requires adopting sustainable manufacturing practices, such as closed-loop systems for material reuse and integrating cleaner energy sources into production processes. At Runaya, we have showcased how industrial waste streams can be transformed into high-value materials, providing a blueprint for the renewable energy sector to emulate,” says Jagannath Prasad. “Our patented processes allow us to recover Green Aluminium from Aluminium Smelter Waste, setting an unprecedented standard in environmental sustainability. Our recovered Aluminium has one of the world’s lowest carbon footprints, emitting just 600kg of CO2 per metric tonne, a stark contrast to the conventional aluminium industry, where emissions can reach up to 13,000kg CO2 per tonne,” he concludes.