Clean energy for future cities

Cities generate most of the global economy, and most of its energy use, resource demands and
climate emissions. How we build cities over the next decades will largely determine whether we
can deliver a bright green future. - Alex Steffen

Our cities are expending to support increasing urban population, satellite cities are being developed
rapidly surrounding existing urban-centres. This is posing serious issues of energy, carbon emission
and environmental degradation. This mushrooming of unplanned urban areas will certainly torpedo
India’s efforts towards emission reduction target and sustainable development goals (SDG) as well.

SDG of India includes affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy access for all; inclusive,
safe, resilient and sustainable cities; action to combat climate change and its impacts, (NITI Aayog)
As per Ministry of Statistics And Programme Implementation (MoSPI) India is experiencing
unprecedented rate of urbanization. In 2011 31% of India was living in cities, the trends of
urbanization 50% of India’s population will be living in cities by next two to three decades. (Census-
2011)

% Urban Population
60%
y = 0.0012x2 + 0.0038x + 0.0943
50% R² = 0.9917
40%
30% 31%
28%
23% 26%
20%
17% 18% 20%
14%
10% 11% 10% 11% 12%
0%
1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021 2031 2041 2051 2061

Figure 1 Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

India is experiencing the exponential growth in terms of per capita income, expenditure, energy
demand etc. This growth and urbanization of population is one big aspect that we need to factor in
for our future development. Future cities shall be equipped to meet increasing demand which is
possible by incorporating sustainability aspects in all areas of city planning and operation.

Scientific community including organizations such as TERI working towards climate change is
constantly deliberating on these issues and advising/helping the government to on key policies
issues for planning the future cities. Organizations are constantly working on the goals related to
finding sustainable and climate resilient solution. In last few decades many formal gatherings of
scientists, professionals, policy makers, and government officials have been organized deliberate
climate change issues and country’s path of sustainable development. Schemes and programs like
Climate resilient cities, smart cities and solar cities are outcomes of such productive discussions,
pushed by such organisations and being implemented by the government for preparation of future
which is becoming a sharper reality with every passing day.

Energy Access is becoming a key issue with increasing energy demand. As per MoSPI, per capita
energy consumption in last decade has increased by 50%.

Per capita energy consumption

25000

20000
Megha Joule

15000

10000

5000

Figure 2 Energy Statistics 2016 MoSPI

The problem statement of energy-access is three dimensional; governed by demand, supply and
environmental impact. Energy efficient and energy sufficient future cities will use internal resources
to meet its demand without imposing any burden on any other areas outside city boundary. These
resource & carbon neutral urban-centres will produce its own energy in a sustainable manner,
minimizing the impact on environment.

Future Cities will primarily relay on renewable resources. Conventional power plants will no longer
run as base load plants and will be shifting their operation towards variable output. City level smart
distribution network will monitor demand and supply on runtime basis. Operation of grid will be
dynamically balanced with precise forecasting of renewable resources and energy demand. India has
already setup its action plan for renewable energy installation. The launch of National solar mission
has accelerated the acceptances of solar energy among general masses. Solar cities program is also a
step forward in this transformative direction. Solar, Wind and Biomass energy and geothermal
energy will be our primary energy resources, whereas sources such as bio-waste and waste heat will
become secondary resources. As per a TERI and WWF report (“100% Renewable Energy by 2050”)
India can potentially become 100% renewable energy powered. Also by implementing aggressive
energy-efficiency measures we can achieve savings of 59% from projected demand

Another issue is our current transport model which is energy intensive degrading environment and
citizens’ health. We will be done away with existing automobile based transport network by looking
at transport alternatives powered with clean energy. One promising model is underground rail
network with end point connectivity leaving city roads for pedestrian and bicycle commuters. This
model is already being explored in various cities with metro trains. We also need to look for private
transportation alternatives.
India has launched a smart cities program recently which is focused to transform our current and
new cities into future cities. These smart cities will be an outlook of our future cities that we are
going to adopt in near future. Future cities are going to become reality sooner then we anticipate.
These will be smart cities equipped with smart systems enabling smooth and efficient operation.
However a city can be as smart as its habitants. Therefore it is our responsibility to educate and
prepare ourselves for dwelling in these smart future cities as first generations of smart citizens.